# Is this a misuse of the word ironic?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-misuse-of-the-word-ironic/654943
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [April 5, 2013, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-misuse-of-the-word-ironic/654943 "2013-04-05T19:26:45Z")
**Posts on this page:** 18
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)
#### Post date: [April 5, 2013, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-misuse-of-the-word-ironic/654943/1 "2013-04-05T19:26:45Z")
A friend told me one of his father’s sayings was, “That boy’s been et up by dumb-ass.” We both noted that this statement was ironic. However, is that a misuse of the term? If so, is there a term for this?
Thanks,
Rob
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### Author:  [@RadicalPi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RadicalPi)
#### Post date: [April 5, 2013, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-misuse-of-the-word-ironic/654943/2 "2013-04-05T19:37:12Z")
Irony, traditionally, is a disconnect between the literal meaning of an utterance and its actual meaning. Given that no one has actually been eaten by dumbassery, this is an example of irony. Past that, if you’re looking for another word, it’s also a metaphor, I’d say.
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### Author:  [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)
#### Post date: [April 5, 2013, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-misuse-of-the-word-ironic/654943/3 "2013-04-05T19:42:02Z")
I took the irony in this to mean that the father is saying the boy is dumb, but is (somewhat) dumb himself by using the word “et.”
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### Author:  [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)
#### Post date: [April 5, 2013, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-misuse-of-the-word-ironic/654943/4 "2013-04-05T20:01:14Z")
> [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](#):
>
> I took the irony in this to mean that the father is saying the boy is dumb, but is (somewhat) dumb himself by using the word “et.”
Yes. The irony is not the in the phrase, but in the situation of the speaker. Although ‘et’ is perfectly cromulent in some parts of the country, so there may be no irony at all.
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### Author:  [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)
#### Post date: [April 5, 2013, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-misuse-of-the-word-ironic/654943/5 "2013-04-05T20:13:41Z")
> [@RadicalPi](#):
>
> Irony, traditionally, is a disconnect between the literal meaning of an utterance and its actual meaning. Given that no one has actually been eaten by dumbassery, this is an example of irony. Past that, if you’re looking for another word, it’s also a metaphor, I’d say.
No. Metaphor and irony are quite different things, your definition fits _metaphor_ much better, and, from the point of view of the speaker, the statement in question is not ironic at all (it has no ironic intent) although it clearly _is_ metaphorical. Most instances of metaphor are not irony, and irony need involve no metaphors.
On the other hand, his making of the statement might be considered ironic (by a hearer or third party), for the reason that **Earl Snake-Hips Tucker** explains.
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### Author:  [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)
#### Post date: [April 5, 2013, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-misuse-of-the-word-ironic/654943/6 "2013-04-05T20:37:46Z")
> [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](#):
>
> I took the irony in this to mean that the father is saying the boy is dumb, but is (somewhat) dumb himself by using the word “et.”
That’s what I was referring to, but is that irony? If so, under what definition?
Thanks,
Rob
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### Author:  [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)
#### Post date: [April 5, 2013, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-misuse-of-the-word-ironic/654943/7 "2013-04-05T20:41:14Z")
> [@sweeteviljesus](#):
>
> That’s what I was referring to, but is that irony? If so, under what definition?
>
> Thanks,
> Rob
No, that’s not irony, that’s hypocrisy.
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### Author:  [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)
#### Post date: [April 5, 2013, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-misuse-of-the-word-ironic/654943/8 "2013-04-05T20:43:38Z")
I’m sure it can fit in [one of these examples](http://articles.latimes.com/2007/feb/11/opinion/op-winokur11).
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### Author:  [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)
#### Post date: [April 5, 2013, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-misuse-of-the-word-ironic/654943/9 "2013-04-05T20:46:44Z")
> [@sweeteviljesus](#):
>
> That’s what I was referring to, but is that irony? If so, under what definition?
>
> Thanks,
> Rob
It’s the pot calling the kettle black.
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### Author:  [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)
#### Post date: [April 6, 2013, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-misuse-of-the-word-ironic/654943/10 "2013-04-06T04:05:23Z")
> [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](#):
>
> I’m sure it can fit in [one of these examples](http://articles.latimes.com/2007/feb/11/opinion/op-winokur11).
Another type of irony not in that list is \*literary \*or \*dramatic \*irony, where it is clear to the reader what is going on but the character is clueless.
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### Author:  [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)
#### Post date: [April 6, 2013, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-misuse-of-the-word-ironic/654943/11 "2013-04-06T05:52:02Z")
> [@CookingWithGas](#):
>
> Another type of irony not in that list is \*literary \*or \*dramatic \*irony, where it is clear to the reader what is going on but the character is clueless.
Shakespeare used this sort of irony in his plays quite often and to great effect. It is a powerful literary device.
Also, irony can mean words used in a way that contradict their usual meaning. Though today the word that describes that more often is sarcasm, there may be a subtle difference between irony and sarcasm that I’m not sure of. (Sarcasm is the poor man’s irony springs to mind but I’m not sure exactly what the difference is)
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### Author:  [@RadicalPi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RadicalPi)
#### Post date: [April 6, 2013, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-misuse-of-the-word-ironic/654943/12 "2013-04-06T06:04:38Z")
> [@njtt](#):
>
> No. Metaphor and irony are quite different things, your definition fits _metaphor_ much better, and, from the point of view of the speaker, the statement in question is not ironic at all (it has no ironic intent) although it clearly _is_ metaphorical. Most instances of metaphor are not irony, and irony need involve no metaphors.
I’m not so sure of this. According to the Wikipedia, irony is an _incongruity_ between literal and actual meaning, which would make you right, but that depends on the Wikipedia being right. I’m not sure though you know of a cite with a bit more behind it.
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### Author:  [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)
#### Post date: [April 6, 2013, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-misuse-of-the-word-ironic/654943/13 "2013-04-06T13:09:26Z")
> [@TriPolar](#):
>
> It’s the pot calling the kettle black.
+1
Never thought of this as a handy definition of irony.
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### Author:  [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)
#### Post date: [April 6, 2013, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-misuse-of-the-word-ironic/654943/14 "2013-04-06T14:29:26Z")
Merriam Webster has an interesting video discussion on this word:
> **[Ask the Editor Videos](https://www.merriam-webster.com/video)**
>
> Our entertaining video series on confusing language usage, uncommon word histories, and other fun facts. Featuring the editors of Merriam-Webster.
Many of their other videos are quite interesting too.
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### Author:  [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)
#### Post date: [April 6, 2013, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-misuse-of-the-word-ironic/654943/15 "2013-04-06T16:49:10Z")
> [@KneadToKnow](#):
>
> No, that’s not irony, that’s hypocrisy.
Neither you nor the other fellow with the “black” comment know that for sure. The father’s use of the term “'et” doesn’t necessarily reflect how intelligent he is.
Maybe he just likes to use it to get a rise out of folks.
Of course I think that those who mispronounce"ask" are idiots so what do I know?
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### Author:  [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)
#### Post date: [April 7, 2013, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-misuse-of-the-word-ironic/654943/16 "2013-04-07T13:54:33Z")
> [@drewtwo99](#):
>
> Also, irony can mean words used in a way that contradict their usual meaning. Though today the word that describes that more often is sarcasm, there may be a subtle difference between irony and sarcasm that I’m not sure of. (Sarcasm is the poor man’s irony springs to mind but I’m not sure exactly what the difference is)
Sarcasm uses irony in a critical, demeaning, or contemptuous way.
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### Author:  [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)
#### Post date: [April 7, 2013, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-misuse-of-the-word-ironic/654943/17 "2013-04-07T23:53:44Z")
Mr. Play It Safe was afraid to fly
He packed his suitcase and kissed his kids goodbye
He waited his whole damn life to take that flight
And as the plane crashed down he thought
“Well isn’t this nice…”
And isn’t it ironic… don’t you think?
It’s like rain on your wedding…wait, it’s not.
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### Author:  [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)
#### Post date: [April 8, 2013, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-misuse-of-the-word-ironic/654943/18 "2013-04-08T01:01:12Z")
The incongruity is that someone criticizing someone for being stupid is usually smarter than said person. Assuming that “et” indicates stupidity, then, yes, this statement is ironic.