Word of the Week: Irony

The word irony comes from a Greek word meaning "dissembler". It was used a considerable amount in regards to comedy, where irony was used as a mechanism in plays.

The biggest issue that comes with irony in common use is that most people don't really understand the meaning of it, and thus misuse it. Irony is "an inconsistency between what is expected and what occurs." Most people equate irony as wit or sarcasm (which is technically a type of irony, but so are puns). Irony can be those things, but it isn't always those things.

Thus, a common exchange like the following would be incorrect.

John: Man, I had a terrible day.
Tina: That's ironic: you look great.

It's not ironic that John looks good; it's just a statement that's different from what he's claiming. Irony would be dying of thirst in a raft on the ocean.