MovieChat Forums > The Killers (1946) Discussion > 'Bright Boy'

'Bright Boy'

posted 15 years ago by AliciaHuberman59
6 replies | jump to latest

Was this a common pejorative moniker during the noir period? The hit men use it during the diner scene and it was used ten years later in "Slightly Scarlet".

[–] AliciaHuberman59 14 years ago

Bumping my own thread as it was on TCM last night, I'm still curious about the etymology involved and I'm hoping someone might have an idea!

[–] Rheli 11 years ago

Do a Google search on

origin "bright boy"

Where's your crew?
On the 3rd planet.
There IS no 3rd planet!
Don't you think I know that?

[–] Ironman54 11 years ago

"Smart guy ..."

"Tough guy ..."

"Wise guy ..."

"Bright Boy ..."

A twist on the former(s).

[–] andrewwjohnson 11 years ago

I always thought the term was contemptuous of people who acted like they knew everything by other people who thought they knew everything.

TAG LINE: True genius is a beautiful thing, but ignorance is ugly to the bone.

[–] 11 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Techto (1388) 10 days ago

A deuce will get you four it’s a variation on “smart guy”.