why do people stick out their tongue?

Question

One of my friends asked me to look it up for them, and i can't find an answer that they're looking for. I mean, i know infants do it when something tastes bad, but there HAS to be more to it. is there a reason for adults to do it? i know it's a universal sign of mockery, but where did it originate? Basically my friend's question is, is the true meaning something dirty? (the reason why my friend cant post this question is because they don't have a computer) The person that gives me the right answer will be chosen as the best answer.

Answer 1

Early man was living in small groups or packs. The males, when showing aggression, mistrust or fear would stand erect, thus exposing the genitals as a threat. In modern society, this would be highly frowned on. Showing the tongue takes the place of showing the genitals, though it has exactly the same meaning.

Answer 2

Tongue Sticking Out

Answer 3

Sticking Tongue Out

Answer 4

Has your sister-in-law have any kids, because all babies go through a stage of sticking their tongues out, they could be hungry, teething, or just found a new part of their body, dont worry you have no need to be concerned, sit back and enjoy your baby, Good Luck

Answer 5

I have not encountered the scientific answer in any of my travels, lol

I do agree that it is the universal response to:

" Bleaaghh" That tastes AWFUL. Something taste so vile that you would even put a distance between the rest of your body and your extremity which tasted it, in this case your tongue.

There is a differenc between that natural response to bad tasting food and when children stick out their tongue.

A juvenile sticks out his or her tongue at another juvenile or adult as an act of aggression, especially if accompanied by a blow of air through the pursed lips and the extended tongue.

This, for me, is a representative act of spitting at the other person or child. Spitting at another human being is a definite act of aggression. It has been banned, frowned upon, discouraged by the adults , and at worst, is an act punishable by adults in a human enclave or group.

So- my answer is this. Through centuries, we have held back our instincts to use spit as a weapon.|We have evolved from overt spitting into the civilized sticking out of tongue and hissing.

This remembered trait therefore is only seen in childhood. Much of the discouragement will be drummed into the youngster and it will be gone by the time he or she is starting adolescence.
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So- there are 2 reasons why we stick our tongues
1. Disgust. " vile, horrible, YUCKY"
2. Aggression. I spit on you.
and a 3rd one according to the other answers
3. Maoris= Ill show you my open mouth so welcome you to my village. See, I am not hiding any poison barb underneath my tongue to blow into your neck when your back is turned! Lol.
Disclaimer- this is my imagined reason for the tongue out.

Answer 6

Sticking out the tounge is not a universal sign of anything. Take Tibetans. It is meant as a sign of respect. It's original application in the west i do not know the origin too.

in the west it can also be a sign for exhaustion or thirst.

Answer 7

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
why do people stick out their tongue?
One of my friends asked me to look it up for them, and i can't find an answer that they're looking for. I mean, i know infants do it when something tastes bad, but there HAS to be more to it. is there a reason for adults to do it? i know it's a universal sign of mockery, but where did...

Answer 8

First off ..sticking one tongue out is a sign of the virtual nature of your state off health...since ancient time you would seldom see a sick person challenge someone with a sick tongue...it would show sign of weakness. It can also be a sign of jeering, invitation, insult etc depending of the presentation.

Answer 9

Something is "DIRTY" to individuals, SOLELY or as a GROUP.
If it is 'Dirty' to an individual they'll display their dislike by performing something equalivant to their Intelectual Level, Maturity or as an Emotional response.
Meaning their growth in years, experience and place in their Society's Structure, and I don't mean Financial or Racial situation.

As a group, they'll be persuaded to perform Innane Action by some person. On the basis, that it is for the groups benefit, and that is a 'Human' fault. That it is a communal animal and will perform, possibly deadly, action for the group.

Answer 10

Maoris (native New Zealanders) stick out their tongues to both scare away evil spirits and to welcome guests.