A smirk (from the Old English smercian, "smile") refers to a smile evoking insolence, scorn, or offensive smugness. "A constant smirk upon the face, and a whiffling activity of the body, are strong indications of futility," the Earl of Chesterfield once wrote in a letter to his son.^*

George W. Bush is often considered to have a “trademark smirk.” Ronald Kessler has opined that during the 2000 debates with Al Gore, that Bush's "smirk was not a signal of arrogance but rather an effort to convey his true feelings: that he was participating in a charade… In debates with Gore, he could not very well say, ‘That's B.S.,’ so he would smirk."^* Smirking Chimp is an American political blog and message board website. Its name is intended as a derisive reference to Bush.

Facial expressions