Smarm

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -ɑː(r)m

Origin

Back-formation from {{3}}

Full definition of smarm

Noun

1. smarmy language or behavior
• 2012, May 20, Nathan Rabin, TV: Review: THE SIMPSONS (CLASSIC): “Marge Gets A Job” (season 4, episode 7; originally aired 11/05/1992), Phil Hartman, the voice and soul of McClure, was the king of making everything sounds cheerful and positive, no matter how grim. McClure was the personification of smarm. He alone could say, “Your children are missing. I know because I murdered them with my own hands!” and make it sound like good news.

Verb

1. (intransitive) To fawn, to be unctuous.
• 1957, Lawrence Durrell, He rose ... on his wife's fortune and judicious smarming of powerful people.
2. (transitive) To address in a fawning and unctuous manner.

Anagrams

• marms