Why Do We Say "Cheese"?

Look at the camera. Smile. Say "cheese!"

Millions of people around the world do this every day. When we say "cheese," our mouth makes a wide smile. The "ee" sound pulls back our lips. The "z" sound keeps the mouth open. It is a quick and easy trick for a happy face in a photograph.

Long ago, people did not say "cheese" for photos. In the 1800s, cameras were very slow. Taking a picture took a long time. People had to sit completely still. If they moved, the photo was blurry.

At that time, photographers told people to look serious. Smiling looked silly or foolish. Rich people wanted to look important in their portraits. They kept their mouths closed, like they were thinking about something deep.

When did smiling start? In the 1930s and 1940s, cameras became faster and cheaper. Photography became fun for everyone, not just rich people. Advertisements showed happy families on vacation, laughing and smiling. People wanted their own photos to look joyful.

The word "cheese" appeared in print around the 1940s. A big English newspaper wrote about a famous politician using the "cheese" trick to get a good smile for reporters. Soon, everyone used it.

Today, different countries use different words. In France, people say "ouistiti," which means a small monkey. In Italy, they say "dillo" or "formaggio" (cheese). In Spain, they say "patata" (potato).

Next time you take a picture, think about what word you use. Does it make you smile?

What word do you say when someone takes your picture?