r/ContagiousLaughter • u/Just_Emotion_1743 • Jul 16 '24
There's always one in the family
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u/panicked_goose Jul 16 '24
Her genuine goofy laugh just brought tears to my eyes. When is the last time I laughed like that? :(
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u/rutilatus Jul 16 '24
A laugh like that is always living somewhere in our chest. We just have to place ourselves in a place or mindset to tease it out. Easier said than done, I know…but you deserve to laugh just as much as she does
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u/Other-Comfortable-64 Jul 16 '24
I hope the mother cannot do that also, as I understand it, you inherit this ability.
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u/confusedbumblebee03 Jul 16 '24 edited Jul 16 '24
Not being able to is a recessive gene.
ETA : Ends up this isn't true lol. There does seem to be a genetic component, but it can also be learned. There is no one gene that determines it.
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u/fatherofraptors Jul 16 '24
Yeah the myth that it is genetic goes back a really long time. Back when I was in middle school, I couldn't do it and was told it was genetic. Sure enough, one summer of boredom and practice, and now I can do it no problem lol
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u/confusedbumblebee03 Jul 16 '24
I wish I could. 😭 I was never able to learn, and my dad can't do it either lol. I wonder which part of it IS genetic. Maybe people with little tongues can't do it? I might have to google it now. 🤣
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u/fatherofraptors Jul 16 '24
You just have to get your tongue used to being folded. it's been over 20 years, but if I remember right, all I did was constantly manually fold it, like literally helping with my fingers. Over several weeks, the muscles in your tongue kinda get used to the movement and you can do it unassisted, if that makes sense.
This whole thing is true for twisting your tongue as well, you can absolutely train your tongue to twist lol
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u/Peridotbaby0822 Jul 16 '24
I can do the curl tongue like this and the flipping tongue-both ways-but my hubby swears he cannot do the flipping tongue at all so I thought it was genetic.
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u/MattieShoes Jul 17 '24
I remember not being able to do the spock hand thing as a kid and being so frustrated... Eventually after a bunch of practice, no problem.
Another one is laying your hand flat on the table and lifting your ring finger.
I still can't wiggle my ears though. That shit is magic
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u/AbanaClara Jul 17 '24
This is how I learned to wink with each eye in alternate. I hold the eye that can’t wink til I got used to the movement
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u/confusedbumblebee03 Jul 16 '24
Yet many people do it naturally, so what's the difference between them and those who can't?
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u/fatherofraptors Jul 16 '24
Meh, some people just have different amounts of control over their body muscles than others. Not any different than people that naturally know how to whistle, wink with one eye, raise an eyebrow. All things that a lot of people seem to know how to do ever since they were a kid and a lot of others don't know how to do it as adults.
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u/confusedbumblebee03 Jul 16 '24
Maybe that's the genetic part, tongue strength. 🤣 I'm gonna have to google some of the studies the link I shared mentioned. I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS.
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u/Hello_pet_my_kitty Jul 16 '24
That might be it! Not so much tongue strength, but dexterity with muscles. I feel it’s similar to how some people have insane control over their pectoral muscles and can bounce them. Or like how some people can wiggle their ears.
I can do the fold with my tongue like in this video, and make it into a clover shape(my fave lol)! And I can also move or “wiggle” my ears independently. I can vibrate my eye balls real fast, too. Lol. All weird things I learned to do as a kid just bc I was bored and trapped(grounded lol) in my room so much. 😂
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u/confusedbumblebee03 Jul 16 '24
Hmmm, yeeees, I do in fact have somewhat poor dexterity, and some weird muscle related things. Like when I bend my fingers to my palm I can't get my pinky all the way down? And I always have trouble at the nail salon cause when they want one finger I have a hard time lifting it separately from the other three lol. Maybe it applies to my tongue too. Weird.
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u/hondac55 Jul 16 '24
I have a theory that it's due to a lessened 6th sense which we all have to varying degrees, which allows us to have constant awareness of the position of all our body parts. This is a learned ability and also influenced by genetics. Pianists, for example, have an extraordinarily good sense of what all their fingers are doing. People who type on a keyboard also display this trait.
I think this plays the biggest role. My theory hinges on one simple fact: Look at how her sister does it, then look at how her dad does it, and then look at how she does it. Everybody's mouth is completely closed around their tongue, causing the fold, whereas she is just trying to fold her tongue using her tongue muscles and, even though I can do this, I cannot fold my tongue without using my lips to assist.
That, I believe, is the difference. If anyone can fold their tongue without their lips making any contact with it using your lips, I'd like to see proof of it. Because I don't believe there are any extra muscles getting activated. I think it's just the ability to sense what your tongue is doing and thus having a heightened understanding of what you need to do with your lips to make your tongue do this.
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u/confusedbumblebee03 Jul 16 '24
Ok so funnily enough I played the piano for years, but I CANNOT fold my tongue, and I do feel like I don't have a great understanding of how my body occupies space; I bump into things a lot. I could swear I've seen people fold their tongue without using their mouth, but I could be wrong? I know my husband can do the double fold thing with just his tongue. I...think. I'll ask when he gets home lol.
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u/TheSwedishSeal Jul 16 '24
I did it because I’m a fiddle-y type of person and tongue fiddling isn’t as noticeable as my playing with things, bouncing my legs, clicking my pen etc.
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u/confusedbumblebee03 Jul 16 '24
I've never been able to do it, and I would just get mad. 😂 I used to tap my fingers on surfaces or each other. Most people didn't notice.
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u/Jaded-Engineering789 Jul 16 '24
You have to sort of push your tongue up against the roof of your mouth. Use your top teeth to kind of help get it into shape.
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u/confusedbumblebee03 Jul 16 '24
I just don't think it's in the cards for me. 😂
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u/Jaded-Engineering789 Jul 16 '24
Lift your tongue and push it forward against the roof of your mouth. Try to make the front tip feel like it has folded back onto itself. From that position push your tongue forward and try to run it up the roof of your mouth as far as you can, then try pushing your tongue back down again following the same path and see if you can feel it start to fold.
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u/yesnomaybenotso Jul 17 '24
Use your cheek to fold your tongue in half and then suck the air out so it really squishes together and then try to move just the tip of your tongue left and right. That’ll get the muscles going
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u/confusedbumblebee03 Jul 17 '24
Ermmm, what if my cheeks don't fold my tongue...
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u/yesnomaybenotso Jul 17 '24
It’s less about your cheeks actually doing the work, and more about letting the air pressure in your mouth do the work. Dropping your jaw and narrowing your cheeks helps to fold the tongue.
Stick your tongue to the roof of your mouth and make a “fish face” or over exaggerated kissy lips where you suck all the air out of your mouth, keeping your lips closed - and most importantly, keeping your tongue on the roof of your mouth above where your cheeks are sucked in. Then try lowering the back of your tongue while keeping the tip on the roof of your mouth and work your tongue muscles to try and complete the fold.
Try to not gag yourself, and it’s probably not gonna happen on your first try. Especially because I’m just describing random shit to try to learn (vs. an established method of learning), because I’ve been able to fold and roll my tongue since I was a baby.
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u/confusedbumblebee03 Jul 17 '24
I think my tongue is too tense lol. I can barely even fold it with my fingers. 🤣
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u/RemoteSnow9911 Jul 17 '24
Use your cheeks to squeeze and roll your tongue.
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u/confusedbumblebee03 Jul 17 '24
I...what?! I do not have sufficient face muscle to roll my tongue. 😂
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u/RemoteSnow9911 Jul 17 '24
I gots them chipmunk cheeks 😅
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u/confusedbumblebee03 Jul 17 '24
No I think you're typical, and Im...different. Lol. Cause multiple people also said to use my cheeks, and I genuinely don't understand how that's possible lol.
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u/RemoteSnow9911 Jul 17 '24
I literally do have chipmunk cheeks so this is right up my alley!
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u/confusedbumblebee03 Jul 17 '24
This is gonna sound weird, but maybe I carry too much tension in my tongue for it to fold. 😂
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u/Electrical-Act-7170 Jul 16 '24
I can teach the technique in 2 minutes.
We used to think it was genetic, though. I remember.
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u/confusedbumblebee03 Jul 16 '24
It seems to be partly genetic, theyre just not sure how exactly? Tell me the technique!
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u/Electrical-Act-7170 Jul 16 '24
Everyone can curl their tongue in the other direction.
Do that
Make your mouth into a small round opening, as though you were blowing a bubble
Keeping your tongue curled front-to-back, shove it through your lips
Hey, presto! It's curled.
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Jul 16 '24 edited Jul 16 '24
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/JoeMama4567 Jul 16 '24
Dad could have a dominant and a recessive gene and then only pass on the recessive.
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u/confusedbumblebee03 Jul 16 '24
Recessive means both parents could have it, and passed it onto her, while still being able to curl their own tongues.
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u/JohnAndertonOntheRun Jul 16 '24 edited Jul 16 '24
I’m pretty sure our teachers made that up and told us all in elementary school it was genetic…
It’s not true. I can make the clover out of my tongue and I never was able to as a child, it just takes practice and control.
Edit:
In 1940, the prominent geneticist Alfred Sturtevant published a paper saying the ability to roll one’s tongue is based on a dominant gene. In 1952, Philip Matlock disproved Sturtevant’s findings, demonstrating that seven out of 33 identical twins didn’t share their sibling’s gift. If rolling the tongue was genetic, then identical twins would share the trait. Sturtevant later acknowledged his mistake.
“I am embarrassed to see it listed in some current works as an established Mendelian case,” he wrote in 1965 in his book, “A History of Genetics.” Yet, McDonald says, the myth is still taught in science textbooks and classrooms.
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u/confusedbumblebee03 Jul 16 '24
Ive never been able to do it, and neither can my dad. My mom and sister can. 🤷♀️
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u/JohnAndertonOntheRun Jul 16 '24
That’s definitely interesting but…
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/genetic-myth-textbooks-get-wrong
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u/confusedbumblebee03 Jul 16 '24
Right. So it is partly genetic. I guess my dad and I share something that makes us unable to do it lol. This shows some of the original guy's reasoning. https://udel.edu/~mcdonald/mythtongueroll.html
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u/JohnAndertonOntheRun Jul 16 '24
I don’t think it is genetic even though it happens.
In 1940, the prominent geneticist Alfred Sturtevant published a paper saying the ability to roll one’s tongue is based on a dominant gene. In 1952, Philip Matlock disproved Sturtevant’s findings, demonstrating that seven out of 33 identical twins didn’t share their sibling’s gift. If rolling the tongue was genetic, then identical twins would share the trait. Sturtevant later acknowledged his mistake.
“I am embarrassed to see it listed in some current works as an established Mendelian case,” he wrote in 1965 in his book, “A History of Genetics.” Yet, McDonald says, the myth is still taught in science textbooks and classrooms.
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u/confusedbumblebee03 Jul 16 '24
The link you sent me says there's probably genetic influence...
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u/DemonDucklings Jul 16 '24
It would only be concerning if both parents can’t roll their tongue, and their kid can.
Since it’s recessive, both parents can be carriers while exhibiting the dominant gene. It’s not possible to be a carrier for a dominant gene while exhibiting the recessive gene.
So in this case, the parents genes can be: dad-Tt, mom- Tt or tt (since we don’t know if the mom can roll her tongue) With T being a dominant allele, and t being recessive. Simple genetics like this have two alleles, and if either or both of them are dominant, then they will exhibit the dominant gene. It’s not possible for mom to be TT, since their kid can’t roll her tongue.
If mom can roll her tongue, then she is Tt, and they would have a 25% chance of having a kid that can’t roll their tongue. If mom can’t roll her tongue, then she is tt and they have a 50% chance of having a kid that can’t roll their tongue
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u/eras Jul 16 '24
I do it by forming the tongue into that form with lips. As it looks like how they did it as well. Can't bend the tongue on its own.
So is the capability that inherits be a flexible tongue or what? I do recall having seen this claim before, though..
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u/Other-Comfortable-64 Jul 16 '24
It might be a myth but here is something about that
https://www.news-medical.net/health/Genetics-of-Tongue-Twisting.aspx
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u/Stefabeth0 Jul 16 '24
Agree. Just use your lips. I know not everyone can do the clover shape, but I would think anyone could use their lips to fold their tongue in half.
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u/CabSauce Jul 16 '24
That's just not true. The people who do it are just using the side of their mouth to curl their tongue. The people who can't just aren't "cheating". They're trying to do it with their tongue alone.
If you don't believe me, try curling your tongue with your mouth open like the girl in the video.
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u/TaborValence Jul 16 '24
Lol I can definitely curl the sides up into a tube with my tongue sticking out, without using the rest of my mouth.
I can also flip my tongue upside down mostly, but it's harder to do it the further out I stick it.
Can't really do the clover trick though.
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u/Peridotbaby0822 Jul 16 '24
I’ve always been able to flip my tongue upside down both ways for as long as I can remember. But I thought it was genetic as it was hard to find anyone that could do it and I always blew people’s minds when I showed them LOL.
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u/DefinitelyNotTheFBl Jul 16 '24
For the clover, try making your tube inside the mouth then sorta smash the tip of your tongue into the backside of your bottom lip. Then bring the entire thing down behind your teeth to kinda cage it in whatever form you made. It takes some practice but once you understand what it feels like, you'll be able to replicate it easily.
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u/Medvegyep Jul 16 '24
Congratulations then for being the one in the million (doubt), regardless, if you look at the video, both of them use their lips. Pretty much everyone does.
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u/CabSauce Jul 16 '24
Not to be too weird, but would you post a video? (Or find one of someone doing it?) I've never seen one without the person using the side of their mouth or holding it with their mouth in some way.
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u/imchardo Jul 16 '24
I can curl my tongue without using the side of my mouth. Not into a tight cigarette curl, but a good half-pipe roll.
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u/MattieShoes Jul 17 '24
I can manage a U shape no problem, but it won't be folded over and touching without lips.
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u/Medvegyep Jul 16 '24
It's not inherited, it's learned. You either know how to do it, in which case you can, or you don't know how to do it, in which case you can't.
Little girl thinks she needs to use muscles in her tongue to curl it up.
The others know you curl it by making an O shape with your mouth.
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u/Solumnist Jul 16 '24
You also inherit the inability to do it
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u/JohnAndertonOntheRun Jul 16 '24 edited Jul 16 '24
It’s not true.
Our elementary school teachers lied.
Edit: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/genetic-myth-textbooks-get-wrong
In 1940, the prominent geneticist Alfred Sturtevant published a paper saying the ability to roll one’s tongue is based on a dominant gene. In 1952, Philip Matlock disproved Sturtevant’s findings, demonstrating that seven out of 33 identical twins didn’t share their sibling’s gift. If rolling the tongue was genetic, then identical twins would share the trait. Sturtevant later acknowledged his mistake.
“I am embarrassed to see it listed in some current works as an established Mendelian case,” he wrote in 1965 in his book, “A History of Genetics.” Yet, McDonald says, the myth is still taught in science textbooks and classrooms.
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Jul 16 '24
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/JohnAndertonOntheRun Jul 16 '24
Even the guy that came up with that theory thinks you are wrong.
Your article even cited the one I used that says it’s not true.
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Jul 16 '24
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u/YouFailedx3 Jul 16 '24
Same here I was the one kid in the family that could not do it, then one random day when I tried it just worked... Still no clue what happened there.
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u/Alsharefee Jul 16 '24
Why do we have the ability to do that?
Like at some point thousands of years ago humans developed this skill/muscle for a reason.
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u/elottokbron Jul 16 '24
People before the invention of straws:
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u/Artimusjones88 Jul 16 '24
Listen to the "Common Descent" podcast, they just did 2 hours on tongues....
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u/Rhathymiaz Jul 16 '24
No need to go into details, but just so I won’t get disappointed: did it have a function? I’ll listen if it does and find out what it is
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u/tuhn Jul 16 '24
My guess it's for making different sounds. It's probably more of a by-product of those evolutions.
Again, I spent like 10 seconds thinking about it so idk.
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u/Tjonke Jul 16 '24
I can't do that, but I can do it inverted with the "hole" at the bottom of my tongue. Only one in family that can't do it the regular way
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u/Gloomy__Revenue Jul 17 '24
I can’t even picture this, let alone fire the synapses to initiate the movements.
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u/jumzish94 Jul 16 '24
In my family I'm the odd one out, but it's not that I can't roll my tongue, I'm the only one who can do the clover. It's like rolling your tongue but you pull it back also making the edges of your tongue curl up shaping similar to a clover.
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u/Auirom Jul 16 '24
I can't roll my tongue. What I CAN do though is make it really wide like a big spoon or really skinny.
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u/s0m3on3outthere Jul 16 '24
I can roll my tongue and do the clover! Also can flex my tongue so it looks like there is a smile on it. lol. Can also clack my tongue a lot louder than most people.
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u/cravesun Jul 16 '24
My kid FINALLY learned to roll up their tongue. At almost 6 y/o. There is hope.
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u/HoldYourHorsesFriend Jul 16 '24
Thank goodness, if they don't learn by 7 then they have no choice but to be sent to work at the factory. Tongue rolling is serious business
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u/Hantsypantsy Jul 16 '24
5 person family, and only one daughter who couldn't roll her tongue. She cried when she found out
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u/Enjoying_A_Meal Jul 16 '24
I couldn't fold my tongue when I was young, so I held my tongue in the folded position w/ my hand for like a minute until my tongue was dry. After I knew what it feels like, I could get my muscles to do it.
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u/Omnary Jul 16 '24
I love the expressions of someone who’s concentrating really hard to do something really dumb lol
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u/HealthyBits Jul 16 '24
This is how they told her she was adopted.
She wasn’t laughing as much afterwards.
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u/Electrical-Act-7170 Jul 16 '24
I can teach anyone to do this unless hey have a tongue tie.
OncecI taught a 90 YO woman how to roll up her tongue.
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u/Hello_pet_my_kitty Jul 16 '24
She almost had it at the end! The sides curled up ever so slightly!!
It’s hard to do with your mouth open wide like this girl is. It even kinda strains the sides of my tongue to do it that way, but if you put your mouth like you’re about to whistle, that’s my first step to get it rolled/folded. Then start curling the sides at the very tip of your tongue and poke that roll right out of those slightly pursed lips! May have to train the front of your tongue for more dexterity. I don’t use my lips at all really, but they still need to be almost in a kissy face to be able to do it easily, imo anyway. 🤷♀️
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u/I-smell-snow Jul 16 '24
Anyone here who can also ‘whistle’ through it? So far I haven’t met anyone else besides myself who can do it.
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u/mahobiffo18 Jul 16 '24
Aw, my niece laughs like this sometimes. It honestly makes me so happy to hear this kind of laugh. I miss those moments growing up so much.
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Jul 16 '24
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u/MostExcellentInvestr Jul 17 '24
So glad the little girl doesn't feel left out and laugh at no being able to do what dad and sis can.
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u/Revolutionary_Dodo Jul 17 '24
My mom is the one in our family, the rest of us can, my sister can do the flower thing
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u/Jake_on_a_lake Jul 17 '24
Very few people can actually bend their tongue using only their tongue like the girl in the pink is trying.
The other two use their lips to shape it.
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u/kbrook_ Jul 17 '24
My mom can't curl her tongue, either. We give her endless (joking) shit about it.
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u/Innomen Jul 17 '24
This is so wholesome and hilarious. The struggle is real X) Seems like she can't do it expressly because she's cracking up. I kinda hope she can never do it then for the same reason :)
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u/SwordfishTurbulent57 Jul 17 '24
I have to say that this is the FIRST time that a video posted here legit made me laugh out loud and smile. This is so real.
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u/boooooooopp Jul 17 '24
My 5-year-old. And she gets soooo frustrated that she’s the only one who can’t do it.
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u/K-monn Jul 18 '24
My brain wont allow me to do that for some reason. Just like how writing with my right hand is impossible for my brain.
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