125 examples of irony and sarcasm. How to learn sarcasm and irony, the difference between sarcasm and irony


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«Practice more, buddy!.. ...And very soon you will masterfully hit the barn wall!»
— to a gopnik trying to shoot a turtle, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, #52

This room is full of people who are wondering This is Sark Mark.
Patented symbol. Fundamentally paid. Looks like a dog. Looks like a spiral. Even looks like Eungl... Sarcasm

- a caustic, bitter mockery that immediately betrays the speaker’s disgust towards the object of the joke. Unlike irony, which is essentially good-natured teasing - or caustic, but still not so aggressive ridicule.

When a lazy person is told “don’t work too hard”, this is sarcasm.

Sarcasm is based on pointing out the huge difference between reality and expectations about a certain object, and often with the help of irrepressible exaggeration of certain attractive properties of the object so that the difference between the truth and the description of beauty is striking.

Different nations and different acting schools have different generally accepted rules for pronouncing sarcastic remarks. For example, among the Dutch it is customary to lower their voice, sometimes to a whisper. Plus a hundred points for sarcasm if it is said with the appropriate facial expression.

At one time, several special symbols were proposed to indicate irony and sarcasm in written texts, but they did not take root. Although some Ethiosemitic languages ​​use a sign similar to an inverted exclamation point to mark humorous and inauthentic sentences.

A sarcastic sense of humor is a very common trait in certain types of fictional characters. They are especially distinguished by Goats (the presence or absence of a golden heart does not matter), Knights in rusty armor, Insufferable geniuses, Magnificent and Cultured scoundrels, Snow queens and other characters who have long given up naivety and idealism. A sarcastic mocker feeds on sarcasm. Pedal to the floor - if the character does not bypass his own person in his sarcastic attacks.

On the other hand, certain categories of characters do not understand sarcasm and irony in principle, which creates an additional source of comic situations. It turns out even more comical if a seemingly naive dreamer with his head in the clouds suddenly reveals barbs.

Misunderstood sarcasm triggers Poe's Law. And there is also an irony of fate.

Difference between sarcasm and irony

  • So, what is the difference between sarcasm and irony? The most “benevolent” form of criticism is humor, followed by irony , which hides ridicule behind the apparent seriousness of what is said, similar to a hint rather than an open denunciation. And only then sarcasm , ridiculing it quite harshly, uncompromisingly and caustically.

Thus, in an ironic statement there is more goodwill, friendly banter. Sarcasm is a rather evil and merciless means of expressing one’s emotions.

Sarcasms in aphorisms

Many phrases spoken by great people (essentially aphorisms) were full of sarcasm. For example,

“We are all cut from the same cloth, and of rather poor quality” (Mark Twain)

or

“All murderers deserve punishment. Unless, of course, they kill by the thousands, to the sound of fanfare” (Voltaire).

Or here's a well-known one:

The capitalists are ready to sell us a rope with which we will hang them" (Vladimir Lenin)

But of those who had the most “sharp” tongue, it is best to remember Faina Ranevskaya. This is someone who really knew how to laugh sarcastically at others and at themselves:

  1. There are people in whom God lives. There are people in whom the devil lives. And there are people that live only worms.
  2. Many people complain about their appearance, but no one complains about their brains.
  3. There are a million fans, but there is no one to go to the pharmacy.
  4. Optimism is a lack of information.
  5. Horseradish, based on the opinions of others, ensures a calm and happy life.

Psychology of sarcasm and irony

  • Psychologists say that irony is most often used in communication by people who are self-confident, endowed with fairly high intelligence and are kind by nature. Perhaps they are experiencing minor complexes, and irony in this case is a means of self-defense.
  • people who lack self-confidence tend to resort to sarcasm And in this case, the self-defense mechanism - to play proactively and incapacitate a potential enemy by unleashing a barrage of evil ridicule on him.


Ironic and sarcastic statements

The benefits and harms of sarcasm

Neuropsychology argues that emotions are responsible for recording information in our brains, so information with the greatest emotional charge is recorded in a more intense, deep and lasting manner. Given that a sarcastic comment carries an emotional charge, either because of the anger it generates or the interest it generates, the effect of these words is intense for both the person making them and the person receiving them .

Research by scientists has concluded that those who often use sarcasm in everyday life are 3 times more creative and solve current and global problems in life more effectively and with minimal losses for themselves.

Sarcasm stimulates creativity, the generation of ideas and non-standard solutions, and activates abstract thinking.

The one who uses sarcasm from the point of view of culture and morality can be anyone, but he certainly cannot be called stupid. And Oscar Wilde considered sarcasm the lowest form of wit. But don't forget that sarcastic people risk making enemies.

How do irony and sarcasm affect a person?

  • According to recent studies, the use of sarcasm in communication has a positive effect on the development of a person’s creative abilities. According to researchers representing Harvard University, to produce a sarcastic expression of thought, the human brain “turns on” both hemispheres, along with the frontal lobes and the cortex, while abstract thinking is also activated, which affects the work of creativity.
  • In addition, in order to formulate a sarcastic thought, as well as for the interlocutor to understand it, both participants in the dialogue are required to have a sufficiently high intellectual level , which is also important for creativity.

Purposes and signs of sarcasm

As you can understand from these examples, sarcasm is used when they want to achieve the following result:

  1. Depreciation of a person and his intellectual abilities;
  2. Condemning a person, his behavior or actions;
  3. Making fun of a situation and the behavior of other people in this situation.

At the same time, a person who uses sarcasm subconsciously puts himself above others. And he seems to be saying that such shortcomings are not characteristic of him, which means he is better than those whom he ridicules.

Recognizing sarcasm is sometimes not easy. But it has a number of distinct features. For example, there is always acrimony and some form of ruthlessness.

You can even say that this joke, which is always pronounced with a serious face, is funny to anyone, but not to the person against whom it is directed.

It is interesting that sarcasm is sometimes used against a person towards whom the interlocutor feels intense dislike and even hatred. This is a way to tease, humiliate and ridicule your “enemy”, but without getting personal and using direct insults.

How to learn sarcasm and irony?

  • First of all, you need to formulate for yourself a clear definition of both concepts and the differences between them. It is advisable to look for examples of sarcasm and irony in literary works, and take an interest in phrases that are given as examples on the Internet (below you can read a list of such statements).
  • When you clearly understand in what cases this or that type of satire is necessary, try to apply your knowledge to those interlocutors who, in case of failure, will not be offended and will not laugh - relatives or friends. The main thing is not to seriously offend them. If the learning process is successful, you can move on to using sarcastic statements towards those people who are unpleasant to you.

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Definition of sarcasm - what is it?

Sarcasm is a ridicule that has a clearly negative connotation and is intended to expose various shortcomings of a person, object or phenomenon.

This term, like many in the Russian language, originated in Ancient Greece. Interestingly, the word "σαρκασμός" is translated as " tearing flesh ." Of course, today it is used in a figurative sense. And “tearing the flesh” can be represented as exposing the true essence of another person.

Let's take as an example a few phrases that each of us could hear in everyday life. And sometimes even to yourself.

  1. AND YOU ARE ON TIME AGAIN. This is what they say to a person who is always late.
  2. THANKS, FRIEND, HELPED! A clearly negative assessment of the actions of your interlocutor, which only worsened your own situation.
  3. WHY ARE YOU SO BEAUTIFUL TODAY?! This is what they can say to a person if they want to focus attention on shortcomings in his appearance or clothing. For example, a black eye or a dirty jacket.
  4. WELL, KEEP UP IN THE SAME SPIRIT. The person clearly does not believe what the other is doing and that it will lead to any result. It can also be a form of condemnation of some action or behavior.
  5. WELL, YOU'RE GREAT! In fact, a person may be extremely dissatisfied with the action of another and say this phrase with obvious irritation.

By the way, some believe that sarcasm is the same as irony. This is not entirely true, or even not true at all. Both of these terms are allegories (metaphors).

Irony is a light form of ridicule (cunning, trickery), when, under the guise of good, the bad is ridiculed. And they do it kindly.

For example, they say to a lazy person, “Don’t overwork yourself,” and to a coward, “Well, you’re brave.”

But sarcasm can be called an evil (sarcastic) form of irony , when the goal is to humiliate the interlocutor.

Sarcasm is used for harsh criticism and usually points out some shortcomings of a person, while irony is used for kind criticism of those who are symptomatic of you.

For example, the phrase “WELL, YOU ARE WELL DONE!” - this is irony, and if they say “WHERE DO YOUR HANDS GROW FROM?”, then it will be a sarcastic expression (with an element of aggression). Although, a lot depends on how and in what situation it is said. And the first phrase can be pronounced in such a way and under such circumstances that it “tears the flesh.”

When to be sarcastic and how to train

How do you know when it's appropriate to use sarcasm? Sarcasm is a great way to laugh and make the best of a bad situation. Being sarcastic is easier than you think. Just remember that if you're sarcastic at the wrong time, place, or with the wrong person, you could end up hurting their feelings, so be careful not to overdo it:

Use sarcasm about ideas or events.For example, after watching a boring movie you might say, “Well, that was fun.” Emphasize "it" to give your voice a sarcastic tone.
Criticize obvious comments.When someone says something very obvious, you can call attention to their unnecessary analysis by saying, “Really? I had no idea!"
Pay attention to predictable events.For example, imagine your friend shares details about how an incompetent employee made a mistake. In this case, you can say “Wow, what a surprise!”
Use sarcasm to call out a mistake.For example, if your friend misses a shot in a basketball game, you might say, “Wow, what a shot. You're just a sniper!

Quotes with sarcasm

Often statements of this kind, based on sarcasm, are aimed at the shortcomings of society. Such quotes most often most openly and at the same time somewhat aggressively express the opinion of the speaker.

Black humor and cynical behavior - what else can an intelligent person do in a society of idiots?

Only those who have it go crazy.

Anyone who knows nothing can take on anything.

I knew a man so little read that he had to compose his own quotations from the classics.

Take care of yourself - what if I need you?

Sarcasm is a natural defensive reaction of the psyche against the stupidity of others.

– Do you mind if I smoke?

“You know, I don’t care even if you shoot yourself.”

Sometimes the statements are quite elegant, their quality is much higher.

For a man to find something in the refrigerator, it must be at eye level and it is advisable to run along the shelf, attracting attention to itself.

I don’t know about you, but my nerve cells are not only being restored, but they are also trying to take revenge on those responsible for their death.

I'll give you a manual called "How to Answer the Phone" or "Oh, That Mysterious Green Button!"

I'm often wrong, sorry, perfect people!

It is not enough to have wit, you also need to be able to avoid its consequences.

Life experience is a lot of valuable knowledge about how not to behave in situations that will never happen again.

Makeup is an attempt to paint on your face the face of another, much more beautiful woman.

Lord, we broke up, I’ll go crazy and throw myself off the chair.

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