Dear writers:

[partly]

These are the definitions of "smirk" --

From Word Net Search
-- smile affectedly or derisively
-- a smile expressing smugness or scorn instead of pleasure

From wikipedia
-- A smirk (from the Old English amercian, "smile") refers to a smile evoking insolence, scorn, or offensive smugness. "A constant smirk upon the face, and a whiffling activity of the body, are strong indications of futility," the Earl of Chesterfield once wrote in a letter to his son. ...

From Dictionary.com
-- to smile in an affected, smug, or offensively familiar way.

From wiktionary.com
-- A smile that is insolent, offensively self-satisfied or scornful; To smile in a way that is affected, smug, insolent or contemptuous

Notice the words offensive, scornful and contemptuous in those definitions. Notice that a smirk expresses all those things instead of pleasure.

Please do not use the word unless you intend make the character look like an unbearably smug and offensive jerk. A character smirks at someone to tick them off, to demonstrate his/her complete and utter contempt for them. A character smirks to show that whoever they are dealing with that they are beneath contempt and undeserving of even the smallest consideration. Smirking often implies malicious intent. Smirking is always insulting. It's a simple word and one that can be used as a powerful characterization -- but only if used correctly.

Please stop having characters I'm supposed to like smirk. Even when they do it at bad guys, at people who may deserve it, it makes them look small and petty. Never have a male character I'm supposed to like smirk at a female character. Never have two characters who are friends smirk when exchanging friendly banter because smirking means it's not friendly.

You are writers, people. Words are your tools. Please use them correctly.

Thank you,

Me (not smirking)

Comments

[dotfic.livejournal.com]

Smirk, to me, definitely indicates smugness or scorn, a moment where the character is feeling overly sure of themselves (in a possibly obnoxious way).

The thing is, I think it doesn't have to indicate hostility, especially when used between two characters who do actually like and respect each other. Whatever the dictionary definition is, in the vernacular smirk is a challenging, smug kind of smile--a character is trying to be *deliberately* annoying, but it doesn't to me immediately conjure up the idea of hostility.

[partly.livejournal.com]

Whatever the dictionary definition is, in the vernacular smirk is a challenging, smug kind of smile--a character is trying to be *deliberately* annoying, but it doesn't to me immediately conjure up the idea of hostility.

Okay... I could see this, as long as the writer is aware of it. Still, to me, being deliberately annoying moves the banter a little out of friendly range anyhow. It's provocative -- in the sense that they are intentionally trying to provoke a (usually negative) response. Of course, I tend to be overly sensitive in things like that and react badly when pushed, so I'll count it as a personal problem. *grin*

I think it's all in writing, but most times (and most often in fanfic) it's *way* overused.

[dotfic.livejournal.com]

I think it may be overused in place of "grin." To me, "smirk" implies a challenge of some kind, just not necessarily among enemies or to demean the other person. It can be a playful insult, I guess?

[partly.livejournal.com]

After much thought (yes, work was that boring), I will have to say agree. Although I think it depends on the strength of the writer and the character who is smirking. For example, I totally can see Dean Winchester smirking, even at someone he loves and respects. I can't imagine Samantha Carter smirking, even at someone who she dislikes.

As usual when it comes to writing rules, good writers can break them.

[moosewizard.livejournal.com]

Hahaha thank you for this. That has always been one of my pet-peeves as well. I always see smirks as something contemptuous or smug.

[finabair.livejournal.com]

Does this mean I should wipe this smirk off my face? ;-)

[partly.livejournal.com]

If you don't, I will.

'cause smirking does that to me. An obvious side effect from working with teenagers...