Gurn

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Image:Gurnbabygurn.jpgA gurn is a distorted facial expression, and a verb to describe the process. The term is derived from the word for the fish with a rather comical expression, called the gurnard. A typical gurn involves projecting the lower jaw as far forward and up as possible, and covering the upper lip with the lower lip.

Gurning contests are a rural English tradition and are still held in villages. However, the World Gurning Championship is held annually in Egremont, Cumbria. Gurners have also sometimes appeared as a part of travelling sideshows and freakshows. Those with the greatest Gurn capabilities are those with no teeth as this provides greater room to move the jaw father up and in some cases the elderly or unfortunate can be capable of spectacular gurns covering the entire nose.

Comedian Les Dawson was able to gurn, while living gurners today include Jim Carrey and Rowan Atkinson, who combine their face-making skills with acting to make a career.

The term is also used to describe the facial expressions of people under the influence of the drug ecstasy.

[edit] Making a face

Image:MakingAFace.jpg

Making a face is a Western term for what someone is doing if they create an odd, unnatural position with the features of their face, primarily their mouth, tongue, nose, eyes, and cheeks.

There is an old wives' tale that if you hold a face too long, or if the wind changes while making a face, it will stay fixed in that position.

Making faces is also a key element in comedy. Many comedians use faces to express and radicalize human feelings. An amusing quip is to say to a friend "do you want to see me pull a funny face?" whereupon you tug at their cheek as a jocular insult. Amateurs may consider (at least attempting) to cross their eyes an acceptable funny face, this is often funnier (because of ineptitude) than a professional's gurn.