[closed] Word of the Day: Irony - What is it?

Many great examples of irony are given in the Alanis Morissette song "Ironic" (http://www.google.com/search?q=ironic+song+lyrics). Here's a few from the song --

"An old man turned ninety-eight. He won the lottery and died the next day..."

"It's a death row pardon two minutes too late..."

"It's a free ride when you've already paid..."

"Mr. Play It Safe was afraid to fly. He packed his suitcase and kissed his kids goodbye. He waited his whole damn life to take that flight And as the plane crashed down he thought "Well isn't this nice..." And isn't it ironic... don't you think"

"A no-smoking sign on your cigarette break..."

"It's like ten thousand spoons when all you need is a knife..."

"It's meeting the man of my dreams And then meeting his beautiful wife..."

Basically, irony is something so drastically in opposition of what you're hoping for that it makes you heave a sign and think, "Well, that figures."

Irony isn't always depressing or frustrating. It's used to great effect in comedies and is the basis for a lot of humor.

More: http://theoatmeal.com/comics/irony