What I enjoy most about classic sitcoms is their enduring sarcasm. Shows such as Seinfeld, Friends, and The Simpsons offer master classes on how this particular brand of wit works. Beyond their surface-level laughs, these shows demonstrate the nuances of sarcasm and a related form of humor, sardonicism. These terms might seem interchangeable at face value, but they are quite distinct.
Take, for instance, an episode of The Simpsons titled “The Fool Monty,” in which Homer reacts to the intrusive new surveillance cameras around town with a sarcastic tone. “Oh, great!” he exclaims. “The government’s watching us like in that book… 1984, the one with the Big Brother.” (Who knew Homer Simpson was such a literary scholar?) Of course, Homer doesn’t actually think the cameras are a good thing. He’s using sarcasm to convey frustration and disdain by saying the opposite of what he really means. Sarcasm is often expressed as a biting form of humor to mock or ridicule, usually accompanied by exaggerated vocal tones, eye rolls, or a wry smile. Sardonicism, however, is not as easily detected.
In contrast to the “we’re all in on the joke” tone of sarcasm, sardonicism is laced with pessimism, distrust, or bitterness. For example, in 1984 — the dystopian novel Homer mentioned — author George Orwell’s tone is sardonic. Three slogans represent the totalitarian regime known as the Party: “War Is Peace,” “Freedom Is Slavery,” and “Ignorance Is Strength.” These could be described as sarcastic, but their true essence lies in the cynical mockery of the totalitarian propaganda in Orwell’s story. The tone of the slogans is not just ironic, but also steeped in despair — it’s sardonic.
In everyday conversation, sardonic comments tend to be more subtle and require context for true understanding. For example, say your computer is malfunctioning, and IT recommends a “simple fix” that is estimated to take six hours to implement. A sardonic response might be: “I love how this is called a ‘simple fix’ — it’s so simple that it takes all day.” It expresses frustration, though such a sardonic response would likely be best kept as an inside thought. On the other hand, a sarcastic response might be: “Great! I could use a day of playing Candy Crush while you do the hard work!” The sarcastic reply here is more direct and aims for lighthearted humor, while sardonicism carries an underlying tone of frustration and resignation.
Next time you’re watching your favorite sitcom, tune in to the subtle differences between sarcastic and sardonic tones. It’s a great way to sharpen your understanding of the nuance of wordplay and discover the intent of your favorite characters.
