International Tongue Twister Contest Day is observed annually on the final Saturday of February. This year’s event occurs on. The purpose is to do exactly what it says on the tin, which is to celebrate friendly tongue twister competitions. This day commemorates the annual International Tongue Twister Contest held in Burlington, Wisconsin at the Logic Puzzle Museum. Since its inception in 2008, the contest has been an unwavering annual tradition. It is open to participants aged six to one hundred and ten years old. Prizes include fantastic items from well-known tongue-twisters, such as “a peck of pickled peppers.”
The background of International Tongue Twister Contest Day
On purpose, tongue twisters are difficult to pronounce phrases. In addition to exercises to improve pronunciation and articulation, they serve as a word game. In the 19th century, when John Harris published “Peter Piper’s Practical Principles of Plain and Perfect Pronunciation,” which included a tongue twister for each letter of the alphabet, these expressions gained popularity. While the book’s original intent was to improve children’s command of the English language, the amusing turns of phrase attracted a great deal of interest from the general public. The iconic “Peter Piper” character was based on Pierre Poivre, a French horticulturist. It was rumoured that he was investigating the possibility of cultivating “American spices in the French Mediterranean.”
In 1895, the term “tongue twister” was first coined. A significant proportion of tongue twisters rely on the alternation of similar but distinct phonemes to create articulation difficulty. Some employ alliteration and rhyme, while others use compound words and their corresponding stems, and others are words or short phrases that become tongue-twisters when repeated. Non-native speakers use tongue twisters to pronounce words correctly.
International Tongue Twister Contest Day recognises tongue twisters and friendly tongue twister competitions. This day commemorates the annual International Tongue Twister Contest held in Burlington, Wisconsin at the Logic Puzzle Museum. The competition was first held in 2008 and has since become an annual tradition.
Carpe Diem Day 2023: Date, History, Facts, Activities
Activities on International Tongue Twister Contest Day
Perform a tongue twister.
Choose a tongue twist to practise. Don’t worry if you fail the entrance exam on your first attempt; they are designed to be difficult!
Conduct a tongue twister competition
If you cannot make it to Burlington, host your own competition. Invite your friends and make it a special occasion!
Make it yourself!
If you don’t like existing tongue twisters, create your own! If you have difficulty articulating it, you’re off to a good start.
5 Interesting Facts About Tongues
The tongue is the only muscle that functions independently of the skeleton.
The colour of your tongue can reveal a great deal about your state of health.
Men have tongues that are 0.2 inches longer than women on average.
We have taste buds not only on the tongue but also on the inner cheeks!
Nick Stoeberl has the longest tongue in the world, measuring 3.97 inches.
INTERNATIONAL TONGUE TWISTER CONTEST DAY DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | February 26 | Sunday |
| 2024 | February 26 | Monday |
| 2025 | February 26 | Wednesday |
| 2026 | February 26 | Thursday |
| 2027 | February 26 | Friday |
