Photo: flickr/Nikita Kravchuk
For almost 30 years, scientists have known about the illusion that makes small holes seem larger when felt with the tongue rather than with the fingers (we don't know who first discovered this, but we assume it was X-rated). Since that time, the reason for this illusion remained mysterious... until now! This scientist used a series of experiments involving, tongues, fingers, and even toes to explore the phenomenon. He found that it's the "pliability" of the appendage used to probe the hole in question that determines how big the hole seems: the highly pliable tongue is more accurate and perceives larger sizes than the less pliable finger or toe. That is definitely not a double entendre!
The Extent of Skin Bending Rather Than Action Possibilities Explains Why Holes Feel Larger With the Tongue Than With the Finger. "When small holes are felt with the tongue, they are ...
