AI for Breakfast

Post 113 - Word Wednesday

Asteism

Asteism is a rhetorical device that employs polite irony or a genteel and ingenious manner of deriding or mocking someone [1][3][6]. It is a form of ironic criticism that is subtle, witty, and indirect, often disguised as a compliment or praise.

The word "asteism" comes from the Greek "asteismos", meaning "of the town" or "polite", referring to the wit and refinement associated with the town or city as opposed to the country [1].

An example of asteism would be:

"I didn't expect you to make such an informed argument. Your usual comments are rather dull."

In this backhanded compliment, the speaker is actually calling the person's usual comments dull while couching it in a seeming compliment about the current argument. The irony and the polite phrasing make this an asteism [2].

Another example from Winston Churchill:

Lady Astor: "Winston, if I were your wife I'd put poison in your coffee."
Churchill: "Nancy, if I were your husband I'd drink it."

Here, Churchill is turning Lady Astor's insult back on her in a very polite and witty way, subtly implying that being married to her would be worse than death [4]. The indirectness and clever phrasing make it an excellent example of asteism.

So in summary, asteism is a sophisticated and indirect way of mocking or criticizing someone, delivered with wit and ironic politeness. It is an art form in terms of insults, a way to deride with a velvet glove rather than an iron fist [3][5].

Citations:

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikt%3Aasteism
[2] https://blog.csoftintl.com/asteism-wacky-word-wednesday-blog/
[3] https://www.wordnik.com/words/asteism

[4] https://jssgallery.org/Paintings/Lady_Astor.htm
[5] https://www.wine-blog.org/index.php/2014/10/24/asteisms/
[6] https://www.definitions.net/definition/asteism

PS - I think the lady's hand is a little odd! ;-)