Irony vs Coincidence

[Checkmate]

"a firetruck caught in fire".

People say this is ironic but where is the irony? I think it's a coincidence because firetruck is meant to deal with fire.

 

[Matthew Wai]

A firetruck is intended to put out fire but it is actually on fire, so it is ironic.

Not a teacher.

 

[Raymott]

We say "caught fire" or "caught on fire".

 

[Tdol]

And it isn't a coincidence because it's an isolated event.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coincidence

 

[Roman55]

I am not a teacher.

It would be a coincidence if two fire engines caught fire at the same time.

 

[tedmc]

I would not call that an irony. A fire truck (or fire brigade that I am more used to calling) risks catching fire just like any other vehicle.
The purpose for which it is intended does not make it less vulnerable to catching a fire.

not a teacher

 

[Matthew Wai]

I think a fireman is much more vulnerable than a firetruck, which does not enter the fire scene ── that's what I saw in 'Chicago fire'.

Not a teacher.

 

[SoothingDave]

I would not call that an irony. A fire truck (or fire brigade that I am more used to calling) risks catching fire just like any other vehicle.
The purpose for which it is intended does not make it less vulnerable to catching a fire.

not a teacher

Um, no. If your firetrucks are routinely catching on fire, then you're doing something wrong. It is indeed ironic that a vehicle intended to fight fire is in need of rescue from a fire.

 

[Grumpy]

I would not call that an irony. A fire truck (or fire brigade that I am more used to calling) risks catching fire just like any other vehicle.
The purpose for which it is intended does not make it less vulnerable to catching a fire.

not a teacher

In BrE, the term "fire brigade" has always referred to the firemen (now increasingly known as "firefighters") and their organisation, rather than their vehicles, in the same way as the word "Army" refers to both the soldiers and the totality of their units. The Fire Brigade's vehicles are called fire tenders, or fire trucks. Interestingly, in these PC days when everything has to be a "service", fire brigades are now called "fire and rescue services", and we now have police "services" instead of "forces".

 

[Checkmate]

I think if a man gets hit by an ambulance, it will be ironic too. Is this right?

 

[Matthew Wai]

'An ambulanceman hit by an ambulance' may be ironic.

Not a teacher.

 

[Roman55]

I think if a man gets hit by an ambulance, it will be ironic too. Is this right?

I am not a teacher.

Yes, it would be ironic.

I remember a case in London many years ago of an ambulance driver being guilty of a hit-and-run. Now, that's bordering on the absurd.

 

[Grumpy]

I am not a teacher.

Yes, it would be ironic.

I remember a case in London many years ago of an ambulance driver being guilty of a hit-and-run. Now, that's bordering on the absurd.

In Oscar Wilde's immortal words, "One would have to have a heart of stone not to laugh"....

 

[Barb_D]

In the same way, it's ironic when a tow truck breaks down and need to be towed.