Where did the phrase tongue in cheek originate?
Where did the phrase tongue in cheek originate?
The phrase appears in 1828 in The Fair Maid of Perth by Sir Walter Scott: The fellow who gave this all-hail thrust his tongue in his cheek to some scapegraces like himself. The ironic usage originates with the idea of suppressed mirth—biting one’s tongue to prevent an outburst of laughter.
What exactly does tongue in cheek mean?
: characterized by insincerity, irony, or whimsical exaggeration. tongue in cheek. adverb. Definition of tongue in cheek (Entry 2 of 2) : with insincerity, irony, or whimsical exaggeration.
What is the meaning of wry and tongue in cheek?
If you say something tongue in cheek, you intend it to be understood as a joke, although you might appear to be serious: He said that he was a huge fan of the president, although I suspect it was tongue in cheek.
What is a synonym for tongue in cheek?
synonyms for tongue-in-cheek amusing. humorous. jocular. joking. playful.
How do you write tongue in cheek?
Tongue-in-cheek sentence example
- The tongue-in-cheek remark was not meant to be taken seriously, but Sarah was easily offended.
- The comedy show had a tongue-in-cheek style of humor that may not be easy for kids to understand.
- The tongue-in-cheek humor has plenty of adult appeal, too.
How do you use tongue in cheek?
Tongue-in-cheek Sentence Examples The tongue-in-cheek remark was not meant to be taken seriously, but Sarah was easily offended. The comedy show had a tongue-in-cheek style of humor that may not be easy for kids to understand.
What are two examples of using language that is tongue-in-cheek?
The tongue-in-cheek remark was not meant to be taken seriously, but Sarah was easily offended. The comedy show had a tongue-in-cheek style of humor that may not be easy for kids to understand. The tongue-in-cheek humor has plenty of adult appeal, too. Dean asked in his sweetest tongue-in-cheek voice.
Where does the saying tongue in cheek come from?
The phrase has origins in 18th-century England, and it originally alludes to a common facial expression created by putting one’s tongue in one’s cheek and used to express contempt, but by 1842 had acquired its modern meaning.
Is the zombie movie very much with tongue in cheek?
The zombie movie, very much with tongue in cheek, gives a clever criticism of American consumerism. She peppered her speech with tongue-in-cheek observations about the ineptitude of the company’s upper management. Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
When did Sir Walter Scott put his tongue in his cheek?
I signified my contempt of him by thrusting my tongue in my cheek, which humbled him so much, that he scarce swore another oath aloud during the whole journey. The phrase appears in 1828 in The Fair Maid of Perth by Sir Walter Scott: The fellow who gave this all-hail thrust his tongue in his cheek to some scapegraces like himself.
Is the Cambridge English a tongue in cheek game?
The game’s creators designed it to be a tongue – in – cheek satire about wealth obsession, but it appears to be striking a nerve with players. Would something that sometimes took a tongue – in – cheek approach work, or would potential fans be turned off by what they saw?