Wednesday, March 4, 2009

The Word of the Day: Irony

Quick question- when used as an adjective does the word irony become "ironic"- or "ironical"?

Personally I had never heard the word ironical before I came here. Everything has always just been ironic to me (lol- sorry about that- but I thought it was funny at least). But since I have been here, I have heard/seen the word ironical everywhere.

Is it maybe a British thing? My buddy Nick always says ironical and gives me "the look" when I say ironic. (you know which look I mean- the one that says: Excuse me, but I rather believe your use of that word was incorrect because the word you used simply does not exist) It cracks me up every time I hear anyone use ironical (b/c it just sounds funny). It also cracks me up when someone gives me the look for saying ironic.

So, readers of the devoted (and not so devoted) variety- I am putting the issue at hand to a vote:

Does irony become ironic or ironical when used as an adjective?

2 comments:

Kim said...

as far as i can tell, both are correct according to dictionary.com. but i have never heard ironical before.

Aaron J said...

They're both right and both mean the same thing. But I've also heard both before...