sarcasm

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   The use of remarks that clearly mean the opposite of what they say, in order to mock or insult someone.

   "Nice job," he said with heavy sarcasm, looking at the broken vase.

Simplified etymology

Sarcasm entered English through French in the mid-16th century and derives from Greek sarkazein, originally “tear flesh.” The Greek verb later meant “gnash the teeth” or “speak bitterly,” giving sarcasm its association with biting speech.

From Late Latin sarcasmus, from Ancient Greek σαρκασμός (sarkasmós, “a sneer”), from σαρκάζω (sarkázō, “to gnash the teeth (in anger)”, literally “to strip off the flesh”), from σάρξ (sárx, “flesh”).

Topics

External links

• Google Images
• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary