Big surprise. Yup, scientists have decreed that sarcastic people are just smarter. So if you’re a champion of the indirect insult, it’s a sign that you’re actually a smart cookie with your life together. Some might call us cynical, but science is on our side:
1. You’re a total badass.
The word “sarcasm” comes from a Greek word meaning: “to tear the flesh like dogs,” so, yeah, no one should mess with you.
Snide remarks make it clear that you’re not socially inept, so you’re way better at navigating choppy social waters. Plus, you’re hilarious and everyone else just has to deal with it.
2. You have a super fit brain.
Sarcasm is a killer workout for your mind. The brain works harder when you’re being sarcastic, and the harder it works the smarter you get, until you’re a snarky super genius.
Forget sudoku, you can train your brain just by being your own, sardonic self.
3. You get things done.
You get the job done, even if you’re rolling your eyes the whole time. Sarcasm is good for creative problem solving, so all that snark just means you’re figuring things out faster.
Studies show that sarcastic anger is way better when it comes to fixing whatever’s irking you, so keep the cutting remarks coming until you’ve solved all your problems.
4. You’re up to date.
Sarcasm is here to stay. When’s the last time you heard someone say “well aren’t you special” and actually mean it? In the past few years people have gotten more sarcastic (and probably smarter), so quick-thinking sarcasm is necessary to, y’know, live in the world and understand pop culture.
In other words, you know that Stephen Colbert is not actually all that conservative, and that The Onion isn’t a reliable news source.
5. You’re a human lie detector.
People who don’t get sarcasm have trouble with any kind of lie—basically, if you get sarcasm, you’re better at separating fact from fiction.
You’re more likely to know when someone’s not being straight with you, and you’re there with a choice eye roll and a scathing remark when you catch them in a lie.
6. You’re cool.
Another shocker. Sarcastic people are perceived of as just plain cooler. Sarcasm proves you’re not naïve, and gives you a feeling of superiority.
So you get an extra dose of confidence, and people around you can’t help but notice. You’re not bitter, you’re just better at dealing with life.
7. You’re healthy.
Not just because your brain is trim from all that exercise. Sarcasm is a sign of a healthy, happy brain—not understanding sarcasm is actually an early sign of brain disease.
Most children understand sarcasm by age 5, so not getting it at all might be a sign that something’s slightly off. So don’t feel bad about the occasional sneer; it just means that you’re all there!
8. You’re nice.
Yeah, right. But for real, sarcastic people are nicer. Your salty remarks are actually a sign that you tone done your criticism with humor, which is way easier on the people you’re criticizing.
It also shows that you don’t take yourself too seriously, so you’re better at accepting criticism too. You can laugh at yourself. And, just as important, you can laugh at everyone else.