Sunday
Mar142010

How to Use the Various Shades and Styles of Sarcasm

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Reader Comments (52)

Typo in the first sentence.

I'm afraid this was based on a true story.

(Note from Scott: There was a typo, and it has been fixed.)

March 14, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterZach

"These are but two techniques..."

Aren't there three listed? One for each of the panels before that one?

(Note from Scott: I have now corrected this issue, but it did stand for a few hours, so further comments posted on the issue are valid.)

March 14, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterTaellosse

Great one Scott. This is an instant classic. (Sarcasm or no? You be the judge.)

March 14, 2010 | Unregistered Commenterxjonx

Are these really examples of sarcasm? I think #2 especially is better classified as "passive-aggressive" or "being a smart-ass." There's nothing much sarcastic going on.

In response to the above-mentioned "two techniques" issue: why not just use a smaller font size, or a clever, paraphrase? Instead of "three techniques" how about "three ways." Or just "three."

March 14, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterJohn Baptist

The smart thing to do is wait until she's a teenager and then make it some big priviledge that you're only allowing it because "she gets good grades" or something.

March 14, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterKris L

Pure genious! Another masterpiece!

March 14, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterVictoria

Also, "...and by [the] time she's 16..."

I hate to do this. I really do. But I consider it my sacrifice for posterity, so that in years to come, your valuable collections will be flawless.

March 15, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterCatBallou

What if you switch to the imperative tense? Something like "These are but a small sample of techniques. Master them all and you will be more likely to notice when they are used against you."

In any case, I hope that person is not serious/real. "X will just Y, and X does that anyway" - instant justification for everything. "They'll just die, and they do that anyway."

March 15, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterInnominate

Come to think of it, it all comes to cultural differences. Watching the Simpsons (the episode with the wannabe-grownup girl at school), I was shocked to learn girls don't have their ears pierced when they're young in the States. In Spain female babies get their ears pierced as soon as they're born, almost.

March 15, 2010 | Unregistered Commenterstygyan

How about replacing "techniques" with "methods"?

March 15, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterJordan

Ear piercing (at the lobe) doesn't hurt enough to make one cry. At least, not in my opinion.

March 15, 2010 | Unregistered Commenteraerynne

Awesome as ever. Though with the problem above, you could change two techniques to three methods if that would help.

March 15, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterJimbob

People critique cuz they care ...

March 15, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterAC

We got our girls' ears pierced on the same day they got their immunizations. They cried a lot more over the shots. Just sayin'. Haven't done the tattoos yet, but now that you mention it.....

March 15, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterMatthew Miller

http://www.fox8.com/news/wjw-news-ohio-man-tattoos-baby,0,6794111.story

March 15, 2010 | Unregistered Commenterahem...

In response to:

Are these really examples of sarcasm? I think #2 especially is better classified as "passive-aggressive" or "being a smart-ass." There's nothing much sarcastic going on.

I think his statement definitely counts as sarcasm. First, he's trying to imply that he thinks it is a good idea by stating that it is a bad idea. I'm fairly certain this constitutes verbal irony, and that gets us pretty close. To get from verbal irony to sarcasm can be a bit trickier, but I feel that it works in this case. The best way to decide for yourself, in my opinion, would be to read Wikipedia's Irony article, specifically the portion on verbal irony.

March 15, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterHerod Antipas

Maybe it was based on a true story??????

March 15, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterJRB

This is one of my favorites you've ever done. I literally laughed out loud. Thanks!

March 15, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterIzrun

I didn't realize this site was web comics by proxy. I think you should make the protagonist black.

March 15, 2010 | Unregistered Commenterdude guy

Shortly after reading this comic, I ran across THIS reddit post about a man who tattooed a 1 year old.

March 15, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterPhoenix

http://www.fox8.com/news/wjw-news-ohio-man-tattoos-baby,0,6794111.story

Uh-oh

Our three modes of sarcasm are strongly agreeing with a bad idea, false misunderstanding, and illogical conclusions...and an almost fanatical devotion to the Pope.... Our four...no...

March 15, 2010 | Unregistered Commenterclueless noob

<A href="http://www.fox8.com/news/wjw-news-ohio-man-tattoos-baby,0,6794111.story">life imitating art

March 15, 2010 | Unregistered Commentererikp
March 15, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterJJ

Tattooing the baby isnt just sarcastic any more ...

http://www.fox8.com/news/wjw-news-ohio-man-tattoos-baby,0,6794111.story

March 15, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterBrucetheQuokka

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