What Is With The Tongue Thing?

Young grandson starts the tongue trend. Not sure he was even being ornery, he may just be catching some marshmallow that tried to escape.

What is with the tongue? Why does even young child at a very early age know he or she is being sassy  by protruding this hidden, muscular, slug-ugly organ?

Sure, there are some off-uses of the tongue. Nobody wants unexpected contact with another’s licker, and the tongue is a vital part of blowing a raspberry.

But, what does the tongue sticking out signify? That one is as crazy as Miley Cyrus? As musical as Mick Jagger? As smart as Einstein? As errantly adventuresome as Flick, that kid in “A Christmas Story” who haplessly and foolishly took on the folk wisdom about cold flag poles and whether the tongue would stick? Don’t try that at home kids, because, yes, a tongue will adhere to cold metal. Not that I ever tried a flag pole. But I’ve made some regrettable and painful mistakes involving ice cream scoops.

Anyway, I was with some young grandchildren Saturday. Two of them had been out in the snow, so naturally they decided their grandfather should make hot chocolate. And, since I would get to share in it, I went along with that plan.

She, on the other hand, is being ornery.

Then, my young grandson stuck out his tongue. Followed by his older sister, then one of his younger sisters.

The baby sister was too wise to be peer pressured into this mouthy display. And the kids quickly gave up the game when I didn’t react (other than snapping the quick pictures).

But, why is the tongue rude? Granted, it’s not exactly lovely, but why be offended if someone else makes himself or herself less pretty by showing off the least attractive part of the face?

Anyway, I didn’t give the kids any tongue lashings. They giggled, stuck out their tongues and then enjoyed their hot chocolate. Me, I just sipped the chocolate.

And wondered. What is with the tongue?