Okay, maybe this is a stupid question, but where did the habit of chewing toothpicks come from, and why on earth would one do it? What is the satisfaction in doing so?
Well as one who is a great chewer of things, I view chewing similarly to spinning a pen it gives me something to do. I really don’t chew as much as move it around my mouth which is why toothpicks have lasted me days and untill I got fillings I chewed the tabs on coke cans that I pulled off. In sure there is some oral fixiation involved but I don’t have a need I just enjoy it when I get an opportunity and don’t chew on pens.
Just recently began quitting smoking (I wont consider it done till im off the patch) but chewing on toothpicks helps keep my mouth and hand occupied so i dont want to smoke as much, and its way better than chewing gum.
Dunno, have you tried it? Do you like gum? I’ve never been one much for gum, and I don’t often chew on stuff (less now than when I was a bit younger), but occasionally I’ll enjoy just chomping on something. One of my favorites is a straw; the way the soft plastic feels between my teeth gives a pleasant resistance which is somewhat satisfying. Toothpicks do this too, but splinter much more quickly. Gum just doesn’t have that same resistance.
Why yes, I do enjoy beef jerky (hell, I like all kinds of jerked meat [heh], including crocodile, buffalo, tuna, salmon). Wonder if the chomping thing and the oral fixation thing (which is separate and I may or may not have) is some sort of instinctual thing. However, I don’t think I’ll ask mom whether or not I bit her more than my siblings when a wee bairn. Somethings I’m better off just not knowing.
Some people, including myself, will soak the toothpicks in cinnamon oil and make cinnamon flavored toothpicks. It’s like big red gum just as a toothpick. I also just like to chew on things. Pens, plastic, toothpicks. It really doesn’t matter.
Hey! I get to plug the last book I read The Toothpick, by Henry Petroski. The same author who brought you The Pencil.
I believe I can confidently say that this 400 page book has EVERYTHING you could have imagined wanting to know about toothpicks. Don’t want to spoint the ending for you, but apparently picking your teeth is incredibly ancient. First folk just used convenient sticks - in addition to other sticks which served the function of primitive toothbrushes. Toothpicks made of precious metals are some of the oldest artifacts found from developed societies. I believe the Portugese and then S. Americans developed the industry of hand carving picks, but the machine production of toothpicks reached its zenith in 19th century Maine. Starting around 1860-70, it became very fashionable for restaurants and hotels - starting in Boston and NY, to hand out toothpicks.
I enjoyed the book immensely, but enjoyed The Pencil even more. Petroski is an engineer, and has written other books about the development and production of everyday objects. Highly recommended.