Toungue in cheek

[karmgirl]

What exactly does this mean?

[karmgirl]

oops tongue not toungue

[andy-hughes]

It means to state something apparently seriously, but not mean it to be taken seriously.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tongue-in-cheek

[Quizmonster]

It usually means jokingly or insincerely nowadays. When it was first used in written English - by Tobias Smollett in his novel, Roderick Random, published in 1748 - it suggested some stronger emotion.
He wrote: "I signified my contempt of him by thrusting my tongue in my cheek." It can also suggest that one is making an effort not to laugh. The actual form �tongue in cheek' - ie these exact words in that order - did not appear until the 1930s and the hyphenated version �tongue-in-cheek' - not until the 1950s.
In a recent film, I have seen the action of moving one's tongue in one's cheek used to demean a woman by simulating a sexual act. Perhaps this is what Smollett was getting at, too!

[Topaxci]

I would emphasise the ironic or sarcastic nature of humour in this context, which can be quite cutting. Example:
"Does my bum look big in these jeans?"
"It's not the jeans" he replied, tongue in cheek.

[ChuckFickens]

LOL @ Topaxci

I hope you've never used that one :)