@sweeteviljesus (sweeteviljesus) posted a new topic, subject "Is this a misuse of the word ironic?". It read:

   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
      *[Trock]: A Trock is a TRoll + a sOCK

After which, @RadicalPi (RadicalPi) added

    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.
      *[Trock]: A Trock is a TRoll + a sOCK

Then @Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker (Earl Snake-Hips Tucker) said

    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.”
      *[Trock]: A Trock is a TRoll + a sOCK

To which @TriPolar (TriPolar) replied

    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 phillipparker@example.com.
      *[Trock]: A Trock is a TRoll + a sOCK

To which @njtt (njtt) replied

    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.
      *[Trock]: A Trock is a TRoll + a sOCK

After which, @sweeteviljesus (sweeteviljesus) added

    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
      *[Trock]: A Trock is a TRoll + a sOCK

Then @KneadToKnow (KneadToKnow) said

    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.
      *[Trock]: A Trock is a TRoll + a sOCK

After which, @Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker (Earl Snake-Hips Tucker) added

    I'm sure it can fit in one of these examples.
      *[Trock]: A Trock is a TRoll + a sOCK

So @TriPolar (TriPolar) replied

    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.
      *[Trock]: A Trock is a TRoll + a sOCK

After which, @CookingWithGas (CookingWithGas) added

    Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker:
    
    > I'm sure it can fit in one of these examples.
    
    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.
      *[Trock]: A Trock is a TRoll + a sOCK

To which @drewtwo99 (drewtwo99) replied

    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)
      *[Trock]: A Trock is a TRoll + a sOCK

After which, @RadicalPi (RadicalPi) added

    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.
      *[Trock]: A Trock is a TRoll + a sOCK

After which, @Leo_Bloom (Leo Bloom) added

    TriPolar:
    
    > It's the pot calling the kettle black.
    
    +1  
    Never thought of this as a handy definition of irony.
      *[Trock]: A Trock is a TRoll + a sOCK

So @Patty_O_Furniture (Patty O'Furniture) replied

    Merriam Webster has an interesting video discussion on this word:
    
    merriam-webster.com
    
    ### Ask the Editor Videos
    
    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.
      *[Trock]: A Trock is a TRoll + a sOCK

@What_the (What the .... ?!?!) replied

    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?
      *[Trock]: A Trock is a TRoll + a sOCK

@CookingWithGas (CookingWithGas) replied

    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.
      *[Trock]: A Trock is a TRoll + a sOCK

So @Leo_Bloom (Leo Bloom) replied

    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.
      *[Trock]: A Trock is a TRoll + a sOCK

Then @BigT (BigT (he/him)) said

    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.
      *[Trock]: A Trock is a TRoll + a sOCK


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