i was fortunate enough to receive a 1st edition copy of a book published in 1872 titled: expression of the emotions in man and animals by one mr. charles darwin, whom you may have heard of (and if you’re mind is not clamped shut in a dogmatic vice you might also admire.) evidently this was the first scientific book to contain photographic reproductions, and they are doosies. i’ve decided to post some snippets at my leisure. today i will offer a bit of contempt, sneering, and defiance for your browsing pleasure. for example, concerning the lovely 19 century lass pictured here: “The partial closure of the eyelids, or the turning away of the eyes or of the whole body, are highly expressive of disdain. These actions seem to declare that the despised person is not worth looking at or is disagreeable to behold.  The accompanying photograph (Plate V. fig. 1 thumbnail) shows this form of disdain. It represents a young lady, who is supposed to be tearing up the photograph of a despised lover.” thought that was rather poetic.

This expression may occasionally be observed in a person who sneers at or defies another, though there may be no real anger; as when any one is playfully accused of some fault, and answers, “I scorn the imputation.” The expression is not a common one (Plate IV. fig 1 above)... The expression of a half-playful sneer graduates into one of great ferocity when, together with a heavily frowning brow and fierce eye, the canine tooth is exposed… The uncovering of the canine tooth is the result of a double movement. The angle or corner of the mouth is drawn a little backwards, and at the same time a muscle which runs parallel to and near the nose draws up the outer part of the upper lip, and exposes the canine on this side of the face. The contraction of this muscle makes a distinct furrow on the cheek, and produces strong wrinkles under the eye, especially at its inner corner. The action is the same as that of a snarling dog; and a dog when pretending to fight often draws up the lip on one side alone, namely that facing his antagonist. Our word sneer is in fact the same as snarl, which was originally snar, the l “being merely an element implying continuance of action…” A Bengalee boy was accused of some misdeed. The delinquent did not dare to give vent to his wrath in words, but it was plainly shown on his countenance, sometimes by a defiant frown, and sometimes “by a thoroughly canine snarl.”

The term ‘disgust,’ in its simplest sense, means something offensive to the taste. It is curious how readily this feeling is excited by anything unusual in the appearance, odour, or nature of our food. In Tierra del Fuego a native touched with his finger some cold preserved meat which I was eating at our bivouac, and plainly showed utter disgust at its softness; whilst I felt utter disgust at my food being touched by a naked savage, though his hands did not appear dirty. A smear of soup on a man’s beard looks disgusting, though there is of course nothing disgusting in the soup itself. I presume that this follows from the strong association in our minds between the sight of food, however circumstanced, and the idea of eating it… As the sensation of disgust primarily arises in connection with the act of eating or tasting, it is natural that its expression should consist chiefly in movements round the mouth. But as disgust also causes annoyance, it is generally accompanied by a frown, and often by gestures as if to push away or to guard oneself against the offensive object. In the two photographs (figs. 2 and 3, on Plate V. above) this expression is simulated with some success. With respect to the face, moderate disgust is exhibited in various ways; by the mouth being widely opened, as if to let an offensive morsel drop out;  by spitting; by blowing out of the protruded lips; or by a sound as of clearing the throat. Such guttural sounds are written ach or ugh; and their utterance is sometimes accompanied by a shudder, the arms being pressed close to the sides and the shoulders raised in the same manner as when horror is experienced. Extreme disgust is expressed by movements round the month identical with those preparatory to the act of vomiting.

that’s it for today. the book is just chock full of goodies so expect more eventually. note that these paragraphs are not shown in the exact form as published in the original book. paragraphs were combined and slightly edited for easy consumption. a great big ach or ugh to you, naked savages.