Many people make a gurgling sound when they gargle. The word comes from the Middle French gargouiller, "to gurgle or bubble," which stems from the Old French gargole, meaning both "throat" and "waterspout," rooted in the Latin word for "throat," gula.

What causes gargling?

It is also the washing of one's mouth and throat with a liquid that is kept in motion by breathing through it with a gurgling sound. Vibration caused by the muscles in the throat and back of the mouth causes the liquid to bubble and flurry around inside the mouth cavity.

What muscles are involved in gargling?

Creators Gav and Dan volunteered for the project, which shows the main action of the uvula muscle, which is attached to the soft palette, rippling at the back of the throat. Gargling comes about when vibrations caused by muscles in the back of the mouth and throat causes liquid in the area to bubble.