# "Dumb but impressive tricks" Whats yours? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 12, 2010, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-but-impressive-tricks-whats-yours/524670 "2010-01-12T16:15:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2010, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-but-impressive-tricks-whats-yours/524670/21 "2010-01-12T19:10:32Z")
I can twiddle my thumbs in opposite directions (so that, for example, your left thumb is rotating clockwise and your right thumb is also rotating clockwise). Most people can’t; at least, not easily. ---
**Author:** ![Lurking\_Quahog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lurking_quahog/32/21274_2.png) [@Lurking\_Quahog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lurking_Quahog)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2010, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-but-impressive-tricks-whats-yours/524670/22 "2010-01-12T19:28:02Z")
I can levitate small, spherical objects (half-consumed jawbreakers, grapes, olives) using my own breath. Keep 'em levitated about two inches above my lips with my head tilted backward for a few seconds or so until I run out of breath. Really wowed my friend’s 9 and 11 year old daughters at a wedding a few months ago. Yeah, I’m a class act. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2010, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-but-impressive-tricks-whats-yours/524670/23 "2010-01-12T19:30:10Z")
> [@Malthus](#): > > I can twiddle my thumbs in opposite directions (so that, for example, your left thumb is rotating clockwise and your right thumb is also rotating clockwise). Most people can’t; at least, not easily. Arrgh!!! Damn you! ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2010, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-but-impressive-tricks-whats-yours/524670/24 "2010-01-12T19:40:35Z")
> [@kopek](#): > > Stick a fork in my left arm or leg at picnics; usually more the biker kind. I have no sense of pain in my limbs on the left and I found it an “instant freak” to sit there balancing my plate and just stick the fork in my arm while having a beer or something. Can you elaborate on this a bit more, or did I miss the joke? When you say “stick a fork in my left arm”, do you mean stab yourself with it and just let it stay in? ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2010, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-but-impressive-tricks-whats-yours/524670/25 "2010-01-12T19:46:10Z")
I can program myself to wake up at a specific time. I use an alarm as a backup, but if I don’t have an alarm, I can fairly reliably wake up at the specified time. ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2010, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-but-impressive-tricks-whats-yours/524670/26 "2010-01-12T19:48:50Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > Arrgh!!! Damn you! Heh heh heh. Tough, isn’t it? 😃 There is a secret to it: [spoiler] If you are doing it properly your thumbs will cross twice per rotation. Ignore trying to make them twiddle in opposite directions and just try to make them cross at the “top” and “bottom”, and gradually you will get it. Then you too can drive folks nuts with this totally useless accomplishment! :D[/spoiler] ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2010, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-but-impressive-tricks-whats-yours/524670/27 "2010-01-12T19:52:17Z")
> [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](#): > > I can shape my tongue into a cloverleaf. > > I’ve heard it’s unusual to be able to flare your nostrils? Is that true? If that’s the case, then there’s at least one thing I’m versatile at. Most people can do it a bit, but what I consider flaring is usually a lot bigger, and I know few who can do it. ---
**Author:** ![Palo\_Verde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/65b543/32.png) [@Palo\_Verde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palo_Verde)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2010, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-but-impressive-tricks-whats-yours/524670/28 "2010-01-12T19:57:09Z")
I can sing the names of all the states in alphabetical order. Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado… etc ---
**Author:** ![lost4life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c4cdca/32.png) [@lost4life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lost4life)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2010, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-but-impressive-tricks-whats-yours/524670/29 "2010-01-12T20:21:02Z")
I can stick out my tongue and touch my ear. ---
**Author:** ![Lanzy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/74df32/32.png) [@Lanzy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lanzy)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2010, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-but-impressive-tricks-whats-yours/524670/30 "2010-01-12T20:23:55Z")
I can jump over a broom stick while holding on to it. You know, through my arms. I used to challenge really tall basketball players (I’m 5’6) to a jumping contest. ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2010, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-but-impressive-tricks-whats-yours/524670/31 "2010-01-12T20:41:27Z")
> [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](#): > > I can shape my tongue into a cloverleaf. > > I’ve heard it’s unusual to be able to flare your nostrils? Is that true? If that’s the case, then there’s at least one thing I’m versatile at. I knew a girl in grade school who could do the cloverleaf thing- way cool. I can wiggle my eyebrows independantly, although I can’t make them do a wave thingy. I can occasionally guess a person’s birthdate. Sometimes I just know what it is, without ever having actually learned it. It kind of freaks people out, especially when we’ve just met. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2010, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-but-impressive-tricks-whats-yours/524670/32 "2010-01-12T20:49:32Z")
I can wiggle my scalp (without using my hands, of course). Kids love it because I have a big mess of curly hair, and it looks funny when I make it move. ---
**Author:** ![PsyXe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/54ee81/32.png) [@PsyXe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PsyXe)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2010, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-but-impressive-tricks-whats-yours/524670/33 "2010-01-12T20:50:28Z")
Lost4life - your EAR? How? I can lick my elbows, which some people say can’t be done… but your EAR? I am in awe. ---
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2010, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-but-impressive-tricks-whats-yours/524670/34 "2010-01-12T20:52:39Z")
I’ve got the tie the cherry stem in a knot inside your mouth thing down PAT! (Control yourselves, ladies…) 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2010, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-but-impressive-tricks-whats-yours/524670/35 "2010-01-12T20:53:58Z")
I have minimal eye-hand coordination and my left elbow was busted so my left arm ain’t worth shit. Yet anything I throw with my left arm will hit its target. Use the force, Annie. ---
**Author:** ![freckafree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/freckafree/32/3050_2.png) [@freckafree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freckafree)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2010, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-but-impressive-tricks-whats-yours/524670/36 "2010-01-12T20:58:34Z")
> [@PsyXe](#): > > Lost4life - your EAR? How? I can lick my elbows, which some people say can’t be done… but your EAR? I am in awe. Note that **Lost4life** did NOT say he could touch his ear with his tongue. He said he could stick out his tongue and touch his ear. I believe anybody can do that! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2010, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-but-impressive-tricks-whats-yours/524670/37 "2010-01-12T21:18:44Z")
I can ride a bicycle while sitting backwards (sitting on the handlebars and feet on the pedals). Learned it in the course of a day as a kid and never forgot how. ---
**Author:** ![Mandiola9](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b77776/32.png) [@Mandiola9](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mandiola9)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2010, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-but-impressive-tricks-whats-yours/524670/38 "2010-01-12T21:32:36Z")
> [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](#): > > I can shape my tongue into a cloverleaf. > > I’ve heard it’s unusual to be able to flare your nostrils? Is that true? If that’s the case, then there’s at least one thing I’m versatile at. Me too, and can do the nostril thing. ---
**Author:** ![cuberdon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/45deac/32.png) [@cuberdon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cuberdon)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2010, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-but-impressive-tricks-whats-yours/524670/39 "2010-01-12T21:45:57Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > I can fairly reliably wake up at the specified time. This is my normal state. I use an alarm clock only when there’s a plane to catch. My coworkers were very disgruntled when I mentioned this. ---
**Author:** ![badbadrubberpiggy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/57b2e6/32.png) [@badbadrubberpiggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/badbadrubberpiggy)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2010, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-but-impressive-tricks-whats-yours/524670/40 "2010-01-12T21:47:09Z")
Like many others, I can wiggle my nose, my scalp, both ears (at the same time or independently), raise just my left eyebrow (but for some reason not just my right, I’m working on it). I can also tie a cherry stem in a knot with my tongue. It’s a good party trick, and not nearly as difficult as you’d think. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-but-impressive-tricks-whats-yours/524670.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-but-impressive-tricks-whats-yours/524670.md?page=3)