snark1
/snɑːk
/noun
An imaginary animal (used typically with reference to a task or goal that is elusive or impossible to achieve): pinning down the middle classes is like the hunting of the snark...
- Twelve years ago, the search for a great leg-spinner was Australian cricket's version of Lewis Carroll's hunting of the snark.
- They're so fixated on the hunting of the snark that they're prepared to flame everybody to a crisp.
- Unlike the snark, which never actually appears, the capercaillie does exist; but the huge birds are rarely seen, and have attained near-legendary status amongst the hunting fraternity.
Origin
1876: nonsense word coined by Lewis Carroll in The Hunting of the Snark.
Rhymes
snark2
/snɑːk/informal, chiefly North American
verb [no object]
Make snide and sharply critical comments: they even snark about her family background...
- I'm not going to snark even though I could.
- Hey, are they allowed to snark before I do?
- In the meantime I suspect the greatest difficulties might arise if your sister was to snark about the netbuddy situation or actively criticize you and your decision making.
noun [mass noun]
Snide and sharply critical comments: a worthwhile blog cannot live on snark alone...
- This may be the result of a medical condition, in which case we should hold our snark.
- I'll argue, as well, that where there is ironic discourse, snark cannot be far behind.
- A little more research and a little less snark might have made this an interesting post.
Origin
Mid 19th century: originally in the dialect senses 'snore, snort', 'find fault'.
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