The question is, when did things really become so completely without irony?

"You seem to be the expert today," he added without very much irony.

It would be interesting if this last word were meant without irony, but that seems unlikely.

This has its attractive side, though it is not without irony.

One day, she promised herself, he would look at her without irony.

My appreciation for Christmas, on the other hand, developed completely without irony.

His voice doesn't change, but suddenly he speaks without irony.

Yes, I posed the question seriously though not without irony.

"We never leave anyone hanging," he said without apparent irony.

"It's a nice place because you don't have to worry what's happening in the outside world," she said without irony.