scare quote
Ironic quotation mark
Scare quotes are quotation marks placed around a word or phrase to signal skepticism, irony, or disagreement with its use.
They suggest the writer doesn't endorse the term: The "expert" had no credentials, Their "apology" blamed everyone but themselves.
The name comes from their function of warning readers away from taking the quoted term at face value.
In speech, people signal scare quotes with finger gestures called air quotes.
Lack of firm belief
- disbeliefRejection of truth claims
- distancingCreating space or separation
- so-calledLabeled with skepticism
- allegedlyClaimed but unverified
supposedly · questionable · dubious · suspicion · incredulity · dismissiveness · wariness · mistrust
Irony used to mock
- mockeryScornful ridicule or travesty
- tongue-in-cheekHumorously not meant literally
- sneerScornful expression
- derisionContemptuous mockery
insinuation · subtext · wink · knowing · eye-roll · sardonic · snide · pointed
Punctuation enclosing quotations
- typographyArranging letters for display
- emphasisStress given to something
- highlightingEmphasizing key parts
- bracketingTaking varied exposure shots
framing · gestural · written · spoken · orthography
doubt
Lack of firm belief
- disbeliefRejection of truth claims
- distancingCreating space or separation
- so-calledLabeled with skepticism
allegedly · supposedly · questionable · dubious · suspicion · incredulity · dismissiveness · wariness · mistrust · qualification
sarcasm
Irony used to mock
- mockeryScornful ridicule or travesty
- tongue-in-cheekHumorously not meant literally
- sneerScornful expression
derision · insinuation · subtext · wink · knowing · eye-roll · sardonic · snide · pointed · loaded
inverted commas
Punctuation enclosing quotations
- typographyArranging letters for display
- emphasisStress given to something
- highlightingEmphasizing key parts
bracketing · framing · gestural · written · spoken · orthography
- quote typesepigraph, misquote, paraphrase