Lexicography

[robinturner]

From the Dictionary.com entry for "sarcasm":

# A form of wit that is marked by the use of sarcastic language and is intended to make its victim the butt of contempt or ridicule.
# The use of sarcasm.

So sarcasm is something that uses sarcasm or sarcastic language. That really clears things up. I could write a whole dictionary like this, e.g.

Cat n. A catty kind of animal.

George Bush n., pejorative A bushy kind of George.

Comments

[cassielsander.livejournal.com]

Also there should be an "openly" somewhere in there so as to demark the all-important sarcasm/irony distinction.

[solri.livejournal.com]

My favourite summation of the sarcasm/irony distinction is by Reginald Hill's character, Andy Dalziell: "Irony - that's sarcasm for posh folk, innit?"

[bram.livejournal.com]

The gostak distims the doshes.

I usually use Merriam-Webster, and only use dictionary.com when I'm Googlewhacking. The m-w definition of sarcasm is not quite as recursive.

"That really clears things up." I bet this was intentional, but you have provided a good definition-by-use right here; dictionary.com should link to this entry.

[bram.livejournal.com]

In case that wasn't clear, I meant a "definition-by-use" of sarcasm itself.

[solri.livejournal.com]

Yes, it was intended to be taken like that.

[bram.livejournal.com]

Sorry that part of me did not give you enough credit. Unless you are only taking credit after it was pointed out to you, which is actually pretty clever too.



























Ah. Sorry that part of me did not give you enough credit.

Unless you are taking credit afterwar having it pointed out, which is pretty clever too.

[ironed_orchid]

George Bush n., pejorative A bushy kind of George

How I laughed.

As for dictionary.com, doesn't your academic affiliation allow you to access the OED online?

Sarcasm: A sharp, bitter, or cutting expression or remark; a bitter gibe or taunt. Now usually in generalized sense: Sarcastic language; sarcastic meaning or purpose.

a. 1579 E. K. in Spenser's Sheph. Cal. Oct., Glosse, Tom piper, an ironicall Sarcasmus, spoken in derision of these rude wits, whych [etc.]. 1581 J. BELL Haddon's Answ. Osor. 324 With this skoffe doth he note them..by a certayne figure called Sarcasmus. 1605 J. DOVE Confut. Atheism 38 He called the other Gods so, by a figure called Ironia, or Sarcasmus. 1621 BURTON Anat. Mel. I. ii. IV. IV, Many are of so petulant a spleene, and haue that figure Sarcasmus so often in their mouths,..that [etc.]. 1661 FELTHAM Resolves II. l. 284 Either a Sarcasmus against the voluptuous; or else, 'tis a milder counsel.

[solri.livejournal.com]

I usually use the OED. I just happened across Dictionary.com by clickng a link.

Maybe...

[ankh156.livejournal.com]

The definition was trying to be sarcastic...