Grinning for a Wager
In 1796, at Hendon, England, on Whit-Tuesday, a burlesque imitation of the Olympic Games was held. One prize was a gold-laced hat, to be grinned for by six candidates, who were placed on a platform with horse-collars to exhibit through. Over their heads was printed in capitals—
Detur Tetriori; or,
The ugliest grinner
Shall be the winner.
Each party grinned five minutes solus, and then all united in a grand chorus of distortion. The prize was carried off by a porter to a vinegar merchant, though he was accused by his competitors of foul play for rinsing his mouth with verjuice.