Ajokaapelit

Ajokaapelit are a type of theatrical device used in vaudeville and other forms of live entertainment. The term ajokaapelit is Finnish and translates to "licker" or "tongue" in English, referring to the physical movement and sound caused by the device. It is typically a thin, multi-runged ladder-like structure used to convey the tongue in a deliberate and exaggerated manner.

The ajokaapelit is usually operated by one person, who stands at either end of the device and provides the comedic aspect of the performance. The rythmic tongue movements and exaggerated facial expressions add humor and energy to the act. The device is often used in a variety of settings, from small children's parties to large-scale theater productions.

Ajokaapelit has its roots in the traditional Finnish piknik scene, and the device became popular in the 1990s in the country as part of these outdoor performances. The act gained international recognition after being presented at an annual vaudeville festival in Helsinki in 1999. In recent years, the ajokaapelit has become a staple in comedic entertainment in Finland and other countries with Scandinavian cultural influences.

While the ajokaapelit may be unfamiliar to many, it remains a staple of comedic entertainment that celebrates the relationship between vocal performance, the human tongue, and gag-fueled humor. Its method of entertainment grounds in physical comedy and watching people perform humor routines on to the diction of the suggestion of the set tone is often solely for the team's reasons.