sardonic

Meaning

Adjective

• Scornfully mocking or cynical.
• Disdainfully or ironically humorous.

Origin

• From French sardonique, from Latin sardonius, from Ancient Greek σαρδόνιος, alternative form of σαρδάνιος, which is often cited as deriving from the Sardinian plant (Ranunculus sardous or possibly Oenanthe crocata), known as either σαρδάνη or σαρδόνιον. When eaten, it would cause the eater's face to contort in a look resembling scorn (generally followed by death). It might also be related to σαίρω.