sarcasmus

Sarcasmus is a term used to describe a form of verbal irony intended to mock or convey contempt. It typically involves saying something that literally means the opposite of what is meant, with a tone or context that signals the speaker’s disdain. In English, the corresponding term is sarcasm.

The word derives from the Greek sarkasmos, meaning to tear flesh, via Latin sarcasmus and French sarcasme. Historically, sarcasm appears in classical rhetoric, literature, and satire, and it remains common in contemporary speech and media. It functions as a social tool to express critique, ridicule, or disbelief, often by targeting a person, idea, or behavior.

Sarcasm is not identical to irony. Irony is a broader figure in which the intended meaning differs from the literal one; sarcasm is a more caustic subset that aims to wound or provoke a reaction. While sarcasm can be playful or affectionate among friends, it can also be harsh or offensive, depending on context, relationship, and cultural norms.

The effectiveness of sarcasmus depends on shared social cues and audience perception. Misinterpretation is common, particularly in written form or across cultures where tonal indicators are absent. In communication, sarcasm can reinforce social boundaries, express frustration, or diffuse tension through humor, but it also risks alienating listeners or appearing disrespectful.

In linguistic research and sentiment analysis, sarcasm is noted as a challenging phenomenon to detect automatically, because it often relies on nuance, context, and pragmatic meaning beyond the literal content.