23
votes
Is there a word that can replace the phrase "said sarcastically"?
Something I've found is that when you're trying to replace a phrase of the form "said Xly", there often isn't a single verb that does the job. I've come to see this as a potential warning ...
- 1,895
19
votes
Is there an adjective or phrase for trying not to smile at a joke?
Concision sacrifices clarity.
Or, to be more clear, using an obscure phrase or adjective is likely to leave the reader unsure of your intent, trying to parse what you mean. You are better off being ...
- 97.4k
18
votes
Is there a word that can replace the phrase "said sarcastically"?
"I'm glad to know that's what you think of my politics," Andrew scoffed.
To scoff is to speak derisively or contemptuously. It is less strong than "mocked" or "sneered"....
- 281
13
votes
Is there a word that can replace the phrase "said sarcastically"?
In some cases "he said sarcastically" can be replaced by "he snarked".
I just checked and snark is used as both a noun and a verb.
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/snark
...
- 2,469
12
votes
Is there a word that can replace the phrase "said sarcastically"?
Avoid the adverb ("sarcastically") even if it costs you more words. Even if it costs you a paragraph.
A huge mistake of beginning writers is that they think they need to compress their ...
- 97.4k
11
votes
Is there an adjective or phrase for trying not to smile at a joke?
Honestly I really like "trying not to smile." I have seen that used in the situation you describe, and use of the word "trying" conveys that perhaps the person wasn't wholly ...
- 401
10
votes
Accepted
Is there a word for something that is structured like a parody, but utilizes an idealized or improved version of the original context?
I would argue that a parody is not always a negative imitation of something, nor is it always intended to mock. What it is is something that imitates another thing in order to comment on it. For ...
- 4,327
6
votes
Accepted
Using "etc." at the end of list introduced by "e.g."
It's certainly redundant. Since by saying "for example" you are making it clear that you are giving only some of the cases, it's superfluous to add that there are more by ending "and ...
- 8,301
6
votes
Can "splooge" be considered a form of onomatopoeia?
It's not necessarily onomatopoeic. If whatever is being talked about using splooge (as any part of speech) made a noise that sounded like "splooge" (or could be described that way, whatever ...
- 256
5
votes
What's the word for shortened speech?
The mark is called an apostrophe. The words thus shortened -- or contracted -- are called contractions.
Contractions are generally considered informal and therefore should appear in informal writing ...
- 8,301
5
votes
Is there an adjective or phrase for trying not to smile at a joke?
If you want something like "suppressing a smile" but making it clear that the smile is still evident, you could use "half-suppressing a smile", "attempting to suppress a smile&...
- 151
5
votes
Is there a word that can replace the phrase "said sarcastically"?
Sneered or smirked actually describes a facial expression, but conveys the sarcasm too. Some other possibilities: quipped, mocked, scoffed, or japed.
But what you probably want to do is give a ...
- 1,576
4
votes
"From to" or "From Through"
"To 2014" can suggest a stopping point in 2014.
"Through 2014" suggests a stopping point at the end of 2014.
"Into 2014" suggests a stopping point somewhere within 2014.
...
- 97.4k
4
votes
Accepted
Is "point out" appropriate in formal writing?
It is acceptable though if you want a potentially "more formal" sounding alternative there are: Identified, reported, highlighted, published. Each of those alternatives have different ...
- 1,141
4
votes
Accepted
Have you ever heard of the word electromobilists?
The word is a neologism that isn't likely to get into dictionaries yet, but we all know who an automobilist is, recognise the analogy and understand. I can't say if it makes sense in the context - the ...
- 1,930
4
votes
Have you ever heard of the word electromobilists?
"Electromobilist" sounds like jargon, and the word (real or not) won't be familiar to most people. Adding "classic" only makes things worse by creating an oxymoron.
I recommend you ...
- 211
3
votes
Accepted
Using English idioms in a particular fantasy setting?
Actually, the pot calling the kettle black is exactly the idiom you would expect. Both are soot-stained from the fire, after all.
The idioms to beware of are those that don't make sense in your world....
- 8,301
3
votes
Is there a word for something that is structured like a parody, but utilizes an idealized or improved version of the original context?
I think you were right with Utopian. The real world political problems that would come with much of the West Wing stories was just left out, or glossed over.
We've had charismatic leaders that could ...
- 97.4k
3
votes
How to describe someone whose eyes sparkle mischievously?
Eyes that sparkle with humor, mischief, or ja ne se qua are already ‘showing.’ The phrase is so well-worn that it is not recognized as a deeply internalized observation of one person’s attraction ...
- 8,870
3
votes
Is there an adjective or phrase for trying not to smile at a joke?
Deadpan.
Per Wikipedia:
Deadpan, dry humour, or dry-wit humour is the deliberate display of emotional neutrality or no emotion, commonly as a form of comedic delivery to contrast with the ...
- 131
3
votes
Is there a word that can replace the phrase "said sarcastically"?
Unfortunately, there is no word that means "to declare, state, or say with sarcasm."
However, there are words that that can be used to communicate the meaning behind "said sarcastically....
- 233
2
votes
How do you describe the sound of a body being dragged through the snow?
How is it being dragged?
The other question is, what kind of snow? From Minnesota and Wisconsin, I've dragged plenty of stuff through snow - including bodies (okay, DEER bodies). The most distinctive ...
- 13.5k
2
votes
What's the word for shortened speech?
Isn't the correct term for that symbol an "apostrophe"? That's what the mark itself is. It's used all the time in the English language.
The proper word for dialogue like 'Bout or G'day would ...
- 3,147
2
votes
Using "etc." at the end of list introduced by "e.g."
In formal English, the answer is yes. In normal English as typically used by "normal folks", not so much. I doubt that anyone is confused by what is a redundant usage.
The answer that ...
- 5,227
2
votes
How do I describe a baby's cry?
What is the significance?
The actual cry in this video is pretty soft. But the specifics don't matter as much as what you are trying to achieve in the scene.
That impact do you want the baby's crying ...
- 13.5k
2
votes
Is there a word for something that is structured like a parody, but utilizes an idealized or improved version of the original context?
There is a word for a sort of parody which doesn't mock the work but borrows its style, namely pastiche.
According to the Wikipedia, "[u]nlike parody, pastiche celebrates the work it imitates, ...
- 21
2
votes
How do you write verbal abuse without it coming off as cheesy?
My 2¢: a bully is trying to intimidate, a father is not 'intimidated' by his own child.
Here's my attempt to not do a mouth-breathing bully-dad:
Anti-Father
Try imagining the same scene but with a ...
- 25.7k
2
votes
Is there an unbiased term for undocumented/illegal immigrants?
First consider whether you trying to describe legal status, intent, or living situation.
"Illegal immigrant" could be correct to describe someone convicted in a court of law of a criminal ...
- 1,313
2
votes
How do you write verbal abuse without it coming off as cheesy?
If you want a good example of verbal abuse done correctly and efficiently, look no further than Mother Gothel from Tangled.
Specifically look at the lyrics to the song Mother Knows Best, both the ...
- 3,147
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible