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by sonograph 1772 days ago
> Irony” is a term that everyone uses and seems to understand. It is also a concept that is notoriously difficult to define.

I've always thought this. It's easier to explain irony using examples than to define it.

3 comments

> > Irony” is a term that everyone uses and seems to understand. It is also a concept that is notoriously difficult to define.

In information terms, the "understand" in that sentence is a false positive.

Q: Do you know what I mean?

A: Yes.

The response above is not a verification. To be valid as a verification, the response would have to contain a restatement of the proposition, ideally in different terms that have the same meaning.

e.g.

A: You are saying that when someone claims to understand something, they have to demonstrate that understanding by regurgitating the meaning they have in mind, so as to make their understanding transparent and verifiable.

For irony as a means of expression, the standard definition seems to be adequate: when the intended meaning is not the same as the literal meaning.
That would apply to any kind of metaphor, and to most figures of speech.
Unless you pick examples from the famous song by Alanis Morissette https://youtu.be/Jne9t8sHpUc