Podcasts · Science for Kids / Science's Not Boring: The Kids Science Podcast

What is a hiccup?

3 Aug 2026 · 12 min · S1 E421

Have you ever wondered why your body does wild and wacky things without even asking you first? Join Mira and Finn on Science is Not Boring as they explore the strange secrets of the human body! Discover why a sneeze is like a powerful explosion that can launch a gross cloud of 40,000 tiny droplets at 100 miles per hour across a room! Learn the mind-blowing truth about yawning—it isn't just about being tired, it actually acts like a built-in air conditioner to cool down your brain! We will also uncover the mystery of hiccups, including the unbelievable true story of Charles Osborne, a man who hiccupped an estimated 430 million times over 68 straight years just from falling over on a farm! Finally, find out why we get goosebumps when we are cold or scared, and how it is actually a leftover survival trick from millions of years ago when our ancient human ancestors were covered in thick fur. Your body is basically a walking museum full of ancient tricks and involuntary reflexes. Tune in for fascinating facts that prove science is definitely not boring!