Sendecki’s Blog

The other night on The Colbert Report, Dr. Stephen T. Colbert (DFA) noted that John McCain was doing something peculiar with his tongue. The upshot of the joke was that McCain was repeatedly sticking his tongue out like a reptile.

Lizards smell with their tongues! Just like snakes, a lizard will stick out its tongue to catch scent particles in the air, then pull back its tongue and place those particles on the roof of its mouth where there are special sensory cells. The lizard can use these scent clues to find food or a mate, or to detect enemies. Apparently, McCain is looking for a theme for his campaign.

I liked this explanation from UnderNews the best: “Tongue-jutting behavior is a gesture used by people who think they have gotten away with something or are “caught” doing something.”

They go on: “I have seen this behavior in flea markets both in the United States and in Russia, among street vendors in Lower Manhattan, at poker tables in Las Vegas, and in business meetings.”

In each case, the person made the gesture – tongue between the teeth without touching the lips – at the conclusion of some sort of a deal or as a final nonverbal statement. This behavior has several meanings – depending on specific situations – but is usually associated with one of these: I got caught (taking candy from a drawer), gleeful excitement (look at what I just did, Mom), I got away with something (and I didn’t get caught), I did something foolish, or I am naughty.

These photos of McCain, capturing what would have been insignificant debate moments, may become the eternal image representing McCain’s downward-spiralling bid for the presidency.

So is the McCain tongue flicking more of a pause reaction — sort of like a nervous twitch — and not an indicator of lying?

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaasssssuuuuuuup?