smarmy
English
Etymology
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
- Lua error in Module:parameters at line 333: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "RP" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /ˈsmɑː.mi/
- Lua error in Module:parameters at line 333: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "US" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /ˈsmɑːɹ.mi/
Audio (US): (file) Audio (AU): (file) - Rhymes: -ɑː(r)mi
Adjective
smarmy (comparative smarmier, superlative smarmiest)
- Falsely earnest, smug, or ingratiating.
- a smarmy salesman with a big smile
- (rare, dated) unctuous, greasy, as hair from pomade
- 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.
- 2002 October, Austin Branstetter, "My day as a Carnie" Top of the Hill (Montgomery Bell Academy) Vol.8 No.1 p.4:
Synonyms
- (falsely earnest or smug): flattering, gushing, ingratiating, oily, smug
Related terms
Translations
Falsely earnest, smug, or ingratiating
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References
- ^ smarmy etymonline
- ^ Ben Yagoda (17 October 2018) "‘Smarmy’: How It Was Born and Survived" The Chronicle of Higher Education