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Finally! A Sarcasm-Specific Punctuation Mark

Experts not sure you need to pay $1.99 to get it across

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff | Suggested by jakechristie

Posted Jan 19, 2010 12:36 PM CST
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(Newser) – Sarcastic people around the world, rejoice—a father-son team has finally developed a punctuation mark purpose-built to make sarcasm clear in written and electronic communication. “Questions have the question mark, exclamations have the exclamation point,” reasons the elder creator. The SarcMark is “the 21st century’s punctuation.” Newser will be punting on using it, however: We're not so sure it's worth the $1.99 it costs to download the software that lets Windows users insert it by pressing CTRL and the period key.

Experts on electronic communication aren’t buying it, either. When IMing, for instance, people tend to compensate by avoiding sarcasm altogether or using readily available—and free—emoticons, reports ABC News. Scott Fahlman, the “father of the smiley face,” is more dismissive. “I don't see what it does that the good ol' smiley face doesn't do, and the one I invented is free.” Tell that to the 600 people who have downloaded the SarcMark. Or don't. J/K. :)

The SarcMark.
The SarcMark.   (SarcMark)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 30 comments
tonydemarco
Apr 8, 2010 3:45 AM CDT
It no longer costs $1.99. They are giving it away at www.sarcmark.com. Just thought you guys should know. I just downloaded it.
usualsuspects
Jan 20, 2010 12:04 PM CST
I feel like half the point of being sarcastic is to see if the other person is capable to catching on.
JoeQ
Jan 20, 2010 12:03 PM CST
I've always depended on the kindness of strangers.

 
writing • instant messaging • linguistics • texting • sarcasm • SarcMark • punctuation mark • electronic communication

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