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This article is about distorted facial expressions. For the teeth clenching associated with drug use, see bruxism.
A man gurning
A young woman playing Tinker Bell at Disneyland theme park inflates her cheeks and sticks her thumbs under her ears.
Gurning man with an object in his ear


The English Dialect Dictionary, compiled by Joseph Wright, defines the word gurn as "to snarl as a dog; to look savage; to distort the countenance," while the Oxford English Dictionary suggests the derivation may originally be Scottish, related to "grin." In Northern Ireland, the verb "to gurn" means "to cry," and crying is often referred to as "gurnin'." Originally the Scottish dialectical usage refers to a person who is complaining.

Gurning contests[edit]

Gurning contests are a rural English tradition. By far the most notable is that held annually at the Egremont Crab Fair, which dates back to 1267 when King Henry III granted the fair a Royal Charter.[1] The origins of the gurning competition itself are unclear, and may not be so old, although it was described as an ancient tradition by local newspaper the Cumberland Paquet in 1852.[2]

The competitions are held regularly in some villages, with contestants traditionally framing their faces through a horse collar — known as "gurnin' through a braffin."[3] The World Gurning Championship takes place annually at the same crab fair in Egremont, Cumbria.[4] Those with the greatest gurn capabilities are often those with no teeth, as this provides greater room to move the jaw further up. In some cases, the elderly or otherwise toothless can be capable of gurns covering the entire nose.

Peter Jackman became England's best-known gurner, winning the world championship four times, beginning in 1998 with a face called the "Bela Lugosi." He made numerous TV appearances, including an appearance on the BBC programme They Think It's All Over.[5] He had his teeth removed in 2000 to make his features easier to manoeuvre.

The only male gurner to win the world title 15 times is Tommy Mattinson (UK), who took the top prize at the annual Gurning World Championship at Egremont Crab Fair, Cumbria, UK, in 1986-87 and then 10 times between 1999 and 2010.[6]


  1. ^ Gurners go for gold, BBC News, September 15, 2001.
  2. ^ History of the Egremont Crab Fair
  3. ^ "Ugly mugs gather at gurning contest". BBC News. 18 September 1999. 
  4. ^ Brian Shuel (1985). Guide to Traditional Customs of Britain. National Trust. ISBN 0-86350-051-X. 
  5. ^ News and Star tribute to Peter Jackman
  6. ^ "Tommy Mattinson retains Egremont Crab Fair gurning crown". BBC News. Retrieved 24 September 2013. 

External links[edit]