National Pass Gas Day is held annually on January 7, and there is no better time to express ourselves and free our bowels of stale air without shame. Passing gas is one of those things that will make anyone giggle, from children to adults. Did you know that the gas we pass contains methane and hydrogen, making them flammable? But not to worry, you need an insane amount of gas to be able to burst into flames just from passing gas. So, you can keep on passing as much gas as you desire.
History of National Pass Gas Day
Humans have given several innovative, fun names and slang terms to the process of passing gas, including fart; mess; drop a bomb; toot; rip one; break the wind; cut one; cut the cheese; guff; trump, and break one loose. In most cases, we consider passing gas as a really bad and disgusting thing to do. If you ‘drop one’ near others, they might all look at you with disapproving eyes. And although it is not hygienic or civil to pass gas in public places or when we’re eating, passing gas is a very important part of human metabolism. It is a natural phenomenon and the body’s way of passing out waste gasses trapped in one’s belly due to digestion.
We produce around 17 to 68 ounces of gas in our intestines daily and release it through the anus at intervals. The gas is the by-product of the digestion process and contains several gasses, including oxygen, methane, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and 1% of sulfur (which causes the smell).
The first mention of the word ‘fart’ was in 1632, meaning “sending forth wind from the anus.” Subsequently, several other writers and jokesters started using the word and concept until it became commonplace. Our knowledge of the origin of National Pass Gas day is sketchy at best. We don’t know when it took off, but now we celebrate the day annually on January 7. It is a day set aside to giggle at our crazy bodies, create awareness on the importance of passing gas, and talk about food products that cause gas secretions like eggs, broccoli, beans, cabbage, and dairy products.
National Pass Gas Day timeline
A jokester makes jokes about passing gas in Sumeria.
The word ‘fart’ is coined from the old English word ‘feortan,’ meaning “to break wind.”
Frenchman Joseph Pujol, with the stage name Le Pétomane, becomes a professional farter, performing farting on stage for entertainment.
Finland organized a World Fart Championship on July 13, 2013, drawing people from all over the world.
National Pass Gas Day FAQs
What causes excessive farting?
Different causes can lead to an increase in farting frequency, and it might be diet, pressure, or symptoms of an underlying medical condition. You can regulate your diet accordingly and consult your doctor.
What causes smelly farts?
Sulfur, one of the components contained in the gas, is what causes farts’ smell. Other causes are food intolerance, high fiber foods, certain medications and antibiotics, and constipation.
How do I get rid of constant gas?
Avoid gassy foods like beans, broccoli, eggs, and cabbage. Also, avoid carbonated drinks and beer, and eat slowly, so you swallow less air while eating.
National Pass Gas Day Activities
Pass gas
There is no better day to pass gas than on National Pass Gas Day. Pass gas unashamedly with friends and family for laughs.
Attend a fart championship
Farts championships are organized in different communities and countries of the world on this day. You can attend or watch them online.
Educate yourself about a diet that reduces gas
If you’re someone who farts a lot, this is an opportunity to learn about proper diets that balance your internal metabolism and reduce gas. Most times, farting is a result of the foods we eat.
5 Fun Facts About Passing Gas
Farts travel seven miles per hour
Farts travel about 10 feet per second or seven miles per hour.
The average number of farts
Studies have shown that the average person farts at least 14 times a day.
Animals fart too
Animals also fart, including cows, sheep, and dogs — termites fart the most!
Air pressure also affects farting
Mountain climbers fart more as they climb higher due to the increased pressure, which expands their intestines, while the reverse is the case for scuba divers.
People make careers out of farting
Flatulists have made a career in farting — in China, there are even professional fart smellers who have been trained to diagnose digestive diseases by smelling a person’s fart.
Why We Love National Pass Gas Day
It is an opportunity to unburden ourselves unashamedly
This day allows us to fart without remorse or shame. Everyone can choose to have a good laugh while relieving themselves of held-in gasses because of etiquette.
It’s in our favorite works of literature
Writers like Shakespeare, Geoffrey Chaucer, Jonathan Swift, and James Joyce mention flatulence in several of their works to create comic relief.
Passing gas can be fun
Passing gas among friends can be super fun and a bonding experience as you see who can fart the loudest.
National Pass Gas Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | January 7 | Tuesday |
| 2026 | January 7 | Wednesday |
| 2027 | January 7 | Thursday |
| 2028 | January 7 | Friday |
| 2029 | January 7 | Sunday |
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