Sarcastic vs Cynical - what's the difference?

gollu · 01-02-2010, 07:59 AM

Can someone explain what's the difference (and the similarities) between "sarcastic" and "cynical"?

Patricia · 01-02-2010, 08:11 AM

My favourite English teacher at college said that sarcasm is biting: it aims to put down the person it is directed at. Cynicism is a world-view which reflects a jaded and misanthropic outlook at life. So sarcasm is aimed at people, and cynicism at situations.

This person seems to think along the same lines:
http://gaffneyjournal.blogspot.com/2...-cynicism.html

pdurrant · 01-02-2010, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gollu

Can someone explain what's the difference (and the similarities) between "sarcastic" and "cynical"?

Well, IMO:

Sarcasm is the expression of a viewpoint in a way that indicates that it's the opposite of one's real opinion, often by tone of voice.

Cynicism is the expectation that people will only act in their own self-interest, no matter what they say their actions will be. Or that events will not turn out as well as other may say that they will.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarcasm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cynicism

seems to agree with my defintitions.

Oh - and sarcastic is "having the character of sarcasm" and cynical is similarly related to cynicism.

Miriam Webster does a good definition if cynical "contemptuously distrustful of human nature and motives"

Patricia · 01-02-2010, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Sarcasm is the expression of a viewpoint in a way that indicates that it's the opposite of one's real opinion, often by tone of voice.

Cynicism is the expectation that people will only act in their own self-interest, no matter what they say their actions will be. Or that events will not turn out as well as other may say that they will.

Hm. I was taught that irony was saying more, less, or the direct opposite of what was intended. Also that egoism is the belief that people act in their own self-interest. Certainly, Thomas Hobbes, in his Leviathan, uses egoism to mean the pursuit of self-interest; suggesting that it is the main motivation of human beings.

6charlong · 01-02-2010, 11:14 AM

It made a curious wordplay when a US journalist in a piece about the so-called Patriot Act writes: “It was hard not to think he was being sarcastic when George Bush called himself the leader of the Free World.” The use of sarcasm to express cynicism.

dsvick · 01-02-2010, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patricia

Hm. I was taught that irony was saying more, less, or the direct opposite of what was intended.

Irony isn't always related to speach or intent like sarcasm is, for example, getting run over and killed by an ambulance would be ironic. With that being said I think it's pretty a blurry line between intentionally saying something sarcastic and something ironic - at least it is blurry to me.

nekokami · 01-02-2010, 11:46 PM

"Sarcasm" is derived from a Latin root meaning "to rend flesh," I believe, isn't it? I think it isn't merely speaking with irony or saying the opposite of what is meant, but doing so in a way intended specifically to hurt or belittle another person.

My definition of a cynic is "a wounded idealist."

WT Sharpe · 01-03-2010, 04:11 AM

From an expert:

lene1949 · 01-03-2010, 04:44 AM

English is my second language, and sometimes I use my 'Danish' sense of the ridiculous. I often get into trouble... even on forums...

pdurrant · 01-03-2010, 05:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsvick

Irony isn't always related to speach or intent like sarcasm is, for example, getting run over and killed by an ambulance would be ironic.

Or as recently happened, breaking into someone's home with the intent of murdering them, because they depicted your religion as one encouraging terrorism...

Krystian Galaj · 01-03-2010, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Or as recently happened, breaking into someone's home with the intent of murdering them, because they depicted your religion as one encouraging terrorism...

Irony is only perceived, in this case, by some people, as I guess the one breaking in was just conducting his business with his God, and breaking and murdering was only a side-effect to him.

BenG · 01-04-2010, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patricia

Hm. I was taught that irony was saying more, less, or the direct opposite of what was intended.

Our high school teacher used to say that sarcasm was bitter irony.

wodin · 01-04-2010, 08:04 PM

All I know is that I'm a cynic who is often sarcastic. Ironic huh?

BenG · 01-04-2010, 08:07 PM

The cynic knows the price of everything and the value of nothing - Oscar Wilde

Bilbo1967 · 01-04-2010, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenG

The cynic knows the price of everything and the value of nothing - Oscar Wilde

Yeah, he would say that!

01-02-2010, 07:59 AM	#1
gollu Unsullied Posts: 249 Karma: 759693 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Israel Device: Kindle 2i	Sarcastic vs Cynical - what's the difference? Can someone explain what's the difference (and the similarities) between "sarcastic" and "cynical"?

01-03-2010, 04:11 AM	#8
WT Sharpe Bah, humbug! Posts: 39,072 Karma: 157049943 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Chesapeake, VA, USA Device: Kindle Oasis, iPad Pro, & a Samsung Galaxy S9.	From an expert: Attached Thumbnails

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01-02-2010, 08:11 AM	#2
Patricia Reader Posts: 11,504 Karma: 8720163 Join Date: May 2007 Location: South Wales, UK Device: Sony PRS-500, PRS-505, Asus EEEpc 4G	My favourite English teacher at college said that sarcasm is biting: it aims to put down the person it is directed at. Cynicism is a world-view which reflects a jaded and misanthropic outlook at life. So sarcasm is aimed at people, and cynicism at situations. This person seems to think along the same lines: http://gaffneyjournal.blogspot.com/2...-cynicism.html

01-02-2010, 11:14 AM	#5
6charlong friendly lurker Posts: 896 Karma: 2436026 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: US Device: Kindle, nook, Apple and Kobo	It made a curious wordplay when a US journalist in a piece about the so-called Patriot Act writes: “It was hard not to think he was being sarcastic when George Bush called himself the leader of the Free World.” The use of sarcasm to express cynicism.

01-02-2010, 11:46 PM	#7
nekokami fruminous edugeek Posts: 6,745 Karma: 551260 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Northeast US Device: iPad, eBw 1150	"Sarcasm" is derived from a Latin root meaning "to rend flesh," I believe, isn't it? I think it isn't merely speaking with irony or saying the opposite of what is meant, but doing so in a way intended specifically to hurt or belittle another person. My definition of a cynic is "a wounded idealist."

01-03-2010, 04:44 AM	#9
lene1949 Wizard Posts: 1,952 Karma: 213930 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Middelfart, Denmark Device: Kindle paper white	English is my second language, and sometimes I use my 'Danish' sense of the ridiculous. I often get into trouble... even on forums...

01-04-2010, 08:04 PM	#13
wodin Illiterate Posts: 10,279 Karma: 37848716 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: The Sandwich Isles Device: Samsung Galaxy S10+, Microsoft Surface Pro	All I know is that I'm a cynic who is often sarcastic. Ironic huh?

01-04-2010, 08:07 PM	#14
BenG Home Guard Posts: 4,730 Karma: 86721650 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Alpha Ralpha Boulevard Device: Kindle Oasis 3G, iPhone 6	The cynic knows the price of everything and the value of nothing - Oscar Wilde

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