Slanty-Eyed Looks

If your mama is not from Texas, you may never have heard, “Don’t give me those slanty-eyed looks!”

I believe that outside of Texas giving slanty-eyed looks would be called “looking askance.” That is, giving “a sidelong look with suspicion and distrust.” Add to that “unspoken disapproval, rebellious tendencies, and general grumpiness,” and you have a pretty good description of the tone of a slanty-eyed look.

Now imagine the eyes narrowed in annoyance, glancing up out of the corner of the eye at the person who provoked the look, as the slanty-eyed looker turns away in disgust.

Cats everywhere are masters of the slanty-eyed look. So are thwarted teenagers who disdain to argue with impossibly out-of-date adults.

Uh-huh, you’ve seen those looks. And not just in Texas either.