Clever, tricky.
1823. “A propensity to cheat and deceive,” says a shrewd informant, “pervades all classes of this people, from the lowest mechanic and tradesman, or companies in trade, up to nearly the first officer of government. It is the boasted qualification of the smart man.”—W. Faux, ‘Memorable Days in America,’ p. 115 (Lond.). (Italics in the original.)
1823. In their [Americans’] eyes Uncle Sam is a right slick, mighty fine, smart, big man.—Id., p. 126.
1824. A Smart Little Girl, Aged six years, whose father is absent, wants a place till she is eighteen years old.—Advt., Somerset (Me.) Journal, Jan. 16, p. 4/3.
1859. The gentlemen from New York are quicker, and to use a common word in my country, smarter than we are in Pennsylvania.—Mr. Cameron of Pa. in the U.S. Senate, Feb. 22: Cong. Globe, p. 1215.
1861. A “smart” but unprincipled person. See K.G.C.
1890. See TENDER-FOOT.
