Licking: Difference between revisions
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rewrite off the top of my head; still needs a lot of work |
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{{dablink|For other uses, see [[Lick]].}} |
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'''Licking''' is the action, usually by an [[animal]], including a [[human]], using its [[tongue]] to pass over or along a surface or to take in liquid. As many animals are unable to drink in the same fashion as humans, licking is the only way they are able to take in fluids. |
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'''Licking''' refers to passing the [[tongue]] over a (solid or liquid) surface, typically either to deposit [[saliva]] onto the surface or to collect liquid onto the tongue for [[ingestion]]. Many animals both [[grooming|groom]] themselves and [[drinking|drink]] by licking. |
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==In humans== |
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It would be nice to have a "Mechanics of licking" section here, but doing it properly would require more details of the muscles involved than is currently found in the [[Tongue]] article. |
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===Consumption=== |
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Humans often consume [[food]] and [[drink]]s by licking; for example [[ice cream]] or [[lollipop]]s are consumed in this way. Consuming ice cream in this manner ensures that the cold substance does not touch immediately onto the [[tooth|teeth]] - this can be painful if one suffers from sensitive teeth or [[dental caries]], causing [[toothache]]. |
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==Licking in animals== |
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Licking is a common way for animals to clean themselves. In [[mammal]]s, licking helps keep the [[fur]] clean and untangled. The tongues of many mammals have a rough upper surface that acts like a brush when the animal licks its fur. Certain reptiles, such as [[gecko]]s, clean their [[eye]]s by licking them. |
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For humans, licking a [[plate_(dishware)|plate]] to eat the last bits of food is often considered uncivilized. |
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Some animals, such as [[cat]]s, also use licking to cool themselves. As most animals do not [[sweating|sweat]] the way humans do, the saliva deposited by licking provides a similar means of [[evaporative cooling]]. |
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===In reading=== |
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Many animals also drink by licking. While young mammals drink milk from their mothers' nipples by [[sucking]], the typical method of drinking for adult mammals involves dipping the tongue repeatedly into water and using it to scoop water into the mouth. This method of drinking relies in part on the water adhering to the surface of the tongue and in part on muscular control |
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Humans often lick things to wet them, e.g. [[stamp]]s or [[envelope]]s, and a [[finger]] to make it less slippery, e.g. to turn a page, or otherwise separate sheets of [[paper]]s. |
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===Sexual relations=== |
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Humans may also lick their [[sex]]ual [[partner]] for sensual [[pleasure]] (''see [[oral sex]])''. |
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Sometimes food or a drink (e.g. [[whipped cream]] or a [[Gelatin dessert#Jello_shots|jello shot]]) is put on a person, and somebody else licks it off, combining sensual pleasure and the pleasure of consuming the food or drink. |
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==Animals== |
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Many animals, such as [[dog]]s and [[cat]]s consume liquid by licking. |
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Animals also use their tongue to enhance their sense of [[smell]]. By licking a surface, molecules on it are transferred via the tongue to the olfactory receptors in the [[nose]] and in the [[vomeronasal organ]]. |
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Animals will also lick the bodies of themselves and other of their [[species]] to [[groom]] themselves. |
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==Licking in humans== |
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Compared to most other mammals, licking has a relatively minor role for [[human]]s. The human tongue is relatively short and inflexible, and is not well adapted for either grooming or drinking. Instead, humans prefer to wash themselves using their hands and drink by [[sucking]] fluid into their mouth. Humans have much less hair over their skin than most other mammals, and most of that hair is in places which they cannot reach with their own mouth. The presence of [[sweat glands]] all over the human body makes licking as a cooling method unnecessary. |
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*Licking may also describe the rapid or lapping effect of [[water]] or flames of [[fire]]: ''the water licked the side of the [[boat]]''. |
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Nonetheless, licking does play a role for humans. Even though humans cannot effectively drink water by licking, the human tongue is quite sufficient for licking more [[viscous]] fluids. The practice of licking [[dishware]] and [[cutlery]] clean, though often considered uncivilized, is nonetheless quite common. Some foods, such as [[ice cream]] are even intended to be consumed mainly by licking. |
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*A lick can also often describe the appliance of a substance such as [[paint]]: ''a lick of paint''. |
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There are a number of other uses for licking in humans. For example, licking can be used to moisten the [[adhesive]] surfaces of [[stamp]]s or [[envelope]]s. In [[sewing]], [[thread]] ends are commonly wet by licking to make the [[fibre]]s stick together and thus make threading them through the eye of a [[needle]] easier. |
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*A lick can also be a hard stroke or swat, usually with an implement (maybe because it causes a burning sensation, and/or because it reddens the skin, as in 'tanning'), as part of a [[spanking]] etcetera |
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** Hence a licking can mean a [[corporal punishment]] comprising several painful licks. |
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Oral contact, including licking, can also be an important element of [[human sexuality]] (''see [[oral sex]]''). |
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==See also== |
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==External links== |
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*[[Lick]] (disambiguation page) |
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*[http://www.penmarric.ns.ca/catcare/common/grooming.htm Grooming in cats] |
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Revision as of 22:03, 4 April 2006
Licking refers to passing the tongue over a (solid or liquid) surface, typically either to deposit saliva onto the surface or to collect liquid onto the tongue for ingestion. Many animals both groom themselves and drink by licking.
Licking in animals
Licking is a common way for animals to clean themselves. In mammals, licking helps keep the fur clean and untangled. The tongues of many mammals have a rough upper surface that acts like a brush when the animal licks its fur. Certain reptiles, such as geckos, clean their eyes by licking them.
Some animals, such as cats, also use licking to cool themselves. As most animals do not sweat the way humans do, the saliva deposited by licking provides a similar means of evaporative cooling.
Many animals also drink by licking. While young mammals drink milk from their mothers' nipples by sucking, the typical method of drinking for adult mammals involves dipping the tongue repeatedly into water and using it to scoop water into the mouth. This method of drinking relies in part on the water adhering to the surface of the tongue and in part on muscular control
Animals also use their tongue to enhance their sense of smell. By licking a surface, molecules on it are transferred via the tongue to the olfactory receptors in the nose and in the vomeronasal organ.
Licking in humans
Compared to most other mammals, licking has a relatively minor role for humans. The human tongue is relatively short and inflexible, and is not well adapted for either grooming or drinking. Instead, humans prefer to wash themselves using their hands and drink by sucking fluid into their mouth. Humans have much less hair over their skin than most other mammals, and most of that hair is in places which they cannot reach with their own mouth. The presence of sweat glands all over the human body makes licking as a cooling method unnecessary.
Nonetheless, licking does play a role for humans. Even though humans cannot effectively drink water by licking, the human tongue is quite sufficient for licking more viscous fluids. The practice of licking dishware and cutlery clean, though often considered uncivilized, is nonetheless quite common. Some foods, such as ice cream are even intended to be consumed mainly by licking.
There are a number of other uses for licking in humans. For example, licking can be used to moisten the adhesive surfaces of stamps or envelopes. In sewing, thread ends are commonly wet by licking to make the fibres stick together and thus make threading them through the eye of a needle easier.
Oral contact, including licking, can also be an important element of human sexuality (see oral sex).