As in the case of asses (or arses), if one can be a smart one, does it not follow that one can be a dumb one? (I was unable to find a reference to “dumb aleck” in Wikipedia.) Like asses, do alecks come in the wise variety? And, just what is an aleck? Does it refer to a part of the body or a type of mammal as ass does? If so, where is my aleck or is it OK to covet thy neighbor’s aleck?quote:Originally posted by Roadman:
smart aleck
I’m only speculating, but wouldn’t one prefer that their aleck, like their ass, be smart instead of dumb? Perhaps one can train their dumb ass and/or aleck to be smart?