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    What is the meaning of"tongue-in-cheek?"

    0  Views: 1385 Answers: 2 Posted: 13 years ago

    2 Answers

    tongue-in-cheek is a gesture which indicates irony or facetiousness (you don't mean what you say).


    "Helen is always so tactful!"

    I rather like this first answer and so won't quibble with it.


    The image is strongest when you try to be open with laughter and at the same time put your tongue in your cheek. Thus, it is an attempt not to be open and openly laugh at the expense of another. It's an attempt to suppress that naturalalistic "Oh! Helen has such a challenge with speech sometimes." And so one says the opposite; while not laughing.



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