text: snark - what does it mean? snark, is a derivative word from snarky, "irritable or short-tempered; irascible" from dutch and low german snorken, of imitative origin.  some claim that it is a portmanteau of the phrase "snide remark", refers to a belittling or sarcastic style of speech or writing. it could loosely be described as irritable, backhanded or "snidely derisive"; hence, 'snarkish', 'snarky', 'to snark at somebody'. it does not necessarily have negative connotations and can be used humorously.  this word has germanic origins and is etymologically unrelated to the imaginary creature in lewis carroll's the hunting of the snark.  snark is also often used in fandom to describe a character's/writer's comment, action, way of acting/ writing style.  example:  jane: that comment made by sydney bristow was snarky!  jimmy: thank god for j.j. abram's writing genius. snarky is a great word, isn't it? thanks, jesus!