smart aleck

[al-ik] /ˈæl ɪk/
noun
1.
an obnoxiously conceited person.
2.
a wise guy.
Origin
1860-65, Americanism; generic use of Aleck, nickname for Alexander
Related forms
smart-alecky, smart-aleck, adjective
Examples from the web for smart aleck
  • He greets guests in smart aleck fashion and answers questions from those brave enough to interact with him.
  • He's the office smart aleck, a touch obnoxious but irresistible.
British Dictionary definitions for smart aleck

smart aleck

/ˈælɪk/
noun (pl) smart alecks
1.
(informal) an irritatingly oversmart person
Derived Forms
smart-aleck, smart-alecky, adjective
Word Origin
C19: from Aleck, Alec, short for Alexander
Word Origin and History for smart aleck
n.

1865, of unknown origin, perhaps in reference to Aleck Hoag, notorious pimp, thief, and confidence man in New York City in early 1840s [Barnhart]. See smart (adj.). Related: Smart-alecky.

Slang definitions & phrases for smart aleck

smart aleck

modifier

: I asked you to come here to give us advice, not smart-aleck talk

noun phrase

smart-ass (1865+)

[perhaps fr Aleck Hoag, a thief whose fate was described in an 1844 book by George Wilkes]


Idioms and Phrases with smart aleck

smart aleck

An impudent or obnoxiously self-assertive individual, a wise guy, as in New teachers often have a hard time coping with the smart alecks in their classes. This expression, dating from the mid-1800s, probably alluded to a person of this description who was named Alec or Alexander, but his identity has been lost.