Where does “smile-smirk” come from?

smile-smirk (English) comes from English smile, from Middle English smilen, from Old Norse smīla, from Proto-Germanic smīlijaną, from Proto-Indo-European smēy-.

smile-smirk (English): To smile while smirking; A smile while smirking

Definitions

  1. To smile while smirking; A smile while smirking

Ancestry of “smile-smirk”, step by step

smile-smirk traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English smile

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishsmileA facial expression comprised by flexing the...
2Middle Englishsmilento smile
3Old Norsesmīlato smile
4Proto-Germanicsmīlijanąto smile
5Proto-Indo-Europeansmēy-—

via English smirk

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishsmirkAn uneven, often crooked smile that is insolent,...
2Middle Englishsmirken—
3Old Englishsmearcianto smile
4Proto-Germanicsmarōnąto mock; scoff at; deride
Every word from Proto-Indo-European smēy- →Every word from Proto-Germanic smīlijaną →Every word from Old Norse smīla →