Stick Out Your Tongue Day

Stick Out Your Tongue Day is a fun and quirky holiday celebrated every year on July 19. Almost everyone has jokingly stuck out their tongue at someone at least once. In some cultures, this gesture is seen as rude or impolite, but in Tibet, it’s actually a traditional way of greeting. At the doctor’s office, there’s nothing offensive about it—physicians use the appearance of the tongue to help assess a patient’s health.

History

The tongue is a group of muscles that functions without the support of the skeleton. Its primary role is to identify the taste and temperature of food. It also serves a protective purpose by detecting potential health hazards like infections or diseases. The tongue naturally helps clean the teeth and mouth and plays a key role in speech.

Stick Out Your Tongue Day isn’t just for laughs—it draws attention to this important and versatile human organ. Still, no one knows exactly who created the holiday or when it began.

Interesting Facts

• The condition of your tongue can offer clues about your overall health—see a doctor if you notice anything unusual.
• Some people subconsciously stick out their tongue slightly when they’re focused or concentrating.
• The tongue is the most flexible muscle in the body and contains between 2,000 and 4,000 taste buds.
• Each person’s tongue print is as unique as their fingerprint.
• The longest tongue on record is nearly 4 inches, according to the Guinness Book of Records.

How to Take Part

Go ahead—stick out your tongue! On this day, you can do it freely and playfully without worrying about offending anyone. If you notice an unusual coating or color on your tongue, consider scheduling a check-up with your doctor. You can also spread the fun on social media by sharing fascinating facts about the tongue and encouraging others to join in the celebration.

When is Stick Out Your Tongue Day in 2025?

Stick Out Your Tongue Day is observed annually on July 19.

Observations