On this program we talk about words and expressions that we use in everyday conversation . Today , we will talk about the word "smart ." Like many words , "smart " has lots of different meanings , depending on how and when you use it . For example , “smart " can describe someone who is very neat-looking . A person wearing an official uniform with shiny shoes and buttons can look very smart . We can also use "smart ” as a verb . Used this way , it means “to feel pain .” That pain could be physical or emotional . So , if you hit your thumb with a hammer by accident , you might yell out , "Ow , that smarts !" This would be a very polite thing to yell when you experience extreme physical pain . Many of us probably wouldn't be that polite . We would probably yell something quite different . Okay , so that's the physical part . But a hurtful comment or remark can also smart . Those hurt in an emotional way . In another use of the word , we add "smart " to the names of devices and tools . This means that they are enabled by computers -- like a smartphone . But , by far , the most common definition of "smart " is to be very good at learning and understanding things . So , when students do well at school and get good grades , we can call them “smart .” Being smart , however , goes beyond the classroom . People can be smart in different ways . If you have attended school for many years and have many degrees , people might call you book-smart . They often know the names of great thinkers , scientists and other famous people in history . They have read classical literature . They know facts and information that many other people don't . Usually people with book-smarts are good at things like trivia games and crossword puzzles . Sometimes people who are very educated are not so smart when it comes to life skills and people skills . On the other hand , people who are good at dealing with practical life problems have lots of street-smarts . People who have street-smarts may not have read as many books or earned college degrees . But they have something just as valuable – the ability to use their experiences in many different situations . They are very aware of their surroundings . Okay , so whether you are book-smart , street-smart or both , being smart is a good thing . It may surprise you , but getting smart is not good . In conversation , "getting smart " does not mean gathering knowledge . It means you are being rude or impolite . It is very common to hear parents say to their children , "Do NOT get smart with me !” And that's not the only “smart ” expression that can get you into trouble . We often pair "smart " with "off " to make a very useful phrasal verb -- to smart off . Smarting off to someone means you are saying rude comments and showing a lack of respect . In this context , the adjective "smart " is not good . If a child has a smart mouth , they often say disrespectful , rude things . In the classroom , students who give smart answers are trying to be funny by saying rude or inappropriate things . Let's say there is a student who has a really smart mouth . She gives the teacher a smart answer in class one too many times . The teacher may say to her , "Do not get smart with me , young lady !" Or "Do NOT smart off in class !" Both mean , "Do not be rude !" There is another type of "smart " that is bad . Okay , we have all met someone who thinks they know everything about everything ! Well , you can call that person a smarty-pants . These know-it-all types can be really annoying . But please note that this insult can sound a bit childish . So , being smart -- whether book-smart or street-smart -- is a great thing to be ... except when it's not ! Does the word “smart ” have a bad meaning in your language ? We'd love to hear from you !