However, a professor at the Missouri University of Science and Technology discovered that the term actually was derived from a real-life person named Alec who was a con man that thought he was smarter than everyone else. Alec Hoag was a pimp who lived in New York City in the 1840s.

What does the phrase smart alec mean?

: an obnoxiously conceited and self-assertive person with pretensions to smartness or cleverness.

Who came up with the term smart alec?

Alec Hoag
The police soon discovered Hoag was cheating them out of their share by this new tactic and arrested Hoag and Melinda. Hoag promptly escaped from prison, with the help of his brother, but was eventually recaptured. Alec Hoag was then given the nickname “Smart Alec” by the police for being too smart for his own good.

Is smart alec an insult?

A smart aleck, also spelled smart alek or smart alec, is someone whose sarcastic, wisecracking, or humorous manner is delivered in an offensive, obnoxious, or cocky way.

What does the name Alec?

In Greek Baby Names the meaning of the name Alec is: Defender of men; protector of mankind.

What is the meaning of smartly dressed?

​in a way that looks clean and neat; in fashionable and/or formal clothes. smartly dressed Topics Clothes and Fashionb1.

What is Alec short for?

Alexander. Alec or Aleck is a Scottish form of Alex. It may be a diminutive of the given name Alexander or a given name in its own right.

What does the name Alec mean in the Bible?

User Submitted Meanings A user from Florida, United States says the name Alec is of Hebrew origin and means “Defender of Mankind”.

How would you describe a smart aleck?

A smart aleck is someone who’s a wisecracking know-it-all. Greet a smart aleck by asking, “What’s up?” and they’re sure to answer, “The sky.” Smart alecks can be funny, but their humor is usually tinged with an obnoxious arrogance.

How do you use smart aleck?

1. Open your device settings and select Printing. Turn on the SmartALEC printing service by selecting.
2. SmartALEC.
3. Click the OFF button to turn on.
4. Close the settings screen. Open the item you want to print.
5. Select Print, then the printer icon.
6. Jobs sent to the Print Release Station will be listed in the SmartALEC app.

Where did the name Smart Alec come from?

Smart alec/aleck_ n. (mid 19C+)(orig. US) an unpleasantly conceited, smug person (cf. ALEC; CLEVER DICK). (proper name _Alec_ Hoag, a celebrated New York City thief of 1840s, who, with his wife Melinda and his accomplice French Jack, specialized in the PANEL GAME; for a detailed account of Hoag and his carrer, _see_ Cohen (1985)).

What’s the origin of ” smart aleck “-the Straight Dope?

“Smart” Alec Hoag, because he never woke the victim, would be on the other side of town before the rube even knew what had happened. Send questions to Cecil via [email protected] STAFF REPORTS ARE WRITTEN BY THE STRAIGHT DOPE SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD, CECIL’S ONLINE AUXILIARY.

What does it mean to be a smart aleck?

(plural smart alecks) One who is given to obnoxious or insolent humor; a wise guy. One who is pretentious about their own cleverness or knowledge; a know-it-all. One who is obnoxiously self-assured; a show off. (rare) A well-dressed person.

Who is French Jack and who is smart alec?

Partnered with his wife Melinda and another known as “French Jack”, they would rob his wife’s “customers” while she otherwise distracted them.