# Unnatural Expression

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unnatural-expression/539649>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [May 16, 2010, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unnatural-expression/539649 "2010-05-16T15:41:15Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![kevlaw](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kevlaw/32/2281_2.png) [@kevlaw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kevlaw)\
**Post date:** [May 16, 2010, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unnatural-expression/539649/1 "2010-05-16T15:41:15Z")

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There a particular kind of guilty smile that cartoon characters do a lot - especially children in Pixar movies. It’s kind of an aw-shucks, embarrassed look where the mouth puckers a little and then moves to one side with a slight tilt of the head.

Characters do it when they are caught doing something wrong but not-too-wrong.

The expression doesn’t seem to have any correlation with real life and yet it is instantly recognizable. Cartoon characters do it so much its almost a cliche.

Where did it come from?  
Anyone know what the hell I am talking about?