Okay, so maybe this isn’t exactly “Christmas Spirit.” But what holiday season doesn’t go by where someone doesn’t either warn you about or tell the story of someone who licked a frozen flagpole and got their tongue stuck to it?
Since I’ve never had the nerve (or maybe the stupidity) to test this out for myself, I have wondered if this is actually possible, or just another urban legend. (And if you want to consider this as “research” for having a character do this in a novel, go for it…whatever rationalizes a writing connection)
This report says: Nope. It’s real. Do it, and you’ll be looking as stupid as you feel. Basically, the metal pole takes away the body heat in your tongue much faster than it can be replenished, and so you are stuck there until you either tear off that lovely bit of flesh, or have someone pour warm water over the contact point.
There. Aren’t you glad I spared you the embarrassment? Now get out there and start triple-dog daring folks…though I wouldn’t recommend the younger cousins at the family Christmas party. That might make for some unhappy relatives.
I see that smile.