Language – Sardonic

The word “sardonic” is an adjective.  It is defined in the Macquarie Dictionary (online edition) as:

… bitterly ironic; sarcastic; sneering: a sardonic grin.

In the Cambridge Dictionary (online) it is defined as:

… showing an amused attitude towards someone or something that suggests a criticism but does not express it:  a sardonic smile.

In the Miriam Webster Dictionary (online) it is defined as:

… disdainfully or sceptically humorous; derisively mocking.

Usage of the word in jurisprudence includes the following:

• Jevons v Jevons [2014] FamCA 2020 at [75]:

I concluded that the mother does understand the terrible impact on her children of the conflict but has felt powerless.  Attempts at addressing the situation with the father were invariably met with, at best, sardonic humour and, at worst, vitriolic abuse.

• Hardie v Herald & Weekly Times Pty Ltd [2015] VSC 364 at [114]:

Although the term ‘madam’ is a term which can apply to the female manager of a brothel, that is not its only use.  A use of this somewhat archaic honorific in the course of an article written in a sardonic tone would not, in my view, be reasonably interpreted as a serious statement that the person who ‘ran’ Club Rawhide was in fact the manager of a brothel.

• Wagner v Harbour Radio Pty Ltd [2018] QSC 201 at [96]:

The Sixth matter is a short broadcast.  Mr Jones adopts the sarcastic tone of voice in which he commences by sending “a cheerio call” to “Mr Wagner in Toowoomba”.  Mr Jones then asserts as a fact that the airport was built “breaking all the rules”.  Mr Jones immediately follows this factual assertion by referring to Mr Wagner’s “mate” Campbell Newman, who “said it was all legal”.  The tone used by Mr Jones is sardonic.  It suggests to the listener that the construction of the airport is anything but legal.  The person who is saying “it was all legal” is Mr Wagner’s “mate”, Campbell Newman.  Mr Jones then suggests to the listener that Mr Wagner had “mates” both in Town Hall and George Street, including Campbell Newman and Mr Seeney.  Mr Jones concludes the broadcast by telling the listener in respect of Mr Wagner, “all things come to those who wait”.