Why Do We Say “Cheese” for Photos? The Curious History of a Smiling Command
It’s one of those universal commands, instantly recognizable across many cultures: “Say cheese!” As soon as the words leave a photographer’s lips, we instinctively contort our faces into a smile, ready for the camera’s click. But why “cheese”? Why not “apple” or “banana” or “tree”? This seemingly simple phrase hides a fascinating cultural and historical journey, reflecting evolving societal norms, technological advancements, and the very nature of human expression.
The Era of Serious Stares: Early Photography’s Demands
When photography first emerged in the mid-19th century, smiling for a portrait was an alien concept. If you browse old daguerreotypes or tintypes, you’ll notice a striking absence of grins. People often appear stern, stoic, or even grim. Several factors contributed to this:
- Long Exposure Times: Early cameras required subjects to remain perfectly still for several minutes, sometimes even longer. Holding a genuine, natural smile for such an extended period was practically impossible and would result in a blurry mess. A neutral, relaxed expression was far easier to maintain.
- Cultural Norms: Portraits, especially formal ones, were seen as serious affairs. They were meant to capture a person’s essence, status, and dignity, not fleeting amusement. Smiling widely was often associated with lower classes, drunkenness, or even madness. Think about how painted portraits of nobility rarely feature a wide, toothy grin.
- Dental Health: Before modern dentistry, many people had poor oral hygiene, missing teeth, or discolored smiles, which they preferred not to display.
The Dawn of the Snapshot and the Search for a Smile
The turn of the 20th century brought significant changes. Technological innovations like George Eastman’s Kodak “Brownie” camera made photography accessible and affordable to the masses. Suddenly, capturing everyday life, casual gatherings, and family moments became popular. As photography became less of a formal ritual and more of a spontaneous activity, the desire for more joyful and natural expressions grew.
Photographers and subjects alike sought a way to reliably produce a pleasant, upward-curving mouth. Various cues were tried, but none stuck quite like “cheese.”
The “Cheese” Phenomenon: A Linguistic Trick for a Perfect Grin
The exact origin of “say cheese” is debated, but popular theory points to the mid-20th century, specifically the 1940s or 1950s in the United States. One widely cited anecdote attributes it to a former U.S. ambassador, Joseph E. Davies, who supposedly told a reporter in 1943 that he learned the trick from a Texas politician: “It’s an old trick. It makes people hold a set smile.”
The genius of “cheese” lies in its phonetics. The “ch” sound forces your teeth together, and the long “ee” sound pulls the corners of your mouth back and slightly upwards, mimicking the shape of a smile. It’s an involuntary muscular response, a linguistic shortcut to a photographic grin.
Global Variations: Beyond the “Cheese” Curtain
While “cheese” is widespread, it’s far from universal. Different cultures have their own auditory cues to elicit a smile:
- Spain: “Di patata!” (Say potato!)
- France: “Dites prune!” (Say prune!)
- China: “茄子 (qiézi)!” (Eggplant!) – The “zi” sound helps create the smile.
- Japan: “ハイ、チーズ (Hai, chīzu)!” (Hi, cheese!) – Showing global influence.
- Korea: “김치 (Kimchi)!” – A nod to their iconic dish.
- Vietnam: “Cười lên!” (Smile!) – A direct command.
These variations highlight that the effect is desired – a pleasant expression – even if the method differs. It’s a testament to how specific cultural norms and linguistic characteristics shape our shared experiences.
More Than Just a Word: A Modern Ritual
Today, “say cheese” is deeply ingrained in our collective consciousness. It’s a social cue, a shared understanding that transcends language barriers in many contexts, especially in tourist settings. It’s a micro-ritual performed countless times a day, a quick way to present our happiest, most approachable selves to the lens. In an age of instant gratification and constant self-documentation through smartphones and social media, the command to “say cheese” is perhaps more relevant than ever. It ensures a consistent, ‘camera-ready’ smile, reflecting a cultural emphasis on projecting happiness and positivity in our digital footprints.
From the stern faces of the Victorian era to the countless smiling selfies of today, “say cheese” has played a unique role in shaping how we interact with cameras and how we visually present ourselves to the world. It’s a small word with a big story, a reminder of the fascinating interplay between technology, language, and human culture.
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