Vocab: Irony vs Sarcasm

Hello Friends,

In CAT/CET and esp. CAT, some of the questions in the verbal section involve picking between two options which are very close indeed. In that context let’s look at words that are often confused.

Today we take a look at Irony, sarcasm and satire. Irony, sarcasm and satire indicate mockery of something or someone.

Irony:
The important element of irony is the indirect presentation of a contradiction between an action or expression and the context in which it occurs. The emphasis is placed on the opposition between the literal and intended meaning of a statement; one thing is said and its opposite implied, as in the comment, “Beautiful weather, isn't it?” made when it is raining heavily.

Sarcasm:
In sarcasm ridicule is used harshly and for destructive purposes. It may be used in an indirect manner, and have the form of irony. It could also be used in the form of a direct statement, “You couldn't play one piece correctly if you had two assistants.”

Irony vs Sarcasm:
The distinctive quality of sarcasm is present in the spoken word and manifested chiefly by vocal inflection, whereas irony, arising originally as a literary and rhetorical form, is exhibited in the organization or structuring of literary material.
Irony has greater subtlety and wit than sarcasm.

Roots:

Sarcasm has as its root word the Greek: sarkasmos "a sneer, jest, taunt, mockery"
Sarkasmos is in turn derived from sarkazein "to speak bitterly, sneer". Sarkazein literally means "to strip off the flesh,"
Irony has as its root word the Greek: eirōneía “Dissimulation, sarcasm, understatement.”

Satire:
Satire usually implies the use of irony or sarcasm for censorious or critical purposes and is often directed at public figures or institutions, conventional behaviour and political situations.

Ciao