Why is this mispelling ironic?

Question

For homecoming, we get class shirts. The sophomores class shirt said "Work Hard Play Hard Sophmores". Yes I spelled it wrong on purpose. The company thought "Sophomores" was spelled wrong so they "fixed it" 
I am a freshmen, but my English teacher is the sophomore class sponser. she told us that our homework was to find why sophomore being spelled wrong was ironic. she told us it had to do with the definition of sophomore. I looked up the definition... all i get is the second year student at a high school or university
 thanks

? · Accepted Answer

Sophomore comes from the Greek words σοφός (sophos) "wise" + μωρός (moros) "foolish, dull" so together it's "wise fool". My English teacher explained it that sophomores have more knowledge (wise) than when they were freshmen, but there was still a lot they don't know (fools).

Honey · Answer

It is ironic because sophomores are expected to be able to at least spell sophomores by the time they reach that point in their academic careers.  The fact that they (apparently) cannot and choose to display the fact on their t-shirts is ironic.

A similar, though less subtle sentiment:

'I got grade 12.  Now I'm edjucated."

? · Answer

It wasn't very hard to find the definition;

Sophomoric:  conceited and overconfident of knowledge but poorly informed and immature <a sophomoric argument>

Anonymous · Answer

The word "sophomore" is originated from "fool," or something of that nature. I don't know. That's just what I've heard, but this site looks like it could be a big help: http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/1982/whats-the-origin-of-sophomore

Anonymous · Answer

The original Greek defines it as a foolish moron who thinks he is smart.

So now the company looks foolish for trying to appear smart and now has to lose money repairing their own spelling mistake!

nodell · Answer

i think of that ironic solutions are undesirable and of low type, and low point of intelligence. I even criticize the super and sought after Socrates for that. There are larger varieties of wit. confident. certainly one of them is appreciate, yet another is silence. yet another is discretion, and so on...

monkey · Answer

try looking up 'sophomoric'. i think that definition will help you find the irony.

NinTY · Answer

Something to do with soft and hard, I presume?

Why is this mispelling ironic?

8 Answers