Discuss sardonic here.

adjective

1) Apparently, but not really, proceeding from gaiety or mirth; forced. (Said of a laugh or smile.)

“Where strained sardonic smiles are closing still.” - Reliquiae Wottonianar

2) Bitterly ironical; sarcastic; derisive and malignant.

“A broad sardonic smile
Of dread significance.” - Cowper

[French sardonique, from Latin sardonius; Greek sardonios, sardanios, whence sardanion gelan = to laugh bitterly or grimly, probably from sairo = to draw back the lips and show the teeth, to grin; by some derived from sardonian, a plant of Sardinia, said to screw up the face of the eater.]

by some derived from sardonian, a plant of Sardinia, said to screw up the face of the eater.]

And the word comes from a Sardinian plant. The Sardinians being one of a Sea Faring raiders of the 2nd century BC
causing fear and destruction everywhere in the Mediterranean. Others being the Danae, Philistines, etc., Of course
this has nothing to do with the word, I suppose, but it is an interest of mine, these Sea Peoples, cf Wiki, because of
their close connection to the Hebrews, whom, some suspect of being the ‘apiru (bandits) who are the
forerunners (?) of the Hebrews?. Amazing how one thing can lead to another.

Vikki - 03 January 2009 11:23 PM

derived from sardonian, a plant of Sardinia, said to screw up the face of the eater.]

Something I’d never want on my dish!

It does make one wonder why they’d eat it !

You can’t bottle happiness, but you can can sardines. 

I’ve seen a sardinic smile on the Lonesome Walrus, but that was after eating an anchovy by mistake.

Now, you know, I was just wondering if the little fishies had the same root - Sardinia, sardonic, sardine.  I’ll bet they do.
Where’s bandito when we need him?????

Can’t figure out if his avatar is flaunting a sardonic smile, or a wry knot.

LukeJavan8 - 04 January 2009 11:18 AM

It does make one wonder why they’d eat it !

Especially if rumor has it that the thing will mess your face up afterwards…

Not my idea of a good meal!

Sean Matsuko - 04 January 2009 11:45 AM

LukeJavan8 - 04 January 2009 11:18 AM

It does make one wonder why they’d eat it !

Especially if rumor has it that the thing will mess your face up afterwards…

Not my idea of a good meal!

Be very careful! This is a silverback !

Hey, I’m quite silver myself…...sort of.

????/we"re talking silver back gorilla. I’m silver, but that is streaks in my hair. From your picture there is no silver there, college student?right?
Silver??
You back to your old avatar?