smart alec

A student raises his hand and corrects the teacher with a smart alec remark.

Definition

Noun (informal, often derogatory): A "smart alec" is a person who behaves or speaks in an annoyingly clever or know-it-all manner, often making sarcastic or smug remarks to show off their intelligence or wit. The term implies that the person's cleverness is irritating or offensive rather than genuinely impressive.

Usage Examples

• (A student who acts overly clever in an annoying way.)
• (A person who behaves smugly and arrogantly.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase is typically used to criticize someone for being too clever for their own good, often in a social or classroom setting. It can also be used playfully among friends, though it usually carries a negative tone.
• "to be a smart alec": to habitually act in a smug, know-it-all manner.
  • Stop being a smart alec and just answer the question directly. (Stop acting overly clever and give a straightforward answer.)

Variants and Related Words

• Smart aleck (noun): An alternative spelling of "smart alec," equally common.
  • Don't be such a smart aleck — you know what I mean. (Don't act annoyingly clever.)
• Smart-alecky (adjective): Behaving like a smart alec; smugly clever.
  • His smart-alecky remarks annoyed everyone at the meeting. (His smug, know-it-all comments were irritating.)

Synonyms

• Wise guy (noun): A person who makes clever, often sarcastic remarks to show off.
  • The wise guy in the office always has a sarcastic comment for everything.
• Know-it-all (noun): A person who claims or appears to know everything.
  • She's a know-it-all who never admits when she's wrong.
• Smartmouth (noun, informal): A person who speaks in a clever, arrogant way.
  • The smartmouth in the group always has a comeback for every joke.

Related Idioms

• To be a smart alec: To act like a smart alec.
  • He's always been a smart alec, even as a child. (He has always acted annoyingly clever.)
• To play the smart alec: To deliberately behave in a smug, know-it-all manner.
  • Don't play the smart alec with me — I know you're not sure about the answer. (Don't act arrogantly clever.)

Etymology and Notes

• The origin of "smart alec" is uncertain, but it likely dates back to the 19th century in American English. "Smart" here means "clever" or "intelligent," while "Alec" (or "Aleck") is a nickname for Alexander. The term may have been popularized by a specific person or character known for being annoyingly clever.