Make a snide remark
Meaning
To say something subtly critical, disparaging, or mocking in a way that implies superiority or contempt.
Origin
The term 'snide' finds its most intriguing origin in the 19th-century underworld, where it was slang for counterfeit money or shoddy goods, particularly favored by jewel thieves and con artists. The act of passing off something cheap and inferior with a deceptive air carried an inherent contempt for the unsuspecting victim. This sense of sly, mocking disdain eventually detached from the fake object and migrated to the manner of delivery. Thus, to 'make a snide remark' became synonymous with delivering a comment that, while appearing innocuous, secretly holds a sharp, disparaging jab, mirroring the deceptive and contemptuous nature of the original 'snide' article.
Examples
- She couldn't resist making a snide remark about his choice of tie during the meeting.
- Every time he walked by, his colleague would make a snide remark about his tardiness, hoping to annoy him.