From Alice in Wonderland. Was Lewis Carroll mocking that view?

mjh’s blog — Do children understand irony? Does Science Daily?

It took me a long time to realize that I use the word irony differently from anyone I’ve ever discussed the term with. Most people speak of irony as intentional – “I was being ironic” – which is impossible for me. I prefer to call “intentional irony” sarcasm, as in “I’m sure you agree this is interesting …” Then there is real irony, which cannot ever be intentional, as I use irony. [read more]

As an update to that earlier blog post: I followed an exchange in which a writer made a categorical statement without any clear tone. A respondent explained the fallacy of the original statement. The original writer dismissed the correction with “I was being sarcastic.” Later, someone wrote: “Best use of sarcasm ever!! (see it is funny because you were actually being facetious).”

“Best use of sarcasm,” which may be hyperbole, is not quite as good as “I never tire of your sarcasm.” (Kitty on That 70’s Show.) I was moved by the need to correct sarcasm to facetiousness.

Words mean more than any one person can fully comprehend. Language is inherently inaccurate, no matter how precisely we use it. Not that you understand what I mean, which is neither arrogance nor an insult to you, simply an acknowledgement of language’s weakness. Sadly, we blame each other for misunderstandings when it is language that is to blame. (Or our mutual and equal failure to grasp that.)