Wikipedia:Snark

This page in a nutshell: Snark is defined as "an attitude or expression of mocking irreverence and sarcasm", just don't do it.

This is an essay.

It contains the advice or opinions of one or more Wikipedia contributors. This page is not an encyclopedia article, nor is it one of Wikipedia's policies or guidelines, as it has not been thoroughly vetted by the community. Some essays represent widespread norms; others only represent minority viewpoints.

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Friendly sarcasm might be okay, but snark is worth hunting down.

"Snark" has been defined as, "an attitude or expression of mocking irreverence and sarcasm",^[1] this should not be welcome on Wikipedia and can serve to harm newcomers who might feel left out of a clique where snark is deployed with more of an air towards insider knowledge and exclusivity.

Sarcasm can also often be hard to understand on Wikipedia. This is a purely written medium after all. Without knowing the background of an editor, and without extensive knowledge of context, sarcasm can lead to misunderstandings and can bring about unnecessary miscommunication. Since Wikipedia is a global project too, further misunderstanding can arise out of cultural differences which exist when reading a comment or post from another editor from a different background where sarcasm is not used, is seldom used, or is deployed differently. When sarcasm turns towards biting or malicious intent, it moves towards becoming "snarky".

When you are thinking of replying to a comment on a talk page with a snarky reply, think of a non-snarky reply and go with that instead. Or, perhaps alternatively refer to the age-old maxim, "When you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all."

Friends don't let friends make snarky remarks.