·vi To smile in a silly, affected, or conceited manner.
II. Simper ·vi To Glimmer; to Twinkle.
III. Simper ·noun A constrained, self-conscious smile; an affected, silly smile; a smirk.
To smile: to simper like a firmity kettle. ...
Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
to mince one's words. Lane. ...
A glossary of provincial and local words used in England by Francis Grose