| sarcasm |
| Definition: The use of bitter, often ironic, remarks to wound people. |
| Example: In response to someone's bogus claim, you say "Yeah right" in such a way that it means "I don't believe you." |
| Etymology:
It derives – via the Late Latin sarcasmus – from the Greek sarkazein, to speak bitterly or sneer (from sarx, flesh). Note: the Greek word literally means "to strip off flesh"; thus, etymology-wise sarcasm is speech that strips your flesh. |
| Oxford English Dictionary: The word's first OED citation is from 1579: "Tom piper, an ironicall Sarcasmus, spoken in derision of these rude wits, whych [etc.]." (E. K. in Spenser's Sheph. Cal. Oct., Glosse,) |