Do These 3 Things To Help You Lick Your Elbow

HanselMay 27, 2025

0 311 5 minutes read

Why Most of Us Can’t Lick Our Own Elbow While A Few Can

For generations, the challenge of licking one’s own elbow has served as a playground dare, a parlor trick, and a source of mild amusement. It’s a seemingly simple task, yet for the vast majority of humanity, it remains an impossible feat. The contorted faces and strained attempts are a common sight, quickly followed by the inevitable realization that the distance is just too great, the angles all wrong. But why is this seemingly innocuous act so difficult? And what biological peculiarities allow a select few to achieve this quirky anatomical triumph?

The Anatomical Roadblock

The primary reason why most people cannot lick their own elbow lies in a complex interplay of skeletal structure, muscular flexibility, and joint range of motion. It’s not just one factor, but a combined “conspiracy” of our own biology that prevents this simple act.

Firstly, let’s consider the length of the arm relative to the torso and neck. The average human arm, even when fully extended and brought as close to the mouth as possible, simply isn’t long enough to bridge the gap to the elbow. Imagine drawing a straight line from your tongue to your elbow. This line would have to curve significantly, and that curve is where the limitations truly begin.

Secondly, the range of motion at the shoulder joint plays a critical role. While the shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint, offering an impressive degree of rotation and flexion, its capabilities are not limitless. To lick your elbow, your arm needs to internally rotate and adduct (move towards the midline of the body) to an extreme degree, simultaneously flexing and abducting (moving away from the midline) at the elbow. This combination of movements pushes the shoulder’s natural boundaries. Many people experience a “locking” sensation or significant discomfort as they approach the limits of their shoulder’s internal rotation.

The humerus (upper arm bone) simply cannot rotate far enough inwards without causing impingement or strain on the surrounding soft tissues, including tendons, ligaments, and nerves.

Thirdly, the flexibility of the elbow joint itself is surprisingly restrictive. The elbow is a hinge joint, primarily designed for flexion and extension. While some minor rotation of the forearm is possible (pronation and supination), the elbow itself does not allow for the kind of angular movement necessary to bring the inner elbow closer to the mouth. Attempting to force such a movement would lead to hyperextension or even dislocation. The olecranon process (the bony tip of the elbow) and the olecranon fossa (a depression in the humerus) act as bony stops, preventing the elbow from bending “backwards” or rotating in an unnatural way.

Finally, the length and flexibility of the tongue and neck contribute to the challenge. Even if the arm could somehow reach the mouth, the tongue itself needs to be long and agile enough to extend to the very tip of the elbow. Furthermore, the neck needs to be able to flex and rotate significantly to bring the head as close to the arm as possible. For most people, a combination of these factors creates an insurmountable anatomical barrier.

The Anomalous Achievers: Who Are the Lucky Few?

Despite the overwhelming odds, there are individuals who can, indeed, lick their own elbows. These people are not exhibiting supernatural abilities, but rather possess a unique combination of anatomical variations and superior flexibility.

One of the most common reasons for being able to lick one’s elbow is disproportionately long arms. Individuals with longer humeri and forearms relative to their torso length will have a natural advantage. This increased reach can bridge the gap that most people find impossible. Think of someone with a very long wingspan – they are more likely to have the necessary limb length.

Another significant factor is hypermobility in the shoulder joint. Hypermobility, often referred to as being “double-jointed,” means that the ligaments and connective tissues around a joint are more lax than average. This allows for a greater range of motion, particularly in internal rotation and adduction at the shoulder. People with hypermobile shoulders can often contort their arms into positions that would be impossible or extremely painful for others. This increased flexibility, however, can sometimes come with a trade-off, as hypermobile joints can be more prone to instability or injury.

Similarly, extreme flexibility in the neck and spine can also contribute. If an individual can significantly flex their neck and upper spine, bringing their head closer to their chest and therefore their arm, it reduces the overall distance the arm needs to cover. This, combined with arm length and shoulder mobility, can be the tipping point.

Less common, but still a possibility, are variations in the angle of the humerus or the shape of the elbow joint. While the elbow is generally a stable hinge, subtle differences in the bony structures could theoretically allow for a slightly wider range of motion in certain directions. However, this is likely a minor contributing factor compared to arm length and shoulder flexibility.

It’s also worth noting that practice and training can play a minor role, though they cannot overcome fundamental anatomical limitations. A person who regularly stretches and works on their upper body flexibility might gain a millimeter or two of extra reach, but they won’t suddenly be able to lick their elbow if their basic arm length and joint structure aren’t conducive to it. The “trick” is predominantly genetic and anatomical, not a skill that can be universally learned.

The Cultural Significance

The inability to lick one’s own elbow has transcended its anatomical reality to become a common idiom, representing something impossible or extremely difficult to achieve. It’s used in casual conversation to denote a task that is beyond one’s capabilities or a goal that is unattainable. This pervasive understanding of its difficulty is a testament to how universally challenging it is.

The act of trying, and failing, is often met with laughter and camaraderie. It highlights the shared limitations of the human body and provides a lighthearted moment of self-awareness. For those rare individuals who can perform the feat, it’s a unique party trick, often met with disbelief and awe. It serves as a reminder of the subtle yet fascinating variations that exist within the human population.

Do These 3 Things To Help You Lick Your Elbow

While the ability to lick your own elbow is largely determined by your unique anatomy (arm length, shoulder flexibility), there are a few things you can try to optimize your chances, though success isn’t guaranteed for most people:

Improve Shoulder Flexibility (Internal Rotation): The biggest anatomical hurdle is often the limited internal rotation of the shoulder joint. Regularly stretching your shoulders to increase their range of motion, particularly in internal rotation, can help. Exercises like sleeper stretches or doorway stretches can target the muscles and capsules around the shoulder, potentially giving you a tiny bit more reach. However, be cautious not to overstretch or cause pain.
Optimize Arm and Body Positioning: To maximize the distance your arm can cover, practice the most advantageous position. Try to bring your elbow as close to your mouth as possible by:
- Rotating your torso: Twist your upper body towards the arm you’re trying to lick.
- Flexing your neck: Bring your head down and forward as much as comfortable.
- Maximizing arm extension and adduction: Fully extend your arm and try to pull it across your body as much as possible. Every millimeter counts!
Strengthen and Lengthen Your Tongue and Neck Muscles: While less impactful than shoulder flexibility, having a very long and agile tongue, and a flexible neck, can offer a minor advantage. You can’t really “lengthen” your tongue significantly, but some people practice tongue stretches (like trying to touch their nose or chin with their tongue) which might improve its reach. Neck stretches to increase overall flexibility can also help bring your head closer to your arm.