I heard a podcast on This American Life the other day in which the theme was “magic words.” It got me to thinking about a “magic” cure for the hiccups that I learned about from a coworker about 35 years ago. It is truly magic, because it works 90% of the time, and that’s a pretty good record! (Disclaimer: I don’t use this remedy on myself, because for some reason I almost never hiccup more than 3 times in a row, a phenomenon that drives other hiccuppers crazy.)
Equipment: One small (juice size) glass or plastic cup, a clean handkerchief, a rubber band (optional), invisible magic powder
One should always carry the invisible magic powder in one’s pocket or purse so that it is handy should a nearby child get the hiccups!
Method: Fill the cup 1/2-3/4 full with water. Take a pinch of invisible magic powder from your pocket and sprinkle it in the cup. Cover the cup with the handkerchief and hold it there with a rubber band if available. The person with the hiccups should wave their hand over the cup and exclaim the magic words.* Drink the entire cup of water through the handkerchief. Viola! The hiccups will disappear!
*We have variously used “Abracadabra,” “A-la peanut butter sandwich” and others. any authentic magic words seem to work.
This magic potion really works, even for adults!!! I still use it for myself and I use it for my adult friends. My friends usually laugh at my as I am preparing the potion, but quickly eat crow when they realize that this potion truely magically works!!!!