Another Word For Tongue in cheek

Meaning

The phrase "tongue in cheek" refers to a style of humor or expression where a statement is intended to be understood as insincere, ironic, or humorous, often suggesting that the speaker is not being serious. This idiom is often used to indicate that what has been said should not be taken literally or seriously, creating a playful or sarcastic tone.

Synonyms

• Ironic
• Sarcastic
• Insincere
• Flippant
• Joking

Antonyms

• Serious
• Sincere
• Earnest
• Frank
• Genuine

Etymology

The phrase "tongue in cheek" originated in the 18th century and is believed to refer to the physical act of placing one's tongue against the inside of the cheek as a way to suppress laughter or to convey sarcasm. This gesture has historically been associated with a playful or mockingly insincere expression.

Examples

1. When he claimed that he could run a marathon without any training, I realized he was being tongue in cheek.
2. Her tongue in cheek comment about the cat "training" her to feed it was met with laughter from everyone at the party.
3. The movie's tongue in cheek portrayal of superheroes poked fun at common clichés in the genre.
4. During the meeting, Mark made a tongue in cheek remark about working only two hours a day, which lightened the mood.