Imponderable #2190

Posted by danleone on February 24th, 2008 filed in imponderable

Why is it that when an actor wants to portray a drunk person on TV or in the movies, they always hiccup? What’s with the hiccup that signals someone is drunk?

I have been drunk on more than one occasion in my life. I also have picked a lot of drunk people off the streets as an EMT. Never in my life have I seen someone become more hiccup-y as they got drunker.

Did it originate with that comedian Foster Brooks? What was his story anyway? All he ever did was play a drunk guy…a hiccuping drunk guy.

I know that people will slur their words, become increasingly socially lubricated and eventually throw up, but at what stage do you hiccup when drunk and why have I never seen it? “I am so dr-hic-dr-hic-dru-hic-drunk!”

Question for BoMR: Do you know anyone predisposed to hiccuping when drunk?

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7 Responses to “Imponderable #2190”

  1. Lilacspecs Says:
    February 24th, 2008 at 8:13 am

    Maybe it’s that hic-burping you get right before you throw up?

  2. terri Says:
    February 24th, 2008 at 10:42 am

    I don’t know about the hiccuping, but I have a neighbor who sneezes in rapid succession when he’s really drunk which, sadly, is all too often.

  3. Lyssa Ireland Thomas Says:
    February 24th, 2008 at 8:31 pm

    Nope, never witnessed that phenomenon. I have witnessed the “I love you, man” side effect on numerous occasions. Oh yeah, that was me.

  4. Joy Smith Says:
    February 25th, 2008 at 10:15 am

    Hmmm. Not to my knowledge have I ever seen anyone hiccup when they are drunk. They can get pretty stupid, lol. But no hiccups.

  5. Soapb Says:
    February 26th, 2008 at 11:09 am

    I’m chuckling at this one, Dan…
    ;-)

    And I have to agree. I can’t say that I ever actually remember (or can think of) anyone hiccuping while drunk.

    I have to ask, though, what the heck made you think of this and wonder about it?

  6. Kristina Says:
    February 26th, 2008 at 11:25 pm

    Women get more hiccupy (and burpy) right before they push a baby out…why don’t they portray THAT on TV?

  7. Deb (Missives From Suburbia) Says:
    February 27th, 2008 at 9:43 pm

    I’m not even sure what to say.

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