Folk Illusions and the Social Activation of Embodiment: Ping Pong, Olive Juice, and Elephant Shoe(s)

Continuing research on the recently recognized genre of folk illusions, the authors (re)consider folk illusions’ eliciting conditions in the context of two newly analyzed forms, Ping Pong and What Did I Say? In both forms, verbal characterization of the illusion is neither prevalent nor necessary—a fact that does not align with the original description of the genre. The implications of these newly considered eliciting conditions shed light on how folk illusions activate communal knowledge about embodiment—especially perceptual processes.