I always see smarmy as a shortened form of smooth and charming, which, when used together, reek of insincerity.
O_Desch:
March 22nd, 2016 at 5:31 am
Seems like it could be a conjunction of smear & charm.
Christi C.:
March 28th, 2018 at 5:35 pm
The other night I dreamed of the word ‘smarmy,’ including the noun ‘smarm.’ I have to present the Word of the Day at my local Toastmasters club…and hey, this appears to be it! Before getting out the old Random House Unabridged, I thought I’d search the web, and here you are. Nothing in this etymology is what I thought it might be! Thank you.
gmkjr:
July 21st, 2019 at 7:28 pm
“Smarmy” has a sense of obsequiousness, flattery and insincerity that marks a person who displays it as either an insincere kiss-up or an idiot. In literature, Rev. Collins in “Pride & Prejudice” may be the foremost example, particularly in his relationship with his wealthy and demanding patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. The entomological relationship to pomade (hair grease) makes sense, since a smarmy person lays it on a bit thick. I would guess that any relationship with “charm” is coincidental.
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Awesome word: “Smarmy” | Fist of Blog:
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SophieBird:
April 25th, 2014 at 7:30 am
I always see smarmy as a shortened form of smooth and charming, which, when used together, reek of insincerity.
O_Desch:
March 22nd, 2016 at 5:31 am
Seems like it could be a conjunction of smear & charm.
Christi C.:
March 28th, 2018 at 5:35 pm
The other night I dreamed of the word ‘smarmy,’ including the noun ‘smarm.’ I have to present the Word of the Day at my local Toastmasters club…and hey, this appears to be it! Before getting out the old Random House Unabridged, I thought I’d search the web, and here you are. Nothing in this etymology is what I thought it might be! Thank you.
gmkjr:
July 21st, 2019 at 7:28 pm
“Smarmy” has a sense of obsequiousness, flattery and insincerity that marks a person who displays it as either an insincere kiss-up or an idiot. In literature, Rev. Collins in “Pride & Prejudice” may be the foremost example, particularly in his relationship with his wealthy and demanding patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. The entomological relationship to pomade (hair grease) makes sense, since a smarmy person lays it on a bit thick. I would guess that any relationship with “charm” is coincidental.