# "Tongue in cheek" origin...? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 9, 2003, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tongue-in-cheek-origin/160090 "2003-03-09T16:08:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Cuckoorex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Cuckoorex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cuckoorex)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2003, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tongue-in-cheek-origin/160090/1 "2003-03-09T16:08:25Z")
The thread title says it all: what is the origin of the phrase “tongue-in-cheek”? ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2003, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tongue-in-cheek-origin/160090/2 "2003-03-09T16:12:18Z")
Someone appears to have anwered this effectively on some other [message board](http://phrases.shu.ac.uk/bulletin_board/1/messages/2380.html) ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2003, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tongue-in-cheek-origin/160090/3 "2003-03-09T16:19:31Z")
[Wordorigins](http://www.wordorigins.org/wordort.htm) seems to contradict that, though. > [@](#): > > The commonly told tale about this phrase is that it derives from the acting practice of thrusting one’s tongue into your cheek to keep from laughing at an inappropriate moment. There is no evidence to support this story or the idea that the phrase comes from the theater. > The phrase dates to 1748 when it was fashionable to signal contempt for someone by making a bulge in your cheek with your tongue. By 1842 the phrase had acquired its modern, ironic sense.