Some debates never die—they just circle back with more votes. A quirky internet question we first saw pop up in 2019 is chugging along again in 2025: How many “chuggas” come before a “choo choo?”
A Reddit poll revisiting the viral debate racked up over 1,000 votes, and the results are as divided (and passionate) as ever.
That was followed by four (25%), eight (18%), six (15%), and a small but mighty 8% insisting it’s a full dozen chuggas before the train toots its horn.
If you’re wondering why this is even a thing, it all stems from the rhythmic chant often used when pretending to be a train, usually by children (or nostalgic adults): “chugga-chugga chugga-chugga choo choo!” But clearly, not everyone agrees on how many “chuggas” it takes to reach the iconic double “choo.”
While the internet may have spoken in favor of the minimalist two-chugga camp, strong opinions persist. The hot take? One person argued that eight is the only answer that feels complete.
“One loud chugga followed by three quieter chuggas repeated twice. ‘CHUGGA chugga chugga chugga, CHUGGA chugga chugga chugga, CHOO-CHOO!!’
Someone else in the Reddit comments suggested 14, and was met with the response, ” Bro out here saying chugga chugga for an eternity.”
As silly as the debate is, it taps into something universal: our collective love for low-stakes internet arguments that somehow feel very important. And like all great debates—pineapple on pizza, the correct way to hang toilet paper—this one’s bound to roll back around in another few years.
Until then, count your chuggas wisely.
