Would you believe that there’s a Wikipedia entry for “Say cheese,” the phrase that is uttered to make one smile for the camera? What’s more interesting, though, is what is said in other countries. Here are some of my favorites:

• In China, the word used is 茄子 (qie2zi), meaning “eggplant“. The pronunciation of this word is notably similar to that of the English word “cheese”.
• In Korea, one says “kimchi“
• In most Latin American countries, the phrase used is “Diga ‘whiskey’” (“Say ‘whiskey‘”).
• In Hawaii, we say “Waikiki.”

Since former student Joey Fala is with the Harvard Organ Society on their trip to Montreal, Paris and Amsterdam, I’ve been following their blog closely. Aside from all the narratives of their adventures, something that I’m enjoying is all the obligatory group pictures of the students in front of organs. (Secretly, I’m jealous!)

Then I turned to the American Guild of Organists headquarters page to find out about the National Convention in a couple of weeks, and wouldn’t you know it, there was my organ student Christopher on the front page (along with other kids from Pipe Organ Encounter!)

But I’ll get my chance. Next weekend we’ll be in Portland, OR for a week to take in the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians conference, then we’ll fly to Boston for the National Convention of the American Guild of Organists. Then it’s home for a week before we take off for England, Scotland and France.

More opportunities for pictures of organs and saying “Cheese!”