# sarcasm, name-calling and pit stuff **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 24, 2000, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarcasm-name-calling-and-pit-stuff/6216 "2000-03-24T11:40:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![bj0rn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a88e57/32.png) [@bj0rn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bj0rn)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2000, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarcasm-name-calling-and-pit-stuff/6216/1 "2000-03-24T11:40:00Z")
sarcasm: funny, smart or silly? while it is a recognized form of communication, it is not a language and therefore is not understood by every reader. sarcasm is prone to misunderstanding, which leads to ignorance. is that not what this message board is all about? avoiding ignorance? name-calling: i find it disturbing how often i read a post, and find referances to other posters who are not posting in that particular thread. specially if it is insulting in any way. whats the point of naming a person when you can provide good and valid examples without adding the name. for example: “it prevents incoherent buffoons like bj0rn from doing it”, compared to: “it prevents incoherent buffoons from doing it”. now, if bj0rn was already posting in this thread it would be a referance to his buffoonity in that tread, not other treads. but if bj0rn is not posting to that thread it would be an insult to everything he has said in every thread ever… if you want to start a thread where you are going to do name-calling, please include the name in the subject. and people, remember that we are in the debates…not the pit. bj0rn - lava being ---
**Author:** ![David\_B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/51bf81/32.png) [@David\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_B)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2000, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarcasm-name-calling-and-pit-stuff/6216/2 "2000-03-24T12:55:00Z")
[Moderator Hat: ON] A thread about sarcasm and name-calling? Hmmmm. Sorry, don’t think Great Debates is the place to discuss it. I’m sending it to the Pit. * * * David B, SDMB Great Debates Moderator [Moderator Hat: Handed Off to Lynn] ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2000, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarcasm-name-calling-and-pit-stuff/6216/3 "2000-03-24T13:08:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally posted by bj0rn: > **but if bj0rn is not posting to that thread it would be an insult to everything he has said in every thread ever…** Let me start of nicely by saying that the assumption above would largely depend on just exactly _what_ this certain poster has said “in every thread ever”. I’ll give some other people a chance as well now. Grammar, Spelling and Logic Bashing starts at 9:00 EST. * * * **Coldfire** _Voted **Poster Most Likely To Post Drunk** _ * * * _ **"You know how complex women are"** _ - Neil Peart, **Rush** (1993) ---
**Author:** ![Doobieous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/da6949/32.png) [@Doobieous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doobieous)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2000, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarcasm-name-calling-and-pit-stuff/6216/4 "2000-03-24T13:47:00Z")
> [@](#): > > while it is a recognized form of communication, it is not a language and therefore is not understood by every reader. Of course it’s not a language, silly man, it’s a **part** of communication. > [@](#): > > sarcasm is prone to misunderstanding, which leads to ignorance. is that not what this message board is all about? avoiding ignorance? Ignorance is a lack of knowledge, not a misunderstanding. Misunderstandings are **miscommunication**. If you misunderstand what someone says, it is up to **you** to ask for a clarification. I don’t know about you, but I learned many moons ago to ask for a clarification if I misunderstood something. > [@](#): > > name-calling: i find it disturbing how often i read a post, and find referances to other posters who are not posting in that particular thread. specially if it is insulting in any way. Oh I see, you find it disturbing because you’re often the butt of jokes, no? In most of the posts I see, if there is a reference to someone, it’s usually a friendly joke (these are not name callings, they are friendly jabs at others. There is a difference between that and an insult). I rarely see any insults about other posters unless they have a reputation for insulting other people (bj0rn _cough, cough_), or deserve it (like the many trolls), or it’s a pit thread (I do hope you understand what the pit is for now). > [@](#): > > whats the point of naming a person when you can provide good and valid examples without adding the name. Lets see, I guess it would be to oh, give an example of how not to be (when the reference is an insult). Or, it’s a friendly jab at someone. > [@](#): > > for example: “it prevents incoherent buffoons like bj0rn from doing it”, compared to: “it prevents incoherent buffoons from doing it”. You know what that’s called, it’s called using someone’s behavior as an example to others. Adding your name in there clarifies to others just how incoherent buffoons act. > [@](#): > > now, if bj0rn was already posting in this thread it would be a referance to his buffoonity in that tread, not other treads. but if bj0rn is not posting to that thread it would be an insult to everything he has said in every thread ever… I’m sorry, but you do show buffoonity in most threads you visit (i’ve never seen you venture farther than the pit or occasionally Great Debates). Also, no, it wouldn’t be an insult to everything you have said, it’s just an insult about you. > [@](#): > > if you want to start a thread where you are going to do name-calling, please include the name in the subject. Why should we grant you that satisfaction? Why should we have to do this for your sake? Just so you can avoid threads where you get insulted? > [@](#): > > and people, remember that we are in the debates…not the pit. Sorry, it’s in the pit now, baby! * * * Dominus ex equo descendit, villamque intravit. ---
**Author:** ![WallyM7](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b5e925/32.png) [@WallyM7](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WallyM7)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2000, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarcasm-name-calling-and-pit-stuff/6216/5 "2000-03-24T14:21:00Z")
Make a run for it while there’s still time, Doob. Unless, of course, you **like** getting entangled in bj0rnie’s non sequiturs, mixed metaphors and general incoherence. ---
**Author:** ![bj0rn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a88e57/32.png) [@bj0rn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bj0rn)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2000, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarcasm-name-calling-and-pit-stuff/6216/6 "2000-03-24T16:49:00Z")
> [@](#): > > A thread about sarcasm and name-calling? Hmmmm. Sorry, don’t think Great Debates is the place to discuss it. I’m sending it to the Pit. so, we are not allowed to debate about sarcasm and name-calling? or is it not possible? thanks coldfire. > [@](#): > > Of course it’s not a language, silly man, it’s a part of communication. i said: “its not a language”, meant for those who would mistake sarcasm as such. awfully lot of people seem to only talk in sarcamic…eh… im glad you understood what i said(or didnt say for that matter). > [@](#): > > Ignorance is a lack of knowledge, not a misunderstanding. misunderstanding can be because of lack of knowledge… > [@](#): > > . If you misunderstand what someone says, it is up to you to ask for a clarification. if only there were more people like you…! > [@](#): > > Oh I see, you find it disturbing because you’re often the butt of jokes, no? In most of the posts I see, if there is a reference to someone, it’s usually a friendly joke (these are not name callings, they are friendly jabs at others. There is a difference between that and an insult). of course there is a differance between jabs and insulting…but thats not what i am talking about. im talking about “name-calling”, not jabs. > [@](#): > > I rarely see any insults about other posters unless they have a reputation for insulting other people (bj0rn _cough, cough_) you write my name like im one who has reputation for insulting other people…why is that? > [@](#): > > You know what that’s called, it’s called using someone’s behavior as an example to others. Adding your name in there clarifies to others just how incoherent buffoons act. clarifies yes…if everybody agrees with you. otherwise it just creates confusion. one other thing as well…what if the “name” is not recognized by everyone? where is the purpose in posting the “name” then? > [@](#): > > Also, no, it wouldn’t be an insult to everything you have said, it’s just an insult about you. you do not know me, just what i have written…so it would be an insult to everything i have written for i would not know if youve read it all or not. > [@](#): > > Why should we grant you that satisfaction? Why should we have to do this for your sake? Just so you can avoid threads where you get insulted? i could write a book about those questions and the replies i could give…but that would serve no purpose at all, for they are not the right questions…if you really want an answer please rephrase them more accurately. bj0rn - enjoy your lives…its much more fun ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2000, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarcasm-name-calling-and-pit-stuff/6216/7 "2000-03-24T17:10:00Z")
Melin has been banned and bj0rn has returned. How can we believe there is a just God? ---
**Author:** ![neuro-trash\_grrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/3ab097/32.png) [@neuro-trash\_grrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neuro-trash_grrrl)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2000, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarcasm-name-calling-and-pit-stuff/6216/8 "2000-03-25T06:19:00Z")
Sarcasm? Sarcasm? What’s this about sarcasm? I’ve never seen any sarcasm around here, nosiree! * * * Heck is where you go when you don’t believe in Gosh. ---
**Author:** ![Rousseau](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/779978/32.png) [@Rousseau](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rousseau)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2000, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarcasm-name-calling-and-pit-stuff/6216/9 "2000-03-24T20:57:00Z")
Waitwaitwaitwaitwaitwaitwait. Dost my eyes decieve me?? Is **bj0rn the Conqueror** , who single-handedly has spawned more confusion and misunderstanding around here than ANYONE, accusing those around him of perpetuating ignorance by creating misunderstandings through _sarcasm_?? The problem here is not people who use sarcasm. The problem is when those people turn out to be 10x more intelligent than the targets of the sarcasm, and so they end up having to bop them on the head with the literal meaning. It’s not our fault that you need everything spelled out for you, bj0rn. * * * “History will be kind to me, for I intend to write it.” -Winston Churchill ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2000, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarcasm-name-calling-and-pit-stuff/6216/10 "2000-03-24T21:45:00Z")
> [@](#): > > so, we are not allowed to debate about sarcasm and name-calling? or is it not possible? Sure, it’s possible, **Bj0rn**. But you did not present a debate. You presented an opinion that arguably was an issue for either the Pit or ATMB. What did you want to debate? What is sarcasm? If is has a place on a message board? Wheter it’s fair to call someone names? Remember the description of the GD forum– > [@](#): > > For long-running discussions of the great questions of our time -andros- ---
**Author:** ![bj0rn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a88e57/32.png) [@bj0rn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bj0rn)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2000, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarcasm-name-calling-and-pit-stuff/6216/11 "2000-03-26T06:51:00Z")
> [@](#): > > …accusing those around him of perpetuating ignorance by creating misunderstandings through sarcasm?? did i? please take note that i posted it as a question: > [@](#): > > sarcasm: funny, smart or silly? > [@](#): > > from brittannica: language. > > When individuals speak, they do not normally confine themselves to the mere emission of speech sounds. Because speaking usually involves at least two parties in sight of each other, a great deal of meaning is conveyed by facial expression, tone of voice, and movements and postures of the whole body but especially of the hands; these are collectively known as gestures. The contribution of bodily gestures to the total meaning of a conversation is in part culturally determined and differs in different communities. Just how important these visual symbols are may be seen when one considers how much less effective telephone conversation is as compared with conversation face to face; the experience of involuntarily smiling at the telephone receiver and immediately realizing that this will convey nothing to the hearer at the other end of the line is common. Again, the part played in emotional contact and in the expression of feelings by facial expressions and tone of voice, quite independently of the words used, has been shown in tests in which subjects have been asked to react to sentences that appear as friendly and inviting when read but are spoken angrily and, conversely, to sentences that appear as hostile but are spoken with friendly facial expressions. It is found that it is the visual accompaniments and tone of voice that elicit the main emotional response. A good deal of what goes under the heading of **sarcasm** exploits these contrasts. full link: [language](http://www.britannica.com/bcom/eb/article/6/0,5716,114866+11,00.html) also take note of: > [@](#): > > For an adequate understanding of human language, it is necessary to keep in mind the absolute primacy of speech. In societies in which literacy is all but universal and language teaching at school begins with reading and writing in the mother tongue, one is apt to think of language as a writing system that may be pronounced. In point of fact, language is a system of spoken communication that may be represented in various ways in writing. another one: > [@](#): > > It is important to distinguish irony from sarcasm (which is notoriously the lowest form of wit). Both irony and sarcasm involve saying the opposite of what you mean. whats the point? are people using sarcasm or irony as a shield just in case they are wrong? does one want to have the possibility of being able to say; “i was only joking” because one is afraid of being wrong? or do people constantly have to test to see if they are more intelligent than everybody else? i personally enjoy ignoring sarcastic remarks and take them as they were said…for i think it is unneccessary and silly not to say what you mean. i call sarcasm and irony lies. i dont want to lie and i dont expect anybody to lie to me. i do not want to wonder if anybody MEANS what he/she says, i take it as it is and accept/critizise it as such. specially not in the written language, for sarcasm is mainly for usage in the uttered language. now, could someone please tell me why this was judged from the great debates? > [@](#): > > For long-running discussions of the great questions of our time there are alot of threads in the great debates that do not fall exacly into that category. Gaudere said: > [@](#): > > I sometimes let topics stay because there is a high likelyhood that they’ll turn into a debate. “Ask the Gay Guy” made the cut on this basis. “Ask the straight guy” and “ask the straight conservative whatever” are borderline, but might make it. so i expect that there is no “likelyhood” of this thread turning into a great debate? (obvously not while its in the pit…) so i ask…could you, moderator, please move this thread back where i intended it to be. i wanted this thread to be in the great debates, because i wanted people to debate about the given subject, not turn it into a flamewar like it would have elsewhere (seeing its not a topic for the MPSIMS or general questions). bj0rn - what if god misunderstood you? ---
**Author:** ![casdave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@casdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/casdave)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2000, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarcasm-name-calling-and-pit-stuff/6216/12 "2000-03-25T23:57:00Z")
bjOrn, I wonder if your communications would be easier to follow if you used a keyboard with punctuation keys on it? I daresay your English is better than my Icelandic. Do keep trying -as long as you continue to post I can never be regarded as the worst mangler of the beautiful tongue. England is supposed to be the home of the eccentric but now it seems we have a worthy competitor. I look forward to your future postings. ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2000, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarcasm-name-calling-and-pit-stuff/6216/13 "2000-03-26T00:59:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally posted by bj0rn: > **thanks coldfire.** Either you are being _sarcastic_, or (more likely) you did not understand my first reaction in this thread. I was taking a jab at the qulity of your posts, bj0rn. The “starting off nicely” bit was sarcasm. Learned anything yet? * * * **Coldfire** _Voted **Poster Most Likely To Post Drunk** _ * * * _ **"You know how complex women are"** _ - Neil Peart, **Rush** (1993) ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2000, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarcasm-name-calling-and-pit-stuff/6216/14 "2000-03-26T13:40:00Z")
I dunno, personally I have a very dry sense of humor and I adore sarcasm. * * * – From an actual catalog: “Disco balls create an enchanting, dazzling effect of light shafts, adding movement and glamour to any occasion” _the Abrams’ bris was certainly memorable_ O p a l C a t [www.opalcat.com](http://www.opalcat.com) ---
**Author:** ![bj0rn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a88e57/32.png) [@bj0rn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bj0rn)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2000, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarcasm-name-calling-and-pit-stuff/6216/15 "2000-03-26T20:44:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Let me start of nicely by saying that the assumption above would largely depend on just exactly what this certain poster has said “in every thread ever”. > … > The “starting off nicely” bit was sarcasm. it is not sarcasm! it could be irony…but bad one as it is. it would be like you were meaning “starting off cruelly”, or something like that. anyway…casdave, did you read that part about language? > [@](#): > > For an adequate understanding of human language, it is necessary to keep in mind the absolute primacy of speech…language is a system of spoken communication that may be represented in various ways in writing. any objections? bj0rn - try begin sarcastic to a god. ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2000, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarcasm-name-calling-and-pit-stuff/6216/16 "2000-03-26T22:50:00Z")
bj0rn, If you mistake irony for sarcasm, please start a thread in General Questions asking people to explain the difference to you. _Sarcasm_ is something along the lines of my first remark. _Irony_ is, for example, you quoting an English dictionary. Please, get your facts straight before you attack any of us. You’re making this too easy. * * * **Coldfire** _Voted **Poster Most Likely To Post Drunk** _ * * * _ **"You know how complex women are"** _ - Neil Peart, **Rush** (1993) ---
**Author:** ![Rousseau](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/779978/32.png) [@Rousseau](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rousseau)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2000, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarcasm-name-calling-and-pit-stuff/6216/17 "2000-03-26T23:16:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Irony is, for example, you quoting an English dictionary. This is the first time in a while that I have literally laughed out loud at something posted on this board. * * * “History will be kind to me, for I intend to write it.” -Winston Churchill ---
**Author:** ![bj0rn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a88e57/32.png) [@bj0rn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bj0rn)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2000, 10:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarcasm-name-calling-and-pit-stuff/6216/18 "2000-03-27T10:22:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Sarcasm is something along the lines of my first remark. if you say so… > [@](#): > > Irony is, for example, you quoting an English dictionary. on that, i agree 😃 > [@](#): > > Please, get your facts straight before you attack any of us. You’re making this too easy. sarcasm is only exacly that, if you mean the opposite of what you said (me quoting from an english dictionary!) all in all…lying is promoting ignorance. bj0rn - can you lie to yourself? ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2000, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarcasm-name-calling-and-pit-stuff/6216/19 "2000-03-27T11:23:00Z")
Huh? Wha? Lying? Please explain. * * * **Coldfire** _Voted **Poster Most Likely To Post Drunk** _ * * * _ **"You know how complex women are"** _ - Neil Peart, **Rush** (1993) ---
**Author:** ![bj0rn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a88e57/32.png) [@bj0rn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bj0rn)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2000, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarcasm-name-calling-and-pit-stuff/6216/20 "2000-03-27T12:43:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Huh? Wha? Lying? > Please explain. quoting myself here… > [@](#): > > i call sarcasm and irony lies. i dont want to lie and i dont expect anybody to lie to me. comments? bj0rn - 🙂 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarcasm-name-calling-and-pit-stuff/6216.md?page=2)