Why do we hiccup?

Hiccups begin when the diaphragm — the dome-shaped muscle beneath the lungs that drives breathing — spasms involuntarily. This pulls a quick rush of air into the throat, and about 35 milliseconds later the vocal cords snap shut, producing the characteristic "hic." Common triggers include eating too fast, fizzy drinks, sudden temperature changes, and excitement, all of which can irritate the nerves controlling the diaphragm. Most bouts are harmless and pass within minutes. Scientists suspect the reflex may be a leftover from an evolutionary past, possibly related to how amphibians gulp air.