This funny-sounding expression indicates that someone just told a joke or isn't being serious! Someone who says something "tongue-in-cheek" is usually kidding.
It's believed that this saying was created by an English humorist in the 1800s. Most people have difficulty saying anything with their tongue in their cheek. But some people actually do stick their tongue against the inside of their cheek after saying a joke to show that they're only kidding.
Reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MD
Date reviewed: March 2010 |
| |
| Other Related KidsHealth Articles: |
Butterflies in the Stomach
Have you ever wondered what the expression "butterflies in the stomach" means? Find out. |
By the Skin of Your Teeth
Have you ever wondered what the expression "by the skin of your teeth" means? Find out! |
Give Your Eyeteeth or Right Arm for Something
Have you ever wondered where the expressions "give your eyeteeth" for something or "give your right arm" for something came from? Find out! |
Have Your Heart in Your Mouth
Have you ever wondered what the expression "have your heart in your mouth" means? |
Keep a Stiff Upper Lip or Keep Your Chin Up
If you've ever heard the expressions "keep a stiff upper lip" or "keep your chin up," you've probably wondered where they came from and what they meant. Find out! |
Make No Bones About Something
If you've ever heard the expression "make no bones about something," you've probably wondered where it came from and what it means. Find out! |
Nothing to Sneeze At
If you've ever heard the expression "nothing to sneeze at," you may have wondered where it came from and what it means. Find out! |
Shape Up or Ship Out
If you've ever heard the expression "shape up or ship out," you may have wondered where it came from and what it means. Find out! |
Sick as a Dog
If you've ever heard the expression "sick as a dog," you may have wondered why people say that. Find out! |
Under the Weather
If you've ever heard the expression "under the weather," you may have wondered where it came from and what it meant. Find out! |
| |
| Related Resources: |
BrainPop
This is a great site for kids with informational movies about science, anatomy, weather, and more. |
Noggin
This website has games, vocabulary words, and crafts, and other activities for kids. |
