Equivalent of “teri lal” a Hindi phrase which means “you are right” said sarcastically (but not...
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There is a saying in Hindi in India "teri lal" which translates "yours is red" which means "Whatever the case may be you are right" as in "you are always right". It is a sarcastic way of telling (usually) a know-it-all person (but not meant truly) "you are right".
Is there an equivalent version of this phrase in English?
Example
Rohan (the know-it-all): The moon is a sphere
John: hmmm
Rohan: The moon has its own light.
John: OK "teri lal" (you are right – sarcastically)
single-word-requests phrase-requests idiom-requests translation proverb-requests
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show 5 more comments
up vote
12
down vote
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There is a saying in Hindi in India "teri lal" which translates "yours is red" which means "Whatever the case may be you are right" as in "you are always right". It is a sarcastic way of telling (usually) a know-it-all person (but not meant truly) "you are right".
Is there an equivalent version of this phrase in English?
Example
Rohan (the know-it-all): The moon is a sphere
John: hmmm
Rohan: The moon has its own light.
John: OK "teri lal" (you are right – sarcastically)
single-word-requests phrase-requests idiom-requests translation proverb-requests
3
Good question. I feel like this is a perfectly commonplace situation, but I can’t think of a specific thing you’d be likely to use in English in this context. I think it would be more intonational; you might say something like, “Erm, yeah, sure… whatever you say”, but it would be the tone of voice that conveys the sarcasm. If you say the exact same words in a sprightly, cheerful voice, it would carry an entirely different meaning.
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
yesterday
14
An English professor once told his class that there were numerous cases in English sentence construction where a "double negative" could mean a positive, but there was no case where a double positive could mean a negative. To which one of his students replied, "Yeah, right."
– Hot Licks
yesterday
3
“Yeah, right” feels like an open challenge. “Wow! You are so smart.” ( said with whatever level of intonated sarcasm you like) can sometimes be slid past the recipient ) You can add a knowing wink to other listeners when you know they also know what an idiot the speaker is.
– Jim
yesterday
3
Some more detail would be appreciated. The sense I get is that the goal isn’t to challenge the speaker—say they are wrong and argue the point—but rather to accept their claim in a dismissive way that says you don’t really agree but also don’t want to argue about it. “Sure, we’ll pretend you’re right because it’s not worth anyone’s time arguing with you, you think you know everything.” If that’s the case, alwayslearning’s answer is by-far the best. But the question could be clearer about this, if I am getting the right impression.
– KRyan
yesterday
2
Just to make it apparent, as to what is really red in the context of the question. Thought about adding the image into the question at first, but I guess I'll leave that discretion to the OP.
– Dhruv Saxena
15 hours ago
|
show 5 more comments
up vote
12
down vote
favorite
up vote
12
down vote
favorite
There is a saying in Hindi in India "teri lal" which translates "yours is red" which means "Whatever the case may be you are right" as in "you are always right". It is a sarcastic way of telling (usually) a know-it-all person (but not meant truly) "you are right".
Is there an equivalent version of this phrase in English?
Example
Rohan (the know-it-all): The moon is a sphere
John: hmmm
Rohan: The moon has its own light.
John: OK "teri lal" (you are right – sarcastically)
single-word-requests phrase-requests idiom-requests translation proverb-requests
There is a saying in Hindi in India "teri lal" which translates "yours is red" which means "Whatever the case may be you are right" as in "you are always right". It is a sarcastic way of telling (usually) a know-it-all person (but not meant truly) "you are right".
Is there an equivalent version of this phrase in English?
Example
Rohan (the know-it-all): The moon is a sphere
John: hmmm
Rohan: The moon has its own light.
John: OK "teri lal" (you are right – sarcastically)
single-word-requests phrase-requests idiom-requests translation proverb-requests
single-word-requests phrase-requests idiom-requests translation proverb-requests
edited 9 hours ago
asked yesterday
AMN
1,2532721
1,2532721
3
Good question. I feel like this is a perfectly commonplace situation, but I can’t think of a specific thing you’d be likely to use in English in this context. I think it would be more intonational; you might say something like, “Erm, yeah, sure… whatever you say”, but it would be the tone of voice that conveys the sarcasm. If you say the exact same words in a sprightly, cheerful voice, it would carry an entirely different meaning.
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
yesterday
14
An English professor once told his class that there were numerous cases in English sentence construction where a "double negative" could mean a positive, but there was no case where a double positive could mean a negative. To which one of his students replied, "Yeah, right."
– Hot Licks
yesterday
3
“Yeah, right” feels like an open challenge. “Wow! You are so smart.” ( said with whatever level of intonated sarcasm you like) can sometimes be slid past the recipient ) You can add a knowing wink to other listeners when you know they also know what an idiot the speaker is.
– Jim
yesterday
3
Some more detail would be appreciated. The sense I get is that the goal isn’t to challenge the speaker—say they are wrong and argue the point—but rather to accept their claim in a dismissive way that says you don’t really agree but also don’t want to argue about it. “Sure, we’ll pretend you’re right because it’s not worth anyone’s time arguing with you, you think you know everything.” If that’s the case, alwayslearning’s answer is by-far the best. But the question could be clearer about this, if I am getting the right impression.
– KRyan
yesterday
2
Just to make it apparent, as to what is really red in the context of the question. Thought about adding the image into the question at first, but I guess I'll leave that discretion to the OP.
– Dhruv Saxena
15 hours ago
|
show 5 more comments
3
Good question. I feel like this is a perfectly commonplace situation, but I can’t think of a specific thing you’d be likely to use in English in this context. I think it would be more intonational; you might say something like, “Erm, yeah, sure… whatever you say”, but it would be the tone of voice that conveys the sarcasm. If you say the exact same words in a sprightly, cheerful voice, it would carry an entirely different meaning.
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
yesterday
14
An English professor once told his class that there were numerous cases in English sentence construction where a "double negative" could mean a positive, but there was no case where a double positive could mean a negative. To which one of his students replied, "Yeah, right."
– Hot Licks
yesterday
3
“Yeah, right” feels like an open challenge. “Wow! You are so smart.” ( said with whatever level of intonated sarcasm you like) can sometimes be slid past the recipient ) You can add a knowing wink to other listeners when you know they also know what an idiot the speaker is.
– Jim
yesterday
3
Some more detail would be appreciated. The sense I get is that the goal isn’t to challenge the speaker—say they are wrong and argue the point—but rather to accept their claim in a dismissive way that says you don’t really agree but also don’t want to argue about it. “Sure, we’ll pretend you’re right because it’s not worth anyone’s time arguing with you, you think you know everything.” If that’s the case, alwayslearning’s answer is by-far the best. But the question could be clearer about this, if I am getting the right impression.
– KRyan
yesterday
2
Just to make it apparent, as to what is really red in the context of the question. Thought about adding the image into the question at first, but I guess I'll leave that discretion to the OP.
– Dhruv Saxena
15 hours ago
3
3
Good question. I feel like this is a perfectly commonplace situation, but I can’t think of a specific thing you’d be likely to use in English in this context. I think it would be more intonational; you might say something like, “Erm, yeah, sure… whatever you say”, but it would be the tone of voice that conveys the sarcasm. If you say the exact same words in a sprightly, cheerful voice, it would carry an entirely different meaning.
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
yesterday
Good question. I feel like this is a perfectly commonplace situation, but I can’t think of a specific thing you’d be likely to use in English in this context. I think it would be more intonational; you might say something like, “Erm, yeah, sure… whatever you say”, but it would be the tone of voice that conveys the sarcasm. If you say the exact same words in a sprightly, cheerful voice, it would carry an entirely different meaning.
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
yesterday
14
14
An English professor once told his class that there were numerous cases in English sentence construction where a "double negative" could mean a positive, but there was no case where a double positive could mean a negative. To which one of his students replied, "Yeah, right."
– Hot Licks
yesterday
An English professor once told his class that there were numerous cases in English sentence construction where a "double negative" could mean a positive, but there was no case where a double positive could mean a negative. To which one of his students replied, "Yeah, right."
– Hot Licks
yesterday
3
3
“Yeah, right” feels like an open challenge. “Wow! You are so smart.” ( said with whatever level of intonated sarcasm you like) can sometimes be slid past the recipient ) You can add a knowing wink to other listeners when you know they also know what an idiot the speaker is.
– Jim
yesterday
“Yeah, right” feels like an open challenge. “Wow! You are so smart.” ( said with whatever level of intonated sarcasm you like) can sometimes be slid past the recipient ) You can add a knowing wink to other listeners when you know they also know what an idiot the speaker is.
– Jim
yesterday
3
3
Some more detail would be appreciated. The sense I get is that the goal isn’t to challenge the speaker—say they are wrong and argue the point—but rather to accept their claim in a dismissive way that says you don’t really agree but also don’t want to argue about it. “Sure, we’ll pretend you’re right because it’s not worth anyone’s time arguing with you, you think you know everything.” If that’s the case, alwayslearning’s answer is by-far the best. But the question could be clearer about this, if I am getting the right impression.
– KRyan
yesterday
Some more detail would be appreciated. The sense I get is that the goal isn’t to challenge the speaker—say they are wrong and argue the point—but rather to accept their claim in a dismissive way that says you don’t really agree but also don’t want to argue about it. “Sure, we’ll pretend you’re right because it’s not worth anyone’s time arguing with you, you think you know everything.” If that’s the case, alwayslearning’s answer is by-far the best. But the question could be clearer about this, if I am getting the right impression.
– KRyan
yesterday
2
2
Just to make it apparent, as to what is really red in the context of the question. Thought about adding the image into the question at first, but I guess I'll leave that discretion to the OP.
– Dhruv Saxena
15 hours ago
Just to make it apparent, as to what is really red in the context of the question. Thought about adding the image into the question at first, but I guess I'll leave that discretion to the OP.
– Dhruv Saxena
15 hours ago
|
show 5 more comments
9 Answers
9
active
oldest
votes
up vote
27
down vote
accepted
Though I agree with the others that the sarcasm is usually implied in the tone of the speaker, there is an idiomatic expression which implies a non-committal agreement without sounding overly offensive: whatever you say
TFD(idioms):
whatever you say
I accept what you say, and I'm not going to argue with you.
Usually
implies that one doesn't really agree with the other person, but is
going to do it to avoid a conflict.
A: "Don't worry about the auditors, just run the numbers like I told
you." B: "OK, whatever you say, boss."
A: "I told you, my parents let me borrow the car whenever I want." B:
"Whatever you say."
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
2
It’s worth noting that while this isn’t offensive, it is pretty rude and dismissive when done sarcastically. You are not avoiding conflict out of respect for the other person, but rather out of disrespect—you don’t think they’re worth correcting, or even capable of being corrected. Which seems to match teri lal quite perfectly, if I am getting the right impression.
– KRyan
yesterday
1
This is often reduced just to the single word "Whatever!". And yes, it's annoying.
– Monty Harder
21 hours ago
9
cf. "If you say so..."
– Tashus
18 hours ago
1
@Tashus, you should add it as an answer.
– alwayslearning
10 hours ago
@KRyan: Sarcasm itself is pretty rude when done dismissively - regardless of the actual words used. What you say isn't wrong but it doesn't particularly apply to this answer more than any other answer.
– Flater
8 hours ago
add a comment |
up vote
22
down vote
The most direct parallel might be the English expression "Yeah, right."
On the surface, it literally means, Yes, you are correct, but is universally accepted as meaning just the opposite, e.g., "No way," or "As if."
3
It's also the punch line to a well known linguistics joke: reddit.com/r/Jokes/comments/3a60z6/a_double_positive
– Barmar
yesterday
3
This is where I might just say "riiiiight", dragging out the "i" like that.
– only_pro
22 hours ago
1
Sometimes framed as invitation to continue, "Do tell." This is a British form. Brits are more inclined to irony than sarcasm, and the inflection may be omitted to encourage the victim to continue making a fool of himself for the entertainment of others present.
– Peter Wone
15 hours ago
2
Example worth watching (and entire movie in case you haven't seen it): youtube.com/watch?v=-4iiGXoRoAg . Especially check the fragment from 2:20 and how Nick (the fox) answers Judy (the bunny) at 2:23.
– Ister
8 hours ago
add a comment |
up vote
9
down vote
In English, just like in most languages, the perception of sarcasm lies in inflexion, modulation of intonation, rather than the words themselves.
One might say "Oh, really?" and intonation alone can make it a sarcastic remark or not.
Likewise, depending on context, several other remarks can be sarcastic and ironic.
- "How interesting!"
- "You don't say!"
- "You're so knowledgeable!"
- "X, you're here to educate us."
More about sarcasm in 1 and 2
1
While sarcasm is all about tone, there is a phrase that comes to mind immediately in this situation, and none of these are it. The latter two I have never heard used that way, and sound weird to me.
– KRyan
yesterday
1
@AndyT You're right. I've substituted a better one.
– Centaurus
19 hours ago
Example worth watching (and entire movie in case you haven't seen it): youtube.com/watch?v=-4iiGXoRoAg . Especially check the fragment from 2:20 and how Nick (the fox) answers Judy (the bunny) at 2:23. I know I put the same comment under two different answers but it does apply to both.
– Ister
8 hours ago
add a comment |
up vote
3
down vote
There's a Scottish term for this. It's "Aye, right". It has to be said with a fair amount of sarcasm.
When you have just said something to someone that they don’t quite believe, they are very likely to reply by saying – Aye, Right!! - https://scotlandwelcomesyou.com/scottish-sayings/
The joke goes that a teacher is explaining double negatives to her class and says that although two negatives make a positive, there are no examples where two positives make a negative. From the back of the classroom comes the phrase "Aye, right".
-- Just noticed Hot Licks' comment above. I guess it's not purely a Scottish thing!
add a comment |
up vote
2
down vote
Indeed, perhaps.
Indeed is used widely and idiomatically both interrogatively and as an interjection, expressing (according to the intonation) irony, contempt, amazement, incredulity, or the like (OED)
‘That's Jarsper's.’ ‘Indeed?’ said Mr. Datchery.
Edwin Drood (Dickens, 1870) xviii. 141 (OED)
Christopher Judge is a master of this. He uses it in Stargate for just about every situation.
– Ruadhan2300
yesterday
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
If said with a sarcastic tone, a simple "Sure." is enough.
Sure
- colloq. (orig. N. Amer.). Used sarcastically to express scepticism or incredulity. Frequently in oh, sure, yeah, sure. Cf. right int. 1.
2
The longer you draw out that 'u' sound the more sarcastic it is. "Sure" is mildly dismissive. "Suuuuuure" is much more so.
– Joe McMahon
18 hours ago
Short breath, sigh, "Sure". Or "Sure, why not", as if you were exposed to violently surrealist concepts but can accept another person's opinion with abject stoicism.
– mckenzm
14 hours ago
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
There's an old joke about an English teacher telling the class, “In English, a double negative is a positive. But a double positive is never negative!”
A student tells her, “Yeah, yeah.”
(Or @alwayslearning’s excellent answer.)
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
I agree with alwayslearning's answer, but in New Zealand English, the phrase "Yeah right" is strongly associated with a decades-long billboard marketing campaign by DB Breweries for their Tui brand. You should always assume it is intended sarcastically, regardless of tone.
add a comment |
up vote
-2
down vote
"Yes, Socrates" works, and doesn't require any particular inflection or tone of voice to convey the sarcasm.
http://dailynous.com/2017/03/20/how-socratic-was-socrates/
"philosophers have been pushing this macho schtick from the beginning. Socrates is indeed their hero; if only they could do what he does, whether it be reducing their debating partners to silence or, even better, extracting succinct concessions to their intellectual superiority: “Yes, Socrates,” “You are quite right, Socrates,” “That is indeed true, Socrates,” “I dare say, Socrates,” and so on."
http://blogs.getty.edu/iris/a-non-philosophers-guide-to-plato/
"Thus there is a fair amount along the lines of: “Why yes, Socrates.” And, “It would seem so, Socrates,” and not much in the way of complaints about being unfairly backed into a corner."
New contributor
1
You might be getting downvotes here for not having any references, which is a shame because this is a good answer to add to the list. "Did you know that the moon emits its own light?", "Sure it does, Einstein" sounds like perfectly normal casual English, and your point about not needing the particular sarcastic tone is very valid.
– ymbirtt
6 hours ago
@ymbirtt I'm sure you're right about the downvotes. I posted it on impulse, and references proved scarcer than I expected. But I've added one. "Yes, Socrates" doesn't work quite the same way as "Sure it does, Einstein." Socrates isn't a generic genius, who's always right. He's a person you just can't win an argument with (so don't bother trying). Plato arranges that his opponents put up a token resistance, then meekly concede defeat. At least that's the idea behind the idiom (if it is an idiom).
– Scott
2 hours ago
"Sure thing, Socrates", "smart thinking, Einstein" and "nice shot, Nimrod" are phrases which I'd certainly consider to be english idioms, in which someone insults a victim else by making a sarcastic comparison to someone famously good at whatever the victim failed to do. I think a good answer like yours would include a reference to this particular idiom, rather than vague information about who certain philosophers were. You might then mention a particular philosopher as being particularly apt for the "person who cannot ever be argued with" charicature once you've established the idiom.
– ymbirtt
1 hour ago
Too late to edit, but "someone insults a victim else by" should read "someone insults a victim by"
– ymbirtt
1 hour ago
@ymbirtt Both quoted passages not only indicate that Socrates is particularly apt for the "person who cannot ever be argued with" caricature; they both also actually use the phrase "Yes, Socrates," and variants, in the indicated sense.
– Scott
44 mins ago
add a comment |
9 Answers
9
active
oldest
votes
9 Answers
9
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
27
down vote
accepted
Though I agree with the others that the sarcasm is usually implied in the tone of the speaker, there is an idiomatic expression which implies a non-committal agreement without sounding overly offensive: whatever you say
TFD(idioms):
whatever you say
I accept what you say, and I'm not going to argue with you.
Usually
implies that one doesn't really agree with the other person, but is
going to do it to avoid a conflict.
A: "Don't worry about the auditors, just run the numbers like I told
you." B: "OK, whatever you say, boss."
A: "I told you, my parents let me borrow the car whenever I want." B:
"Whatever you say."
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
2
It’s worth noting that while this isn’t offensive, it is pretty rude and dismissive when done sarcastically. You are not avoiding conflict out of respect for the other person, but rather out of disrespect—you don’t think they’re worth correcting, or even capable of being corrected. Which seems to match teri lal quite perfectly, if I am getting the right impression.
– KRyan
yesterday
1
This is often reduced just to the single word "Whatever!". And yes, it's annoying.
– Monty Harder
21 hours ago
9
cf. "If you say so..."
– Tashus
18 hours ago
1
@Tashus, you should add it as an answer.
– alwayslearning
10 hours ago
@KRyan: Sarcasm itself is pretty rude when done dismissively - regardless of the actual words used. What you say isn't wrong but it doesn't particularly apply to this answer more than any other answer.
– Flater
8 hours ago
add a comment |
up vote
27
down vote
accepted
Though I agree with the others that the sarcasm is usually implied in the tone of the speaker, there is an idiomatic expression which implies a non-committal agreement without sounding overly offensive: whatever you say
TFD(idioms):
whatever you say
I accept what you say, and I'm not going to argue with you.
Usually
implies that one doesn't really agree with the other person, but is
going to do it to avoid a conflict.
A: "Don't worry about the auditors, just run the numbers like I told
you." B: "OK, whatever you say, boss."
A: "I told you, my parents let me borrow the car whenever I want." B:
"Whatever you say."
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
2
It’s worth noting that while this isn’t offensive, it is pretty rude and dismissive when done sarcastically. You are not avoiding conflict out of respect for the other person, but rather out of disrespect—you don’t think they’re worth correcting, or even capable of being corrected. Which seems to match teri lal quite perfectly, if I am getting the right impression.
– KRyan
yesterday
1
This is often reduced just to the single word "Whatever!". And yes, it's annoying.
– Monty Harder
21 hours ago
9
cf. "If you say so..."
– Tashus
18 hours ago
1
@Tashus, you should add it as an answer.
– alwayslearning
10 hours ago
@KRyan: Sarcasm itself is pretty rude when done dismissively - regardless of the actual words used. What you say isn't wrong but it doesn't particularly apply to this answer more than any other answer.
– Flater
8 hours ago
add a comment |
up vote
27
down vote
accepted
up vote
27
down vote
accepted
Though I agree with the others that the sarcasm is usually implied in the tone of the speaker, there is an idiomatic expression which implies a non-committal agreement without sounding overly offensive: whatever you say
TFD(idioms):
whatever you say
I accept what you say, and I'm not going to argue with you.
Usually
implies that one doesn't really agree with the other person, but is
going to do it to avoid a conflict.
A: "Don't worry about the auditors, just run the numbers like I told
you." B: "OK, whatever you say, boss."
A: "I told you, my parents let me borrow the car whenever I want." B:
"Whatever you say."
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
Though I agree with the others that the sarcasm is usually implied in the tone of the speaker, there is an idiomatic expression which implies a non-committal agreement without sounding overly offensive: whatever you say
TFD(idioms):
whatever you say
I accept what you say, and I'm not going to argue with you.
Usually
implies that one doesn't really agree with the other person, but is
going to do it to avoid a conflict.
A: "Don't worry about the auditors, just run the numbers like I told
you." B: "OK, whatever you say, boss."
A: "I told you, my parents let me borrow the car whenever I want." B:
"Whatever you say."
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
answered yesterday
alwayslearning
24.8k53492
24.8k53492
2
It’s worth noting that while this isn’t offensive, it is pretty rude and dismissive when done sarcastically. You are not avoiding conflict out of respect for the other person, but rather out of disrespect—you don’t think they’re worth correcting, or even capable of being corrected. Which seems to match teri lal quite perfectly, if I am getting the right impression.
– KRyan
yesterday
1
This is often reduced just to the single word "Whatever!". And yes, it's annoying.
– Monty Harder
21 hours ago
9
cf. "If you say so..."
– Tashus
18 hours ago
1
@Tashus, you should add it as an answer.
– alwayslearning
10 hours ago
@KRyan: Sarcasm itself is pretty rude when done dismissively - regardless of the actual words used. What you say isn't wrong but it doesn't particularly apply to this answer more than any other answer.
– Flater
8 hours ago
add a comment |
2
It’s worth noting that while this isn’t offensive, it is pretty rude and dismissive when done sarcastically. You are not avoiding conflict out of respect for the other person, but rather out of disrespect—you don’t think they’re worth correcting, or even capable of being corrected. Which seems to match teri lal quite perfectly, if I am getting the right impression.
– KRyan
yesterday
1
This is often reduced just to the single word "Whatever!". And yes, it's annoying.
– Monty Harder
21 hours ago
9
cf. "If you say so..."
– Tashus
18 hours ago
1
@Tashus, you should add it as an answer.
– alwayslearning
10 hours ago
@KRyan: Sarcasm itself is pretty rude when done dismissively - regardless of the actual words used. What you say isn't wrong but it doesn't particularly apply to this answer more than any other answer.
– Flater
8 hours ago
2
2
It’s worth noting that while this isn’t offensive, it is pretty rude and dismissive when done sarcastically. You are not avoiding conflict out of respect for the other person, but rather out of disrespect—you don’t think they’re worth correcting, or even capable of being corrected. Which seems to match teri lal quite perfectly, if I am getting the right impression.
– KRyan
yesterday
It’s worth noting that while this isn’t offensive, it is pretty rude and dismissive when done sarcastically. You are not avoiding conflict out of respect for the other person, but rather out of disrespect—you don’t think they’re worth correcting, or even capable of being corrected. Which seems to match teri lal quite perfectly, if I am getting the right impression.
– KRyan
yesterday
1
1
This is often reduced just to the single word "Whatever!". And yes, it's annoying.
– Monty Harder
21 hours ago
This is often reduced just to the single word "Whatever!". And yes, it's annoying.
– Monty Harder
21 hours ago
9
9
cf. "If you say so..."
– Tashus
18 hours ago
cf. "If you say so..."
– Tashus
18 hours ago
1
1
@Tashus, you should add it as an answer.
– alwayslearning
10 hours ago
@Tashus, you should add it as an answer.
– alwayslearning
10 hours ago
@KRyan: Sarcasm itself is pretty rude when done dismissively - regardless of the actual words used. What you say isn't wrong but it doesn't particularly apply to this answer more than any other answer.
– Flater
8 hours ago
@KRyan: Sarcasm itself is pretty rude when done dismissively - regardless of the actual words used. What you say isn't wrong but it doesn't particularly apply to this answer more than any other answer.
– Flater
8 hours ago
add a comment |
up vote
22
down vote
The most direct parallel might be the English expression "Yeah, right."
On the surface, it literally means, Yes, you are correct, but is universally accepted as meaning just the opposite, e.g., "No way," or "As if."
3
It's also the punch line to a well known linguistics joke: reddit.com/r/Jokes/comments/3a60z6/a_double_positive
– Barmar
yesterday
3
This is where I might just say "riiiiight", dragging out the "i" like that.
– only_pro
22 hours ago
1
Sometimes framed as invitation to continue, "Do tell." This is a British form. Brits are more inclined to irony than sarcasm, and the inflection may be omitted to encourage the victim to continue making a fool of himself for the entertainment of others present.
– Peter Wone
15 hours ago
2
Example worth watching (and entire movie in case you haven't seen it): youtube.com/watch?v=-4iiGXoRoAg . Especially check the fragment from 2:20 and how Nick (the fox) answers Judy (the bunny) at 2:23.
– Ister
8 hours ago
add a comment |
up vote
22
down vote
The most direct parallel might be the English expression "Yeah, right."
On the surface, it literally means, Yes, you are correct, but is universally accepted as meaning just the opposite, e.g., "No way," or "As if."
3
It's also the punch line to a well known linguistics joke: reddit.com/r/Jokes/comments/3a60z6/a_double_positive
– Barmar
yesterday
3
This is where I might just say "riiiiight", dragging out the "i" like that.
– only_pro
22 hours ago
1
Sometimes framed as invitation to continue, "Do tell." This is a British form. Brits are more inclined to irony than sarcasm, and the inflection may be omitted to encourage the victim to continue making a fool of himself for the entertainment of others present.
– Peter Wone
15 hours ago
2
Example worth watching (and entire movie in case you haven't seen it): youtube.com/watch?v=-4iiGXoRoAg . Especially check the fragment from 2:20 and how Nick (the fox) answers Judy (the bunny) at 2:23.
– Ister
8 hours ago
add a comment |
up vote
22
down vote
up vote
22
down vote
The most direct parallel might be the English expression "Yeah, right."
On the surface, it literally means, Yes, you are correct, but is universally accepted as meaning just the opposite, e.g., "No way," or "As if."
The most direct parallel might be the English expression "Yeah, right."
On the surface, it literally means, Yes, you are correct, but is universally accepted as meaning just the opposite, e.g., "No way," or "As if."
edited yesterday
answered yesterday
Carly
1,002112
1,002112
3
It's also the punch line to a well known linguistics joke: reddit.com/r/Jokes/comments/3a60z6/a_double_positive
– Barmar
yesterday
3
This is where I might just say "riiiiight", dragging out the "i" like that.
– only_pro
22 hours ago
1
Sometimes framed as invitation to continue, "Do tell." This is a British form. Brits are more inclined to irony than sarcasm, and the inflection may be omitted to encourage the victim to continue making a fool of himself for the entertainment of others present.
– Peter Wone
15 hours ago
2
Example worth watching (and entire movie in case you haven't seen it): youtube.com/watch?v=-4iiGXoRoAg . Especially check the fragment from 2:20 and how Nick (the fox) answers Judy (the bunny) at 2:23.
– Ister
8 hours ago
add a comment |
3
It's also the punch line to a well known linguistics joke: reddit.com/r/Jokes/comments/3a60z6/a_double_positive
– Barmar
yesterday
3
This is where I might just say "riiiiight", dragging out the "i" like that.
– only_pro
22 hours ago
1
Sometimes framed as invitation to continue, "Do tell." This is a British form. Brits are more inclined to irony than sarcasm, and the inflection may be omitted to encourage the victim to continue making a fool of himself for the entertainment of others present.
– Peter Wone
15 hours ago
2
Example worth watching (and entire movie in case you haven't seen it): youtube.com/watch?v=-4iiGXoRoAg . Especially check the fragment from 2:20 and how Nick (the fox) answers Judy (the bunny) at 2:23.
– Ister
8 hours ago
3
3
It's also the punch line to a well known linguistics joke: reddit.com/r/Jokes/comments/3a60z6/a_double_positive
– Barmar
yesterday
It's also the punch line to a well known linguistics joke: reddit.com/r/Jokes/comments/3a60z6/a_double_positive
– Barmar
yesterday
3
3
This is where I might just say "riiiiight", dragging out the "i" like that.
– only_pro
22 hours ago
This is where I might just say "riiiiight", dragging out the "i" like that.
– only_pro
22 hours ago
1
1
Sometimes framed as invitation to continue, "Do tell." This is a British form. Brits are more inclined to irony than sarcasm, and the inflection may be omitted to encourage the victim to continue making a fool of himself for the entertainment of others present.
– Peter Wone
15 hours ago
Sometimes framed as invitation to continue, "Do tell." This is a British form. Brits are more inclined to irony than sarcasm, and the inflection may be omitted to encourage the victim to continue making a fool of himself for the entertainment of others present.
– Peter Wone
15 hours ago
2
2
Example worth watching (and entire movie in case you haven't seen it): youtube.com/watch?v=-4iiGXoRoAg . Especially check the fragment from 2:20 and how Nick (the fox) answers Judy (the bunny) at 2:23.
– Ister
8 hours ago
Example worth watching (and entire movie in case you haven't seen it): youtube.com/watch?v=-4iiGXoRoAg . Especially check the fragment from 2:20 and how Nick (the fox) answers Judy (the bunny) at 2:23.
– Ister
8 hours ago
add a comment |
up vote
9
down vote
In English, just like in most languages, the perception of sarcasm lies in inflexion, modulation of intonation, rather than the words themselves.
One might say "Oh, really?" and intonation alone can make it a sarcastic remark or not.
Likewise, depending on context, several other remarks can be sarcastic and ironic.
- "How interesting!"
- "You don't say!"
- "You're so knowledgeable!"
- "X, you're here to educate us."
More about sarcasm in 1 and 2
1
While sarcasm is all about tone, there is a phrase that comes to mind immediately in this situation, and none of these are it. The latter two I have never heard used that way, and sound weird to me.
– KRyan
yesterday
1
@AndyT You're right. I've substituted a better one.
– Centaurus
19 hours ago
Example worth watching (and entire movie in case you haven't seen it): youtube.com/watch?v=-4iiGXoRoAg . Especially check the fragment from 2:20 and how Nick (the fox) answers Judy (the bunny) at 2:23. I know I put the same comment under two different answers but it does apply to both.
– Ister
8 hours ago
add a comment |
up vote
9
down vote
In English, just like in most languages, the perception of sarcasm lies in inflexion, modulation of intonation, rather than the words themselves.
One might say "Oh, really?" and intonation alone can make it a sarcastic remark or not.
Likewise, depending on context, several other remarks can be sarcastic and ironic.
- "How interesting!"
- "You don't say!"
- "You're so knowledgeable!"
- "X, you're here to educate us."
More about sarcasm in 1 and 2
1
While sarcasm is all about tone, there is a phrase that comes to mind immediately in this situation, and none of these are it. The latter two I have never heard used that way, and sound weird to me.
– KRyan
yesterday
1
@AndyT You're right. I've substituted a better one.
– Centaurus
19 hours ago
Example worth watching (and entire movie in case you haven't seen it): youtube.com/watch?v=-4iiGXoRoAg . Especially check the fragment from 2:20 and how Nick (the fox) answers Judy (the bunny) at 2:23. I know I put the same comment under two different answers but it does apply to both.
– Ister
8 hours ago
add a comment |
up vote
9
down vote
up vote
9
down vote
In English, just like in most languages, the perception of sarcasm lies in inflexion, modulation of intonation, rather than the words themselves.
One might say "Oh, really?" and intonation alone can make it a sarcastic remark or not.
Likewise, depending on context, several other remarks can be sarcastic and ironic.
- "How interesting!"
- "You don't say!"
- "You're so knowledgeable!"
- "X, you're here to educate us."
More about sarcasm in 1 and 2
In English, just like in most languages, the perception of sarcasm lies in inflexion, modulation of intonation, rather than the words themselves.
One might say "Oh, really?" and intonation alone can make it a sarcastic remark or not.
Likewise, depending on context, several other remarks can be sarcastic and ironic.
- "How interesting!"
- "You don't say!"
- "You're so knowledgeable!"
- "X, you're here to educate us."
More about sarcasm in 1 and 2
edited 17 hours ago
answered yesterday
Centaurus
37.3k27120236
37.3k27120236
1
While sarcasm is all about tone, there is a phrase that comes to mind immediately in this situation, and none of these are it. The latter two I have never heard used that way, and sound weird to me.
– KRyan
yesterday
1
@AndyT You're right. I've substituted a better one.
– Centaurus
19 hours ago
Example worth watching (and entire movie in case you haven't seen it): youtube.com/watch?v=-4iiGXoRoAg . Especially check the fragment from 2:20 and how Nick (the fox) answers Judy (the bunny) at 2:23. I know I put the same comment under two different answers but it does apply to both.
– Ister
8 hours ago
add a comment |
1
While sarcasm is all about tone, there is a phrase that comes to mind immediately in this situation, and none of these are it. The latter two I have never heard used that way, and sound weird to me.
– KRyan
yesterday
1
@AndyT You're right. I've substituted a better one.
– Centaurus
19 hours ago
Example worth watching (and entire movie in case you haven't seen it): youtube.com/watch?v=-4iiGXoRoAg . Especially check the fragment from 2:20 and how Nick (the fox) answers Judy (the bunny) at 2:23. I know I put the same comment under two different answers but it does apply to both.
– Ister
8 hours ago
1
1
While sarcasm is all about tone, there is a phrase that comes to mind immediately in this situation, and none of these are it. The latter two I have never heard used that way, and sound weird to me.
– KRyan
yesterday
While sarcasm is all about tone, there is a phrase that comes to mind immediately in this situation, and none of these are it. The latter two I have never heard used that way, and sound weird to me.
– KRyan
yesterday
1
1
@AndyT You're right. I've substituted a better one.
– Centaurus
19 hours ago
@AndyT You're right. I've substituted a better one.
– Centaurus
19 hours ago
Example worth watching (and entire movie in case you haven't seen it): youtube.com/watch?v=-4iiGXoRoAg . Especially check the fragment from 2:20 and how Nick (the fox) answers Judy (the bunny) at 2:23. I know I put the same comment under two different answers but it does apply to both.
– Ister
8 hours ago
Example worth watching (and entire movie in case you haven't seen it): youtube.com/watch?v=-4iiGXoRoAg . Especially check the fragment from 2:20 and how Nick (the fox) answers Judy (the bunny) at 2:23. I know I put the same comment under two different answers but it does apply to both.
– Ister
8 hours ago
add a comment |
up vote
3
down vote
There's a Scottish term for this. It's "Aye, right". It has to be said with a fair amount of sarcasm.
When you have just said something to someone that they don’t quite believe, they are very likely to reply by saying – Aye, Right!! - https://scotlandwelcomesyou.com/scottish-sayings/
The joke goes that a teacher is explaining double negatives to her class and says that although two negatives make a positive, there are no examples where two positives make a negative. From the back of the classroom comes the phrase "Aye, right".
-- Just noticed Hot Licks' comment above. I guess it's not purely a Scottish thing!
add a comment |
up vote
3
down vote
There's a Scottish term for this. It's "Aye, right". It has to be said with a fair amount of sarcasm.
When you have just said something to someone that they don’t quite believe, they are very likely to reply by saying – Aye, Right!! - https://scotlandwelcomesyou.com/scottish-sayings/
The joke goes that a teacher is explaining double negatives to her class and says that although two negatives make a positive, there are no examples where two positives make a negative. From the back of the classroom comes the phrase "Aye, right".
-- Just noticed Hot Licks' comment above. I guess it's not purely a Scottish thing!
add a comment |
up vote
3
down vote
up vote
3
down vote
There's a Scottish term for this. It's "Aye, right". It has to be said with a fair amount of sarcasm.
When you have just said something to someone that they don’t quite believe, they are very likely to reply by saying – Aye, Right!! - https://scotlandwelcomesyou.com/scottish-sayings/
The joke goes that a teacher is explaining double negatives to her class and says that although two negatives make a positive, there are no examples where two positives make a negative. From the back of the classroom comes the phrase "Aye, right".
-- Just noticed Hot Licks' comment above. I guess it's not purely a Scottish thing!
There's a Scottish term for this. It's "Aye, right". It has to be said with a fair amount of sarcasm.
When you have just said something to someone that they don’t quite believe, they are very likely to reply by saying – Aye, Right!! - https://scotlandwelcomesyou.com/scottish-sayings/
The joke goes that a teacher is explaining double negatives to her class and says that although two negatives make a positive, there are no examples where two positives make a negative. From the back of the classroom comes the phrase "Aye, right".
-- Just noticed Hot Licks' comment above. I guess it's not purely a Scottish thing!
answered yesterday
Pam
3,0021424
3,0021424
add a comment |
add a comment |
up vote
2
down vote
Indeed, perhaps.
Indeed is used widely and idiomatically both interrogatively and as an interjection, expressing (according to the intonation) irony, contempt, amazement, incredulity, or the like (OED)
‘That's Jarsper's.’ ‘Indeed?’ said Mr. Datchery.
Edwin Drood (Dickens, 1870) xviii. 141 (OED)
Christopher Judge is a master of this. He uses it in Stargate for just about every situation.
– Ruadhan2300
yesterday
add a comment |
up vote
2
down vote
Indeed, perhaps.
Indeed is used widely and idiomatically both interrogatively and as an interjection, expressing (according to the intonation) irony, contempt, amazement, incredulity, or the like (OED)
‘That's Jarsper's.’ ‘Indeed?’ said Mr. Datchery.
Edwin Drood (Dickens, 1870) xviii. 141 (OED)
Christopher Judge is a master of this. He uses it in Stargate for just about every situation.
– Ruadhan2300
yesterday
add a comment |
up vote
2
down vote
up vote
2
down vote
Indeed, perhaps.
Indeed is used widely and idiomatically both interrogatively and as an interjection, expressing (according to the intonation) irony, contempt, amazement, incredulity, or the like (OED)
‘That's Jarsper's.’ ‘Indeed?’ said Mr. Datchery.
Edwin Drood (Dickens, 1870) xviii. 141 (OED)
Indeed, perhaps.
Indeed is used widely and idiomatically both interrogatively and as an interjection, expressing (according to the intonation) irony, contempt, amazement, incredulity, or the like (OED)
‘That's Jarsper's.’ ‘Indeed?’ said Mr. Datchery.
Edwin Drood (Dickens, 1870) xviii. 141 (OED)
answered yesterday
Dan
14.8k32157
14.8k32157
Christopher Judge is a master of this. He uses it in Stargate for just about every situation.
– Ruadhan2300
yesterday
add a comment |
Christopher Judge is a master of this. He uses it in Stargate for just about every situation.
– Ruadhan2300
yesterday
Christopher Judge is a master of this. He uses it in Stargate for just about every situation.
– Ruadhan2300
yesterday
Christopher Judge is a master of this. He uses it in Stargate for just about every situation.
– Ruadhan2300
yesterday
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
If said with a sarcastic tone, a simple "Sure." is enough.
Sure
- colloq. (orig. N. Amer.). Used sarcastically to express scepticism or incredulity. Frequently in oh, sure, yeah, sure. Cf. right int. 1.
2
The longer you draw out that 'u' sound the more sarcastic it is. "Sure" is mildly dismissive. "Suuuuuure" is much more so.
– Joe McMahon
18 hours ago
Short breath, sigh, "Sure". Or "Sure, why not", as if you were exposed to violently surrealist concepts but can accept another person's opinion with abject stoicism.
– mckenzm
14 hours ago
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
If said with a sarcastic tone, a simple "Sure." is enough.
Sure
- colloq. (orig. N. Amer.). Used sarcastically to express scepticism or incredulity. Frequently in oh, sure, yeah, sure. Cf. right int. 1.
2
The longer you draw out that 'u' sound the more sarcastic it is. "Sure" is mildly dismissive. "Suuuuuure" is much more so.
– Joe McMahon
18 hours ago
Short breath, sigh, "Sure". Or "Sure, why not", as if you were exposed to violently surrealist concepts but can accept another person's opinion with abject stoicism.
– mckenzm
14 hours ago
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
If said with a sarcastic tone, a simple "Sure." is enough.
Sure
- colloq. (orig. N. Amer.). Used sarcastically to express scepticism or incredulity. Frequently in oh, sure, yeah, sure. Cf. right int. 1.
If said with a sarcastic tone, a simple "Sure." is enough.
Sure
- colloq. (orig. N. Amer.). Used sarcastically to express scepticism or incredulity. Frequently in oh, sure, yeah, sure. Cf. right int. 1.
answered 20 hours ago
scohe001
2,0171119
2,0171119
2
The longer you draw out that 'u' sound the more sarcastic it is. "Sure" is mildly dismissive. "Suuuuuure" is much more so.
– Joe McMahon
18 hours ago
Short breath, sigh, "Sure". Or "Sure, why not", as if you were exposed to violently surrealist concepts but can accept another person's opinion with abject stoicism.
– mckenzm
14 hours ago
add a comment |
2
The longer you draw out that 'u' sound the more sarcastic it is. "Sure" is mildly dismissive. "Suuuuuure" is much more so.
– Joe McMahon
18 hours ago
Short breath, sigh, "Sure". Or "Sure, why not", as if you were exposed to violently surrealist concepts but can accept another person's opinion with abject stoicism.
– mckenzm
14 hours ago
2
2
The longer you draw out that 'u' sound the more sarcastic it is. "Sure" is mildly dismissive. "Suuuuuure" is much more so.
– Joe McMahon
18 hours ago
The longer you draw out that 'u' sound the more sarcastic it is. "Sure" is mildly dismissive. "Suuuuuure" is much more so.
– Joe McMahon
18 hours ago
Short breath, sigh, "Sure". Or "Sure, why not", as if you were exposed to violently surrealist concepts but can accept another person's opinion with abject stoicism.
– mckenzm
14 hours ago
Short breath, sigh, "Sure". Or "Sure, why not", as if you were exposed to violently surrealist concepts but can accept another person's opinion with abject stoicism.
– mckenzm
14 hours ago
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
There's an old joke about an English teacher telling the class, “In English, a double negative is a positive. But a double positive is never negative!”
A student tells her, “Yeah, yeah.”
(Or @alwayslearning’s excellent answer.)
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
There's an old joke about an English teacher telling the class, “In English, a double negative is a positive. But a double positive is never negative!”
A student tells her, “Yeah, yeah.”
(Or @alwayslearning’s excellent answer.)
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
There's an old joke about an English teacher telling the class, “In English, a double negative is a positive. But a double positive is never negative!”
A student tells her, “Yeah, yeah.”
(Or @alwayslearning’s excellent answer.)
There's an old joke about an English teacher telling the class, “In English, a double negative is a positive. But a double positive is never negative!”
A student tells her, “Yeah, yeah.”
(Or @alwayslearning’s excellent answer.)
answered 13 hours ago
Davislor
1,886215
1,886215
add a comment |
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
I agree with alwayslearning's answer, but in New Zealand English, the phrase "Yeah right" is strongly associated with a decades-long billboard marketing campaign by DB Breweries for their Tui brand. You should always assume it is intended sarcastically, regardless of tone.
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
I agree with alwayslearning's answer, but in New Zealand English, the phrase "Yeah right" is strongly associated with a decades-long billboard marketing campaign by DB Breweries for their Tui brand. You should always assume it is intended sarcastically, regardless of tone.
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
I agree with alwayslearning's answer, but in New Zealand English, the phrase "Yeah right" is strongly associated with a decades-long billboard marketing campaign by DB Breweries for their Tui brand. You should always assume it is intended sarcastically, regardless of tone.
I agree with alwayslearning's answer, but in New Zealand English, the phrase "Yeah right" is strongly associated with a decades-long billboard marketing campaign by DB Breweries for their Tui brand. You should always assume it is intended sarcastically, regardless of tone.
answered 21 hours ago
Rupert Morrish
1,67521016
1,67521016
add a comment |
add a comment |
up vote
-2
down vote
"Yes, Socrates" works, and doesn't require any particular inflection or tone of voice to convey the sarcasm.
http://dailynous.com/2017/03/20/how-socratic-was-socrates/
"philosophers have been pushing this macho schtick from the beginning. Socrates is indeed their hero; if only they could do what he does, whether it be reducing their debating partners to silence or, even better, extracting succinct concessions to their intellectual superiority: “Yes, Socrates,” “You are quite right, Socrates,” “That is indeed true, Socrates,” “I dare say, Socrates,” and so on."
http://blogs.getty.edu/iris/a-non-philosophers-guide-to-plato/
"Thus there is a fair amount along the lines of: “Why yes, Socrates.” And, “It would seem so, Socrates,” and not much in the way of complaints about being unfairly backed into a corner."
New contributor
1
You might be getting downvotes here for not having any references, which is a shame because this is a good answer to add to the list. "Did you know that the moon emits its own light?", "Sure it does, Einstein" sounds like perfectly normal casual English, and your point about not needing the particular sarcastic tone is very valid.
– ymbirtt
6 hours ago
@ymbirtt I'm sure you're right about the downvotes. I posted it on impulse, and references proved scarcer than I expected. But I've added one. "Yes, Socrates" doesn't work quite the same way as "Sure it does, Einstein." Socrates isn't a generic genius, who's always right. He's a person you just can't win an argument with (so don't bother trying). Plato arranges that his opponents put up a token resistance, then meekly concede defeat. At least that's the idea behind the idiom (if it is an idiom).
– Scott
2 hours ago
"Sure thing, Socrates", "smart thinking, Einstein" and "nice shot, Nimrod" are phrases which I'd certainly consider to be english idioms, in which someone insults a victim else by making a sarcastic comparison to someone famously good at whatever the victim failed to do. I think a good answer like yours would include a reference to this particular idiom, rather than vague information about who certain philosophers were. You might then mention a particular philosopher as being particularly apt for the "person who cannot ever be argued with" charicature once you've established the idiom.
– ymbirtt
1 hour ago
Too late to edit, but "someone insults a victim else by" should read "someone insults a victim by"
– ymbirtt
1 hour ago
@ymbirtt Both quoted passages not only indicate that Socrates is particularly apt for the "person who cannot ever be argued with" caricature; they both also actually use the phrase "Yes, Socrates," and variants, in the indicated sense.
– Scott
44 mins ago
add a comment |
up vote
-2
down vote
"Yes, Socrates" works, and doesn't require any particular inflection or tone of voice to convey the sarcasm.
http://dailynous.com/2017/03/20/how-socratic-was-socrates/
"philosophers have been pushing this macho schtick from the beginning. Socrates is indeed their hero; if only they could do what he does, whether it be reducing their debating partners to silence or, even better, extracting succinct concessions to their intellectual superiority: “Yes, Socrates,” “You are quite right, Socrates,” “That is indeed true, Socrates,” “I dare say, Socrates,” and so on."
http://blogs.getty.edu/iris/a-non-philosophers-guide-to-plato/
"Thus there is a fair amount along the lines of: “Why yes, Socrates.” And, “It would seem so, Socrates,” and not much in the way of complaints about being unfairly backed into a corner."
New contributor
1
You might be getting downvotes here for not having any references, which is a shame because this is a good answer to add to the list. "Did you know that the moon emits its own light?", "Sure it does, Einstein" sounds like perfectly normal casual English, and your point about not needing the particular sarcastic tone is very valid.
– ymbirtt
6 hours ago
@ymbirtt I'm sure you're right about the downvotes. I posted it on impulse, and references proved scarcer than I expected. But I've added one. "Yes, Socrates" doesn't work quite the same way as "Sure it does, Einstein." Socrates isn't a generic genius, who's always right. He's a person you just can't win an argument with (so don't bother trying). Plato arranges that his opponents put up a token resistance, then meekly concede defeat. At least that's the idea behind the idiom (if it is an idiom).
– Scott
2 hours ago
"Sure thing, Socrates", "smart thinking, Einstein" and "nice shot, Nimrod" are phrases which I'd certainly consider to be english idioms, in which someone insults a victim else by making a sarcastic comparison to someone famously good at whatever the victim failed to do. I think a good answer like yours would include a reference to this particular idiom, rather than vague information about who certain philosophers were. You might then mention a particular philosopher as being particularly apt for the "person who cannot ever be argued with" charicature once you've established the idiom.
– ymbirtt
1 hour ago
Too late to edit, but "someone insults a victim else by" should read "someone insults a victim by"
– ymbirtt
1 hour ago
@ymbirtt Both quoted passages not only indicate that Socrates is particularly apt for the "person who cannot ever be argued with" caricature; they both also actually use the phrase "Yes, Socrates," and variants, in the indicated sense.
– Scott
44 mins ago
add a comment |
up vote
-2
down vote
up vote
-2
down vote
"Yes, Socrates" works, and doesn't require any particular inflection or tone of voice to convey the sarcasm.
http://dailynous.com/2017/03/20/how-socratic-was-socrates/
"philosophers have been pushing this macho schtick from the beginning. Socrates is indeed their hero; if only they could do what he does, whether it be reducing their debating partners to silence or, even better, extracting succinct concessions to their intellectual superiority: “Yes, Socrates,” “You are quite right, Socrates,” “That is indeed true, Socrates,” “I dare say, Socrates,” and so on."
http://blogs.getty.edu/iris/a-non-philosophers-guide-to-plato/
"Thus there is a fair amount along the lines of: “Why yes, Socrates.” And, “It would seem so, Socrates,” and not much in the way of complaints about being unfairly backed into a corner."
New contributor
"Yes, Socrates" works, and doesn't require any particular inflection or tone of voice to convey the sarcasm.
http://dailynous.com/2017/03/20/how-socratic-was-socrates/
"philosophers have been pushing this macho schtick from the beginning. Socrates is indeed their hero; if only they could do what he does, whether it be reducing their debating partners to silence or, even better, extracting succinct concessions to their intellectual superiority: “Yes, Socrates,” “You are quite right, Socrates,” “That is indeed true, Socrates,” “I dare say, Socrates,” and so on."
http://blogs.getty.edu/iris/a-non-philosophers-guide-to-plato/
"Thus there is a fair amount along the lines of: “Why yes, Socrates.” And, “It would seem so, Socrates,” and not much in the way of complaints about being unfairly backed into a corner."
New contributor
edited 1 hour ago
New contributor
answered 13 hours ago
Scott
111
111
New contributor
New contributor
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You might be getting downvotes here for not having any references, which is a shame because this is a good answer to add to the list. "Did you know that the moon emits its own light?", "Sure it does, Einstein" sounds like perfectly normal casual English, and your point about not needing the particular sarcastic tone is very valid.
– ymbirtt
6 hours ago
@ymbirtt I'm sure you're right about the downvotes. I posted it on impulse, and references proved scarcer than I expected. But I've added one. "Yes, Socrates" doesn't work quite the same way as "Sure it does, Einstein." Socrates isn't a generic genius, who's always right. He's a person you just can't win an argument with (so don't bother trying). Plato arranges that his opponents put up a token resistance, then meekly concede defeat. At least that's the idea behind the idiom (if it is an idiom).
– Scott
2 hours ago
"Sure thing, Socrates", "smart thinking, Einstein" and "nice shot, Nimrod" are phrases which I'd certainly consider to be english idioms, in which someone insults a victim else by making a sarcastic comparison to someone famously good at whatever the victim failed to do. I think a good answer like yours would include a reference to this particular idiom, rather than vague information about who certain philosophers were. You might then mention a particular philosopher as being particularly apt for the "person who cannot ever be argued with" charicature once you've established the idiom.
– ymbirtt
1 hour ago
Too late to edit, but "someone insults a victim else by" should read "someone insults a victim by"
– ymbirtt
1 hour ago
@ymbirtt Both quoted passages not only indicate that Socrates is particularly apt for the "person who cannot ever be argued with" caricature; they both also actually use the phrase "Yes, Socrates," and variants, in the indicated sense.
– Scott
44 mins ago
add a comment |
1
You might be getting downvotes here for not having any references, which is a shame because this is a good answer to add to the list. "Did you know that the moon emits its own light?", "Sure it does, Einstein" sounds like perfectly normal casual English, and your point about not needing the particular sarcastic tone is very valid.
– ymbirtt
6 hours ago
@ymbirtt I'm sure you're right about the downvotes. I posted it on impulse, and references proved scarcer than I expected. But I've added one. "Yes, Socrates" doesn't work quite the same way as "Sure it does, Einstein." Socrates isn't a generic genius, who's always right. He's a person you just can't win an argument with (so don't bother trying). Plato arranges that his opponents put up a token resistance, then meekly concede defeat. At least that's the idea behind the idiom (if it is an idiom).
– Scott
2 hours ago
"Sure thing, Socrates", "smart thinking, Einstein" and "nice shot, Nimrod" are phrases which I'd certainly consider to be english idioms, in which someone insults a victim else by making a sarcastic comparison to someone famously good at whatever the victim failed to do. I think a good answer like yours would include a reference to this particular idiom, rather than vague information about who certain philosophers were. You might then mention a particular philosopher as being particularly apt for the "person who cannot ever be argued with" charicature once you've established the idiom.
– ymbirtt
1 hour ago
Too late to edit, but "someone insults a victim else by" should read "someone insults a victim by"
– ymbirtt
1 hour ago
@ymbirtt Both quoted passages not only indicate that Socrates is particularly apt for the "person who cannot ever be argued with" caricature; they both also actually use the phrase "Yes, Socrates," and variants, in the indicated sense.
– Scott
44 mins ago
1
1
You might be getting downvotes here for not having any references, which is a shame because this is a good answer to add to the list. "Did you know that the moon emits its own light?", "Sure it does, Einstein" sounds like perfectly normal casual English, and your point about not needing the particular sarcastic tone is very valid.
– ymbirtt
6 hours ago
You might be getting downvotes here for not having any references, which is a shame because this is a good answer to add to the list. "Did you know that the moon emits its own light?", "Sure it does, Einstein" sounds like perfectly normal casual English, and your point about not needing the particular sarcastic tone is very valid.
– ymbirtt
6 hours ago
@ymbirtt I'm sure you're right about the downvotes. I posted it on impulse, and references proved scarcer than I expected. But I've added one. "Yes, Socrates" doesn't work quite the same way as "Sure it does, Einstein." Socrates isn't a generic genius, who's always right. He's a person you just can't win an argument with (so don't bother trying). Plato arranges that his opponents put up a token resistance, then meekly concede defeat. At least that's the idea behind the idiom (if it is an idiom).
– Scott
2 hours ago
@ymbirtt I'm sure you're right about the downvotes. I posted it on impulse, and references proved scarcer than I expected. But I've added one. "Yes, Socrates" doesn't work quite the same way as "Sure it does, Einstein." Socrates isn't a generic genius, who's always right. He's a person you just can't win an argument with (so don't bother trying). Plato arranges that his opponents put up a token resistance, then meekly concede defeat. At least that's the idea behind the idiom (if it is an idiom).
– Scott
2 hours ago
"Sure thing, Socrates", "smart thinking, Einstein" and "nice shot, Nimrod" are phrases which I'd certainly consider to be english idioms, in which someone insults a victim else by making a sarcastic comparison to someone famously good at whatever the victim failed to do. I think a good answer like yours would include a reference to this particular idiom, rather than vague information about who certain philosophers were. You might then mention a particular philosopher as being particularly apt for the "person who cannot ever be argued with" charicature once you've established the idiom.
– ymbirtt
1 hour ago
"Sure thing, Socrates", "smart thinking, Einstein" and "nice shot, Nimrod" are phrases which I'd certainly consider to be english idioms, in which someone insults a victim else by making a sarcastic comparison to someone famously good at whatever the victim failed to do. I think a good answer like yours would include a reference to this particular idiom, rather than vague information about who certain philosophers were. You might then mention a particular philosopher as being particularly apt for the "person who cannot ever be argued with" charicature once you've established the idiom.
– ymbirtt
1 hour ago
Too late to edit, but "someone insults a victim else by" should read "someone insults a victim by"
– ymbirtt
1 hour ago
Too late to edit, but "someone insults a victim else by" should read "someone insults a victim by"
– ymbirtt
1 hour ago
@ymbirtt Both quoted passages not only indicate that Socrates is particularly apt for the "person who cannot ever be argued with" caricature; they both also actually use the phrase "Yes, Socrates," and variants, in the indicated sense.
– Scott
44 mins ago
@ymbirtt Both quoted passages not only indicate that Socrates is particularly apt for the "person who cannot ever be argued with" caricature; they both also actually use the phrase "Yes, Socrates," and variants, in the indicated sense.
– Scott
44 mins ago
add a comment |
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3
Good question. I feel like this is a perfectly commonplace situation, but I can’t think of a specific thing you’d be likely to use in English in this context. I think it would be more intonational; you might say something like, “Erm, yeah, sure… whatever you say”, but it would be the tone of voice that conveys the sarcasm. If you say the exact same words in a sprightly, cheerful voice, it would carry an entirely different meaning.
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
yesterday
14
An English professor once told his class that there were numerous cases in English sentence construction where a "double negative" could mean a positive, but there was no case where a double positive could mean a negative. To which one of his students replied, "Yeah, right."
– Hot Licks
yesterday
3
“Yeah, right” feels like an open challenge. “Wow! You are so smart.” ( said with whatever level of intonated sarcasm you like) can sometimes be slid past the recipient ) You can add a knowing wink to other listeners when you know they also know what an idiot the speaker is.
– Jim
yesterday
3
Some more detail would be appreciated. The sense I get is that the goal isn’t to challenge the speaker—say they are wrong and argue the point—but rather to accept their claim in a dismissive way that says you don’t really agree but also don’t want to argue about it. “Sure, we’ll pretend you’re right because it’s not worth anyone’s time arguing with you, you think you know everything.” If that’s the case, alwayslearning’s answer is by-far the best. But the question could be clearer about this, if I am getting the right impression.
– KRyan
yesterday
2
Just to make it apparent, as to what is really red in the context of the question. Thought about adding the image into the question at first, but I guess I'll leave that discretion to the OP.
– Dhruv Saxena
15 hours ago