Isn't It Ironic How You Use 'Ironic' Incorrectly? | | This quibble may be a bit pedantic, but we're of the opinion that words matter. Stop and think about whether what you're experiencing is the exact opposite of what was expected to happen. If it is, then that's irony. | |  | Bennett Kleinman |
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| |  | | A s Inigo Montoya once famously declared, "You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means." The truth is that it's not "inconceivable" for even the most devout grammarians to mess up on occasion. Sometimes you may think you know what a word means, but its true definition is entirely different. One common example is the word "ironic." This word is mistakenly thrown around all the time, but thankfully, it's an easy lexical problem to fix.
Let's begin by examining the meaning of the word "irony." Merriam-Webster defines it as "the use of words to express something other than and especially the opposite of the literal meaning," and notes that it's also commonly used in a "humorous or sardonic literary style." There are a few different types of irony — for instance, a fire station burning down is an example of situational irony. Dramatic irony is when the audience knows something that a character does not. Verbal irony involves using words in an opposing way to their true meaning; one example of this is suggesting that a blizzard is the perfect time to go for a dip in the pool. |
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Emoji Decoded | |  | | Low Battery | | | Meaning: Depicts a nearly empty battery cell to indicate low power, used literally or figuratively.
Evolution: You may recognize this image from the upper-right corner of your phone screen, but people can have a Low Battery 🪫charge, too. This emoji is used to express fatigue or burnout for anything that needs time to recharge.
Usage: [Text to a friend:] Running on 2 hours of sleep…🪫🥱 |
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| | Low Battery | | | Meaning: Depicts a nearly empty battery cell to indicate low power, used literally or figuratively.
Evolution: You may recognize this image from the upper-right corner of your phone screen, but people can have a Low Battery 🪫charge, too. This emoji is used to express fatigue or burnout for anything that needs time to recharge.
Usage: [Text to a friend:] Running on 2 hours of sleep…🪫🥱 |
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Have you read? | |  | | The Jazzmen | | | | This book offers a detailed history of jazz music, as well as the personal biographies of three legends who changed American music forever. Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Count Basie broke racial barriers while their innovative sounds and shaped culture far beyond just music clubs. "The Jazzmen" is a great read for both jazz enthusiasts and history buffs. | | | | Samantha Abernethy, Word Smarts Writer | | | | We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. |
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| | The Jazzmen | | | | This book offers a detailed history of jazz music, as well as the personal biographies of three legends who changed American music forever. Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Count Basie broke racial barriers while their innovative sounds and shaped culture far beyond just music clubs. "The Jazzmen" is a great read for both jazz enthusiasts and history buffs. | | | | Samantha Abernethy, Word Smarts Writer | | | | We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. |
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