PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — An Oregon woman has earned bragging rights after securing the Guinness World Record for the largest female tongue circumference.
With a tongue circumference of 5.21 inches, which apparently is larger than a soda can, Jenny DuVander, of Portland, now holds a new title.
She told Guinness World Records she wasn’t aware of the record until she and her son saw male winner Braydon McCullough in the book’s 2023 edition. The West Virginia man’s tongue circumference measured at 6.3 inches.
Duvander proceeded to measure her tongue at home, saying she “has been able to flex her tongue for as long as she can remember.” Her dentist also measured it by wrapping it in floss last May.
Duvander said her son pushed her to submit the application for Guinness World Records 2024.
“My son, Evan, loves Guinness World Records and pores through the hardcover books every year,” DuVander said. “My record is definitely inspired by his love of facts and human abilities.”
The record-holder explained she typically showcases her unusual talent when other people are discussing what tongue tricks they can do. She noted it isn’t a particularly useful skill, but as a flute player, it is helpful when playing fast notes.
“When you articulate a note on a flute, they actually call it tonguing,” she said.
Duvander said both she and her daughter can touch their tongues to their noses, so it could be hereditary.
“Tongues aren’t exactly gorgeous, are they?” she added. “But they are pretty cool. They’re pure muscle and so agile. When you think about it, the tongue is the only muscle that’s free to move around like that. We use it all the time to speak and eat. It moves around all day and never gets tired.”
