2007-06-26 19:50:57 · 20 answers · asked by Harry Hood 6 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Polls & Surveys
Tongue-in-cheek is a term that refers to a style of humour in which things are said only half seriously, or in a subtly mocking way.
[edit] Origin of the term
The term first appeared in print in 'The Fair Maid of Perth', by that inveterate coiner of phrases, Sir Walter Scott, 1828:
"The fellow who gave this all-hail thrust his tongue in his cheek to some scapegraces like himself."
The first known appearance of the term in print is in the book, "The Ingoldsby Legends," by Richard Harris Barham, published in 1845. The author uses the term describing a Frenchman:
2007-06-26 19:57:17 · answer #1 · answered by Michael N 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I always thought it to mean that a statement made was done in jest. It's hard to talk with your tongue planted firmly in your cheek, unless you're a ventriloquist.
2007-06-26 19:55:26 · answer #2 · answered by Kevin U 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It means that person really wants to let what they are thinking out, but they know it's soooo not right, so they are planting their tongue in their cheek in hopes of keeping quiet...
2007-06-26 19:56:07 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
it's the same as "biting your tongue." means to keep your thoughts to yourself. some take it as using humour to bypass your true thoughts. best of luck, grmmynet
2007-06-26 19:55:57 · answer #4 · answered by grmmynet 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Seriously clueless.
2007-06-26 19:53:06 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Absolute sarcasm.
2007-06-26 19:53:13 · answer #6 · answered by Only_my_opinion 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It means your lips are sealed...that you wont say anything. That you are biting your tongue...
2007-06-26 19:53:09 · answer #7 · answered by helicopterjen 4 · 4⤊ 1⤋
It means that the person is determined not to say what he or she is TRULY thinking.
2007-06-26 19:53:53 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
The person is full of sh*t. They are too stupid and not worth arguing with.
2007-06-26 19:57:05 · answer #9 · answered by scott p 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
too scared to speak
2007-06-26 19:55:25 · answer #10 · answered by kRispie 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋