At School I was always being told to stop smirking when being reprimanded for the latest misdemeanour.
I would always argue my case, explaining that it was not a smirk on my face but a nervous smile (my face contorted as not to cry as I knew the impending punishment would indeed be painful). Fast forward from the mid 60’s to present day and I find myself asking almost the same question.
“What is the difference between a Smirk and a Smile?”
The Cambridge on Line Dictionary gives the following definitions
Smirk “A smile that expresses satisfaction or pleasure about having done something or knowing something that is not known by someone else.”
Smile “A happy or friendly expression on the face in which the ends of the mouth curve up slightly, often with the lips moving apart so that the teeth can be seen”.
Where as when it comes to the smirk the mouth tends to curve at only one corner. So with that in mind look at the two featured logos and make up your own mind which one seems to be smiling (providing a service for families on the High Street) and which one seems to be (dodging tax) and smirking.
