A smirk is an affected, ingratiating smile1 evoking insolence, scorn, or offensive smugness.
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
References
References
- B. Kirkpatrick ed., Roget's Thesaurus (1996) p. 572
- Desmond Morris, Manwatching (1977) p. 188-9
- Quoted in B. Ford ed., The Age of Shakespeare (1973) p. 72
- Tegg, William (1861). Lord Chesterfield's Advice To His Son On Men And Manners. London, England: Bibliotheca Bodleiana.
- F. Perls, Gestalt Therapy Verbatim (1973) p. 79
- Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice (PEL 1975) p. 341