A snark?

[genomon]

I’ve never heard of this - does anyone here use it?

The irony mark or irony point (French: point d’ironie; also called a snark or zing) is a punctuation mark that purports to indicate that a sentence should be understood at a second level. It is illustrated by a small, elevated, backward-facing question mark. Its usage is extremely rare.

"Don't be irreplaceable. If you can't be replaced, you can't be promoted."

 

[AnotherHiggins]

Well that might explain from whence came the term, "snarky".

Or maybe it is a joke, given the meaning of "snarky".

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[CajunCenturion]

I've heard of it, but I've never used it.

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[gbaughma]

The first reference I found was that Snark meant "Snide remark".

I was about to mention that the Ariel font didn't have the snark, however, I am wrong. It is the Arabic Question Mark.

?


Now, that's interesting.

Just my 2¢
-Cole's Law: Shredded cabbage

--Greg

http://parallel.tzo.com

 

[DansDadUK]

The backward facing "Arabic Question Mark" is presumably that way because Arabic is written & read right-to-left, rather than left-to-right.

But I don't think that it is 'elevated' in any way.

I assume that you are referring to the ARIAL font; isn't ARIEL a fictional character?

And I vaguely recollect (many years ago) half-heartedly dipping into "The Hunting of the Snark" by the author of "Alice Through the Looking Glass", etc.

 

[EdwardMartinIII]

This whole thing smells goofy, and here's why:

First, given the number of pedantic wankers in the online world (many of whom can quote the entire French Food monologue from Better Off Dead), that no one's come up with this before is suspect. It would be alllll over the place.

Second, both "snark" and "zing" are actually derived from Latin words for "secret" and "pants," respectively.

And third, it's not the idea that the French would have a way to indicate snark in writing that is so hard to believe -- but the idea that it would be rarely used is what pricks the soft white underbelly of credulity, and lets ooze forth the entrails of truth.

Although I could be wrong.

Edward

"Cut a hole in the door. Hang a flap. Criminy, why didn't I think of this earlier?!" -- inventor of the cat door

 

[ascotta]

Ah "The hunting of the Snark"

[blue] A perspective from the other side!![/blue]

Cheers
Scott

 

[EdwardMartinIII]

Ah "The hunting of the Snark""

For the snark was a boojum, you see...

Edward

"Cut a hole in the door. Hang a flap. Criminy, why didn't I think of this earlier?!" -- inventor of the cat door

 

[SantaMufasa]

The most comprehensive set of snark definitions seems to be at Urban Dictionary's Treatment of Snark, sans the punctuation mark.

For visuals and treatment of the "snark mark", you can go to Wikipedia's Irony Mark page.

Mufasa
(aka Dave of Sandy, Utah, USA)
[I provide low-cost, remote Database Administration services: www.dasages.com]

 

[LizSara]

[slightlyOT]

Did anyone ever see the musical version of The Hunting of the Snark, by Mike "The Wombles" Batt? There's excerpts on YouTube (which i would link to but can't get on at work)

[/slightlyOT]

"Whoever battles with monsters had better see that it does not turn him into a monster. And if you gaze long into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you." ~ Nietzsche"

 

[genomon]

the French would have a way to indicate

Just because they have a name for it doesn't mean they invented or use it. Of course, the did invent and use a better kiss...

"Don't be irreplaceable. If you can't be replaced, you can't be promoted."

 

[EdwardMartinIII]

Just because they have a name for it doesn't mean they invented or use it."

Yet you're all up and down with the Latin word for pants...?

Edward

"Cut a hole in the door. Hang a flap. Criminy, why didn't I think of this earlier?!" -- inventor of the cat door

 

[Michael52x]

Secret Pants? Is that "under garments"?
Ah, The Snark! The Jaberwocky! The Mock Turtle!
Curiouser and curiouser, I say, wot?
The Snark Hunt is thus: Send some unwitting person down a hill with a bag. Throw rocks down the hill.
Wait, that's "Snipe", sorry.
Snarky people snipe all the time. Snippy, snappy, snarky.
Argle Bargle. Great Googly-Moogly! To the hunt!

"Impatience will reward you with dissatisfaction" RMS Cosmics'97

 

[SantaMufasa]

Per your poetry, above...

Going to pick up some Medijuana. That will take the edge off!

...I appears you started a bit early this weekend. <grin>

Mufasa
(aka Dave of Sandy, Utah, USA)
[I provide low-cost, remote Database Administration services: www.dasages.com]

 

[genomon]

Yet you're all up and down with the Latin word for pants...?

Je préfère son pantalon vers le bas.

Google language tool doesn't do Latin...

"Don't be irreplaceable. If you can't be replaced, you can't be promoted."

 

[MCuthill]

Second, both "snark" and "zing" are actually derived from Latin words for "secret" and "pants," respectively.

~chuckles~

Dratted "Secret Pants" Mark.

Mike
___________________________
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Those Who Can Read Binary...
And Those Who Can't.

 

[Remou]

A snark is a mathematical beast, according to Mr Dodgson, it is half a shark and half a snark.