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Literary notes about quirky (AI summary)

Writers use "quirky" to infuse a narrative with a sense of eccentric charm and unexpected nuance. It frequently describes a character’s subtle mannerisms or smile—hinting at an inner playfulness—even when the context is serious or dark [1, 2, 3]. At times, it paints physical or cultural settings with unexpected qualities, such as odd lanes or uniquely governed fantasy realms [4, 5]. In some instances, the word also conveys a technical irregularity or distinctive style, whether referring to computer behavior or the peculiarities of human conduct [6, 7]. Overall, "quirky" enriches both character portrayal and environmental description, adding layers of idiosyncrasy and wit to the literature [8, 9].
  1. The quirky smile was twitching his lips, and the look he turned toward Marie's back was full of twinkle.
    — from Cabin Fever by B. M. Bower
  2. But the familiar quirky smile played about his lately solemn countenance.
    — from Dig Here! by Gladys Allen
  3. Miss Hampton comes back at him with that quirky smile of hers.
    — from Torchy, Private Sec. by Sewell Ford
  4. Its quirky lanes and closes were as black as the pit.
    — from The Lost Pibroch, and other Sheiling Stories by Neil Munro
  5. Wretched Daylight is another LARP, rival vampire clans and vampire hunters, and it's got its own quirky rules.
    — from Little Brother by Cory Doctorow
  6. Computers and related machinery can sometimes be quirky about their surroundings.
    — from The Silicon Jungle by David H. Rothman
  7. UNIX commands are just as quirky as MS-DOS, VMS, RSX, VM, or any other operating system that uses a command language.
    — from E-mail 101 by John E. Goodwin
  8. And those quirky, idle noises this pen makes are delightful, and would break your easy fluency with wit.
    — from Certain Personal Matters by H. G. (Herbert George) Wells
  9. It is more satirical and less anthropological, and is largely a product of the author's literate and quirky imagination.
    — from The Jargon File, Version 2.9.10, 01 Jul 1992

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