To simper

Posted by James Briggs on September 05, 2004

In Reply to: To simper posted by ESC on September 05, 2004

: : : : Does "simper" mean "to say or smile coyly"?
: : : : and is it commonly used?
: : : : thanks a lot more

: : : I never heard of this word ( I am in the US ) till today and I thank you for enriching me.

: : : "Etymology: perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to Danish dialect simper, affected, coy.
: : : intransitive senses : to smile in a silly manner"

: :
: : All this is true - I would add that I think it implies a sort of cunning element too; of artful fake innocence aimed at getting something.

: : It is in fairly common usage in the UK - that is my impression, anyway.

: I'm in the U.S. and I've heard the word "simpering." Mostly to describe a woman's actions.

The popular 1950s song 'Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildererd' - US origin - contained the words 'a wimpering, simpering child again'.