Discussion Forum (Archived)
Guest
I've long been stumped by reading in novels that someone purses their lips. What exactly does that look like?
On today's show, Martha mentions some connection with the money purse. Still, what does it look like on humans? Obama and Clinton corner the market of that stretching way way down the corners, a kind of stoic forbearance sort of expression. But pursing lips seems to suggest something quick, in mid-conversation, and perhaps something with cluck cluck sounds. And if you google the images, you get all kinds.
What is your understanding of what it is?
-------------------------
I have a vague image of it being like what the sleeping Lincoln is doing as my avatar above.
Ron Draney said
It looks a lot like that ridiculous "duck-face" you see in selfies, only much more fleeting.
I doubt ducks purse their lips; they don't have any to speak of. And ducks' faces are expressionless, even when the duck gets goosed.
The MacMillan dictionary says
I think Maggie Smith as Dowager Countess of Grantham has several in this clip. One is at about 14 seconds and a second is about 33 seconds. There are also several quick jump cuts that have her with what I would call pursed lips.
Martha Barnette
Grant Barrett
Grant Barrett
1 Guest(s)