sarcasm
英 ['sɑːkæzəm] 美 ['sɑːrkæzəm]
n.挖苦；讽刺
◉Etymology
“Sarcasm” 这个词源自希腊语 “sarkasmos”，意为“肉体的撕裂”或“讽刺性的语言”。它最初形式是 “sarkazein”，意为“撕扯或撕裂”。到了拉丁语，它变成了 “sarcasmus”，进入英语后成为我们现在所熟悉的 “sarcasm”。这个词的核心含义是一种使用语言讽刺或挖苦某人、某事的方式，通常用以表达不满或幽默感。
◉外刊例句
① 《纽约客》 (The New Yorker), 2023年8月3日
The politician’s speech was filled with sarcasm, clearly aiming to mock his opponents indirectly.
这位政治家的演讲充满了讽刺，明显是在间接地嘲笑他的对手。
② 《华盛顿邮报》 (The Washington Post), 2023年6月14日
His sarcasm was a double-edged sword; it earned him fans for his wit, but also enemies for his biting remarks.
他的讽刺是一把双刃剑；它为他赢得了粉丝，同时也招来了敌人，因为他的言辞犀利。
◉经典名著
在简·奥斯汀的小说《理智与情感》（Sense and Sensibility）中，角色可能利用讽刺来表达他们的情感：
Edward’s use of sarcasm was his way of coping with the tense situation, subtly showing his disapproval of the arrangement.
爱德华使用讽刺是他应对紧张局势的方式，微妙地表达了他对这个安排的不满。
◉Usage Examples
(1) This is no time to indulge in sarcasm.
(2) His book commingles sarcasm and sadness.
(3) He always spoke with a trace of sarcasm.
(4) This is no time to indulge in sarcasm.
(1) 现在可不是一味讽刺挖苦的时候。
(2) 他的作品混合了挖苦和悲伤。
(3) 他说话总带着一丝讽刺。
(4) 现在可不是一味讽刺挖苦的时候。
◉Usage Notes
Irony employed in the service of mocking or attacking someone is sarcasm. Saying "Oh, you're soooo clever!" with sarcasm means the target is really just a dunderhead.
Sarcasm is sometimes used as merely a synonym of irony, but the word has a more specific sense: irony that's meant to mock or convey contempt. This meaning is found in its etymology. In Greek, sarkazein meant "to tear flesh; to wound." When you use sarcasm, you really tear into them. A clever person coined the variant spelling sarchasm (a blend of sarcasm and chasm) and defined it as "the gap between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it."
◉Colins
1.[N-UNCOUNT 不可数名词]讽刺；嘲笑；挖苦 Sarcasm is speech or writing which actually means the opposite of what it seems to say. Sarcasm is usually intended to mock or insult someone.
'What a pity,' Graham said with a hint of sarcasm...
“太遗憾了，”格雷厄姆略带挖苦地说道。
His voice was heavy with sarcasm...
他的话语里明显有讽刺意味。
Fred ignored the sarcasm.
弗雷德对讽刺挖苦置之不理。