The seven types of sarcasm

You know what's not funny? Generic sarcasm. Constantly saying "Yeah right" and "Oh great" doesn't make you witty. It makes you annoying.

Everyone thinks they can be a smart a*s. Well you know what? It's a f*****g art. So if you want to use sarcasm you'd better learn to wield it like a goddamn straight razor if you want it to make an impact. I've made a list of what I consider to be the seven types of sarcasm based on mood and tone of voice. I don't know if anyone else has ever broken it down into categories. Probably. Look it up if you want. Anyway...

1. Self-deprecating sarcasm: sarcasm that plays off of an exaggerated sense of worthlessness and inferiority. EXAMPLE: "Hey Bob, I'm gonna need you to work overtime this weekend." "Yeah, that's fine. I mean, I was gonna get married this weekend but, you know, it's not a big deal, I'll just skip it. She would've left me anyway."

2. Brooding sarcasm: the speaker says something polite and/or subserviant in a bitter/irritated tone. EXAMPLE: "Hey Bob, I'm gonna need you to work overtime this weekend." "Looking forward to it. I live to serve."

3. Deadpan sarcasm: said without laughter or emotion, so that it's hard to tell whether or not the speaker is joking with and/or mocking the other person. EXAMPLE: "Hey Bob, gonna need you to work overtime this weekend." "Can't make it. Got a cult meeting. It's my turn to kill the goat."

4. Polite sarcasm: subtle, but just a little too nice. This is a kind of sarcasm that sounds genuine at first, but then it slowly dawns on the listener that the speaker was just screwing with him. EXAMPLE: "Hey Bob, I'm gonna need you to work overtime this weekend." "Ooh, fun! I'll bring the ice cream!" 

5. Obnoxious sarcasm: the kind of sarcasm that makes people want to punch you in the face. It's not really funny or clever, but it gets under your skin. It's usually spoken in a bitchy/whiney tone of voice. EXAMPLE: "Hey Bob, gonna need you to work overtime." "Oh, well that's just f*****g great. Just what I wanted to do this weekend. Awesome."

6. Manic sarcasm: so unnaturally happy that it's borderline crazy. EXAMPLE: "Hey Bob, I'm gonna need you to work overtime." "God, you are the best boss EVER! Have I ever told you how much I love this job? I wish I could live here! Somebody get me a tent, I never wanna leave!"

7. Raging sarcasm: sarcasm that relies heavily on hyperbole and threats of violence. This is the kind of psychotic screaming rant that you unleash on someone when you're about three steps away from murdering them and you need to vent your rage verbally before doing something horrible involving sharp knives. EXAMPLE: "Bob. Overtime." "Oh, don't worry! I'll be there! Want me to shine your f*****g shoes while I'm at it?! Hell, I'll come to your house tonight and wash your goddamn Ferrari! Actually, you know what? Forget it. I'm just gonna go home and blow my brains out."

Comments

Nishaf

Posted 8 Years Ago Brilliant...No2 suites me perfectly.

Bhumika Devkota

Posted 9 Years Ago This is great!

Shekinah2015

Posted 9 Years Ago Yea, right. ;)

Suzanna Lewis

Posted 11 Years Ago Hysterical! Really. Especially the bit about the goat - LMAO. I love sarcasm, its my favourite kind of humour. That's because I'm from Yorkshire and it's bred into us there.

ShelWars

Posted 11 Years Ago This is THE best course I've seen so far.

AK	Posted 12 Years Ago Wow! Didn't ever think so much about sarcasm really.

Wendy Seames Garner

Posted 12 Years Ago I never thought about there being distinct types of sarcasm.

Hannah

Posted 12 Years Ago Nice. (No sarcasm intended)

Weaver

Posted 13 Years Ago Very useful - for writing and for life. Thanks for clearing up the difference between sarcastic and sardonic.

daliha

Posted 13 Years Ago Love it! You're right it's an art... It all reminds me of myself really but I guess that's what me makes me who I am. Oh I almost forgot awesome article.

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