English question (i.e., for the English)

[ridin gaijin]

What does "gurning" mean, and can you use it in a sentence for me? I have an idea it means something between "grinding" and "churning", with connotations of futility, but if someone could set me straight I'd appreciate it. Thanks!

[abell]

Gurning is competitive face-pulling.



http://www.worldwidewords.org/weirdwords/ww-gur1.htm



Typically:



Competitors put their heads through a horse collar and have a set time in which to contort their faces into the scariest / silliest expression possible. False teeth may be left in, taken out or turned upside down if desired. The person who gets the most applause for their ugly face wins.

[greg]

Abell has forgotten to mention that we all have to gurn at school. It's a part of the physical education programme but is not as popular a face jumping (Running spikes not allowed).

[abell]

That's one school ritual I missed - but then I went to school in Worcestershire and sheep sports were much more popular.

[ridin gaijin]

Gurning is competitive face-pulling.



http://www.worldwidewords.org/weirdwords/ww-gur1.htm

Wow. 1266, eh?...and they say tradition is dead! Thanks guys

[Patrick the Scot]

Abell has forgotten to mention that we all have to gurn at school. It's a part of the physical education programme but is not as popular a face jumping (Running spikes not allowed).

Damn, Pink Floyd's "The Wall" video is starting to make more sense to me.

[Jacqueslemac]

That's one school ritual I missed - but then I went to school in Worcestershire and sheep sports were much more popular.

Lucky thing. Here in Norfolk we had to make do with vegetables.

[Stretch]

No face-sitting at school?

Dammit.

[TigerTrax]

I 'gurned' this morning

Now I can ride with comfort and no startling episodes!

[blacktiger]

Here's one I did earlier.