A rare smile can refer to several things, depending on context. It's not a single, universally defined concept. Let's explore different interpretations:
1. The Infrequent Smile:
A rare smile, in its most literal sense, simply means a smile that is uncommon or seldom seen. This could describe a person who rarely smiles, perhaps due to personality, shyness, or life circumstances. The Collins English Dictionary defines "rare" as "not common and is therefore interesting or valuable," https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/rare-smile which directly applies to this interpretation. Examples include:
- A naturally stoic individual who only smiles on very special occasions.
- Someone who is usually reserved and serious, displaying a smile infrequently.
- A celebrity known for their intense on-screen persona, rarely seen smiling off-camera.
2. The Unique or Distinctive Smile:
This interpretation refers to a smile that is visually unique or memorable, standing out from typical smiles. This could be due to a specific facial structure or a peculiar expression. Examples from social media posts suggest this meaning:
- A post describing a "rare smile" might refer to a specific, captivating smile from a loved one, highlighting its unusual beauty or emotional impact, as seen in this Instagram caption: "Rare smile in the A ❤️ brought out one of my favorite Jordan 1s for this trip!" https://www.instagram.com/qiasomar/p/CTiIGDEPNXE/
3. The Authentic Duchenne Smile:
A "rare smile" could also refer to a genuine, Duchenne smile, a type of smile considered rare due to its involuntary nature. This genuine smile is characterized not only by the upturn of the corners of the mouth but also by the involvement of the muscles around the eyes (orbicularis oculi), creating "crow's feet." All smiling involves contraction of the zygomatic major muscles, which lifts the corners of the mouth. But a Duchenne smile is characterised by the additional contraction of the orbicularis oculi, crumpling the skin around the eyes into crows' feet. This type of smile is often seen as a more authentic expression of joy and happiness.
The rarity of a genuine smile is also discussed on online forums: "Why is genuine smile so rare and being happy looked upon with envy"
4. Contextual Rarity:
Finally, the term "rare smile" could be used figuratively within a specific context, such as a fictional character rarely smiling or a particular smile only appearing under specific circumstances. For example, Reddit discussions might use the term to describe a character's smile in a certain scene:https://www.reddit.com/r/Kengan_Ashura/comments/tz3icg/which_rare_smile_is_better/
