tongue-in-cheek 어원

1856년, "진지하게 받아들여지지 않아야 한다"는 의미로, to speak with one's tongue in one's cheek "불성실하게 말하다" (1748)라는 구문에서 유래, 교활한 아이러니 또는 유머러스한 불성실함을 암시하며, 아마도 청중에게 아이러니를 전달하기 위한 무대 트릭일 수 있다.

Hem! Pray, Sir, said he to the Bard, after thrusting his Tongue into a Corner of his Cheek, and rolling his Eyes at Miss Willis, (Tricks which he had caught by endeavouring to take off a celebrated Comedian) were these fine Tragedies of yours ever acted? [anonymous, "Emily, or the History of a Natural Daughter," 1761]

This arietta, however, she no sooner began to perform, than he and the justice fell asleep ; but the moment she ceased playing, the knight waked snorting, and exclaimed,— 'O cara! what d'ye think, gentlemen? Will you talk any more of your Pargolesi and your Corelli ?'—At the same time, he thrust his tongue in one cheek, and leered with one eye at the doctor and me, who sat on his left hand—He concluded the pantomime with a loud laugh, which he could command at all times extempore. [Smollett, "The Expedition of Humphrey Clinker," 1771]

형용사로는 1933년, "아이러니하고 교활하게 유머러스한"이라는 의미로 사용되었다.