Say Cheese

Ever pondered over the fact that why only "cheese", why not some other edible item or anything else at all? It is in fact quite a question!! Over the years, we have grown up with pictures being clicked and we are asked only one thing always and that's 'say cheese'! The internet also tries to explore this mystifying reality, but alas, no one has actually found any answers yet. Though there have been quite impressive imaginary 'cheesy' stories and instances 'cooked'. It is speculated that we look as if smiling when we say 'cheese' so photographers often ask us to say cheese.

Also, 'cheesing' is an American slang for smiling. 'Cheesy' in British also means harmlessly naughty. Again, it is something that would bring a pleasant smile on everyone's face (only until you're not the victim). 'Chiz' in Persian means a thing. But these entire reasoning and explanatory facts do not solve the purpose. The ultimate fact remains why only cheese?

I believe, that coming through the centuries, man has always been a food lover, and cheese in any and many forms has been an amazing appetizer for him. So while taking pictures, the photographers like to exploit this in their favor. This helps them to get interesting expressions on people's faces while they are being clicked.

Like other phrases, this one never came of age. There were no alterations in it rather it gained more and more popularity. Surprisingly, all across the globe, every nation uses its own version of "say cheese" making this question even more mind boggling.

Cheese is also used in many other ways. A very common expression in the business world is "the big cheese", which means someone who is great and unique. Apart from all these positive meanings of cheese adjectives, cheese and cheesy, are also used for someone or something who is unethical, intolerable, uncontrollable, unpleasant etc.