Wit has truth in it; wisecracking is simply calisthenics with words.
--Dorothy Parker
A new punctuation mark is being offered to the world. While I am a firm believer in the purpose and power of punctuation, I greet this news with a shrug. The SarcMark, which was "temporarily" unavailable at the time of this post, seeks to save the world from misunderstanding, much like applause and laugh signs saved the live sitcom and game show from silence.
The SarcMark, which closely resembles a curly fry, is intended to be used at the end of a sarcastic statement in text, IM, email, etc. Thus, you can let your reader know that you were not, of course, being serious but snarky. Now if your reader never appreciates sarcasm even when there is a large signal to commemorate its passing, then you are without luck.
In my non-sarcastic opinion, ironic wit is weakened when you add an elaborate punctuation mark: like a punctuated wink. There is a satisfaction in a successfully conveyed witty remark, and conceding your joke by giving your audience the nudge to "get it" lessens the triumph of irony. Granted having your sarcastic comment met with confusion-induced silence can be socially awkward, yet even in those awkward scenes there is a humor that can be appreciated.
If, however, your sarcasm places you in more socially awkward situations than your sense of humor can tolerate, or if fear of causing offense has kept you from exercising verbal "calisthenics," then the SarcMark should be a welcome sign to you. For the low low price of $1.99, you too can be as ironic as you desire without the worry of confusing or offending your less sarcastically-inclined friends. If only they'd throw in a comma and bonus exclamation point, I might just be sold.
In my non-sarcastic opinion, ironic wit is weakened when you add an elaborate punctuation mark: like a punctuated wink. There is a satisfaction in a successfully conveyed witty remark, and conceding your joke by giving your audience the nudge to "get it" lessens the triumph of irony. Granted having your sarcastic comment met with confusion-induced silence can be socially awkward, yet even in those awkward scenes there is a humor that can be appreciated.
If, however, your sarcasm places you in more socially awkward situations than your sense of humor can tolerate, or if fear of causing offense has kept you from exercising verbal "calisthenics," then the SarcMark should be a welcome sign to you. For the low low price of $1.99, you too can be as ironic as you desire without the worry of confusing or offending your less sarcastically-inclined friends. If only they'd throw in a comma and bonus exclamation point, I might just be sold.
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