It clearly isn't a direct synonym of cheeky, but it could work very well for related behavioral descriptions. (of a person, animal, or their behavior) causing or showing a fondness for causing trouble in a playful way It has two degrees of meaning, one which is much more negative than the other. (tæp ) noun an informal word for chap 2 Im no longer the apparently eternally cheerful chappy he remembers. Sassy - a more informal synonym, but I doubt that parents would use this to describe their kids it is more common among friends, and for some reasons, more feminine than masculine.įinally, I would say that mischievous does not always have a negative connotation. Impudent - a more formal synonym that would rarely be used in casual conversation. Jimmy always seems to have a will of his own.Īs for a better alternative to cheeky, I do not think there is one, except you want to go for either of the following:.The NOAD definition aptly captures your intended meaning: cheeky. Our five-year-old's got some real spunk. Your usage of cheeky is perfectly correct.It may be that a cultural difference accounts for the fact (my conjecture) that American speakers are more likely to use adjectives (or adjectival phrases) that are more specific than cheeky to describe their children's behavior. Unfortunately, this word is not too common among American speakers. Impudent or irreverent, typically in an endearing or amusing way slightly rude or showing no respect, but often in a funny way: Shes got such a cheeky grin. The NOAD definition aptly captures your intended meaning: Just a guess.Your usage of cheeky is perfectly correct. in a way that is slightly rude or shows a lack of respect, but may be funny: Looking for us she asked cheekily. If you describe a person or their behaviour as cheeky, you think that they are slightly rude or disrespectful but in a charming or amusing way. I think there was (and maybe still is) more at stake when you trash-talked up the chain in the UK. They don't feel the need to be subtle in their scorn of "their betters" as they say. Most Americans feel as if they are on par with the best of them (at least in their own minds), and don't humble themselves very readily in the presence of people from higher classes. I'm guessing it has something to do with the more entrenched class system in the UK vs the US. : rude and showing a lack of respect often in a way that seems playful or amusing. Cheek is done with a sly look in the eye because you know you're trying to get one over on the man, and the smile says that you know, and they (the man) know too, but you're allowed to get away with it anyway. Britannica Dictionary definition of CHEEKY. I think American humorists are more direct somehow. Sure there are plenty of smart humorists in the US, but they don't traffic in "cheek" quite like the Brits do. Being an American, I really don't see anything in the US that has quite the same tone.
It's their way of "sticking it to the man" with a nudge and a wink.
There are always those in pop culture in the UK who aspire to be seen as quick-witted and cheeky. Having lived in England, I recognize this as a particularly British cultural phenomenon.
Oscar Wilde, John Lennon, Jarvis Cocker, Noel Fielding, and Morrissey all come to mind with respect to being "cheeky". It's basically sly and artful disrespect. It is a concept from the UK not particularly shared by the US.
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