Proper noun: Nickname for the character of Rocky Dennis in the 1980s film "Mask" starring
Eric Stoltz at Rocky and
Cher as Rusty Dennis, Rocky'
s mom.
Origins: Rocky's
story is that of a teenage
boy afflicted by a rare disorder that leads to a gigantic, hideous head, and in Rocky's case, unrelenting optimism and heartwarming realism. His face is ridiculously ugly and made all the funnier by the fact that he enouncters constant adversity as a result of it yet he fails to withdraw into a cave where he probably belongs.
Usage: Those who are familiar with the film find it so unbelievably hilarious that they find themselves often using the word "Face" to refer simply to the character from Mask; the film becomes a renewable resource of humor in conversations with
friends.
Can also be used as a reference point for someone's ugliness or quixotic ambition. In the film, Rocky hooks up with a
hot blind
chick, but her family eventually sees him and prevents the
two from keeping in touch. Hence, "Face" can be used to inform someone that their romantic ambitions are naive and likely to
fail.
In the second person, "Face" is almost always used as a sarcastic form of criticism.
Fraternity Pledgemaster: "I think Pledge Jones' proposed pledge name of 'Guernica'
will be too obscure for some. Instead, because of his unfortunate appearance, he
will be called 'Pledge Face.'"
Tim: "Dude, she'
s really cool. I really like hanging out with her."
Jeff: "Alright, Face..."
Bob: "That
hat really helps her face. It's like when Face wears his Dodger's cap and everyone didn't know whether to laugh or scream."