Sarcasm is the caustic, often humorous, use of words to mock or ridicule, originating from the Ancient Greek "sarkázein," meaning "to tear flesh or sneer," and first recorded in English in 1579. Primarily distinguished by vocal inflection or extreme disproportion to the situation, it often employs irony but always involves the speaker's deliberate intention. Linguists like John Haiman clarify that while irony can be unintentional, sarcasm requires intention, functioning as an overt form of verbal aggression to give pain. Psychologically, professionals like Clifford N. Lazarus often view sarcasm negatively, describing it as "hostility disguised as humor" and a maladaptive coping mechanism for unresolved anger. Understanding sarcasm is a complex cognitive process, requiring sophisticated brain function, and can be challenging for individuals with certain brain conditions or autism.