Smarms

Part of speech: noun, verb

Definitions

1. Behaviors marked by insincere charm and excessive flattery intended to manipulate others; persons exhibiting ingratiating or obsequious manners often to gain favor or advantage; a style of communication characterized by slick, affected politeness combined with underlying insincerity
2. Actions demonstrating excessive and insincere flattery paired with smooth, deceptive charm; individuals who employ overly ingratiating behavior to secure benefits or approval; a manner of speaking or behaving that is slickly polite yet untrustworthy or hypocritical
3. Conduct involving flattering speech and artificially amiable demeanor used to influence or deceive; people showing a self-serving, flattering attitude designed to impress or manipulate; a type of discourse combining smoothness, superficial friendliness, and covert insincerity

Etymology: "Smarms" is the plural of "smarm", and the noun behind it began as a hair product. Around 1847 "smalm" and "smarm" were colloquial verbs meaning to smear or plaster hair with pomade, and that greasy, flattened look of slicked-back hair seems to be the picture the word carries. The origin of the verb itself is unknown, and it may have been shaped by the sound of the action. The sense of smearing soon moved from hair to people. By 1902 "smarm" was being used as a verb meaning to smear with flattery, so that a person could be spread over with fawning praise the way hair was spread with grease. The noun followed in 1914, naming the oily charm itself.

Synonyms: flatteries, insincerities, sycophancies, obsequiousnesses

Antonyms: bluntness, honesty, directness, candidness