Etymology Journal · S
Say cheese!
Meaning
- A command given to people to make them smile for a photograph. By forcing your mouth into the shape required for the word cheese, you naturally form a smile.
Playful, cheerful
Used in a sentence
- Alright everyone, gather around and say cheese!
- The toddler refused to say cheese, so the photo ended up looking grumpy.
- Say cheese and hold that pose for just a second.
The backstory
This phrase became popular in the mid-20th century as photography became a common family activity. It is a clever mechanical trick to ensure everyone looks happy in a picture.
Heard in
Nationwide
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