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Oscar Wilde once said, "Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit but the highest form of intelligence." Regardless, PR experts and marriage counselors often advise their clients to stay away from it. The reason is simple: this form of expression can sting others, hurting people and harming relationships. As a communication tool, it dances on the edge of conflict.

But sometimes, throwing sparks and seeing if they catch fire is precisely what you want. Especially when everyone and everything around you tickles your nerves. Which is something we all sometimes feel. (I hope.)

So let's take a look at the Instagram account 'Sarcasm Only.' Sharing memes, tweets, and all kinds of content, it manages to pinpoint universal human emotion despite firing shots in every direction. If there's one place you need to get through a lousy, it's this little corner of the internet. I mean, why else would 16 million people follow it?

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In fact, scientists are finding that the ability to detect sarcasm really is useful. For the past 20 years, linguists, psychologists, neurologists, and other researchers have been analyzing our ability to perceive snarky remarks and gaining new insights into how the mind works. Their studies have shown that exposure to sarcasm enhances creative problem solving, for instance.

You could say sarcasm detection is an essential skill if one is going to function in a modern society dripping with irony. "Our culture, in particular, is permeated with sarcasm,” Katherine Rankin, a neuropsychologist at the University of California at San Francisco, told Smithsonian Magazine. "People who don't understand sarcasm are immediately noticed. They're not getting it. They're not socially adept."

Sarcasm is so popular in 21st-century America that according to one study of a database of telephone conversations, 23 percent of the time that the phrase "Yeah, right" was used, it was uttered sarcastically.

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Entire phrases have almost lost their literal meanings because they are so frequently said with a sneer. Take "Big deal," for example. When was the last time someone said that to you and actually meant it? "My heart bleeds for you" almost always equals "Tell it to someone who cares," and "Aren’t you special" means you aren’t.

"It's practically the primary language in modern society," John Haiman, a linguist at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota, and the author of Talk is Cheap: Sarcasm, Alienation and the Evolution of Language, said.

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Madison Feehan
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Let's start normalizing the fact that clothes are really expensive and deserve to be worn more than once!

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Sarcastic statements are sort of a true lie. People are saying something they don’t literally mean, but the communication works as intended only if their listener gets that they're insincere.

Some language experts suggest sarcasm is used as a sort of gentler insult, a way to tone down criticism, but their opponents have found that the mocking, smug, superior nature of sarcasm is perceived as more hurtful than a plain-spoken criticism.

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The Greek root for sarcasm, sarkazein, means to tear flesh like dogs. Haiman thinks dog-eat-dog sarcastic commentary is just part of our quest to be cool. "You're distancing yourself, you're making yourself superior. If you're sincere all the time, you seem naive."

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Madison Feehan
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was going to comment something smart but I'm so tired. I'll do it tomorrow.

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ZAPanda
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

EXACTLY. this is why I refuse, despite being a good cook. Time is money. I just buy pre-made. Apologies to underpaid pre-made sandwich workers.

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Research has also shown that sarcasm can be easily misinterpreted, especially when served electronically. In one study, 30 pairs of university students were given a list of statements to communicate, half of which were sarcastic and half of which were serious: some students communicated their messages via e-mail and others via voice recordings.

Participants who received the voice messages accurately gleaned the sarcasm (or lack thereof) 73 percent of the time, but those who received the statements via e-mail did so only 56 percent of the time, hardly better than chance. Additionally, the e-mailers had anticipated that 78 percent of participants would pick up on the sarcasm inherent in their sarcastic statements. That is, they badly overestimated their ability to communicate their tone.

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At least sarcasm goes well with memes!

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Madison Feehan
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My Mom and I be like: 🎶🎶🎶🎶🎙️🎙️🎶🎶🎶🎶🎙️🎙️🎶🎶🎶🎶

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WilvanderHeijden
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

According to my dietician the worst thing you can do is eat or drink on an empty stomach, at least that's what I understood when I read her list of do's and don'ts.

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Loretta
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To be fair the last thing I need is someone being obsessed with me. I'd like to have a healthy relationship please.

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Madison Feehan
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

POV: When your friend brings one of their other friends to lunch but you don't know the other friend so you just sit there awkwardly while they reminisce about something they did 4 years ago.

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ZAPanda
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is actually brilliant because it will save the hassles of a divorce.

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Olivia Lisbon
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But if you were stranded somewhere in danger at 3am and needed them you know they’d come.

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Madison Feehan
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hope it's not a chili pepper cake, because you don't need the extra burn.

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Madison Feehan
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well yeah that's why its called "after work". I don't exist to the outside world after 8pm.

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Demi Zwaan
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yup, rich will do that to you. All the money in the world for surgery, injections, make-up and photoshop.

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Mistralok
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can relate to this. If I can't sleep well at night and get up before dawn, all I have to do is make breakfast and I'm back in bed in no time.

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Bettie-Jean Neal
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hmm. I'm 51, my mind is 15, my kidneys are dead, my knees and hips are about 85.

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julie son
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"You are only as old as you feel!" Tell me about it: ever since hitting 40, there are times I don't feel a day over 92!

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Cami Ereth
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

ILOVETHIS! (I'm 50-ish, my neck is 95, my back is 75, my shoulder is 110/dead, my knee is 70-ish). Just think-it only gets better! Woooo, me! This was fun!

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Gabby M
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Right Girl!! Pulls up a chair n pours wine for us both. My age % are pretty similar.

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Brendan McCarthy
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm 29 and have been for 13 years now. But my back, ankle, and wrist act like I'm much older!

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Loki’s Lil Butter Knife
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you're in that bad shape and your only 19 you might want to see a physical therapist about that....

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Sinnsyk Jakte
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I could've sworn I was invincible when I was 27... Then I started working for a cult grocery store that will fire me if I mention their name...but they are yoyr friendly neighborhood grocery store. I may also have a permanent and crippling injury! Hooraaay.

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Bgray450
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm 67, I'd take back the body I had at 55 in a heartbeat! Thought I was old and tired. Had no idea.

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Alicia M
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm at the age now where I hope I don't fall or it might just end me.

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Steven Meyer
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At 65, I’ve fought battles on foreign shores, been shot, stabbed, been in 6 accidents and fallen off 4 roofs- I gotcha beat girlfriend!

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Belle Miles
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm 53 and my shoulders and neck. I fell your pain. Please stop...

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Becky Graybeal
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hey young people! Do NOT get fat and do NOT injure yourself. And stop eating all that junk. Thank me in 40 years.

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Erik Granqvist
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My knee is 107,9, my shoulders 142,1 and my back 189,7 years old. Actually, that sounds about right for 50 year old me. I am even semi retired due to how bad all those things work.

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ThatGuv
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Every day is a Monday if you work all those days. It's pretty Meh...

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