There is a wry wit, also evidenced in Ms. Atwood's conversation, which is filled with ironic observations and literary references.

Johnson also treats Arlo's envy of Gene's youth and freedom, and Arlo's ironic and sympathetic observation of Gene's unawareness of how much lies ahead.

It is a humorous and ironic observation that the speed of commercial software generally slows by 50% every 18 months, thereby negating all the benefits of Moore's law.

Hearst was never the dark, fallen angel making ironic observations about himself that is Welles's Kane.

This often involves ironic observation, wordplay, ruefulness delivered with an arched eyebrow.

Or is it an ironic observation on the unbridgeable gulf between cultures and classes in America?

Mr. Bradbury obviously intends his ironic observations to be savored by a fairly sophisticated audience.

The accent, even if I couldn't place it geographically, was unmistakable-and this hawker's cry sounded every bit as ironic as Kuwale's observations about Janet Walsh.

The novel abounds with ironic observations.

So save the smart retorts and cleverly ironic observations, because I'm not interested in them right now.