Before we get to the spelling bee, let’s identify the phenomenon itself.
Medically and colloquially, a sudden, spasmodic contraction of the diaphragm followed by an involuntary closure of the glottis (the space between your vocal cords) produces a distinctive sound: a sharp intake of breath, then an abrupt halt, then a noisy release. Before we get to the spelling bee, let’s
Most people call this a hiccup.
But not everyone. And not every dictionary. But not everyone
That sudden, noisy stoppage is technically a singultus (the Latin medical term), but in everyday English, we’ve given it two competing spellings that have coexisted for centuries. Most hiccups are short-lived and resolve on their
Most hiccups are short-lived and resolve on their own within a few minutes. However, there are several home remedies and techniques that can help get rid of hiccups:
Hiccups can result from a wide range of causes. Some of the most common triggers include: