Discussion: Where’s the Best Place For Country Blocks?

Irony is one word that has been getting massacred more and more
lately–mostly because it’s become in-fashion to use it to appear
intelligent. The way most people are using it now is to reference any sort
of coincidence with negative outcomes or potential:

First Person: “I was running late for work today when I had a really
important meeting, and got stopped by a damn train!”Second Person:
“Ah, the irony.” (satisfied internal smile at using cool word)

Although unexpected outcomes can be part of certain definitions of irony,
irony is not, by itself, any sort of unexpected outcome that is funny
or negative. Yet that seems to be what most of the masses are turning it
into.

So What Does it Mean?

Before I try to give a dissertation into the so-called
real definition of this word, it must be noted that I am not writing
this as an expert. Instead I’m writing it from the point of view of someone
who hates seeing language being raped before me–especially by someone trying
to use said language to appear intelligent.

It grates me.

So, let’s try and figure out the proper way to use this word together…

From the Oxford English Dictionary:

Right, because he’s always honest with his constituents…

I particularly like the following summarization, which I
found
during my research for this post.

Get a weekly breakdown of what’s happening in security and tech—and why it matters.

I think this is a good container in which to evaluate the other definitions
and sub-definitions. It is further supported by Wikipedia’s first paragraph
on the topic, which quotes Henry Watson Fowler in
The King’s English as saying:

Any definition of irony—though hundreds might be given, and very few of them
would be accepted—must include this, that the surface meaning and the
underlying meaning of what is said are not the same.

Brilliant, I think.

Anyway, I’d love to hear from others who think they can help define this
overburdened and mistreated word. All I ask in the meantime is that you help
the cause by fending off those who use it in pretty much any situation where
something strange or unexpected happens.

The best way to address the offender, by the way, is to use the
Princess Bride technique:

You keep using this word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

Notes

1. Wikipedia’s entry on the topic
   lists four primary types of irony: verbal irony, dramatic irony,
   situational irony, and cosmic irony. Verbal is the kind that is
   discussed above, dramatic is where characters say something thinking it
   means one thing while the viewer has another interpretation, situational
   irony is where an outcome is different than what is expected, and cosmic
   irony covers the difference between human desires and the harshness of
   the world. Wikipedia notes that the final two are not considered irony
   by everyone–which is kind of the whole purpose of my post.

2. I strongly recommend reading
   this entire piece
   on the subject.

3. There is often confusion about the difference between irony and sarcasm.
   My favorite English teacher in high school defined sarcasm as irony with
   ill intent, and a cursory glance at a number of online resources
   confirms that this is the prevalent view. There is some overlap,
   however, when it comes to irony that is meant to be biting. Is it not
   then also sarcasm?

4. Since I am writing about the correct use of language, I await the
   comments that illustrate I’ve fallen prey to something like
   Murphry’s Law
   for those who correct people on the proper use of words.

5. Here’s a great list
   of definitions of irony found online.