A Glasgow smile (also known as a Glasgow grin, Anna grin, Chelsea grin or Chelsea smile) is a nickname for the practice of cutting a victim's face from the edges of the mouth to the ears. [1][2][3] The cut – and the scars it leaves – form an "extension" of what resembles a smile. Sometimes to further hurt or even kill the victim, he or she would then be stabbed or kicked, most notably in the stomach (or in case of kicking, the groin), so that the face would be ripped apart when the victim screamed. The practice originated in the Scottish city of Glasgow, which gave it its name. It also became popular in Chelsea, London (where it is known as a "Chelsea grin") and other areas of Britain, for gangs hoping to leave a message to rival gang members. If cut deep enough, the victim may bleed to death.
Mutilation of this kind is commonly inflicted with a Stanley knife, glass or bottle.[4]
Character actor Tommy Flanagan, noted for scars on his face, received the Glasgow smile after being jumped outside a bar at which he worked as a DJ.
Uses in fiction and entertainment
In the movie The Dark Knight, the character Joker has scars from a Glasgow smile for which he gives varying explanations throughout the film.
Bring Me The Horizon released a song called Chelsea Smile on their Suicide Season album.
New Zealand Death Metal band 8 Foot Sativa released a song called Chelsea Smile on their album Season For Assault.
In the movie "Ichi the Killer," the character Kakihara has slits, held together with piercings, left from a self inflicted Glasgow smile.
The ELAS leader Hector in Captain Corelli's Mandolin is accused by General Myers of unnecessary atrocities performed against villagers in Greece: "castration, tearing out eyes, and slitting the mouth so that they die smiling".
References
- ^ "Surgeon Says Hospitals Treat a Knife Victim Every Six Hours". The Daily Express. http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/68037/Surgeon-says-hospitals-treat-a-knife-victim-every-six-hours. Retrieved 2009-11-20.
- ^ "If the Booze Doesn't Get You, The Blade Will". The Sun. http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/features/2683007/Suns-look-at-Broken-Britain-day-four-Glasgows-East-End.html. Retrieved 2009-11-20.
- ^ "City Slicker Glasgow". The Independent. http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/city-slicker-glasgow-1616900.html. Retrieved 2009-11-20.
- ^ Peter Ward Booth, Barry L. Eppley, Rainer Schmelzeisen (2003), Maxillofacial trauma and esthetic facial reconstruction, p. 555, http://books.google.com/books?id=8tdpAAAAMAAJ
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