Why Do We Yawn?

Updated March 10, 2023

Written by

Ben Trapskin

I have carefully studied and evaluated many mattresses, sheets, pillows, duvet inserts, comforters, sleep gadgets, and adjustable beds for over a decade. My insights and evaluations are grounded in both my extensive personal experience and valuable customer feedback. I have expertise and knowledge of the industry. I have used this to conduct detailed assessments of products. My insights and guidance have given consumers the best sleep experience. I am committed to quality and excellence in this field. EXPERT TESTED Every product is tested with a variety methods to give you the best assement of what it will actually feel like and if it is good quality. UPDATED REGULARLY Our reviews are updated daily and we strive to produce the most useful content so you can make an informed decision.

All You Wanted to Know about Yawning

Where did the word Yawn come from?

The word “yawn” comes from the Old English word “gionian,” which meant “to open the mouth wide, gape.” This word is related to the Old Norse word “gina,” which also meant “to yawn.” The word “yawn” has been used in English since at least the 14th century to describe the act of opening one’s mouth wide when tired or bored. Over time, the word has also been used to describe similar actions in animals, such as when a lion yawns before roaring. Today, the word “yawn” is widely used in English to refer to the act of opening one’s mouth wide and inhaling deeply, often as a sign of tiredness or boredom.

What is Yawning?

Yawning is a natural and common phenomenon that occurs in humans and many other animals. When we yawn, we involuntarily open our mouth wide, inhale deeply, and exhale audibly. The exact function of yawning is not fully understood, but there are several theories about why we yawn.

One theory is that yawning helps to regulate the temperature of the brain. When we inhale deeply during a yawn, cool air enters our nasal passages and then travels to the brain, which helps to cool down the brain. This may explain why we tend to yawn more frequently when we’re tired or sleepy, as our brain temperature tends to increase in those states.

Another theory is that yawning is a way to increase oxygen intake and promote alertness. When we yawn, we take in a large amount of air, which increases our oxygen levels and can help to increase our level of alertness.

Yawning is also known to be contagious. When we see someone else yawn, we often feel the urge to yawn as well. This is known as contagious yawning, and it is thought to be related to empathy and social bonding. Contagious yawning has been observed in many different animal species, including primates, dogs, and even birds.

Overall, yawning is a complex phenomenon that likely has multiple functions and is influenced by various physiological and psychological factors. While much research has been conducted on yawning, there is still much to learn about this mysterious behavior.

Who Yawns?

Yawning is observed in many animal species, not just humans. Some animals that are known to yawn include:

Primates – chimpanzees, baboons, and gorillas have been observed yawning
Dogs – it is common for dogs to yawn, especially when they are tired or stressed
Cats – cats also yawn, although not as frequently as dogs
Birds – some birds, such as parrots, have been observed yawning
Reptiles – some reptiles, such as snakes, have been observed yawning
Fish – some fish, such as goldfish, have been observed yawning

It’s worth noting that the exact function of yawning in different animal species may differ, and more research is needed to fully understand the role of yawning in different animals.

Can You Make People Yawn?

if you’re looking to make someone yawn, you might try yawning in front of them, or showing them a video of someone else yawning. It’s worth noting that not everyone is susceptible to contagious yawning, and factors like age, empathy, and social connection may influence whether someone is more or less likely to yawn in response to seeing someone else yawn.

Do Women Yawn More than Men?

There is no clear consensus on whether women yawn more than men or vice versa. Some studies have found that women may yawn slightly more often than men, while others have found no significant difference between the sexes. It is worth noting, however, that there are many factors that can influence yawning, including age, activity level, time of day, and other individual differences, so it is difficult to make generalizations about yawning based solely on gender. Overall, yawning is a complex behavior that is not fully understood, and there is still much research to be done to fully understand its causes and functions.

Who Has the Loudest Yawn?

It’s difficult to determine which animal has the loudest yawn as there are many factors that can affect the loudness of a yawn, such as the size and shape of the animal’s respiratory system, the strength of the muscles used to yawn, and the distance between the animal and the person or equipment measuring the sound.

However, some animals, such as lions and tigers, are known for their powerful roars, which may be accompanied by a yawn-like opening of the mouth. These big cats have a powerful respiratory system and strong muscles that allow them to produce loud vocalizations. So, it’s possible that their yawns may also be relatively loud compared to other animals.

Why do we yawn when we are bored?

Yawning has been linked to a variety of physiological and psychological factors, and one of the theories about why we yawn when we’re bored is related to our level of arousal and attention. When we’re bored, our level of arousal and attention tends to decrease, which can lead to a decrease in our heart rate, breathing rate, and body temperature. Yawning may help to counteract these effects by increasing our heart rate, breathing rate, and oxygen levels, which can help to boost our level of alertness and arousal.

Famous Yawns in Film

Yawning is a natural behavior that people do every day, and it’s not uncommon for movies to feature characters yawning. Here are a few famous yawns in movies:

The Godfather (1972) – In the opening scene of this iconic movie, the character of Bonasera yawns during his conversation with Vito Corleone.
The Shawshank Redemption (1994) – In one scene, Red (played by Morgan Freeman) yawns during a group therapy session at the prison.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) – In a scene where the hobbits are preparing to leave the Shire, Frodo (played by Elijah Wood) lets out a big yawn as he stretches.
Forrest Gump (1994) – In one scene, Forrest Gump (played by Tom Hanks) yawns during a conversation with Lt. Dan (played by Gary Sinise).
The Matrix (1999) – In a scene where Neo (played by Keanu Reeves) meets Morpheus (played by Laurence Fishburne), Neo yawns as he tries to stay awake during Morpheus’ explanation of the Matrix.

These are just a few examples, but there are countless other movies where characters yawn throughout the film.

The Most Recognized Yawn in the World?

There is one particular yawn that has gained some notoriety in popular culture, and that is the “lion yawn” – a deep, wide-open mouthed yawn often seen in lions and other big cats. This yawn is often accompanied by a roar, and has been featured in numerous documentaries and nature programs, as well as in artwork and popular culture. The lion yawn has become something of a symbol of strength and power, and is often associated with the majestic and awe-inspiring qualities of big cats.

The MGM lion, not a cat, is a well-known symbol that appears at the beginning of many movies produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) studios. The lion yawns during the logo sequence, which has become an iconic moment in movie history. While there have been several lions used as the MGM mascot over the years, the most famous is likely the one that appeared in the logo from 1957 to 1960 – a lion named “Telly” who was known for his distinctive roar and majestic appearance. Telly’s yawn in the MGM logo has become a well-known and beloved movie moment, and has been parodied and referenced in various films and TV shows over the years.