mizzdy Posted November 9, 2009 Group: Royal Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 173 Topics Per Day: 0.03 Content Count: 3,911 Content Per Day: 0.66 Reputation: 212 Days Won: 10 Joined: 03/21/2008 Status: Offline Share Posted November 9, 2009 Well I just had to go and look, now I am not too sure I will ever call anyone else a 'smart alec(k)! According to G.L. Cohen, author of Studies in Slang Part 1 (1985), the phrase smart alec(k) arose from the exploits of one Alec Hoag. A celebrated pimp, thief, and confidence man operating out of New York City in the 1840's, Mr. Hoag, along with his wife Melinda and an accomplice known as "French Jack," operated a con called the "panel game," a method by which prostitutes and their pimps robbed foolish customers. See www.wordwizard.com/. http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/1...-of-smart-aleck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fez Posted November 9, 2009 Group: Royal Member Followers: 3 Topic Count: 683 Topics Per Day: 0.12 Content Count: 11,128 Content Per Day: 1.99 Reputation: 1,352 Days Won: 54 Joined: 02/03/2009 Status: Offline Birthday: 12/07/1952 Share Posted November 9, 2009 Well I just had to go and look, now I am not too sure I will ever call anyone else a 'smart alec(k)! According to G.L. Cohen, author of Studies in Slang Part 1 (1985), the phrase smart alec(k) arose from the exploits of one Alec Hoag. A celebrated pimp, thief, and confidence man operating out of New York City in the 1840's, Mr. Hoag, along with his wife Melinda and an accomplice known as "French Jack," operated a con called the "panel game," a method by which prostitutes and their pimps robbed foolish customers. See www.wordwizard.com/. http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/1...-of-smart-aleck Well one learns something new every day! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JCISGD Posted November 9, 2009 Group: Diamond Member Followers: 0 Topic Count: 64 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 1,345 Content Per Day: 0.24 Reputation: 30 Days Won: 1 Joined: 03/05/2009 Status: Offline Birthday: 04/10/1961 Author Share Posted November 9, 2009 Here in Godzone, a smart Alec is someone who is a bit of a prankster or cheeky person. I was covering my bases so to speak as I thought some bright spark would say in jest that my post was bad form Good suggestions i think, esp the long reply with irrelevent quotes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irishcowboy Posted November 10, 2009 Group: Royal Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 127 Topics Per Day: 0.03 Content Count: 3,248 Content Per Day: 0.88 Reputation: 13 Days Won: 0 Joined: 03/23/2014 Status: Offline Share Posted November 10, 2009 Here in Godzone, a smart Alec is someone who is a bit of a prankster or cheeky person. I was covering my bases so to speak as I thought some bright spark would say in jest that my post was bad form Good suggestions i think, esp the long reply with irrelevent quotes. I guess that would be refering to me... . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KC02 Posted November 10, 2009 Group: Advanced Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 10 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 447 Content Per Day: 0.07 Reputation: 14 Days Won: 0 Joined: 08/25/2006 Status: Offline Birthday: 10/26/1971 Share Posted November 10, 2009 I think it is bad form to disagree with me all the time, JCISGD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorningGlory Posted November 10, 2009 Group: Royal Member Followers: 0 Topic Count: 1,022 Topics Per Day: 0.16 Content Count: 39,193 Content Per Day: 6.09 Reputation: 9,977 Days Won: 78 Joined: 10/01/2006 Status: Offline Share Posted November 10, 2009 I think it is bad form to disagree with me all the time, JCISGD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JCISGD Posted November 10, 2009 Group: Diamond Member Followers: 0 Topic Count: 64 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 1,345 Content Per Day: 0.24 Reputation: 30 Days Won: 1 Joined: 03/05/2009 Status: Offline Birthday: 04/10/1961 Author Share Posted November 10, 2009 I think it is bad form to disagree with me all the time, JCISGD Smart Alec ! in the good sense of the word. But Ill have to disagree with that KC, ... My hand was forced. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lekh l'kha Posted November 10, 2009 Group: Senior Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 27 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 830 Content Per Day: 0.15 Reputation: 5 Days Won: 0 Joined: 06/14/2009 Status: Offline Share Posted November 10, 2009 And another thing, what have you got against yellow Tip for everyone: Use your mouse to highlight the yellow print above - I just did, and it turned blue and perfectly legible Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorningGlory Posted November 10, 2009 Group: Royal Member Followers: 0 Topic Count: 1,022 Topics Per Day: 0.16 Content Count: 39,193 Content Per Day: 6.09 Reputation: 9,977 Days Won: 78 Joined: 10/01/2006 Status: Offline Share Posted November 10, 2009 And another thing, what have you got against yellow Tip for everyone: Use your mouse to highlight the yellow print above - I just did, and it turned blue and perfectly legible You know, that's a good tip; I had forgotten that! Okay, one less thing to gripe about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lekh l'kha Posted November 10, 2009 Group: Senior Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 27 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 830 Content Per Day: 0.15 Reputation: 5 Days Won: 0 Joined: 06/14/2009 Status: Offline Share Posted November 10, 2009 And another thing, what have you got against yellow Tip for everyone: Use your mouse to highlight the yellow print above - I just did, and it turned blue and perfectly legible You know, that's a good tip; I had forgotten that! Okay, one less thing to gripe about. Pity you already knew that but had forgotten about it. I was going to charge a fee for that tip hehehe... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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