Alecks

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A term used to describe a person who tends to show off knowledge or act in a self-important way often to the annoyance of others ; it can also refer to someone who behaves boastfully or pretentiously in social situations ; occasionally used to characterize an individual who tries to appear smarter or more skilled than they truly are
2. A label for an individual perceived as a know-it-all who often speaks with unnecessary confidence ; someone who habitually demonstrates their learning or wit to impress or irritate others ; a person who acts boastfully or arrogantly about their abilities or understanding
3. An expression for a person who frequently exhibits conceited or overconfident behavior, especially by bragging about their intellect ; someone known for showing off knowledge in an irritating or presumptuous manner ; a character who adopts a superior attitude through ostentatious display of expertise or skills

Etymology: "Aleck" is a familiar form of the name Alexander, and in American slang "smart Aleck" became a label for a know-it-all. The name sounds ordinary and friendly, so the phrase pulls against its own flattering adjective: the man thinks he is clever, but everyone else hears a cheeky, presumptuous character. The plural "alecks" appears in the phrase "smart alecks," which refers to a group of such people or to a single person's habit of showing off. Where the nickname itself came from is less certain. Some accounts point to a particular real-life Aleck, but the evidence for any single origin is too thin to name one with confidence. What is clear is that "smart" here means quick-witted with an edge of impudence, which is why the phrase reads as mockery rather than praise.

Synonyms: alex, alec