The classic movie, A Christmas Story, is a nostalgic look at growing up in Gary, Indiana, through the eyes of a boy named Ralphie. One scene depicts playtime in the middle of winter. Two boys surrounded by their classmates are arguing whether a person's tongue will stick to a metal pole in below-freezing weather.

Eventually one of the boys succumbs to the infamous "triple-dog dare." Hesitantly, he sticks his tongue out and touches it to the school flagpole. Sure enough, it gets stuck. Then the bell goes to resume lessons. Everyone runs into the school building, everyone except the hapless victim. When the teacher finally looks out the window, she sees the boy writhing in pain, his tongue frozen to the flagpole.

While few of us have been in that predicament, we all know what it's like to have our tongues get us in trouble.

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