Smirk
{{Short description|Facial expression}}
{{For|the financial derivatives markets term|volatility smile}}
File:Retouch Smirk glasses vip 1.jpg
A smirk is a smile evoking insolence, scorn, or offensive smugness, falling into the category of what Desmond Morris described as Deformed-compliment Signals.Desmond Morris, Manwatching (1977) p. 188-9
A smirk may also be an affected, ingratiating smile,B. Kirkpatrick ed., Roget's Thesaurus (1996) p. 572 as in Mr Bennet's description of Mr Wickham as making smirking love to all his new in-laws in the novel Pride and Prejudice.Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice (PEL 1975) p. 341
Etymology
The word derives from Old English smearcian, via Middle English smirken.
It is from the same root as smile, from Proto-Germanic *smar-, but with a velar root extension -k- (with intensive or frequentative function) particular to English also found in talk (from the root of tell) and stalk (from the root of steal) etc.
The sic meaning of a mocking or unpleasant, malicious smile or grin develops in Early Modern English, but until the 18th century, it could still be used in the generic sense "to smile".{{Cite web|url=https://www.etymonline.com/search?q=smirk|title=smirk | Search Online Etymology Dictionary|website=www.etymonline.com}}
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".Quoted in B. Ford ed., The Age of Shakespeare (1973) p. 72
"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.{{cite book|last1=Tegg|first1=William|title=Lord Chesterfield's Advice To His Son On Men And Manners|date=1861|publisher=Bibliotheca Bodleiana|location=London, England}}
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{{' "}}.F. Perls, Gestalt Therapy Verbatim (1973) p. 79
See also
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References
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