Yawning History
Posted: Monday, June 06, 2005
by James Redstone
In ancient times, yawning was considered dangerous. This originated from struggling newborn babies yawning to get enough air. These babies had a good chance of dying. Due to no other explanation, this was incorrectly attributed to the yawn. New mothers were told to cover the mouth of the baby in the first months of its life. Adults turned their heads whenever they yawned because yawns spread when other people saw them. So, turning your head, covering your mouth, and saying, “excuse me" comes from protecting others, rather than being polite.
Yawning is a very mysterious action. Scientists have proposed many theories of their cause, but there is no clear answer. One of the most widely believed theories is that the yawn is a result of levels of carbon dioxide in the blood that too high. The yawn is supposed to draw in more oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide. High carbon dioxide levels occur when one is bored and breathes slowly. However, tests show that higher levels of carbon dioxide do not always cause yawns in test subjects.
Yawning being contagious is another mystery. One theory is that yawns were used as messages between members of tribes. Yawns could be interpreted as things such as, “time to go back and sleep" or other phrases about being tired. Humans still have the reaction to involuntarily yawn when someone else does, though the practice has long since been abandoned.
thank you for the history lesson on yawning. Someone commeted on me awning so much.I am 57 and in colege so smetimes I wonder about ordianry things.
what are some experiments that kids could use for yawning?
ji james, i have often wonderd about the yawning game. it's always been contagious for me. even talking about it makes me want to yawn! keep writing, best regards, sue thom
this was very helpful and interesting, especially since a close friend and i were arguing about the history of yawning, and until now, i've never known so much bout yawning.really super