Smirk

 ( Facial Expressions ) 

A smirk is an affected, ingratiating smileB. Kirkpatrick ed., Roget's Thesaurus (1996) p. 572 evoking insolence, scorn, or offensive smugness.

Human ethology categorizes smirks as a kind of deformed-compliment signal.Desmond Morris, Manwatching (1977) p. 188-9

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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.

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

Mr Bennet describes 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

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See also

• Schadenfreude
• Sneer

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