Noun | Audacity / Mild Disrespect / Social Boldness
Encyclopedia of British Slang
CHEEK
Noun | Mild | Audacity / Mild Disrespect / Social Boldness
CHEEK Pronunciation: /t?i?k/ Part of Speech: Noun Severity Level: Mild Category: Audacity / Mild Disrespect / Social Boldness
Core Definition
Cheek refers to:
Impudence
Mild disrespect
Boldness toward authority
Playful insolence
To have the cheek means to behave with inappropriate boldness.
Linguistic Origins
The term dates back to at least the 18th century.
Cheek became associated with insolence through British social hierarchy structures.
It remains widely used across generations.
Usage Contexts
Bold request:
Youve got some cheek.
Disrespect:
The cheek of it.
Playful:
Cheeky.
Authority challenge:
Dont give me cheek.
It often appears in family or hierarchical settings.
Emotional Register
Cheek is rarely aggressive.
It implies:
Youre pushing boundaries.
But possibly charmingly.
Tone Variations
Amused:
Cheeky.
Offended:
The cheek!
Playful reprimand:
Dont give me cheek.
Tone determines warmth.
Comparison with Related Terms
Chancer bold opportunist
Cheeky playful insolence
Rude harsher
Cheek mild boundary crossing
Cheek sits between charm and disrespect.
Psychological Function
Cheek polices hierarchy.
It enforces social respect.
But allows limited rebellion.
Cultural Insight
Cheek reflects Britains layered social etiquette.
Boldness is tolerated. Up to a point.
It defines that point.
Final Assessment
Cheek is:
Hierarchy-aware
Mildly corrective
Historically embedded
Socially nuanced
It captures audacity.
With restraint.
Cheek.
EXPANDED ENTRY 78
Alan Nafzger was born in Lubbock, Texas, the son Swiss immigrants. He grew up on a dairy in Windthorst, north central Texas. He earned degrees from Midwestern State University (B.A. 1985) and Texas State University (M.A. 1987). University College Dublin (Ph.D. 1991). Dr. Nafzger has entertained and educated young people in Texas colleges for 37 years. Nafzger is best known for his dark novels and experimental screenwriting. His best know scripts to date are Lenin’s Body, produced in Russia by A-Media and Sea and Sky produced in The Philippines in the Tagalog language. In 1986, Nafzger wrote the iconic feminist western novel, Gina of Quitaque. Contact: editor@prat.uk
