Prior to the word “cheese,” what word was traditionally used to prompt a smile in photographs?
Jazz
Prunes
Whiskey
PIckles
Fact: In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, wide grins were often considered silly or undignified in formal portraits. To encourage a more restrained, composed look, photographers frequently told subjects to say “prunes.” The word pursed the lips into a tight, modest expression that neatly matched the era’s preference for seriousness. By contrast, “cheese” — which spread in the 1940s — pulled the mouth into a natural, friendly smile, eliciting a genuine, warm smile, with the “e” sound helping to create a more distinct, bared-teeth expression.
Correct Answer: Prunes