saucy
UK: ˈsɔːsi | US: ˈsɔːsi
adj. bold or lively in a way that is amusing or slightly disrespectful
adj. (archaic) flavored with or resembling sauce; overly elaborate
The word "saucy" derives from "sauce," which originally referred to a liquid or semi-liquid condiment (from Latin salsa, meaning "salted"). By the 16th century, "sauce" metaphorically extended to describe impertinence or boldness, likely due to the idea of adding "spice" to behavior. The suffix "-y" transforms it into an adjective, capturing both the literal (flavorful) and figurative (cheeky) senses.
She gave him a saucy wink before walking away.
The comedian's saucy remarks had the audience laughing.
(Archaic) The dish was too saucy for his taste.
Her saucy attitude often got her into trouble.
The play featured saucy dialogue that shocked Victorian audiences.