Skip to content
word of the day

Table of Contents

The word for today is…

smarmy (adjective):

1 : revealing or marked by a smug, ingratiating, or false earnestness
2 : of low sleazy taste or quality

Source : Merriam -Webster

Etymology : Something smarmy will often ooze with self-satisfaction and insincerity. Much like its synonyms unctuous and slick, smarmy has a history that starts with a meaning of literal slipperiness or oiliness. The verb smarm appeared in English in the mid-19th century. Etymologists don’t know where it came from, but they do know that it meant “to smear,” “to gush,” or sometimes “to make smooth or oily.” A few decades later, the use of smarm was extended to sometimes mean “to use flattery.” The adjective smarmy appeared in the early 20th century. At first meaning “insincerely flattering” or “smug,” it later took on an additional meaning: “sleazy.”

If you enjoyed this BFD word of the day please consider sharing it with your friends and, especially, your children.

Latest

Good Oil Backchat

Good Oil Backchat

Please read our rules before you start commenting on The Good Oil to avoid a temporary or permanent ban.

Members Public
Comedy Corner

Comedy Corner

Welcome to Politically Incorrect Comedy corner: the one place on The Good Oil where you are allowed to read and share naughty and offensive jokes that make us all laugh even though we are not supposed to. If you are offended by these kinds of jokes then please do not

Members Public