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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)
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)
