The fact is that the Carlyles habitually addrest one another
with irony. It is no uncommon thing between intimates: it is
rather a sign of the security of the affection which unites
them. But if, by some unhappy accident, a third person who has
no sense of humor hears this gay clash of keen words, and puts
them down in dull print, and goes on to point out in his dull
fashion that they do not sound affectionate, and are phrases
by no means in common use among excellent married persons of
average intellects, it is easy to see that the worst sort of
mischief may readily be wrought.--W. J. DAWSON, “The
Makers of English Prose.”
(1678)