Glint Eastwood

A discussion arose in our house the other day about the origins and usage of the word “glint” (also “glinter” – someone who glints, and “glinting” – the act of performing a glint).

After asking around and getting nothing more than blank expressions in response, it seems that it’s a word that my wife has made up, and its usage extends to us two, though I’m thinking of starting a campaign for it to be included in the OED.

For those who don’t know what it means (ie. everyone apart from us), a definition is thus: the unfortunate effect that the action of squinting, or otherwise raising one’s cheeks to limit the intake of sunshine (or wind, though typically sunshine) into your eyes has on raising the upper lip, thereby revealing the top teeth. It’s not quite a squint (as it’s not just a narrowing of the eyes), and it’s not quite a grimace (as it’s an emotionless by-product of squinting, rather than an expression of umbrage).

For an excellent example, see the picture on the left. To the casual observer, it almost looks like a smile, but look closer and there’s no joy behind it.

Australia, being a sunny, outdoorsy kind of place, was excellent glinting territory with a array of teeth bared at the elements. The UK is less so, though with the onset of the great British summer, it’s now coming into prime glinting season with some fantastic examples to be had on the Great British High Street.

While out shopping of a Saturday, we often rate glints on a scale of 1-10 (usually accompanied by the expression “Glinter!”), with variables which determine the glint quality being teeth size, height to which the upper lip is hauled and gormlessness of the expression. Look out for them…