LITTLE ROCK — DEAR READERS: A previous column asked for your hiccup fixes. Wow ! W h a t a response! Downing a tablespoon of peanut butter (not for young children) or sugar was the most common response, along with drinking lots and lots of water. Some other solutions were unusual to downright hysterical.
Colleen in Spokane, Wash., suggests: “Hide behind the person with the hiccups and clap your hands as loudly as possible.”
Kathy in San Antonio (from her father’s Army days) recommends: “Hiccups in foxholes were quite a problem because they would echo. The soldiers would put a pen or pencil or anything similar across their mouth, hold it in place with the teeth and drink water. It works every time!”
Dale, via e-mail, says: “To cure hiccups, say ‘pineapple’ out loud or under your breath.It really works.”
Leslie in California uses our old standby, vinegar: “When I have the hiccups, I drink a small amount of white vinegar. One swallow does it. It’s not pleasant, but I think it ‘shocks’ the brain and taste buds so much that you forget to hiccup. It has never failed me.”
And finally, our favorite hiccup helper, from Joan V. in Hammond, Ind.: “My way of stopping hiccups on other people? Just ask them, ‘What’s your uncle’s middle name?’ It throws them off, and the hiccups are gone.” Many hints to stop hiccups, so hopefully one will help you.
DEAR HELOISE: Here are some other ways to use empty cat litter buckets:
Start vegetable and flower gardens. Drill a hole in the bottom for drainage. I use the lids as a drip tray.
Hold cigarette butts.
Pack delicate items in them.
Use as a trash can in the office or spare bedroom.
- Cindy in Wetumpka, Ala. Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000; fax to (210) 435-6473; or e-mail
ActiveStyle, Pages 28 on 11/29/2010