sarcasm
pronunciation
How to pronounce sarcasm in British English:
UK [ˈsɑːkæzəm]
How to pronounce sarcasm in American English:
US [ˈsɑːrkæzəm]
-
- Noun:
- witty language used to convey insults or scorn
Word Origin
- sarcasm
- sarcasm: [16] A sarcastic remark is etymologically one which involves the ‘rending of flesh’. Greek sárx meant ‘flesh’ (it has given English sarcoma [17] and sarcophagus), and it formed the basis of a verb sarkázein ‘tear the flesh’, hence ‘bite one’s lip, gnash one’s teeth’, and by further extension ‘make a cutting remark’. This gave rise to the late Greek derivative sarkasmós, which passed into English via late Latin sarcasmos and French sarcasme.=> sarcoma, sarcophagus
- sarcasm (n.)
- 1570s, sarcasmus, from Late Latin sarcasmus, from late Greek sarkasmos "a sneer, jest, taunt, mockery," from sarkazein "to speak bitterly, sneer," literally "to strip off the flesh," from sarx (genitive sarkos) "flesh," properly "piece of meat," from PIE root *twerk- "to cut" (cognates: Avestan thwares "to cut"). Current form of the English word is from 1610s. For nuances of usage, see humor.
Example
- 1. Heavy sarcasm . I realized I had stopped walking again .
- 2. Since then , tsur 's interest in sarcasm had turned serious .
- 3. Sarcasm works well for both genders to create a chasm between you .
- 4. For some reason , an edge of sarcasm pervades these apparently innocent exchanges .
- 5. Public criticism of the powerful , especially sarcasm , has abiding power to shock .