- tongue-in-cheek
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He gave a tongue-in-cheek explanation of why the sky was blue, offering a theory about some primordial discount on light blue paint.
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tongue-in-cheek
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Tongue-in-cheek — is a term used to refer to humor in which a statement, or an entire fictional work, is not meant to be taken seriously, but its lack of seriousness is subtle. The origin of its usage comes from when Spanish minstrels would perform for various… … Wikipedia
tongue-in-cheek — adj a tongue in cheek remark is said as a joke, not seriously ▪ I love that kind of tongue in cheek wit. >tongue in cheek adv ▪ I think he was talking tongue in cheek … Dictionary of contemporary English
tongue-in-cheek — {adj. phr.} In an ironic or insincere manner. * /When the faculty complained about the poor salary increments, the university s president said that he was not a psychiatrist, thus making an inappropriate tongue in cheek remark./ … Dictionary of American idioms
tongue-in-cheek — {adj. phr.} In an ironic or insincere manner. * /When the faculty complained about the poor salary increments, the university s president said that he was not a psychiatrist, thus making an inappropriate tongue in cheek remark./ … Dictionary of American idioms
tongue-in-cheek — [tuŋ′ n chēk′] adj. humorously ironic, mocking, or insincere [a tongue in cheek series of commercials for deodorant] * * * tongue in cheek (tŭng ĭn chēkʹ) adj. Meant or expressed ironically or facetiously. * * * … Universalium
tongue-in-cheek — adjective intended to be humorous and not meant seriously: a tongue in cheek answer ╾ ,tongue in cheek adverb … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
tongue-in-cheek — if you say something tongue in cheek, what you have said is a joke, although it might seem to be serious. She writes a very engaging and at times tongue in cheek account of her first meeting with the royal family … New idioms dictionary
tongue-in-cheek — (adj.) 1933, from phrase to speak with one s tongue in one s cheek to speak insincerely (1748), which somehow must have been suggestive of sly irony or humorous insincerity, but the exact notion is obscure … Etymology dictionary
tongue in cheek — If something is tongue in cheek, it isn t serious or meant to be taken seriously … The small dictionary of idiomes
tongue-in-cheek — [tuŋ′ n chēk′] adj. humorously ironic, mocking, or insincere [a tongue in cheek series of commercials for deodorant] … English World dictionary
tongue-in-cheek — [adj] facetious amusing, blithe, clever, comic, comical, dry, farcical, flip*, flippant, funny, humorous, in fun, in jest, ironic, ironical, irreverent, jesting, jocular, joking, joshing, laughable, not serious, playful, pulling one’s leg*,… … New thesaurus
