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Gleeking is a skill where saliva is released from a gland and projected several feet into the air. It is often done by preadolescent and adolescent children and can be considered a rude but generally harmless act. While not always punishable, it should not be done deliberately on anyone.
In the world of competitive spitting, gleeking would be considered a stealth fighter. It’s actually an acquired skill in which the gleeker pulls his tongue back, then compresses a submandibular salivary gland until a stream of saliva is released. With enough practice and saliva stimulation, a gleeker can project an arc of watery saliva several feet into the air. The point is to find a suitable target and silently darken it with a short burst of spit.
Many people experience involuntary bouts of drinking whenever they yawn deeply or consume hard candy or other sour or spicy foods that stimulate the salivary glands. Normally, the tongue protects others from the effects, but sometimes the tongue is pulled out of position and saliva escapes through a duct in the gland. This is a natural process triggered by mental or physical stimulation of the salivary glands just before eating or drinking.
While the process is not limited by age, its appeal as a deliberate act appears to be limited to preadolescent and adolescent children. The fact that some people can shine seemingly at will while others can’t only add to its appeal as a rude but generally harmless act. A talented gleeker will wait until a target is within easy reach and then silently shower them with a spray of watery saliva. The victim may not even be aware that they are being attacked, since gleeking is such a silent act.
Some people may have heard other terms for the act, such as gleeping, glanding, or geezing. Some sources will also render the term as glittery. The word itself can be traced back to the Middle Ages, but not in relation to the act of spitting. Shakespeare used it as an insult in several plays, but etymologists suggest that the word was actually meant to joke or boast, not expectorate.
While gleeking isn’t always listed as a punishable offense in a student’s conduct book, it would most likely be considered an assault similar to actual spitting. Demonstrating the skill to other classmates might be considered bad taste, but it should never be done deliberately on any student or faculty member. It is not considered harmful to the gleeker, but could lead to general soreness and tongue injury if performed for an extended period of time.
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