Smug
/smʌɡ/noun
Having or showing an excessive pride in oneself or one's achievements.
Did you know?The term 'smug' was originally linked to a word for 'sneaky' or 'mischievous', carrying a connotation of playful wickedness.
Etymological Timeline
Middle English
Middle English
smugge
“Sly, cunning, or having a playful nature.”
Old Norse
Old Norse
smugga
“To smile or smirk, indicative of a sly demeanor.”
Proto-Germanic
Proto-Germanic
smugō
“To be sly or crafty.”
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*smeg-
“To smear or smear with dirt, hinting at a sneaky or underhanded action.”