tongue-in-cheek

== English == === Alternative forms === tongue in cheek === Etymology === This phrase alludes to the facial expression created by putting one's tongue in one's cheek. The term first appeared in print in 1828, but it isn't entirely clear that it was used with the modern, rather than a literal, sense. A later citation from Richard Barham is unambiguous. === Pronunciation === === Adjective === tongue-in-cheek (comparative more tongue-in-cheek, superlative most tongue-in-cheek) (idiomatic) Not intended seriously; jocular or humorous. Synonyms: see Thesaurus:witty ==== Translations ==== === Adverb === tongue-in-cheek (not comparable) (obsolete) With contempt. With irony. === References === === Further reading === “tongue-in-cheek”, in OneLook Dictionary Search. tongue-in-cheek on Wikipedia.Wikipedia