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Shocking gum is a
Shocking gum is a practical joke device
A practical joke device is a prop or toy intended to confuse, frighten, or amuse individuals as a prank. Often, these objects are harmless facsimiles of disgusting or terrifying objects, such as vomit or spilled nail polish. In other instances, t ...
that delivers a mild electric shock
Electrical injury is a physiological reaction caused by electric current passing through the body. The injury depends on the density of the current, tissue resistance and duration of contact. Very small currents may be imperceptible or produce a ...
. The victim is offered what appears to be the last stick of gum
Gum may refer to:
Types of gum
* Adhesive
* Bubble gum
* Chewing gum
* Gum (botany), sap or other resinous material associated with certain species of the plant kingdom
** Gum arabic, made from the sap of ''Acacia senegal'', an Old World tree s ...
from a box, and touching or pulling this triggers the shock. A few novelty companies have produced these 'Shocking gum' packages since the 1950s. The most popular (fictitious) brands of Shocking Gum are ''Fruit Juicy'' and ''JB''. Shocking gum is particularly favored by children and teenagers rather than adults.
In 2005, the US Military
The United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. The armed forces consists of six service branches: the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard. The president of the United States is the ...
reported that insurgents in Iraq
Iraq,; ku, عێراق, translit=Êraq officially the Republic of Iraq, '; ku, کۆماری عێراق, translit=Komarî Êraq is a country in Western Asia. It is bordered by Turkey to Iraq–Turkey border, the north, Iran to Iran–Iraq ...
were using shock chewing gum as a form of torture, forcing prisoners to bite down on the sticks.
Another closely related prank device is the chewing gum bug, in which a fake plastic bug attached to a metal spring instead “snaps” the hand of the person who attempts to take the piece of gum.
See also
*List of practical joke topics
This is a list of practical joke topics (also known as a prank, gag, jape or shenanigan) which are mischievous tricks or jokes played on someone, typically causing the victim to experience embarrassment, perplexity, confusion, or discomfort.
Pra ...
References
Practical joke devices {{humor-stub