# Yawning

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yawning/384207>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [December 15, 2006, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yawning/384207 "2006-12-15T00:32:36Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\
**Post date:** [December 15, 2006, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yawning/384207/1 "2006-12-15T00:32:36Z")

</div>

We all know how impossible it is to stifle a yawn. But why is it also impossible to stifle the facial contortions that accompany a yawn? If you’re in a situation in which yawning would be inappropriate, why is it impossible to not let it show?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![A.R.Cane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee7513/32.png) [@A.R.Cane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A.R.Cane)\
**Post date:** [December 15, 2006, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yawning/384207/2 "2006-12-15T00:47:58Z")

</div>

I’ve read, or heard, speculation on this. The theory that it’s to increase oxygen intake has been studied w/o finding anything to substantiate it. I think the general consensus is that it goes way back in human development and may be a signal to others that you are growing weary and need to rest. This could be an important signal in many social situations, even prehistoric ones. It’s also interseting to note that yawning is not limited to humans, many animals do it.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\
**Post date:** [December 15, 2006, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yawning/384207/3 "2006-12-15T00:55:53Z")

</div>

[QUOTE=panache45]  
If you’re in a situation in which yawning would be inappropriate, why is it impossible to not let it show?  
[/QUOTE]

I do it all the time. I don’t think anyone can tell at all. I just open my mouth a little bit and yawn internally. I just induced two yawns to check and it seems to work fine.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\
**Post date:** [December 15, 2006, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yawning/384207/4 "2006-12-15T01:30:38Z")

</div>

When **I** try to stifle a yawn, tears come out of my eyes.

It makes me appear “sensitive” when I couldn’t care less.

Q