Gallon smashing is the act of spilling a gallon of liquid, usually by breaking its container, in a manner that appears to be accidental. The act often involves throwing a gallon of milk onto a grocery store aisle, then falling, getting members of the public to help the 'smasher' get up, and sometimes having difficulty returning to a standing position.[1][2] The act is generally done as a "prank" meant to share on the internet, and so typically recorded on camera.
History
Gallon smashing gained popularity in 2013 after three teenagers from Vienna, Virginia posted videos of the act on their YouTube channel. The videos received more than three million views before being taken down.[3][4] Teenagers around the world mimicked the act, posting dozens of filmed incidents online.[1]
Gallon smashing has led to several cases of actual injuries, usually as a result of the participant or unwitting members of the public slipping and falling after the liquid is spilt, while the act of throwing heavy gallon bottles during challenge attempts has also resulted in participants damaging shelving and refrigerator units in supermarkets. In the United Kingdom, one attempt resulted in the vandal receiving a broken jaw.[8]
