smarmy
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English
[edit]Etymology
[edit]From smarm + -y.[en 1] Apparently coined by "B.R.L., of Brighton" with sense "saying treacly things which do not sound genuine" in a competition for neologisms in The Academy (London) published on 14 January 1899.[en 2]
Pronunciation
[edit]- (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈsmɑː.mi/
- (General American) IPA(key): /ˈsmɑɹ.mi/
Audio (US): (file) Audio (General Australian): (file) - Rhymes: -ɑː(ɹ)mi
Adjective
[edit]smarmy (comparative smarmier, superlative smarmiest)
- Falsely earnest, smug, ingratiating, or pious.
- a smarmy salesman with a big smile
- 2019, “Ultimate Guide: Duck Hunt”, in Darran Jones, editor, 100 Games to Play Before You Die: Nintendo Consoles Edition (Retro Gamer), 3rd edition, Future, page 43:
- Starring a smarmy dog and scores of hapless flying wildfowl, Duck Hunt was the game that introduced many to the joys of the NES Zapper lightgun.
- (rare, dated) Unctuous, greasy, as hair from pomade.
- 1985, Lynn Pan, Into China's Heart: An Emigré's Journey Along the Yellow River, page 200:
- He looked faintly loutish, with smarmy hair and a hint of a moustache.
- 2002 October, Austin Branstetter, "My day as a Carnie" Top of the Hill (Montgomery Bell Academy) Vol.8 No.1 p.4:
- I pulled on my smarmy t-shirt and my ragged jeans and dragged myself to report to my supervisor.
Synonyms
[edit]- (falsely earnest or smug): flattering, gushing, ingratiating, oily, smug
Related terms
[edit]Translations
[edit]Falsely earnest, smug, or ingratiating
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References
[edit]- ^ Douglas Harper (2001–2024) “smarmy”, in Online Etymology Dictionary.
- ^ Ben Yagoda (17 October 2018) "‘Smarmy’: How It Was Born and Survived" The Chronicle of Higher Education
Categories:
- English terms suffixed with -y
- English 2-syllable words
- English terms with IPA pronunciation
- English terms with audio pronunciation
- Rhymes:English/ɑː(ɹ)mi
- Rhymes:English/ɑː(ɹ)mi/2 syllables
- English lemmas
- English adjectives
- English terms with quotations
- English terms with rare senses
- English dated terms
- en:Personality