# Yo-yo string twists-up. Help or explain. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 7, 2007, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yo-yo-string-twists-up-help-or-explain/407190 "2007-06-07T22:44:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![figure9](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f0a364/32.png) [@figure9](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/figure9)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2007, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yo-yo-string-twists-up-help-or-explain/407190/1 "2007-06-07T22:44:00Z")
Why does my yo-yo string twist-up? And, what can I do about it! I know how to yo-yo but after a few cycles the string starts twisting up. Then I have to let the yo-yo hang until the string untwists. I remember playing with a yo-yo when I was younger and I never had this problem. I’m talking about a standard fixed axle yo-yo (not a floating axle or clutch type). A pitting to anyone who says a yo-yo has it’s ups and downs! Also while writing this I came upon another question. What is the plural of yo-yo? ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2007, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yo-yo-string-twists-up-help-or-explain/407190/2 "2007-06-07T22:52:39Z")
If you flip a yo-yo with your palm facing you, you twist the string when you turn your wrist to catch the yo-yo when it comes up. It won’t twist if you just go up and down with your palm facing down the whole time. To untwist the string without letting it loose, start with your palm facing down and throw the yo-yo upwards at an angle and twist you wrist clockwise (if you’re right-handed). before catching it on its way down. ---
**Author:** ![scm1001](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c4cdca/32.png) [@scm1001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scm1001)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2007, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yo-yo-string-twists-up-help-or-explain/407190/3 "2007-06-08T00:25:54Z")
[QUOTE=figure9] Also while writing this I came upon another question. What is the plural of yo-yo? [/QUOTE] yo-yos of course ---
**Author:** ![Sapo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2007, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yo-yo-string-twists-up-help-or-explain/407190/4 "2007-06-08T02:28:21Z")
[QUOTE=figure9] What is the plural of yo-yo? [/QUOTE] yo-y’all ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2007, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yo-yo-string-twists-up-help-or-explain/407190/5 "2007-06-08T04:33:30Z")
To paraphrase Gary, if you launch with your palm up letting the yoyo roll off the ends of your fingers and then turn your palm down to catch it on the return, you’ve put a half twist in the string. Lather, rinse, repeat, you have a full twist. Continue until you have to do the hang and spin. Another consideration. Cheap yoyos come with a twisted string, like a classic rope. The constant stretch-release cycle will gradually straighten the string giving the effect that there’s a twist from nowhere. Good yoyos have a braided string with no built in twist. ---
**Author:** ![Meeko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e495f1/32.png) [@Meeko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meeko)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2007, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yo-yo-string-twists-up-help-or-explain/407190/6 "2007-06-08T04:52:41Z")
[QUOTE=Sapo] yo-y’all [/QUOTE] Yi yi s? Yois ? Anyway, I thought string twisting was due to the string being too tight. You should let the Yo Yo un wind all the way. (Wait until it stops on its own, it might take a minute) and we all know what happens with a tight yo, Bye bye fingers! ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2007, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yo-yo-string-twists-up-help-or-explain/407190/7 "2007-06-08T11:03:37Z")
[QUOTE=Sapo] yo-y’all [/QUOTE] Alternatively, around Philadelphia, _yo-youse_.