is there word for "use of feigned facetiousness to express real feelings?" (passive, people)

[wutitiz]

Hard to articulate what I have in mind in a headline, but I did my best. But I think an example will clarify: there's a guy a work with who will adopt a high-pitched little-kid voice to express some whiney thought. As if to say 'here I express my whiney thought, but I don't really mean it, I'm just joking here.' But somehow everybody else gets the feeling that he really does mean it.

Psychology has given us some words useful enough to have passed into general use, such as 'shadenfreude.' Is there a word in psychology to describe this kind particular kind of verbal camo? Framing a thought as a joke, so as to be able to express the thought, without really having to 'own' it.

[looking4answers12]

One word? Fake.

Other words...sneaky and coward.

I have people in my life that make so-called "jokes" little digs wrapped up in a little giggle to indicate that the are "just joking". yeah right.

[doradocolibri]

not one word maybe two: Passive Aggressive

[Grandstander]

Isn't it called "sarcasm?"

[Lady Ice]

Originally Posted by fire&ice

not one word maybe two: Passive Aggressive

I agree, passive aggressive covers it. They want to express a negative opinion and feel superior but in a covert way that people can't directly challenge them on. It's a kind of sarcasm with impunity.

[RockJock1729]

Originally Posted by wutitiz

Hard to articulate what I have in mind in a headline, but I did my best. But I think an example will clarify: there's a guy a work with who will adopt a high-pitched little-kid voice to express some whiney thought. As if to say 'here I express my whiney thought, but I don't really mean it, I'm just joking here.' But somehow everybody else gets the feeling that he really does mean it.

Psychology has given us some words useful enough to have passed into general use, such as 'shadenfreude.' Is there a word in psychology to describe this kind particular kind of verbal camo? Framing a thought as a joke, so as to be able to express the thought, without really having to 'own' it.

I think the word you're looking for is "immature", though as others have noted, "passive aggressive" is a pretty close fit.

Freud might have argued that the function of humor is so a person can express desires without having to own them, especially if those desires are taboo. So there may not be a specific word like "schadenfreude" that captures it.

On the other hand, it doesn't sound like you are really just searching for a word, amirite?

[wutitiz]

I wouldn't have thought that passive aggressive would cover it, but then I can see how passive aggressive is a similar behavior. Basically creating a fake facade to express a feeling while avoiding having to say it outright.

But yeah, I'm just looking for a word. Seems like there should be word for this but maybe there is not.
I have very leading reading in psychology so maybe I just misunderstand the real meaning of passive aggressive. Although I live in the Seattle area, which is often claimed to be the world capitol of passive-aggression.

[redvelvet709]

It's a form of manipulation. A learned behavior. If these folks never get truly challenged when they use these behaviors, they will continue to default to them in very bad taste, I might add.

[virgode]

Originally Posted by wutitiz

Hard to articulate what I have in mind in a headline, but I did my best. But I think an example will clarify: there's a guy a work with who will adopt a high-pitched little-kid voice to express some whiney thought. As if to say 'here I express my whiney thought, but I don't really mean it, I'm just joking here.' But somehow everybody else gets the feeling that he really does mean it.

Psychology has given us some words useful enough to have passed into general use, such as 'shadenfreude.' Is there a word in psychology to describe this kind particular kind of verbal camo? Framing a thought as a joke, so as to be able to express the thought, without really having to 'own' it.

IDK...I'm thinking a combinatation of passive aggression and dramatic irony. Jack Wagon or my new fav compliments of Andy Cohen....Jack-Hole.

"Superciliious"
su·per·cil·i·ous/ˌso͞opərˈsilēəs/

Adjective:Behaving or looking as though one thinks one is superior to others.Synonyms:haughty - arrogant - proud - lofty - uppish - snooty