Grandma’s Hiccup Cure

Grandma got the hiccups at Thanksgiving and then proceeded to pour sugar on to a spoon and then lick it.”Grandma! What are you doing!” we shouted.”It’s my hiccup cure,” she explained. “Take a picture and share it with your internet audience!”Incredulous, I did……and sure enough, her hiccups went away. Just something to think about next time you hiccup at the table. The key, apparently, is to put the sugar on the tip of your tongue. Make sure to thank my grandma next time you see her.

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CateATL
CateATL
21 years ago

I always use this method and it works great for me.Of course every child that I know is always “getting the hiccups” around me so that they can be “cured”. 🙂

Nikola
Nikola
18 years ago

For really stubborn hiccoughs the only thing I have found to work is to stretch out in bed with my arms over my head and stretch and stretch. From the tips of your toes to your fingers. Take slow breaths until you can fill your lungs without feeling that “catch”. Relax.

hello
hello
21 years ago

there is only one real hiccup cure: take the deepest breath you can drink down a glass of water holding your breath the whole time and keep holding it as long as you can.works 100% of the time.

A Big Fan of the AG
A Big Fan of the AG
21 years ago

This really does work! My best friend has used this method for more than 30 years and it never fails. Beats the heck out of trying to scare the hiccups out of someone.

Storiedime
21 years ago

My grandma told me the same, and it works perfectly (also for Italian hiccups 😉 )!

Molly
21 years ago

I love this photo of your grandmother. Her hair has fabulous volume.

Hande
Hande
21 years ago

I use a similar method for years now (100% ): spoonful of sugar with drops of (balsamico) vinegar; slurp all in one go.

Owen O'Neill
Owen O'Neill
18 years ago

Works even better if you toss the entire spoonful of sugar straight into the back of your mouth so it hits your throat. The theory seems to be that the granular nature of the sugar tickles something that quells the hiccups. Sand or salt would also do the trick if of the right texture but sugar does taste better.

Nikola
Nikola
18 years ago

For really stubborn hiccoughs the only thing I have found to work is to stretch out in bed with my arms over my head and stretch and stretch. From the tips of your toes to your fingers. Take slow breaths until you can fill your lungs without feeling that “catch”. Relax.

Seattle Bon Vivant
21 years ago

I like her already! 🙂

Kate
Kate
21 years ago

Yep, that really works.

Marcy
Marcy
21 years ago

Yep! My late grandfather taught me that one and it does work. Hmm…and he also ate raw onions like they were apples. And he was Jewish. Interesting.

daisy
daisy
17 years ago

Thanks for the tip! The one that has always worked for me is a spoonful of peanut butter. But since I rarely have access to peanut butter outside my house (i.e., at a bar), the sugar cure is a good backup.