You may not be familiar with JRG Sarcasm Scale, since I just created it. It has three levels of speech where humor and observation meet and the real meanings are often between the lines. This is how I see three categories of sarcasm.
Level One
Dry wit. This is a vintage type of ironic humor. It is sophisticated. Think 1940’s movie cocktail party banter where there are lots of martinis and cigarettes. This type of speech is best served with a British accent. Or maybe James Bond in the Sean Connery versions.
Level Two
Sarcasm. This is the language that was spoken in our home. It was funny and still is. It was never meant to be unkind. Our sarcasm included funny-sounding Yiddish expressions. Maybe because three of my four grandparents were immigrants (Russia, Romania, Lithuania), it was a way to feel a connection to each other. I still enjoy the familiarity and humor of sarcasm when talking with family members and friends who “get me”. It is never advisable to use sarcasm with anyone who is not a native speaker. When I do, I may hurt their feelings or have to clarify with “Oh, not really, I was just being sarcastic”.
Level Three
Snark. This is a newer and trickier form of sarcasm and borders on being snide. It is cutting and can be aimed at an institution or public figure. Snark is edgy and not immediately understood by everyone. It can be more commentary than humor. (Remember Maude?) It used to be called “attitude” as in a teacher saying, “I don’t care for your attitude, Missy”. I wouldn’t recommend being snarky with an authority figure like your boss or a judge.
Please keep in mind the research done for this post was none, zero, nada. These are musings from being awake in the middle of the night. I am not an insomniac, but my beloved and demented cat has become one in her old age. Oy.