[xetho (OP)]

1) The bodies way of unblocking the upper digestive tract.
2) A defense that prevents the heart from ceasing to beat?
3) A stray impulse from the nerves that usually make the heart beat, to the diaphragm muscles or phrenic nerve?
4) Nothing at all, but a nuisance?

I've never had hiccups for more than 10 minutes, but apparently other people do. I've been told my Uncle-in-Law had them chronically, for days or weeks at a time.
Like the appendix, it doesn't appear to serve a definite purpose.

[neilep]

Guinness Book Of Records 1985 Edition.

The longest recorded attack was by Charles Osborne (b 1894) of IOWA...from 1922 to date (remember this is the 1985 edition)  He contracted it when slaughtering a hog and he hiccuped about 420 million times in the interim period....at that time he had been unable to find a cure, however he did manage to have two wives, father eight children though admitted that he could never keep his false teeth in !

Men are the same as women, just inside out !

[Karen W.]

Now that is a interesting fact! I love it SIR!

[tony6789]

i would hardly call neil a "sir" hes just neil thats all i can say

NEVER! underestimate youth

[tootsie78]

I dogsat for an older couple several years ago (when I was a teenager) & the man (at that time) had had the hiccups for over 20 years.  He had even been to the Mayo Clinic & STILL!  They could find no cure or explanation to help him out...poor guy!!!

*Joy*

[Karen W.]

You are funny Tony!  Sir Neil, Keeper of the stars and forum Moderator. Actually I think it is quite befitting Him myself! Just think of the forum as a round table and Chris the King and  Neil and the other Moderators as the Brave knights Defending our forum from the evil doers,
putting time and energy into keeping the forum safe and running smoothly! Yeperoo! Thats how I feel about it! Quite befitting him really!

[Karen W.]

I had no idea one could have the hiccups for such a long time. Must have been quite annoying. I have seen small children get them for like a day or two, but that is about it!.....Karen

[tootsie78]

If I even had the hiccups for an entire DAY I would probably shoot myself!  Talk about MISERABLE!!!

*Joy*

[Carolyn]

Here is a sure fire way to get rid of hiccups.  Take a big swig of milk and hold it in your mouth.  Now beat your head against the wall til' it turns into buttermilk.[][][^]  You'll stop worrying about the hiccups and they'll go away.  This works for several ailments as well.  You forget about whats ailing you.  Try it.  It really works.[xx(]

Carolyn

[xetho (OP)]

The wikipedia has a long list of remedies for hiccups, but not that one.