Why Most People Can't Lick Their Elbow

Why Most People Can't Lick Their Own Elbow

5k views·Posted 16 years ago·Updated 5 hours ago

Go ahead, try it. Stick out your tongue and attempt to lick your elbow. Chances are, you'll fail spectacularly, possibly while looking ridiculous to anyone watching.

This seemingly simple task has stumped the vast majority of humans throughout history, and it's not for lack of trying. The reason? Pure anatomy.

The Arm Length Problem

The human arm simply isn't designed for this kind of contortionism. When you bend your elbow at a 90-degree angle and try to bring it to your mouth, you run into a fundamental problem: your forearm and upper arm lengths create a gap that your tongue can't bridge.

Even if you have an impressively long tongue, the average adult tongue measures only 3-4 inches from tip to back. Meanwhile, the distance from a bent elbow to the mouth typically exceeds 6-8 inches. The math simply doesn't work out.

Joint Limitations

But arm length isn't the only obstacle. Your body has multiple joints working against you:

Shoulder mobility: Limited rotation prevents extreme positioning
Elbow flexion: Can't bend beyond approximately 145-160 degrees
Spinal flexibility: Most people can't contort their torso enough to compensate

Even professional gymnasts and contortionists struggle with this challenge because these anatomical limitations are universal.

The Hypermobile Exception

About 10% of the population has joint hypermobility, meaning their ligaments are looser than average, allowing greater range of motion. People with hypermobile elbows, wrists, and shoulders have the best shot at achieving this unusual feat.

Hypermobility isn't the same as flexibility. While flexibility involves muscles and can be improved with training, hypermobility is genetic. You either have loose ligaments or you don't.

Even among the hypermobile population, only a fraction can actually lick their elbows. Some estimates suggest fewer than 1 in 100 people possess this ability, making it a genuinely rare party trick.

The Internet Challenge Effect

This fact went viral in the early 2000s, spawning countless YouTube videos of people attempting the impossible. The challenge became so widespread that orthopedists reported treating patients who'd strained their shoulders or necks in overzealous attempts.

If you just tried it while reading this article, you're in good company. The temptation to test your own anatomical limits is nearly irresistible—even when you know the odds are stacked against you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What percentage of people can lick their elbow?

Estimates vary, but fewer than 1-10% of people can lick their own elbow. Most sources suggest only about 1 in 100 people have the combination of hypermobility and arm proportions needed to accomplish this.

Why can't I lick my elbow?

The human arm is too long relative to tongue length, and your shoulder and elbow joints have limited range of motion. Even bending your elbow fully, the gap between elbow and mouth is typically 6-8 inches—far beyond your tongue's 3-4 inch reach.

Can double-jointed people lick their elbow?

People with hypermobile ("double-jointed") elbows and shoulders have a better chance, but it's still rare. Only a small fraction of hypermobile individuals can actually achieve this due to other anatomical factors like arm length and torso flexibility.

Is it dangerous to try to lick your elbow?

While not inherently dangerous, overzealous attempts can strain shoulder muscles, neck muscles, or ligaments. Orthopedists have reported treating patients who injured themselves trying this challenge.

Can you train yourself to lick your elbow?

No. The ability depends on genetic factors like ligament laxity and bone structure, not muscle flexibility. Stretching won't change your arm length or fundamentally alter your joint anatomy.