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What (who) is smart aleck - definition
Smart aleck
WIKIMEDIA DISAMBIGUATION PAGE
Smart Alec (film); Smart Alec (disambiguation); Smart alec; Smart Alec; Smart aleck (disambiguation); User:Aleck, Smart; Smart Alec (1951 film)
A smart aleck, also spelled smart alek or smart alec, is someone whose sarcastic, wisecracking, or humorous manner is delivered in an offensive, obnoxious, or cocky way.
smart alec
WIKIMEDIA DISAMBIGUATION PAGE
Smart Alec (film); Smart Alec (disambiguation); Smart alec; Smart Alec; Smart aleck (disambiguation); User:Aleck, Smart; Smart Alec (1951 film)
(smart alecs)
Note: in AM and sometimes in BRIT, use 'smart aleck'
If you describe someone as a smart alec, you dislike the fact that they think they are very clever and always have an answer for everything. (INFORMAL)
...a fortyish smart-alec TV reporter...
N-COUNT: oft N n [disapproval]
smart alec
WIKIMEDIA DISAMBIGUATION PAGE
Smart Alec (film); Smart Alec (disambiguation); Smart alec; Smart Alec; Smart aleck (disambiguation); User:Aleck, Smart; Smart Alec (1951 film)
(chiefly N. Amer. also smart aleck)
¦ noun informal, derogatory a person who behaves as if they know everything.
Derivatives
smart-alecky adjective
Origin
C19: from smart + Alec, dimin. of the given name Alexander.
Examples of use of smart aleck
1. "And I said, ‘Am I supposed to be thrilled to death or something?‘ I was kind of a smart aleck.
2. "He‘s smarter than most people, so he liked to be a smart aleck," co–worker Gus Nanos told the newspaper.
3. "It‘s one of the luxuries of being in my position that you can be a smart aleck," he says.
4. Thanks to the TV writers‘ strike, millions of citizens have been deprived (for 24 days now!) of their late–night dose of sarcasm and slashing wit, of irony and smart–aleck quips.
5. Around Thanksgiving, his campaign Web site was posting recipes ("Franni‘s Pureed Butternut Squash"). In other words, Franken reins in some of his natural Franken–ness, tacitly acknowledging a critical fact: No one votes for a smart aleck.