OT: Sarcasm and irony

[Grant Edwards]

On 2006-10-11, Ben Finney <bignose+hates-spam at benfinney.id.au> wrote:
> Grant Edwards <grante at visi.com> writes:
>
>> Sarcasm is a form of irony.  Irony is when what is meant is
>> different from the obvious literal meaning of the statement.
>
> Irony need not have anything to do with the meaning and intent of the
> speaker. Indeed, irony can occur when there is no communication at
> all; an ironic outcome does not require anyone to have said or
> communicated anything.
>
>> Like Alanis Morisette said about the song "Isn't it Ironic": What's
>> ironic about the song is that it doesn't actually contain any irony.
>
> What source do you have for Morissette saying that?

I read it on some english-usage web site -- I wouldn't regard
it as very authoritative in regards to the Alanis Morisette
quote.

> I've seen many people saying it *about* her song, but nothing
> from her that isn't just repeating what others have said.

-- 
Grant Edwards                   grante             Yow!  I request a weekend
                                  at               in Havana with Phil
                               visi.com            Silvers!