From:
       Daniel Sapen <[log in to unmask]>

Wed 10:32 PM


The literal word need not be spoken.  A simple joke can work via what it
implies, and the connotations of its few words.  My quip full of juicy irony
should have posed no problem.

I have faith that you are generally bursting with acumen.  If it gets out of
hand, a cortisone ointment may help.

Dan

Jim Nibblett wrote:

> Dan,
>
>         You've lost me.  "Irony: the use of words to convey the opposite
> of their literal meaning."  One example: "Dat be da BOMB!" and it was a
> box office flop.  Your message is short, only a few words; so which was
> the literal word?  I could imagine a man being hurt if the head was
> literally little.  Is that like saying that only the ones with the
> literally little heads can hurt a man?  Pretty violent image.  Something
> Attila the Hun might write a poem about.
>
>         Sometimes people misuse "Irony," do they still respect their
> readers' acumen?
>
> Jim
>
> ps        But then I'm no real authority on what the other person is
> thinking.  I hope you'll notice mine could be viewed as something
> perpendicular just as easily as something on the level.  One axiom: begin
> on an oblique.  Did that straighten you out?  Even a curve can cross the
> plate.  Three rules: bath mat on the floor, curtain inside the tub and
> always hit behind the runner.  Isn't that ironic?
> Oops, maybe not.
>
> On Wed, 27 Mar 2002 16:47:53 -0400 Daniel Sapen <[log in to unmask]>
> writes:
> >
> >
> > Daniel Sapen wrote:
> >
> > > Dear Jim -
> > >
> > > The irony has entirely escaped you.  This was a joke about "it
> > never
> > > hurting".  I try not to underestimate the reading acumen of my
> > colleagues
> > > here.  At risk of getting too personal, the "they" in my last
> > message don't
> > > really need forgiveness - irony, remember?  They were  my lovers.
> > I could
> > > make another joke about how a little head does hurt, vis your
> > > literal-minded reprimand, but you might miss my forgiving nature
> > and good
> > > humor.
> > >
> > > Try to avoid the moral outrage, OK?
> > >
> > > Yours in good, cryptic humor -
> > >
> > > Dan
> > >
> > > Norman Holland wrote:
> > >
> > > > From:
> > > >        Jim Nibblett <[log in to unmask]>
> > > >
> > > > Sun 5:44 PM
> > > >
> > > > To the quip
> > > >
> > > > > A little Head never hurts.
> > > >
> > > > Came the reply:
> > > > >
> > > > > For shame.  You should not post such things.  And besides, I
> > have
> > > > > vivid
> > > > > memories that it sometimes does hurt.  I have forgiven them.
> > > >
> > > >         First, what's to forgive?  Do you infer malice?  Does
> > not the
> > > > bromide "Take it like a man," apply here?  Much better to offer
> > a little
> > > > guidance and perhaps mentorship.  This would avoid the chilling
> > effects
> > > > of moral outrage.
> > > >
> > > > Jim
> >
> >