A Glasgow smile (also known as a Chelsea smile, or a Glasgow, Smiley, Huyton, A buck 50 or Cheshire grin) is a
wound
A wound is a rapid onset of injury that involves laceration, lacerated or puncture wound, punctured skin (an ''open'' wound), or a bruise, contusion (a ''closed'' wound) from blunt force physical trauma, trauma or compression. In pathology, a '' ...
caused by making a cut from the corners of a victim's mouth up to the ears, leaving a
scar
A scar (or scar tissue) is an area of fibrous tissue that replaces normal skin after an injury. Scars result from the biological process of wound repair in the skin, as well as in other organs, and tissues of the body. Thus, scarring is a na ...
in the shape of a smile.
The act is usually performed with a
utility knife
A utility knife is any type of knife used for general manual work purposes.Peterson, Harold L., ''Daggers and Fighting Knives of the Western World'', London: Herbert Jenkins Ltd., , p. 1 Such knives were originally fixed-blade knives with du ...
or a piece of broken glass, leaving a scar which causes the victim to appear to be
smiling
A smile is a facial expression formed primarily by flexing the muscles at the sides of the mouth. Some smiles include a contraction of the muscles at the corner of the eyes, an action known as a Duchenne smile.
Among humans, a smile expresses ...
broadly.
The practice is said to have originated in
Glasgow
Glasgow ( ; sco, Glesca or ; gd, Glaschu ) is the most populous city in Scotland and the fourth-most populous city in the United Kingdom, as well as being the 27th largest city by population in Europe. In 2020, it had an estimated popul ...
,
Scotland
Scotland (, ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a border with England to the southeast and is otherwise surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the ...
, in the 1920s and 30s.
See also
*
Colombian necktie
A Colombian necktie (, ''tie-cut'') is a form of post-mortem mutilation in which the victim’s tongue is pulled through a deep cut beneath the jaw and left dangling on the neck. It first appeared in Colombia during the period known as La Violencia ...
*
Dueling scar
Dueling scars (german: link=no, Schmisse) have been seen as a "badge of honour" since as early as 1825. Known variously as " scars", "the bragging scar", "smite", "" or "", dueling scars were popular amongst upper-class Austrians and Germans invo ...
*
Glasgow kiss/Glaswegian kiss
*
Glasgow razor gangs
The Glasgow razor gangs were Gang#Gang violence, violent gangs that existed in the Glasgow#East_End, East End and Glasgow#South_Side, South Side of Glasgow, Scotland in the late 1920s and 1930s and were named after their weapon of choice. H. Kin ...
*
Kuchisake-onna
is a malevolent figure in Japanese urban legends and folklore. Described as the malicious spirit, or ''onryō'', of a woman, she partially covers her face with a mask or other item and carries a pair of scissors. She is most often described as ...
("Slit-Mouthed Woman")
*
Slashing (crime)
Slashing is a crime intended to cause bodily harm to a victim. A slashing is typically performed with a knife or other type of bladed or sharp object.
Slashing of the throat
Cutting of the throat as to render the victim unable to breathe. Severi ...
References
Gangs
Gangs in the United Kingdom
History of Glasgow
Youth culture in the United Kingdom
Torture
Skin conditions resulting from physical factors
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