Double bubble gum, double bubble gum bubbles double
Double bubble gum, double bubble gum bubbles double
Double bubble gum, double bubble gum bubbles double
Why Is It Hard?
Double and bubble share the same -ubble sound with different opening consonants (d vs b). At speed the brain swaps them: double becomes bubble and bubble becomes double. The phrase then extends into bubbles double, where the same sounds appear in a new order. The repetition of the full phrase makes the error compound each time.
History
Double bubble gum is a brand name as well as a tongue twister, which adds a commercial memorability to it. The twister has been used in American elementary school classrooms and speech therapy since at least the 1960s. Its short length and fun subject matter make it a favourite starter twister for young children before they move on to harder challenges.
Tips for Saying It
- Distinguish d (double) from b (bubble) clearly before speeding up.
- The second half bubbles double is the trap — practise it separately.
- Say it once slowly, once at medium pace, once fast. Stop before it collapses.
More English Tongue Twisters
- Tongue Twisters for Kids — more fun for children
- Betty Botter — another classic b-twister
- Funny Tongue Twisters — more fun twisters
Find hundreds more on alltonguetwisters.com.