I return to the former bishop’s frownsmile to remind everyone what the real, true, frownsmile is. The wonderful comments on the last post showed us how much people care about the frownsmile– and this I appreciate. I want to clarify a few key points:
1) frownsmiles mean that the corners of the mouth are turned down, even if ever so slightly. but they MUST NOT BE TURNED UP, even if ever so slightly. Note that the unnamed priest on the right has SLIGHTLY upturned corners (though this is not the only thing that keeps him from being a frownsmiler).
2) The frownsmile must betray NO traces of unmitigated joy. The priest on the left looks like he’s filled with happiness. Like Santa Claus just filled his stocking with a whole bunch of chocolate. The frownsmile is never filled with happiness. Contented? Yes. Mildly amused? Perhaps. Ecstasy? Never.
3) The frownsmile is generally a closed-mouth affair. Have I seen an open-mouthed frownsmile? Yes, but they are VERY RARE. Most open-mouthed smiles are smiles, not frownsmiles (see priest to the right).
4) Although the frownsmile is largely about the inner-workings of the mind, the frownsmile is not ONLY about what people are thinking. The frowsmile may originate in a feeling, but it must meet the mechanical requirements of frowning with the mouth, but smiling with the eyes.
1 Comment
November 29, 2007 at 9:23 pm
Per this definition, I feel that Dianne and Paris are definitely out then. Their mouths are not turned down at all and could even be said to have a slight up-slant.