Latest Piercing Rage: Tongue Splitting

[Cathryn Crawford]

Latest Piercing Rage: Tongue Splitting It's called tongue splitting and involves slicing the tongue right down the middle to create a forked look. Those who do it, call it body modification. Many others call it body mutilation.

Either way, it's not for the squeamish.

Why would anyone split his or her tongue? The Associated Press interviewed several people who did it, and there were three reasons typically cited:

The shock value is enormous. Some actually find the experience spiritual. They just like the way it looks and feels. While tongue splitting is edging up in popularity, it's still relatively uncommon. By some counts, about 2,000 people worldwide have done it, but curiosity is growing fast.

AP interviewed 19-year-old James Keen, pictured above, and asked him why he did this. "When I first saw it, I thought tongue-splitting was the most beautiful thing I've seen in my life," he said. When he couldn't find a surgeon to do the deed, he enlisted a body piercer from his hometown, Scottsville, Kentucky. The cost? $500 with no anesthetic. "People are very curious about how it feels." Keen says he can move both sides of his tongue independently of the other.

What are the side effects? Infection from bacteria in the mouth is quite possible. In addition, tongue splitting almost always forces people to learn to speak all over again and typically causes a lisp that may not ever go away.

Meanwhile, some lawmakers are so outraged by the procedure they are using the power of their office to make it illegal. One such person is Illinois state Rep. David Miller from Chicago's south suburbs who has authored a bill that requires tongue-splitting to be performed only for medical reasons and only by a doctor or dentist. AP reports that the bill passed nearly unanimously in the Illinois House and is awaiting a vote in the Senate. Miller is fully aware of individual rights and personal freedom, but he told AP, "But I'm not sure the people getting this done understand the risks. We're choosing safety over cosmetics." Those who oppose the bill say it will only force people who want the procedure to go underground and that could mean unsafe conditions.

In addition to lawmakers' efforts to stop the trend before it really takes off, several branches of the armed services have banned the practice. The Air Force gave one young airman a choice: Get his tongue sewn back together or be kicked out the Air Force.

[Cathryn Crawford]

I think I'm going to get this done. What do ya'al think?

[hole_n_one]

t

[sine_nomine]

I am sorry I looked.

[Cathryn Crawford]

I think I want mine to look like Phil's.

BTW, I'm being completely sarcastic. I'm not into pain.

[gcruse]

Don't you dare. Hold off until you're thirty, and if you still want it then, do it.

[Cathryn Crawford]

You ain't the only one.

[Cathryn Crawford]

Just kidding, of course.

What, what, don't you think it'd be attractive?

[Paul Atreides]

Some actually find the experience spiritual.

When I first read of this, I kinda figured there must be some P.C. angle to it. I think that a some people see native cultures doing stuff like this and think that they must do it in order to be cool.

[sine_nomine]

You will thpeak with fork'ed tongue. I think it will also detract from your looks. Let us not discount the risk of infection for unnecessary surgery, etc.

[gcruse]

You might want to be taken seriously at a job interview, someday. :)

[Cachelot]

The new fashion in the State Department?

[Cathryn Crawford]

Some people, if you will forgive me for my crudeness, get off on pain. These people think that orgasms are spiritual. It's the same concept.

[Cathryn Crawford]

Oh, nice one. Salute'

[Cathryn Crawford]

What, you don't think they'll like my ability to move each side of my tongue independently of the other?

[Scenic Sounds]

What do ya'al think?

Stream of consciousness = serpent, Eve, Genesis!

No, I can't recommend it.

[JennysCool]

AP interviewed 19-year-old James Keen, pictured above, and asked him why he did this. "When uh first thaw it, uh thought tongue-thplitting was the motht beautiful thing U've theen in muh life," he said.

[Cathryn Crawford]

Why not? Come on! I think it'll be so attractive!

[Paul Atreides]

"Well, my qualificathionth are: I haf a thegree in buthineth, wif a minor in markething."

[Cathryn Crawford]

The only thing not beautiful about dear James is his stupidity. At least use some drugs or drink a lot of beer or something before you get this done! Doesn't he have any brains?! :-)