It appears that even though the original meaning of the word "sarcasm" had to do with base things like taunting, tearing, hostility, criticism, sneering and mocking, the actual product these days is just plain joking. An example of sarcasm is, "I'm not tense, just terribly, terribly alert." This doesn't criticize or tear down.

But apparently it started out differently, as Thomas Carlyle called it "the language of the devil", and Rex Stout as Nero Wolfe said it is "not the rapier of wit...but merely a club." It sounds like it began as "the lowest form of wit". Really, who amongst us has any difficulty finding fault, criticizing, getting annoyed or angry with someone and lashing out sarcastically? It's human nature.

It is also linked with irony, which states the opposite of the intended meaning, for instance, saying to a hypochondriac, "Take good care of yourself, poor dear," when you mean, "Face reality, crazy person, your body is healthier than any of us."

It has been noted that when we point our forefinger at someone we have three fingers pointing back at ourselves. Here is a sarcastic example: "I am so miserable without you, it's almost like having you here". Of course, many have said, "I can't live with him/her and I can't live without him/her" -- an exaggeration at best, but evidence of an unbalanced, depressive person.

Innocent children and people with certain areas of brain damage don't "get" these jokes because they are devious and deceiving. This is on purpose, of course, to cover up our true feelings. Instead of saying, "Ignorance is bliss," we say, "Better living through denial."

What fun would it be, anyhow, if we would say what we mean and mean what we say?