***My thoughts on this word: I am adding this word to the mix, to help remind us all that we should never get so comfortable with our hours. Something always seems to come up and change our plans.  Words have a way of doing that very thing. Just when we get used to being sarcastic, we learn that maybe we aren’t being sarcastic, maybe we are, in fact, being acerbic, or sardonic.
As I stated yesterday; acerbic and sarcasm are like cousins; far enough removed to be wanting, yet too close to marry. Well, now we have the word, sardonic; the wicked step-sister. I hate step-sisters. I can say that because, along with the other million things about me, I am a step-sister; and a wicked one at that! So then, how can we tell the difference between being sarcastic and being sardonic? I will tell you it is a very fine line, however, it is most possible to be acerbically sarcastic, but it is not possible to be sarcastically sardonic, that would then be called an oxymoron!
 
 
 
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) – Cite This Source – Share This

sar·don·ic  

 Audio Help   /sɑrˈdɒnɪk/ Pronunciation Key – Show Spelled Pronunciation[sahr-don-ik] Pronunciation Key – Show IPA Pronunciation

–adjective

characterized by bitter or scornful derision; mocking; cynical; sneering: a sardonic grin.

[Origin: 1630–40; alter. of earlier sardonian (influenced by F sardonique) < L sardoni(us) (< Gk sardónios of Sardinia) + -an; alluding to a Sardinian plant which when eaten was supposed to produce convulsive laughter ending in death]

—Related forms

sar·don·i·cal·ly, adverb

sar·don·i·cism, noun

—Synonyms biting, mordant, contemptuous.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

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