In simple terms, when something seems ironic but the speaker means it sincerely, or when the speaker is ironically being ironic.
Considered the second level of irony in the Layers of Irony model along with meta-irony, where sincerity is the zeroth layer and irony is the first. Originated in the current metamodernistic/internet era.
Sometimes synonymous with New Sincerity.
Often conflated or confused with meta-irony, and nobody really knows which one was originally which. On the internet post-irony is generally accepted to be levels of irony resulting in sincerity, but sometimes meta-irony is a sub type of post-irony that is specifically ironic irony.
The generally accepted internet definition of Post-irony may be used in three different situations :
1. To describe when something is originally done or posted ironically but over time becomes a habit that is done or posted unironically.
2. To describe a meme when it makes you expect irony, but you get sincerity. As a result the meme is ironic in context as it wasn't what you were expecting, so is funny.
3. To describe a meme that is making fun of a meme making fun of a meme. something is originally posted on the internet because its funny, but after a while it isn't funny anymore; it's then funny to make fun of it. Eventually it isn't funny to make fun of it, but it is funny to make fun of making fun of it.
Considered the second level of irony in the Layers of Irony model along with meta-irony, where sincerity is the zeroth layer and irony is the first. Originated in the current metamodernistic/internet era.
Sometimes synonymous with New Sincerity.
Often conflated or confused with meta-irony, and nobody really knows which one was originally which. On the internet post-irony is generally accepted to be levels of irony resulting in sincerity, but sometimes meta-irony is a sub type of post-irony that is specifically ironic irony.
The generally accepted internet definition of Post-irony may be used in three different situations :
1. To describe when something is originally done or posted ironically but over time becomes a habit that is done or posted unironically.
2. To describe a meme when it makes you expect irony, but you get sincerity. As a result the meme is ironic in context as it wasn't what you were expecting, so is funny.
3. To describe a meme that is making fun of a meme making fun of a meme. something is originally posted on the internet because its funny, but after a while it isn't funny anymore; it's then funny to make fun of it. Eventually it isn't funny to make fun of it, but it is funny to make fun of making fun of it.
Example 1: When irony becomes sincerity through habit.
"Me and my friends started saying "oof" ironically, but now we say it unironically whenever something sucks, we've hit post-irony."
Example 2: When you expect irony but get sincerity (Meme)
Top Text: When you get charged with tax fraud
Funny Image of Doge
Bottom Text: guys this isnt funny i actually committed tax fraud what do i do
Example 3: When something funny is originally posted sincerely but then evolves.
2010 Doge is posted as its a funny image of dog with dog misspelled.
Over time doge loses humor as it becomes more popular and the internet gets used to it.
2013 iFunny user hiyro posts the first ironic doge meme of doge with an image of someone burning drugs in a spoon super imposed over it.
2017iFunny user Paddy popularizes the ironic doge meme meta with doge with the words "ok retard" blocking the majority of the image.
Over time ironic doge memes lose humor as they become more popular and the internet gets used to them.
Sometime 2018-2020 Post ironic doge memes (either ironically posted ironic doge memes or ironic doge memes that are sincere) become popular.
Future The wave of what is perceived as ironic in context and therefore funny progresses another level of irony as post-irony becomes mainstream and expected.
"Me and my friends started saying "oof" ironically, but now we say it unironically whenever something sucks, we've hit post-irony."
Example 2: When you expect irony but get sincerity (Meme)
Top Text: When you get charged with tax fraud
Funny Image of Doge
Bottom Text: guys this isnt funny i actually committed tax fraud what do i do
Example 3: When something funny is originally posted sincerely but then evolves.
2010 Doge is posted as its a funny image of dog with dog misspelled.
Over time doge loses humor as it becomes more popular and the internet gets used to it.
2013 iFunny user hiyro posts the first ironic doge meme of doge with an image of someone burning drugs in a spoon super imposed over it.
2017iFunny user Paddy popularizes the ironic doge meme meta with doge with the words "ok retard" blocking the majority of the image.
Over time ironic doge memes lose humor as they become more popular and the internet gets used to them.
Sometime 2018-2020 Post ironic doge memes (either ironically posted ironic doge memes or ironic doge memes that are sincere) become popular.
Future The wave of what is perceived as ironic in context and therefore funny progresses another level of irony as post-irony becomes mainstream and expected.
by leftistmonke November 25, 2020
Get the post-irony mug.Irony beyond the scope of existential (postmodern) irony. Usually falls into the scope of aesthetic nihilism (skeuomorphism (memes)) or ironic consciousness (conscious irony).
by sandraxine August 28, 2017
Get the post-irony mug.adjective: When one's ironic appreciation of something becomes genuine, usually due to either prolonged exposure or the enjoyment derived from how amusingly terrible it is.
At first, I thought Pitchfork's inclusion of Kelly Clarkson's "Since U Been Gone" at #21 on their top 500 tracks of the 2000s list was just hipster irony... But now real hipsters post-ironically recognise it for the great song it is, go figure.
by Richaod September 25, 2010
Get the post-ironic mug.When you run for office in a Democratic system, lose the vote, declare yourself the winner anyway and accuse everyone else of being the ones in denial.
"Before the election was called, I had a pretty good feeling about it, so I preemptively declare victory and anointed myself an Anarcho-Monarch of Ottowa. Then to my shock and also not shock at all, the elites appointed their own puppet-leader instead, Zed Shabibe. Or something, I dunno, I wasn't paying attention. I'm calling upon my supporters to not recognize the legitimacy of these so-called 'elected officials' unless it's ever me."
-- Jreg satirizing Post-Ironic Democracy in "I Won (And By A Lot)"
-- Jreg satirizing Post-Ironic Democracy in "I Won (And By A Lot)"
by The Logical Fallacy December 24, 2022
Get the Post-Ironic Democracy mug.A reaction to 'lad' culture, the post-ironic lad (also known as the post-lad) is a parody of the stereotypical English lad. To this end post-ironic lads still partake in activities such as hanging around in packs, drinking heavily, watching soccer and attempting to kill each other afterwards as well as enjoying pictures of bare naked women while singing inane and tuneless songs all too loudly, the difference being that they do so ironically.
On first inspection it may seem that there is no difference between the lad and the post-ironic lad, however on closer inspection it becomes clear that post-ironic lad banter is generally more witty than lad banter and in the pursuit of greater irony is often more extreme. Additionally the average post-ironic lad is generally younger than the average lad and most importantly treats the 'lash' as a true way of life.
On first inspection it may seem that there is no difference between the lad and the post-ironic lad, however on closer inspection it becomes clear that post-ironic lad banter is generally more witty than lad banter and in the pursuit of greater irony is often more extreme. Additionally the average post-ironic lad is generally younger than the average lad and most importantly treats the 'lash' as a true way of life.
Post-ironic lad - "If you aren't drunk in 5 seconds, I'm going to punch in the face!"
Post-ironic lad No.1 - "Hey lad, smash up that wardrobe there with the shovel" Post-ironic lad No.2 then proceeds to smash a wardrobe to pieces with a shovel 'ironically'.
Post-ironic lad No.1 - "Hey lad, smash up that wardrobe there with the shovel" Post-ironic lad No.2 then proceeds to smash a wardrobe to pieces with a shovel 'ironically'.
by The Buffdog March 19, 2009
Get the Post-ironic lad mug.adjective: meaning "after irony". Modern style of art or fashion that follows a phase that was ironic. Being sincere or earnest as opposed to flippant and sarcastic.
Lucky, a graphic novel
by Gabrielle Bell:
"Lucky" is also a startling achievement: a coming-of-age tale -- from hipster Williamsburg, no less -- told without a whisper of irony."
quote is from article:
Coming of age in a post-ironic black-and-white world
By Matthew Shaer, Globe Correspondent November 25, 2006
by Gabrielle Bell:
"Lucky" is also a startling achievement: a coming-of-age tale -- from hipster Williamsburg, no less -- told without a whisper of irony."
quote is from article:
Coming of age in a post-ironic black-and-white world
By Matthew Shaer, Globe Correspondent November 25, 2006
by leeza-jane March 30, 2007
Get the post-ironic mug.An unintentional response to Gen X's use of sarcasm, a post-ironic comment is one which the speaker actually says what they feel, but with a sarcastic tone. A post-ironic comment is usually accompanied with a wink or some other motion to make the listener feel that the speaker is joking, even though they're not.
Dan and Judy are laughing.
Judy looks at the clock and says, "Oh, I'm so sorry, Dan. I have to run, I forgot that I'm meeting up with Toby right now."
Dan says, "That's not cool. I'll never look at you the same," and laughs.
Judy asks, "Were you being post-ironic?"
Dan says, "Of course not," and laughs again.
Judy looks at the clock and says, "Oh, I'm so sorry, Dan. I have to run, I forgot that I'm meeting up with Toby right now."
Dan says, "That's not cool. I'll never look at you the same," and laughs.
Judy asks, "Were you being post-ironic?"
Dan says, "Of course not," and laughs again.
by TwoTails March 17, 2009
Get the post-ironic mug.