Tell me more ×
English Language & Usage Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for linguists, etymologists, and serious English language enthusiasts. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 4 down vote favorite

What are the good alternatives to saying "cheese" while posing for a photo?

share|improve this question

closed as not constructive by Matt Эллен, MετάEd, tchrist, Kris, Daniel δ Oct 11 '12 at 13:12

As it currently stands, this question is not a good fit for our Q&A format. We expect answers to be supported by facts, references, or specific expertise, but this question will likely solicit debate, arguments, polling, or extended discussion. If you feel that this question can be improved and possibly reopened, see the FAQ for guidance.

6 Answers

up vote 4 down vote accepted

If you're intending to invoke a smile, I would suggest words ending in the "ee" sound. Cheese and the ones @kiamlaluno suggest do contain that sound, but they all have a final consonant, which means the smile has to stop at some point. Some possibilities:

  • free
  • see
  • glee
  • whee! (my favorite)

Tell your subjects to say one of those and hold it, and you should get plenty of smiles. I used "whee!" with my own children because it was fun for them to say and had gleeful associations as well.

share|improve this answer
Whee looks like a great substitute for cheese. Thanks and +1. – Mehper C. Palavuzlar Feb 12 '11 at 22:41
I have heard whiskey, which seemed to work. In Spain they say patata (=potato) which seems to widen the mouth in steps – Henry Feb 12 '11 at 23:45
up vote 7 down vote

Someone from the UK I met a few years ago used to say syphilis.

He would wait until everybody was assembled for the photo and then let out "everyone, say 'syphilis'". It was truly hilarious, and the pics came out great.

share|improve this answer
I'm sure I've had this as well - but I can't remember the photographer who did it. – HorusKol Feb 13 '11 at 13:08
up vote 3 down vote

My personal favorite is: "Say sex!" - people always smile.

share|improve this answer
up vote 1 down vote

How about you just ask people to smile? :)

share|improve this answer
4  
Because most people don't generally smile a natural smile if they think about it - which leaves either getting the mouth shape by saying a word, or catching them unawares with a ridiculous word (like syphilis) – HorusKol Feb 13 '11 at 13:07
up vote 1 down vote

Say "kimchi"! And then you can really draw out the final i to give the photographer lots of time.

share|improve this answer
up vote 0 down vote

The reason you usually ask people being photographed to say cheese is the position assumed from the lips when they pronounce the word. Every word that contain the same /tʃi/ sound would work fine. For example, cheer, cheap, cheat, and cheek are some of those words.

share|improve this answer
2  
And what would you call that position, @kiamlaluno? Come on, I think you know this one. ;^) – Robusto Feb 12 '11 at 22:31
1  
I know, I know! It's the position of your lips when you (impersonal you) kiss the glass of a window, and the temperature is under the freezing point of the water at the mean sean level. By impersonal you I mean your lips are yours, but you are not really you. Did I guess? What do I win? ;-) – kiamlaluno Feb 12 '11 at 22:46

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.