Fey literary device (5)
I believe the answer is:
irony
'literary device' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
I can't explain the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for irony that I've seen before include "What "as clear as mud" demonstrates" , "situation showing incongruity" , "Conveying meaning by expressing the opposite" , "Satirical speech form" , "Sarcastic use of praise" .)