from: http://www.topendsports.com/sport/unusual/gurning.htm
see video of a gurning competition
Gurning is apparently a word for pulling a face, and you probably are not surprised to know that there is a World Gurning Contest.
Gurning competitions are thought to have originated in 1297 at the Egremont Crab Fair, in the UK, named after the crab apple, which are pretty sour. It makes sense then that as part of ‘Crab Fair’ in this part of the world they hold face pulling competitions to see who can make the ugliest face. This must be easier for some, though they make it easier by requiring you to also wear a horse collar at the same time. Gurning through a horse collar is known as “gurnin’ through a braffin’. The competition is held in mid-september each year. To get an idea of what it involves, check out this gurning video.
There are competitions for men, ladies and juniors. England’s best-known gurner is Peter Jackman, who won the world championship four times from 1998, with a face called the “Bela Lugosi”.
