sarcasm

Where does the word "sarcasm" come from? It comes from Greek sarkazein, passing through Late Latin before entering English (1570s).

Sarcasm’s story begins in Greek: sarkazein meant “to tear flesh, to speak bitterly.” Literally to tear flesh, from sarx (flesh); formed the noun sarkasmos, a sneer or taunt. By ancient, the word had taken hold in Late Latin as sarcasmus. Greek 'sarkazein', to tear flesh like dogs. It reached English by 1570s as sarcasm. Settled as the English word for bitter, cutting irony. Today, sarcasm means the use of ironic or cutting remarks to mock or convey contempt.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient sarkazein "to tear flesh, to speak bitterly", literally to tear flesh, from sarx (flesh); formed the noun sarkasmos, a sneer or taunt.
2. Stage 2 · Late Latin · ancient sarcasmus "a sneer, jest, taunt, mockery", Greek 'sarkazein', to tear flesh like dogs.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1570s sarcasm "bitter or cutting remarks meant to mock", settled as the English word for bitter, cutting irony.