Dr. Frank's What's-it

Irony on Parade

The English often complain that Americans don't fully understand irony. This isn't strictly true. I think I understand it pretty well. But the English are so thoroughly ironic in every word and deed, and so prone to express even irony in multi-layered and understated terms, that it's sometimes hard to distinguish their sarcasm from their sincerity. I believe they are not always able to make this distinction themselves.

My favorite example of this is the word "quite," which in common English parlance really means "not quite." The sentence "you're quite beautiful" actually means "no, you're not quite what I'd go so far as to call 'beautiful,' though nice try and all that." This, as you might imagine, can lead to some dicey misunderstandings between a man and a woman if the (American) man hasn't learned the secret. (Let's just say I wouldn't recommend trying it: you'll have to trust me on this one.) What appears to have happened is that the word "quite" has been used ironically for so long and so consistently that its literal meaning has been "quite" forgotten. Very few English people seem to be aware of the literal meaning of this word. I even once had an argument on the matter with a British professor of English, who had to be forcibly shown the OED entry (which is quite unequivocal) before he would concede the point.

Which brings me to this: the Mirror has conducted an experiment where they have dressed one of their reporters in Camp X-ray gear (goggles, hood, mittens, face mask, etc.)-- a kind of "terrorist like me" exercise. Or, as the headline puts it "Camp X-ray Clothes Test: One Hour in Hell." Reporter Steven Moyes describes his ordeal:

The Mirror yesterday re-created the barbaric conditions in which America is keeping its prisoners - and I wasn't prepared for the shock.... With just flip-flops on my feet, I flinched when someone trod on me. I felt utterly alone... Hands are tightly clamped together to rule out any chance of an attack on guards. Cuffs also prevent writing and hand signs. Objects cannot be picked up or used as missiles... Flip-flops: nowhere to hide a weapon. Too flimsy to kick a guard. Unsuitable for running away in. Can cause bruising if not fitted properly.

Now, is this meant ironically? Or literally? Is there a difference?

(link via Tim Blair who thinks Moyes looks like a Devo fan, and suggests that he interview a welder. It's funny because it's true...)

Posted by Dr. Frank at January 22, 2002 11:33 AM | TrackBack