Stick Out Your Tongue Day is celebrated annually on July 19. We’ve all stuck our tongues out at people in playful banter. While many cultures find it rude and childish, did you know that the gesture of sticking out your tongue is seen as a polite greeting in Tibet? You can even stick your tongue out without judgment at the doctor’s office, as they check your throat for any potential infections.
History of Stick Out Your Tongue Day
The tongue is an important organ of the body and is actually a group of muscles that work without the support of the skeleton. The tongue is primarily responsible for taste and serves as a means to detect potential infections or illnesses. It also helps to naturally clean the teeth, enable speech in humans, and for vocalization in other animals. This rather important organ has an unusual holiday dedicated to it in the form of Stick Your Tongue Out Day. Stick Out Your Tongue Day is celebrated every year in July, mainly in the United States, however, the reason behind celebrating this peculiar holiday remains a mystery. There are different theories behind the significance of this day. While some say it encourages one to go to the doctor, others see it as an opportunity to playfully stick their tongue out at an unsuspecting individual. Several people believe it is extremely rude to stick your tongue out at someone and is a mark of disrespect. However, children stick their tongues out as a sign of silliness. Many times, sticking your tongue out can also be an automatic reaction when engaging in tasks that require maximum concentration. There might be several reasons for this day, nevertheless, ever since it came about, it has been enjoyed by many as it provides some element of fun in our otherwise serious lives.
Stick Out Your Tongue Day timeline
Kunal Jain of Canada creates a world record by generating a sound level reading of 114.2 dBA by clicking his tongue.
Thomas Blackthorne creates the record for the greatest weight lifted hooked through his tongue in Mexico City.
A farmer in Italy is convicted and fined by the country's highest court for sticking his tongue out at a neighbor during an argument.
Casey Servern breaks the record for the most mousetraps released on the tongue in one minute at the Maryland Renaissance Festival in Crownsville, Maryland.
Stick Out Your Tongue Day FAQs
What does sticking out your tongue mean?
The gesture of sticking out one’s tongue is said to have multiple meanings, from being interpreted as an act of rudeness or disgust to being seen as playfulness.
Where did sticking out your tongue come from?
The Maori people of New Zealand stuck their tongue out as part of a war chant, preceding a battle. They would tattoo their faces, scream, dance, and stick their tongues out as a sign of intimidation to the enemy.
Why do I stick my tongue out when I concentrate?
The brain devotes a significant amount of attention to the tongue as it is a huge muscle that has multiple functions. It has to keep out of the way of your teeth, helps you swallow, and avoids choking you. When you stick your tongue out or bite it, tongue movement is reduced, which leaves more brainpower available to concentrate.
Stick Out Your Tongue Day Activities
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Stick out your tongue
Have you been itching to just stick your tongue out as you did in your childhood? Well Stick Out Your Tongue Day is the one day you can do this and join in the fun!
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Visit the doctor
One perfectly acceptable place to stick out your tongue is at the doctor’s office. So if you have been putting off an important check-up, this day is your cue. Visit your doctor for a check-up so you can take preventative measures to avoid getting sick.
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Attempt a difficult task
Sticking out your tongue is not easy because it goes against western social norms. On this day, push yourself out of your comfort zone and do something crazy you otherwise wouldn’t have.
5 Crazy Facts About Tongues
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Flexible muscle
While the tongue may not be the strongest muscle, it is the most flexible and comes in many shapes and sizes.
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Taste buds on the tongue
On average, adults have between 2,000 to 4,000 taste buds that are located on the tongue.
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Health indicator
The tongue can act as a health indicator, giving insight into health issues like urinary infections, constipation, insomnia, and more.
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Unique tongue print
Just like fingerprints, the tongue print is also unique to each person.
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Longest tongue
The Guinness World Record for the longest tongue is 3.97 inches.
Why We Love Stick Out Your Tongue Day
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It’s a fun way to deal with problems
Many times we are stuck with a problem and don’t have an appropriate reaction towards it, which can, in turn, become even more stressful. Stick Out Your Tongue Day can help you with this problem. Just stick your tongue out at a problem that is taking up your precious time and focus on other tasks.
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It encourages playfulness
Children often stick out their tongues at each other in a playful manner. What is stopping adults from still embracing their inner child? Stick out your tongue with a friend or sibling and engage in some fun moments.
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It encourages you to step out of your comfort zone
Sticking out your tongue can be embarrassing and not entirely comfortable for everyone to do. But this day can encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and do things you have been scared of trying for various reasons.
Stick Out Your Tongue Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | July 19 | Wednesday |
| 2024 | July 19 | Friday |
| 2025 | July 19 | Saturday |
| 2026 | July 19 | Sunday |
| 2027 | July 19 | Monday |
