# Ow, that "smarted!"

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ow-that-smarted/256043>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [July 20, 2004, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ow-that-smarted/256043 "2004-07-20T18:43:16Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![The\_Composer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/898d66/32.png) [@The\_Composer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Composer)\
**Post date:** [July 20, 2004, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ow-that-smarted/256043/1 "2004-07-20T18:43:16Z")

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How did this phrase originate? I’ve heard it all my life by folks from older generations, but I never would have thought to equate _smarted_ with _pain/hurt_.

And in the same direction, what about this:

“You look right smart today.”

Meaning, of course, that “you look fashionable.”

Anyone? :dubious:

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**Author:** ![Kizarvexius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/da6949/32.png) [@Kizarvexius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kizarvexius)\
**Post date:** [July 20, 2004, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ow-that-smarted/256043/2 "2004-07-20T19:20:56Z")

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According to Webster, “smart” derives from Middle English _smerten_, which in turn came from Old English \*smeortan \* and is akin to Old High German \*smerzan \* (to pain). I guess the question should be: how did this word come to mean “intelligent?”

I read an article (I think it was by Richard Lederer) that pointed out the curious fact that many words in English that are synonyms of “intelligent” are metaphorically linked to either light or cutlery.

Light:

- brilliant
- bright
- enlightened

Cutlery:

- sharp
- acute
- keen
- clever (related to “cleaver”)

Until some other logophile comes along with a better explanation, I would chalk up the word “smart” as just another follower of this trend. As to which category it belongs to, I’d say either one. Both bright light and cutlery are capable of causing pain.

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**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\
**Post date:** [July 20, 2004, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ow-that-smarted/256043/3 "2004-07-20T19:27:49Z")

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To back up **Kizarvexius** – [at the bottom of the definition for **smart**](http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=smart):

> [@](#):
>
> [Middle English, _stinging, keen, alert_, from Old English **smeart** , _causing pain_.]
> 
> _ **Regional Note:** Smart_ is a word that has diverged considerably from its original meaning of “stinging, sharp,” as in a _smart blow_. The standard meaning of “clever, intelligent,” probably picks up on the original semantic element of vigor or quick movement. _Smart_ has taken on other senses as a regionalism. In New England and in the South _smart_ can mean “accomplished, talented.” The phrase _right smart_ can even be used as a noun meaning “a considerable number or amount”: _“We have read right smart of that book”_ (Catherine C. Hopley).