Gurn

A typical gurn

A gurn or chuck[citation needed] is a distorted facial expression; the term is also used as a verb to describe the action of making such a face. A typical gurn involves projecting the lower jaw as far forward and upward as possible, covering the upper lip with the lower lip.

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 that the derivation may originally be Scottish and related to the word grin. In Northern Ireland, the verb to gurn means "to cry," with the act of crying often referred to as "gurnin'". Originally, the Scottish dialectal usage referred to a person who is complaining. Additionally, the term gurn can describe involuntary facial contortions experienced as a side effect of MDMA consumption.

Gurning contests

Gurning contests are a rural English tradition held regularly in certain villages. Contestants traditionally frame their faces through a horse collar—a practice known as "gurnin' through a braffin".

The World Gurning Championship takes place annually at the Egremont Crab Fair. The fair dates to 1267, when King Henry III granted it a royal charter. The precise origins of the gurning competition are unclear; while it may not date back to the 13th century, the local newspaper The Cumberland Paquet described it as an ancient tradition in 1852.

The most successful gurners are often those with no teeth, as this provides greater room to move the jaw further upward. In some cases, elderly or otherwise toothless competitors can perform gurns in which their lower lip completely covers their nostrils. A notable non-competitive example was performed by Jovante Carter, an American from New Orleans, who held such a gurn for 1 minute and 2 seconds to earn a Guinness World Record.

Peter Jackman became one of England's best-known gurners, winning the world championship four times; his victories began in 1998 with a face he called the "Bela Lugosi". He made numerous television appearances, including on the panel show They Think It's All Over. Jackman famously had his teeth removed in 2000 to make his facial features easier to manoeuvre.

Tommy Mattinson holds the record for the most men's world titles, having won the World Gurning Championship 19 times. He took the top prize in 1986 and 1987, and then secured 17 further victories, most recently in 2024.

Anne Woods holds the corresponding record for women, having won the women's world title 28 times.

References

  1. ↑ "About Gurning Sport". www.topendsports.com. Archived from the original on 8 July 2026.
  2. ↑ Hillier, David (25 August 2016). "Why You Gurn When You Take MDMA". Archived from the original on 10 December 2018. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  3. ↑ "Ugly mugs gather at gurning contest". BBC News. 18 September 1999. Archived from the original on 1 March 2009. Retrieved 8 December 2007.
  4. ↑ Brian Shuel (1985). Guide to Traditional Customs of Britain. National Trust. ISBN 0-86350-051-X.
  5. ↑ "Gurners go for gold". BBC News. 15 September 2001. Archived from the original on 15 March 2009. Retrieved 22 January 2009.
  6. ↑ "History". Egremont Crab Fair. Archived from the original on 20 August 2010. Retrieved 28 March 2010.
  7. ↑ "Longest duration gurning with the lower lip covering the nostrils". Guinness World Records. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
  8. ↑ "Internet star sets bizarre world record for 'gurning': 'We turned up, we did our thing". New York Post. 12 October 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
  9. ↑ Andrea Thompson (18 September 2003). "Gurn but not forgotten". News & Star. Archived from the original on 22 March 2012.
  10. ↑ Pearse, Will (2 May 2018). "Inside the unusual sport of gurning". Sports Gazette. Archived from the original on 22 July 2024. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  11. ↑ "Meet the man with the world's most rubbery face who's won gurning championship 19 times". Guinness World Records. 25 September 2024. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  12. ↑ Marcus Williamson (2 April 2015). "Anne Woods: Winner of the women's world gurning title at the Egremont Crab Fair in Cumbria a record 28 times". The Independent. Archived from the original on 11 April 2015. Retrieved 2 December 2017.