UPDATE: Terrific video added to the story. Thanks, Mary!
Despite a warning from an English professor—that sarcasm is a crutch for the stupid, or something—I employ sarcasm every day.
I’m something of a sarcasm connoisseur, a trait I believe I picked up from my father, who constantly told me, “No one likes a smart ass, Michael,” before saying something like, “Oh yeah, I’d love to take you to the toy store.” I was a confused child.
But using sarcasm in your writing can be tricky, especially when you’re writing for a business audience. Most people, I assume, avoid it altogether—unless, of course, there was a special font for it.
Imagine if you wrote a company e-mail that said: “Remember to turn in your billing for the month. I know all of you love doing that on a Friday.” The people unable to pick up sarcasm might think a) I do love entering that information each month, or b) What a jerk. Could that guy kiss the boss’s ass any more? This is why I hate the corporate communications department.
Now you could always use italics, a popular way to denote sarcasm. Now that line looks like this: “Remember to turn in your billing for the month. I know all of you love doing that on Friday.” Some people may now see the sarcasm—or just assume you think they really do love that task.
What if, instead of this ambiguity, there was a font for sarcasm? What would it look like? Or, what if we just designated one particular font as the sarcasm font, like 
, for instance?
Turns out there’s actually a movement for this, called, you guessed it, the Sarcastic Font movement. This Web site suggests people use backward italics (which I can’t figure how to do)—because the people behind this movement clearly have a lot going on.
Subscribe to this blog's feed
You also know how to make people rally behind it, obviously from the responses. Thanks dude... 
RSS
Comments (33)
Hello, i am glad to read the whole content of this blog and am very excited and happy to say that the webmaster has done a very good job here to put all the information content and information at one place.
Posted by Emilay Murah | June 4, 2013 2:33 AM
Posted on June 4, 2013 02:33
Thanks, to sharing this nice information, I really appreciate your thinking, & i will visit again for getting more updates.
Posted by Meilibahenling Asli | May 29, 2013 2:04 AM
Posted on May 29, 2013 02:04
This is one of the best blogs I have ever read. I m absolutely excited to get to read such a well blog. I would love to read more of your blogs. Thanks dude
Posted by Pusat grosir baju wanita | May 27, 2013 2:59 AM
Posted on May 27, 2013 02:59
Excellent submit but I used to be attempting to know in case you could create a little additional on this topic? I'd be really thankful when you could elaborate somewhat little bit a lot more. Thanks dude
Posted by pemutih gigi original | May 24, 2013 3:01 AM
Posted on May 24, 2013 03:01
This info is very helpful for me with my project time and thanks you very much for using the valuable info in this blog.
Posted by pelangsing badan Murah | May 17, 2013 2:06 AM
Posted on May 17, 2013 02:06
I am glad to found such useful post. I really increased my knowledge after read your post which will be beneficial for me.
Posted by Cream penghilang bekas luka | April 23, 2013 10:51 PM
Posted on April 23, 2013 22:51
Nice to be visiting your blog again, it has been months for me. Well this article that i've been waited for so long
Posted by iklan adwords | April 15, 2013 2:36 AM
Posted on April 15, 2013 02:36
I am so happy to read this. This is the kind of manual that needs to be given and not the random misinformation that's at the other blogs. Thanks for sharing
Posted by pulau tidung murah | April 12, 2013 10:27 PM
Posted on April 12, 2013 22:27
Joseph Farah, the chief executive of WND, said he canceled family travel plans this week "as a result of widespread reports of groping, voyeurism and humiliation techniques
Posted by Replique Montre | April 11, 2013 1:57 AM
Posted on April 11, 2013 01:57
This was a fantastic article. Really loved reading your we blog post. The information was very informative and helpful.
Posted by sarang semut papua original | April 4, 2013 11:09 PM
Posted on April 4, 2013 23:09
I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to let you know that I have for sure loved reading the blog. I have subscribed to your blog feed and I hope you will write a new post again in near future..:)
Posted by bed cover | April 2, 2013 11:27 PM
Posted on April 2, 2013 23:27
Your blog provided us with valuable information to work with. Each every tips of your post are awesome. Thanks dude
Posted by kue kering jakarta | March 19, 2013 12:14 AM
Posted on March 19, 2013 00:14
I really appreciate the kind of topics you post here. Thanks for sharing us a great information that is actually helpful. Good day!
Posted by obat pemutih kulit | March 5, 2013 9:53 PM
Posted on March 5, 2013 21:53
We expect this info. Its very useful to me. Thanks for sharing this matter to all. Keep going on
Posted by paket pulau tidung | March 4, 2013 1:49 AM
Posted on March 4, 2013 01:49
Excellent and decent post. I found this much informative, as to what I was exactly searching for. Thanks for such post and please keep it up.
Posted by peninggi badan original | February 26, 2013 10:43 PM
Posted on February 26, 2013 22:43
Nice post dude ,... keep the good work going by continue blogging new and entertaining posts.
Posted by djarum black cigarettes | January 30, 2013 8:48 PM
Posted on January 30, 2013 20:48
I feel that I need more information on the topic. Excellent post!
Posted by cara diet sehat | January 17, 2013 12:34 AM
Posted on January 17, 2013 00:34
Wishing you the best of luck for all your blogging efforts.
Posted by click here | January 3, 2013 9:24 PM
Posted on January 3, 2013 21:24
This is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks for sharing this great article!
Posted by Visit Here | January 3, 2013 9:19 PM
Posted on January 3, 2013 21:19
Hello,I love reading through your blog, I wanted to leave a little comment to support you and wish you a good continuation. Wishing you the best of luck for all your blogging efforts. visit here
Posted by Raul Lemos | January 3, 2013 9:18 PM
Posted on January 3, 2013 21:18
I would like to appreciate your good work and also want to encourage you to keep them improving.
Posted by acai berry original | December 18, 2012 1:08 AM
Posted on December 18, 2012 01:08
Sarcasm seems to succeed or fail for me on whether the creator has sufficient wit embedded in the barb so as to feel the prick but not mind it. Otherwise, it can feel passive agressive and not so smart.
Posted by Balmain Clothing | October 21, 2011 2:15 AM
Posted on October 21, 2011 02:15
Based on my experience, I would say that sarcasm is favoured more by men than women, both as a type of humour to employ and to receive. I've even noticed that some groups, typically all-men departments, lean heavily on it. They seem to see the banter as a way to create inclusion (or exclusion), as Bob notes.
Sarcasm seems to succeed or fail for me on whether the creator has sufficient wit embedded in the barb so as to feel the prick but not mind it. Otherwise, it can feel passive agressive and not so smart.
Coming back to the article, a font could be cool but use of *asterisks* seems to work ...
Posted by Anonymous | January 6, 2010 9:46 AM
Posted on January 6, 2010 09:46
This is a recent attempt at a sarcasm font. The designer mentions it is for accenting online text not writing full conversations
http://www.notascoolasitseems.com/review/sarcasm-font
Posted by Maybe this | December 10, 2009 10:59 PM
Posted on December 10, 2009 22:59
Adam, cheeky trumps sarcasm if we're assigning fonts. How about this? You start the London branch; I'll do the Chicago branch.
Sarah, inspired, truly. As you can see I added it to the story. Thank you!
James A, I'm impressed. Only seven comments in and a blog post about sarcasm turned to politics. Reminds me of Thanksgiving dinner.
Posted by Michael Sebastian | December 10, 2009 4:27 PM
Posted on December 10, 2009 16:27
@Sarah
All the more reason to pick up the flag and continue the charge! Imagine if the Democrats had that kind of attitude in 2006--well, we haven't update our message since 2004--we wouldn't have our current president.
Posted by James A. | December 10, 2009 3:22 PM
Posted on December 10, 2009 15:22
I'm inspired to share this. Really.
http://www.comcast.net/video/little-miss-sunshine-sarcasm/91712648/
Posted by Mary | December 10, 2009 2:58 PM
Posted on December 10, 2009 14:58
Still conflicted about this one even as I begin to type.
On one hand I think it's a brilliant idea.
The other? I'm not sure sarcasm deserves it.
Is a 'cheeky' font possible? Or a 'this is a blatant lie but in this font it's translated into the truth' font?
I just think there are so many more rewarding recipients out there.
In saying that, I'm more than happy to set up the London branch of the movement.
o
Posted by Adam Vincenzini | December 10, 2009 2:18 PM
Posted on December 10, 2009 14:18
See! Sarah! This is exactly why we need a sarcasm font, because I'm sure your critique of this post was sarcastic.
Ah, the confusion and headache we'll all save ourselves.
Posted by Michael Sebastian | December 10, 2009 1:41 PM
Posted on December 10, 2009 13:41
The sarcastic font movement website hasn't had an update (or a hit) since 2004. Thanks for the timely story.
Posted by Sarah | December 10, 2009 1:25 PM
Posted on December 10, 2009 13:25
I should have added as to why the older we get the less effective sarcasm is on us. As we mature, it is much more difficult to pressure us into following the pack or following fad mindsets. Managers and internal communicators know just how hard it is to convince more experienced people to do something simply on the basis that everyone else is doing it. Sarcasm works best on people who want acceptance, who want to be perceived as current, and who are more likely to follow both fads and the pack.
Posted by Anonymous | December 10, 2009 1:13 PM
Posted on December 10, 2009 13:13
Oh yeah, that's a *great* idea. If only I could put that in a special font to tell you how much I don't mean it.
(OK, seriously: The beauty and the point of sarcasm is that it's only picked up by certain people. If the purpose was for everyone to get it, wouldn't people just say what they really think?)
Posted by Bob | December 10, 2009 1:10 PM
Posted on December 10, 2009 13:10
I think there's a good reason sarcasm doesn't work well in writing, font or no font. Sarcasm is most effective verbally in group settings. It is a spoken technique used to make the speaker appear more intelligent, while using a tinge of humor to pressure everyone in the room to agree with a certain perspective. Without an audience and immediate feedback, sarcasm loses its punch and effectiveness.
Basically, sarcasm is a passive aggressive, soft form of bullying, which is why it's so prevalent in teen settings, and young adult culture and movies.
Bottom line, you're dad used the term right. "Smart ass" is an accurate perception sarcastic people create for themselves as they move deeper into adulthood if they rely on sarcasm as a crutch. People will play along in groups and may even enjoy the banter, but absent that atmosphere, just may not find the actual sarcastic comments funny or smart.
Posted by Anonymous | December 10, 2009 1:06 PM
Posted on December 10, 2009 13:06