Definitions by progamer124
Irony
One of the most misused words in the entire English language.
There are several types of irony.
Socratic irony - When someone pretends to be naive about a certain subject, and uses his questions about it to point out a flaw in the established belief. This is often used on the TV show South Park, where the children often ask questions about a situation until the folly in a parent's decision becomes clear.
Sarcasm - Understatement, mocking overstatement, or heavy-handed irony (stating the flat opposite of the truth) where both parties are aware of the difference between what's said and what's actually happening.
Situational Irony - The irony that most people think of. A difference between what you expect to happen (in a story, for example) and what actually happens. Rain on your wedding day would be a sort-of example, because a wedding day is generally expected to be a perfect, happy day. The good advice you didn't take, however, would NOT be irony, because that has nothing to do with what is expected and what isn't expected. A traffic jam when you're already late wouldn't be irony either; there's no automatic expectation that traffic will be fine, just because you happen to be late.
Irony of Fate - The concept that the Gods, Fates, etc. are toying with humans for amusement by using irony. Beethoven's loss of hearing is a famous example; one would expect a composer to be able to hear his compositions, but fate denied him that ability.
Tragic (Dramatic) Irony - When the audience knows something that some of the characters don't know in a play/movie/novel/whatever. For example, when the horror flick psycho is in the house and the homeowner just goes in without suspecting anything.
There are several types of irony.
Socratic irony - When someone pretends to be naive about a certain subject, and uses his questions about it to point out a flaw in the established belief. This is often used on the TV show South Park, where the children often ask questions about a situation until the folly in a parent's decision becomes clear.
Sarcasm - Understatement, mocking overstatement, or heavy-handed irony (stating the flat opposite of the truth) where both parties are aware of the difference between what's said and what's actually happening.
Situational Irony - The irony that most people think of. A difference between what you expect to happen (in a story, for example) and what actually happens. Rain on your wedding day would be a sort-of example, because a wedding day is generally expected to be a perfect, happy day. The good advice you didn't take, however, would NOT be irony, because that has nothing to do with what is expected and what isn't expected. A traffic jam when you're already late wouldn't be irony either; there's no automatic expectation that traffic will be fine, just because you happen to be late.
Irony of Fate - The concept that the Gods, Fates, etc. are toying with humans for amusement by using irony. Beethoven's loss of hearing is a famous example; one would expect a composer to be able to hear his compositions, but fate denied him that ability.
Tragic (Dramatic) Irony - When the audience knows something that some of the characters don't know in a play/movie/novel/whatever. For example, when the horror flick psycho is in the house and the homeowner just goes in without suspecting anything.
So, yeah, Alanis was wrong in a lot of her song, but there ARE some examples of irony in there - and a few that are kinda-sorta, but could be better. The old man who buys a lottery ticket is one; it would be a better example if he won, and then died of a heart attack from the shock of winning.
Irony by progamer124 December 16, 2004
DARE
Drug Abuse Resistance Education. An anti-drug program with a seriously flawed reputation, at times giving out misleading , inaccurate, or outright false information. Critics often point to the lack of any evidence that DARE actually affects drug use. Drug users (and kids in general) often ridicule the program.
DARE by progamer124 December 14, 2004
west nile virus
A relatively rare and harmless virus, spread by mosquitos. Symptoms include fever, headache, and body aches, with occasional skin rashes and/or swollen lymph nodes. A few weeks of bed rest will usually take care of it.
But if West Nile is such a weak virus, why has the news media gone crazy over it? News stations in America have taken advantage of a rare condition called encephalitis to turn the molehill of West Nile into a mountain that rivals the Ebola virus. Encephalitis is a swelling of the brain - a very serious condition that can SOMETIMES be caused by West Nile. Note that when I say "sometimes" I mean it in the sense that "sometimes" people die from chickenpox. Tons of common childhood diseases can cause encephalitis, including measels, chickenpox, mono, and the flu. Remember that the next time CNN tries to warn you about the evil mosquitoes that are threatening to kill us all.
But if West Nile is such a weak virus, why has the news media gone crazy over it? News stations in America have taken advantage of a rare condition called encephalitis to turn the molehill of West Nile into a mountain that rivals the Ebola virus. Encephalitis is a swelling of the brain - a very serious condition that can SOMETIMES be caused by West Nile. Note that when I say "sometimes" I mean it in the sense that "sometimes" people die from chickenpox. Tons of common childhood diseases can cause encephalitis, including measels, chickenpox, mono, and the flu. Remember that the next time CNN tries to warn you about the evil mosquitoes that are threatening to kill us all.
When I got west nile, I was out of school for 3 days. When I got the chickenpox, I was out of school for almost a month. Think about that for awhile.
west nile virus by progamer124 September 7, 2004
the dog ate it
Old cliche'd excuse for not having homework done. Generally means "I forgot," "I didn't do it," etc.
the dog ate it by progamer124 May 23, 2004
excuses are like asses
The full phrase is "Excuses are like asses; everybody's got em." There are many variations on this phrase; for example, some people may add "and they all stink" to the end, or change "asses" to "assholes." The phrase appears to have evolved from the related phrase, "Opinions are like assholes - everybody's got one."
"It wasn't my fault I was late, the traffic was bad!"
"Excuses are like asses. Everybody's got em, and they all stink."
"Excuses are like asses. Everybody's got em, and they all stink."
excuses are like asses by progamer124 May 23, 2004
slumpbuster
When someone is having trouble getting laid, they're in a slump. When you're in a slump, you need an easy score to get your confidence back up and break the slump - a slumpbuster. Often this means lowering your standards, and sleeping with someone you would never otherwise associate with. The term is obviously negative, and can even damage the reputation of someone who uses it; it implies that the "slumpbuster"'s only purpose is to screw someone who's desperate for sex, and also implies that the person invoking the term uses women for sex. Use with caution; it tends to make things worse for everyone involved.
"She was a slumpbuster."
slumpbuster by progamer124 May 23, 2004
Trogdor
Full Name: Trogdor the Burninator. A character from www.homestarrunner.com. In one of the Strongbad Emails, Strongbad was asked to draw a dragon; Trogdor the Burninator was the result.
Trogdor is extremely popular on the internet, and is one of the biggest reasons for the success of Homestar Runner.
Trogdor by progamer124 May 23, 2004