h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I guess it must be the rather serious threat of our
general demise as a community that is making everyone
so dour and grumpy and humourless lately. Some have
even taken to lecturing others for 'insensitivity'.
There's a whole lotta yikesing goin' on!

Some of us here - *deletes sychophantic list* - have long
suffered wrath from humourless hordes who seem to come in
waves of failed imaginations. Many old friends have given up h2g2
for good. I realise that fine satire and parody are often difficult to
appreciate in a print format, especially for the young or otherwise
semi-literate.

But our best minds have always thrived on the parody and satire
and dark humour that marked this site, even (perhaps especially)
when it went over lesser heads. But now, I begin to wonder if
anyone can even remember the difference between irony and
sarcasm.

Remember, nothing is sacred except the holiest cows and Humour
is the mest bedicine. I hate to be a beerer of such sad noose but
several long serving members are currently being attacked for
only trying to lighten the mood. I will not name names, you know
or you don't. But yes, even I have been spoken to by pedants in
regard to correcting my smelling pistakes.

Oh, it's a Cruella Cruella whirled.


~jwf~

ARSE-BISCUITS!!!!!!

Difference between irony and sarcasm?

Irony is flatter innit.

Silvery is the shiney one... irony is kind of dull, and satire... err isn't that ... somethign to do with seats?

I have difficulty remembering the difference between irony and sarcasm myself, jwf, since the dictionary says that sarcasm is a bitter reply, especially one ironically worded, while irony can mean sarcastic praise. I have to admit to being confused by the two terms. I know I'm not the only one - in Alanis Morisette's song 'Ironic', none of the examples of irony that she gives appear to be ironic at all. "It's like rain on your wedding day".

A confused Gnomon? The end of times must be here

Irony should be the one where you mean the opposite of what you say. I think.

The other ones I'm even less certain about.

Now that our continued existence has been assured

Now that we can stop whinging about an unknown future

Maybe we can get back to some *serious* h2g2 discussion

Like I wonder if there be any further thoughts on this thread.
This one.

~jwf~

Irony: sort of insult, but for good reasons, with friends or so
sarcasm: the same, but meant to insult the person it is targeted at.
That is the best I can explain it in English.

Irony means saying one thing for effect when you mean another. But you all knew that. (eg)

A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggars (an excellent book. qv) has about four pages of tiny print footnotes on the misdefinitions of Irony.

When I was about 13 I got extra marks in an English test for defining sarcasm as Bitterly caustic remarks. But nobody likes a smartarse.

Irony is actually more like an unlikely juxtaposition
of opposing needs, desires or situations. The expression
"water, water everywhere but not a drop to drink" refers
to the ironic situation of those lost and adrift at sea
who will die of thirst for want of fresh water. They are
surrounded by water, salt water, but it is not potable.
It's not funny really, just ironic.
See also 'poetic justice'.

The use of irony to make back handed comments, insults, etc
is really more like sarcasm.

~jwf~

Deaspanning also cause problems.

On a loooong train journey through Canada, I said to a fellow passenger:

~I thought Lake Ontario was a Great Lake, but this ones Superior.~

~Oh?~ she asked, ~Why do you think that?~

I like my own kind.

Join the club!

I Ronny, and you sat 'igher than me.



MMF

Isn't it like rain on your wedding day?

>> Deaspanning also causes problem. <<

I had no idea what 'Deaspanning' might be.
Thank the great Google though, it figgered
you musta meant 'deadpanning'.

~jwf~

I apologise for my fat fingers. I shall have to put them on a diet and no longer allow them to pick up chips.