snide

English

Etymology

Probably from a dialectal variant of snithe (“sharp, cutting, cold”). See snithe (adjective).

Alternatively, possibly a metathetic corruption of Middle English snythand (“piercing (the heart), cold, biting”, literally and figuratively). More at snithe (verb).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /snaɪd/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -aɪd

Adjective

snide (comparative snider, superlative snidest)

1. Disparaging or derisive in an insinuative way.

   Don't make snide remarks to me.

   • 2010, Aaron Sorkin, The Social Network, spoken by Erica Albright (Rooney Mara):

     You write your snide bullshit from a dark room because that's what the angry do nowadays. I was nice to you, don't torture me for it.

2. Tricky; deceptive; false; spurious; contemptible.
   • 1890, Illinois State Dairymen's Association, Annual Report (volume 16, page 21)

     Have nothing to do with snide goods; let it be known throughout the world that the farmers and dairymen, yea, and those engaged in other industries in the great State of Illinois, produce only the best of everything in their lines, and we will be the last to feel the effects of over-production.

   • 2002, Sarah Waters, chapter 1, in Fingersmith, London: Virago, →ISBN, part 1, page 19:

     I knew without studying them that the rings and the watch were snide, and the jewel a paste one; but they were damn fine counterfeits.

Derived terms

• snide pitcher

Translations

Noun

snide (countable and uncountable, plural snides)

1. (countable) An underhanded, tricky person given to sharp practice; a sharper; a cheat.
2. (uncountable) Counterfeit money.

References

Anagrams

• Denis, Sinde, denis, dines, enids, nides, snied