The use of the word "irony" (examples, song, quote)

[eastwestman]

I took this straight from another forum. It's worded perfectly so I did a cut and paste. I have the same question. Please share your thoughts:




In what way are so-called "ironic" t-shirts, glasses, etc actually ironic?


I’m constantly hearing t-shirts (such as those with a clever saying and/or a retro image) described as "ironic". I also hear retro eyeglasses (e.g., thick black plastic frames) described with the same word. Sometimes the word "hipster" is thrown around about the same type of stuff, but let’s focus this question on the irony.

I don’t quite get it. I think I understand irony as a device in literature or film, or irony in a situation in real life, but that doesn’t seem like the same thing. When people are describing shirts and glasses that way, it seems like something different.

So in what way are these shirts and glasses ironic?

[MrRational]

You can blame Alanis Morisette

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v9yUVgrmPY

[jtur88]

"Irony" is perhaps the most ironic word in the English language.

[figmalt]

Here's a good explanation of irony: The 3 Most Common Uses of Irony - The Oatmeal

With reference to hipsters, the reason things [like wearing certain t-shirts] are ironic is because at one point they were also considered passe'. The irony lies in the fact that they wear it not because they think it's cool, but because they think it's tire/cliche/passe'/etc, thereby deliberately choosing to buck the trend. You can't overanalyze this though, because by everyone bucking the same trend and choosing to be "ironic," then that in itself becomes a trend, and you've wasted your time. This is why hipsters must continually find new ways to be ironic.

[jtur88]

Originally Posted by figmalt

Here's a good explanation of irony: The 3 Most Common Uses of Irony - The Oatmeal

With reference to hipsters, the reason things [like wearing certain t-shirts] are ironic is because at one point they were also considered passe'. The irony lies in the fact that they wear it not because they think it's cool, but because they think it's tire/cliche/passe'/etc, thereby deliberately choosing to buck the trend. You can't overanalyze this though, because by everyone bucking the same trend and choosing to be "ironic," then that in itself becomes a trend, and you've wasted your time. This is why hipsters must continually find new ways to be ironic.

It's like the music industry, where "Alternative" is the biggest-selling genre.

[CA4Now]

Originally Posted by MrRational

You can blame Alanis Morisette

She's been criticized many times for writing that song when actually none of her examples are ironic; they're simply coincidental.

[MrRational]

Originally Posted by CA4Now

She's been criticized many times for writing that song when actually none of her examples are ironic; they're simply coincidental.

whooooooooosh!

[CA4Now]

Originally Posted by MrRational

whooooooooosh!

You must've missed all the teenagers who grew up using her definition of irony, pal.

[NinaN]

Or maybe the t-shirts are iron-on-ic (as in the old iron-on stuff before silks screening)