What is getting pied in the face?

Answer 1

Getting pied in the face refers to the act of having a pie, typically a cream pie, thrown or smashed into one's face as a form of comedic or playful gesture. This act is often seen in slapstick comedy or as a form of prank. The term "pied" comes from the French word "pie," which means magpie, a bird known for its black and white plumage resembling a cream pie.

Answer 2

Getting pied in the face is usually a literal event. It was first done in 1909 as part of a slapstick comedy act. It can also be a form of public humiliation, ridicule, political protest, or a practical joke. The person sneaks up on a public figure and shoves a pie in their face. It is usually a cream pie, though some use other types of pies such as banana pie, coconut pie, or apple pie. It doesn't really have to be a literal pie, and it can involve whipped cream, shaving cream, silly string, or food items other than pie. Most who get pied manage to take it well, knowing it is just a joke or a way of expressing an opinion, but occasionally, some react angrily or attempt to take legal action.

Legally, pieing can be viewed as a form of battery, though it doesn't quite fit the legal definition of assault. A few people have gotten up to a month in jail or prison for pie attacks in various countries. Attacking a president, prime minister, or king could technically be considered an act of treason if you stretch it, but there are no records of anyone actually being convicted of treason for pieing a high ranking political figure.