Usage: I can always count on Joel McHale and the Soup for hilarious, snarky commentary on all things pop culture.
by w0rdsm1th July 18, 2009
Critical in a curmudgeonly sort of way.
The adjective snarky is first recorded in 1906. It is from dialectal British snark, meaning 'to nag, find fault with', which is probably the same word as snark, snork, meaning 'to snort, snore'. (The likely connection is the derisive snorting sound of someone who is always finding fault.) Most dictionaries label snarky as "Chiefly British Slang." But for the last five or more years, it has become increasingly common in American publications, maybe ones infiltrated by British or Canadian writers and journalists.
The adjective snarky is first recorded in 1906. It is from dialectal British snark, meaning 'to nag, find fault with', which is probably the same word as snark, snork, meaning 'to snort, snore'. (The likely connection is the derisive snorting sound of someone who is always finding fault.) Most dictionaries label snarky as "Chiefly British Slang." But for the last five or more years, it has become increasingly common in American publications, maybe ones infiltrated by British or Canadian writers and journalists.
by William Harold June 6, 2005
by Nick Orloff September 27, 2006
by raindrop44 April 28, 2019
by Seamus D. September 6, 2007
Firstly, the following definition is anything but accurate:
"
March 26, 2007 Urban Word of the Day
A witty mannerism, personality, or behavior that is a combination of sarcasm and cynicism. Usually accepted as a complimentary term. Snark is sometimes mistaken for a snotty or arrogant attitude.
Her snarky remarks had half the room on the floor laughing and the other half ready to walk out. "
This definition is ironically highly endemic of snarkiness. Only a snark would say that being a snark is a good thing at all.
In fact its quite obvious that someone who behaves in a snarky manner and views their own behavior self-righteously wrote this.
By definition "snarky" is derogatory.
It means to not give the "principle of charity" (google that) to things others say which you disagree with, and in fact specifically withhold it as much as is humanly possible. It means to make straw men out of everything said you disagree with, and then pompously ridiculing the strawman you've errected in place of what was actually said, but acting like it was the actual thing said when your dishonest tactics are addressed. It means, not only being sarcastic, but being self righteous, condescending, and pompous. It means not accurately seeing things, and instead having them skewed by your desires, your ego, etc.
"
March 26, 2007 Urban Word of the Day
A witty mannerism, personality, or behavior that is a combination of sarcasm and cynicism. Usually accepted as a complimentary term. Snark is sometimes mistaken for a snotty or arrogant attitude.
Her snarky remarks had half the room on the floor laughing and the other half ready to walk out. "
This definition is ironically highly endemic of snarkiness. Only a snark would say that being a snark is a good thing at all.
In fact its quite obvious that someone who behaves in a snarky manner and views their own behavior self-righteously wrote this.
By definition "snarky" is derogatory.
It means to not give the "principle of charity" (google that) to things others say which you disagree with, and in fact specifically withhold it as much as is humanly possible. It means to make straw men out of everything said you disagree with, and then pompously ridiculing the strawman you've errected in place of what was actually said, but acting like it was the actual thing said when your dishonest tactics are addressed. It means, not only being sarcastic, but being self righteous, condescending, and pompous. It means not accurately seeing things, and instead having them skewed by your desires, your ego, etc.
by Slayer of Falsehoods December 13, 2012
A euphemism for "mean" and / or "scathingly sarcastic" that purports to render innocuous and socially acceptable what are in reality very rude and inconsiderate comments.
When I told Sandy that her face was garbage, I wasn't actually being mean and bitingly sarcastic, I was being *snarky,* so it's totally okay.
by myomyq November 23, 2010