Talk:sarcasm

Great job.

Facetious and Sarcasm are not synonyms
With all due respect, I just want to assert that I don't think that it's such a "great job", as someone described this dictionary item. First of all, I highly disagree that facetious is a synonym for sarcasm. Sarcasm is usually rude and hostile and somewhat passive-aggressive, whereas facetiousness is simply tongue-in-cheek. At least that's my opinion as to how these two words are used.

Also, may I inquire as to why, in Wikipedia, there is no separate entry for facetious? When one types in the word "facetious," he gets re-directed to "humor", and when one types in the word "facetiousness, strangely enough, he gets re-directed to "Off-Color Humor"!!! Why is this? Facetious doesn't generally doesn't fit into the category of "off-color humor". This is totally incorrect.

Another thing. Why should "Facetious" and "Facetiousness" be re-directed to two separate pages? First of all, I believe that there should be a "Facetiousness" page to begin with, rather than have the word "re-direct" to another page when it's typed in to the search engine. After all, there is a "Sarcasm" page in Wikipedia. And, no, I am not being facetious when I say this.

Let me just reiterate that what I'm asserting here is in reference to Wikipedia, and not it's cousin (or is it brother-in-law), Wictionary''.12.75.134.111 23:56, 6 April 2009 (UTC)


 * While facetiousness does not have the exact same meaning, I agree with the article that it is a synonym for sarcasm - if it meant the exact same thing there would be no need for having a separate word for it :) Also, if you have comments about a Wikipedia page, it would be best to post them on the talk page on Wikipedia, not here, since the editors of the Wikipedia page won't see your comments here.  Also, Wikipedia and Wiktionary are both public, collaborative projects for a reason; if a page is missing and you think you know what it should say, create it!  Then maybe someone else will come along and contribute more to it, or help fix it up for you - that's the beauty of Wikipedia!
 * OF course now that I say that, I should qualify it with the fact that Wikipedia is really for articles on subjects that warrant an entire encyclopedia article, not simply defining words - that is what Wiktionary is for. So unless there is a large amount of subject matter to explain and discuss about the word facetious, it may not warrant a separate article on Wikipedia.
 * Josephmarty 15:09, 8 January 2010 (UTC)

New definition
The old def seemed to be the def for irony with the addition of mockery. There was a looong discussion on the sarcasm and irony talk pages where we seemed to come to a ceasefire that acknowledged that sarcasm is often ironic but may be direct. There are many examples in literature of a sarcastic remark meaning exactly what it says. Also, other dictionaries agree. So I've changed this def to reflect that. See OED, which doesn't mention irony: "A sharp, bitter, or cutting expression or remark; a bitter gibe or taunt. Now usually in generalized sense: Sarcastic language; sarcastic meaning or purpose." Merriam-Webster, where 'often' is used for ironic: Definition of SARCASM 1: a sharp and often satirical or ironic utterance designed to cut or give pain 2a : a mode of satirical wit depending for its effect on bitter, caustic, and often ironic language that is usually directed against an individual Myrvin 09:48, 31 January 2011 (UTC)
 * I have modified the definition to say irony is not always used. Rp (talk) 12:41, 18 December 2016 (UTC)

Uncountable plural?
If sarcasm is supposed to be an uncountable, why exactly is a plural form for it mentioned? --Saatwik Katiha (talk) 17:42, 30 May 2013 (UTC)


 * Look again - there are both countable and uncountable definitions given. "All his petty sarcasms..." Equinox ◑ 17:43, 30 May 2013 (UTC)

RFV discussion: January–February 2019
Newly added sense: "A lack of feeling, concern, or interest." Equinox ◑ 01:06, 26 January 2019 (UTC)


 * RFV-failed Kiwima (talk) 21:37, 26 February 2019 (UTC)