Don't lick that cold metal pole in winter—if you do, don't panic

March 12, 2026

Here's something that might make you cringe — licking a cold metal pole in winter. It’s a classic childhood mistake, but how risky is it really? Jennifer Ouellette reports that Norwegian researcher Anders Jarmund, who grew up in freezing Norway, experienced tundra tongue firsthand and decided to dig into the science. According to Jarmund, when your tongue contacts metal in freezing weather, it can freeze instantly — kind of like in that holiday movie. But here’s the thing — if your tongue gets stuck, panic’s not the answer. Ouellette points out that warm, gentle pressure or just licking your own palm can help free it without damage. So what does this actually mean for you? Well, it’s a rare but real risk, especially in cold climates, and understanding the science can save you from a lot of pain. As Jarmund’s research shows, knowing how to handle it means you won’t have to worry about permanent damage — just a little winter caution.

We all remember that infamous scene in the 1983 classic, A Christmas Story, where a boy licks a cold metal post on the playground and ends up getting his tongue stuck to the surface. It's practically a childhood rite of passage. A 1996 case study coined the term "tundra tongue" to describe the phenomenon. But how dangerous is it, really? And what's the best way to free one's tongue with minimal damage?

Anders Hagen Jarmund, a graduate student at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), experienced tundra tongue firsthand in his youth and had the same questions. So he decided to investigate the underlying science as part of his master's thesis, recruiting several colleagues to the project. This turned into two separate papers: one published in the International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology and the other in the journal Head & Face Medicine.

“I’m from a small place called Hattfjelldal, which is quite cold in the winter,” Jarmund said of the rationale for undertaking the project. “I don’t remember if it was a signpost or a lamppost behind the school, but I remember licking it, and my tongue got stuck. This was an experience that my friends had also had, actually, and then we were wondering if it was actually dangerous, getting your tongue stuck to a lamppost or railing.” (Their experience was common, it seems; Norway actually passed legislation in 1998 to prohibit any bare metal in playground equipment.)

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