Smirk

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A man subtly smirking Retouch Smirk glasses vip 1.jpg
A man subtly smirking

A smirk is an affected, ingratiating smile [1] evoking insolence, scorn, or offensive smugness.

Contents

Human ethology categorizes smirks as a kind of deformed-compliment signal. [2]

Historical examples

George Puttenham in the 16th century described what he called "a mock with a scornful countenance as in some smiling sort looking aside". [3]

"A constant smirk upon the face, and a whiffling activity of the body, are strong indications of futility," the Earl of Chesterfield once wrote in a letter to his son. [4]

German-born psychiatrist Fritz Perls considered the most difficult patients to be the clever know-it-alls, recognisable by what he called "a specific kind of smile, a kind of smirk, a smirk that says, 'Oh, you're an idiot! I know better. I can outwit you and control you'". [5]

Mr Bennet describes Mr Wickham as making smirking love to all his new in-laws in the novel Pride and Prejudice . [6]

See also

References

  1. B. Kirkpatrick ed., Roget's Thesaurus (1996) p. 572
  2. Desmond Morris, Manwatching (1977) p. 188-9
  3. Quoted in B. Ford ed., The Age of Shakespeare (1973) p. 72
  4. Tegg, William (1861). Lord Chesterfield's Advice To His Son On Men And Manners. London, England: Bibliotheca Bodleiana.
  5. F. Perls, Gestalt Therapy Verbatim (1973) p. 79
  6. Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice (PEL 1975) p. 341