# The Hiccup record story is bunk... **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [July 8, 2003, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hiccup-record-story-is-bunk/186955 "2003-07-08T07:23:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Emanuel\_Ravelli](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9fc348/32.png) [@Emanuel\_Ravelli](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emanuel_Ravelli)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2003, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hiccup-record-story-is-bunk/186955/1 "2003-07-08T07:23:28Z")
I don’t think anyone could have hiccups for months, and certainly not years, since it is impossible to eat or sleep when you have them. To cure them in about 30-45 seconds, stand BEHIND the “victim”/place both hands on the victim’s shoulders, then place your first and middle fingers inside the “valley” areas between victim’s collarbone, and shoulder muscle near outside edge of neck…both sides. Apply 8-10 pounds of downward pressure to your fingers. (This ultimately puts pressure on the phrenic nerve, which prevents it from spasm.) This really works, folks. Now, if you want to REALLY amaze your friends, spray water on a house fly. Put the fly on a piece of paper towel. After 2-3 minutes, blot the fly with a portion of the paper towel, and you’ll see it fly away… Since flies breathe through their wings, you have just resuscitated a fly! (Seems like there ought to be a merit badge for that one.) ---
**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2003, 9:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hiccup-record-story-is-bunk/186955/2 "2003-07-08T09:53:23Z")
Welcome to the SDMB, \*\* Emanuel Ravelli\*\* Link to article: [What are hiccups and why do we get them?](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a5_118.html) ---
**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2003, 10:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hiccup-record-story-is-bunk/186955/3 "2003-07-08T10:01:26Z")
According to [this site](http://educ.queensu.ca/~science/main/profdev/CMSTJC3.htm) and many others online: > [@](#): > > As of 1996, Charles Osborne of Iowa has had the hiccups for more than 60 years. Therefore, he has completed approximately 420 million hiccups. The record apparently is in the year 2000 edition of Guinness Book of Records. ---
**Author:** ![Emanuel\_Ravelli](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9fc348/32.png) [@Emanuel\_Ravelli](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emanuel_Ravelli)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2003, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hiccup-record-story-is-bunk/186955/4 "2003-07-08T13:58:00Z")
Then mister Osborne is also holda the world record for stay awake for 60 years…and spilla more food on his coveralls than anyone else! ---
**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2003, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hiccup-record-story-is-bunk/186955/5 "2003-07-08T14:04:53Z")
If it does bear out, it must have been a hellish experience. ---
**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2003, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hiccup-record-story-is-bunk/186955/6 "2003-07-08T15:00:22Z")
Has anyone got access to a copy of Guinness Book to check this out? [From here:](http://www.americanjourney.net/edition3.htm) > [@](#): > > A Texas man endured hiccups for 22 years. At one point he couldn’t eat or sleep for 4 weeks. When he reached the point where he lost 20 pounds, he checked himself into the hospital. It was later discovered that his spasms were a side effect of some medication he had been taking for another ailment. And believe it or not, the world record holder is Charles Osborne of Iowa who began hiccupping in 1922 while trying to lift a 350-pound hog. Apparently, Osborne lived a “normal” life, was married and had children, according to some sources. Sounding miraculous. ---
**Author:** ![Xiphos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/48db29/32.png) [@Xiphos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xiphos)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2003, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hiccup-record-story-is-bunk/186955/7 "2003-07-08T15:00:45Z")
I’m pretty sure flies don’t breath through their wings but through small vessels in the side of their bodies ---
**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2003, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hiccup-record-story-is-bunk/186955/8 "2003-07-08T15:21:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Xiphos \* > \*\*I’m pretty sure flies don’t breath through their wings but through small vessels in the side of their bodies \*\* Welcome to the SDMB, **Xiphos**. Yes, flies “breathe” through the outside of their exoskeleton. ---
**Author:** ![Emanuel\_Ravelli](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9fc348/32.png) [@Emanuel\_Ravelli](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emanuel_Ravelli)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2003, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hiccup-record-story-is-bunk/186955/9 "2003-07-08T16:10:53Z")
I’ll accept the fly anatomy lesson with thanks, but until I’m in a room with a person that does not eat, drink or sleep for 4 weeks, I do not believe the various hiccup “records”. How did the Guinnes(sp?) derive at a figure of 4.5 million hiccups? Having the hiccups for 24 hours, then having them subside for a couple daysis believable. This “pattern” could continue for years, but no one on this planet can hiccup constantly non-stop for years. (!) ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2003, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hiccup-record-story-is-bunk/186955/10 "2003-07-08T23:25:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Emanuel Ravelli \* > \*\*I don’t think anyone could have hiccups for months, and certainly not years, since it is impossible to eat or sleep when you have them. \*\* Your conclusion is based on a faulty assumption, and is therefore illogical. Since you freely admit you have never met anyone who has been afflicted with continuous hiccups, how could you conclude that it is impossible to eat or sleep with them? Just because it is _your personal experience_ that eating and sleeping with hiccups is difficult, does not mean that no one could, nor does it mean it is impossible to become accustomed to them to the point that eating and sleeping is possible. ---
**Author:** ![Manduck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manduck/32/256_2.png) [@Manduck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Manduck)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2003, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hiccup-record-story-is-bunk/186955/11 "2003-07-09T01:12:14Z")
FI, you seem to be saying that you can’t say it’s impossible to have continuous hiccups unless you first meet someone who does have continuous hiccups. That makes my brain hurt. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2003, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hiccup-record-story-is-bunk/186955/12 "2003-07-09T02:08:09Z")
**Emanuel**. Another welcome. No doubt you nor any of your friends have the ability to build a vehicle to take you to the moon. But people have actually been to the moon. Just because you weren’t there, do you disbelieve that? ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2003, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hiccup-record-story-is-bunk/186955/13 "2003-07-09T02:09:17Z")
**Emanuel Ravelli** , a Marxian doubting Cecil! He brings shame to the entire Marxian community. Can I buy back my introduction to him? ---
**Author:** ![Emanuel\_Ravelli](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9fc348/32.png) [@Emanuel\_Ravelli](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emanuel_Ravelli)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2003, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hiccup-record-story-is-bunk/186955/14 "2003-07-09T04:49:52Z")
If I read an entry in the Guinnesse Book that says a man produced non-stop hiccups for 60 years, I would wonder which member of their staff spent 60 years with that man to verify his “record,” which is my understanding as to how records are established. and did someone sit at his death bed and record the 420 millionth hiccup before the man died? I think the most logical way to research this would be in medical archives rather than the Guinness Book. I have seen patients admitted to Intensive Care with the same symptoms pointed out by Ice Wolf in his example of the Texas man. At that time the treatment was controlled breathing of a O2/enriched CO2 mixture. I do not know what the prescribed medical treatment is today, but if it is possible to have continuous hiccups for 50+ years, I wonder why physicians don’t tell the patient to “g’won back home, and just lead a normal life, because others have had your same problem for 60 years, so, don’t worry about it.” I do not believe “anything is possible.” I believe people have been on the moon, because I’ve seen images of them on the moon. But I don’t believe anyone has been on the sun, and I don’t believe the Guinness Book of Records for non-stop hiccups. I am 61 y.o, and have had hiccups maybe 10-12 times in my life. Does that mean I’ve had hiccups for 61 years? If so, does that beat the “record” of Charles Osborne? ---
**Author:** ![Emanuel\_Ravelli](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9fc348/32.png) [@Emanuel\_Ravelli](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emanuel_Ravelli)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2003, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hiccup-record-story-is-bunk/186955/15 "2003-07-09T04:50:26Z")
If I read an entry in the Guinnesse Book that says a man produced non-stop hiccups for 60 years, I would wonder which member of their staff spent 60 years with that man to verify his “record,” which is my understanding as to how records are established. and did someone sit at his death bed and record the 420 millionth hiccup before the man died? I think the most logical way to research this would be in medical archives rather than the Guinness Book. I have seen patients admitted to Intensive Care with the same symptoms pointed out by Ice Wolf in his example of the Texas man. At that time the treatment was controlled breathing of a O2/enriched CO2 mixture. I do not know what the prescribed medical treatment is today, but if it is possible to have continuous hiccups for 50+ years, I wonder why physicians don’t tell the patient to “g’won back home, and just lead a normal life, because others have had your same problem for 60 years, so, don’t worry about it.” I do not believe “anything is possible.” I believe people have been on the moon, because I’ve seen images of them on the moon. But I don’t believe anyone has been on the sun, and I don’t believe the Guinness Book of Records for non-stop hiccups. I am 61 y.o, and have had hiccups maybe 10-12 times in my life. Does that mean I’ve had hiccups for 61 years? If so, does that beat the “record” of Charles Osborne? However, I would point out that we can all believe what we want. ---
**Author:** ![lorinada](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b5e925/32.png) [@lorinada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorinada)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2003, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hiccup-record-story-is-bunk/186955/16 "2003-07-09T06:06:36Z")
**Emanuel Ravelli** , I beg to differ with you. Due to some health conditions, I get hiccups rather frequently. I have never had any trouble eating while hiccuping. Also, babies hiccup frequently, even before they are born. My son frequently hiccupped while he napped. Although I can’t say that an adult could sleep while hiccupping, I don’t see how it’s impossible. ---
**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2003, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hiccup-record-story-is-bunk/186955/17 "2003-07-09T06:14:45Z")
The sneezing record seems to be a related item. From the [GWR site:](http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/) > [@](#): > > The longest sneezing bout ever recorded was that of 12-year-old schoolgirl Donna Griffiths of Worcestershire, UK. She started sneezing on January 13, 1981, sneezed an estimated million times in the first 365 days, and achieved her first sneeze-free day on September 16, 1983 - the 978th day. According to the Keeper of the Records: > [@](#): > > As the Keeper of the Records, I maintain a vigilant watch to guarantee the accuracy and relevance of each and every Guinness World Record™, and my team of researchers operates with unswerving impartiality and commitment to veracity. A fact may only become a Guinness World Record™ when it’s tested, verified and elevated above all suspicion. I believe they have a history of verifying records, and discarding junk ones. Unless someone comes up with medical proof that the hiccups record is bunk, I’ll believe GWR. ---
**Author:** ![Emanuel\_Ravelli](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9fc348/32.png) [@Emanuel\_Ravelli](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emanuel_Ravelli)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2003, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hiccup-record-story-is-bunk/186955/18 "2003-07-10T04:12:04Z")
No problem. Now that I have your attention,… the following deals with Art History, so gather all your art history buffs to this site. But first, a short test: What was the only work that Michelangelo ever signed? ---
**Author:** ![zut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zut/32/2875_2.png) [@zut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zut)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2003, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hiccup-record-story-is-bunk/186955/19 "2003-07-10T11:56:32Z")
The Pieta. As I recall, Mike overheard some viewers of the sculpture attributing it to another contemporary artist. He got peeved and chiseled in a sig. What site? ---
**Author:** ![SirBeef](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4af34b/32.png) [@SirBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SirBeef)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2003, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hiccup-record-story-is-bunk/186955/20 "2003-07-10T15:01:06Z")
Ok just to talk about Hiccups very quickly. There was a television programme over here in the UK, about 2 years ago, about a gurl who had, had the Hiccup’s for two months solid! Not sure how long they lasted… but 2 months is sometime… [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hiccup-record-story-is-bunk/186955.md?page=2)