Yep…I bet that Hamlet did ponder this question too.
Before you go getting yourself confused, here is a super-brief explanation of what ‘planking’ is.
Actually, first off, this is what it is NOT like.
Lesson A) It is NOT like doing the ol’ “Light as a feather, stiff as a board’ concept seen in witchcraft movies like The Craft:
- ‘Light as a feather, stiff as a board’ – NOT planking
Lesson B) It is also NOT like my family cat, Pedro, who got it wrong straight away by being on his backside. Good try Pedro.
The cat Pedro trying to plank...unsuccessfully
Planking, in layman’s terms (as if there is any other way to put it), is when you have your photo taken with you face down to the ground, hands by your side, body as horizontal as possible, and the clincher, in/atop the most ridiculous location imaginable. This is my brother in action:
- Confirmed sightings of planking
Or even more adventurous…atop my parents’ chimney…
- Chim chiminey Chim chiminey Chim chim cher-oo!
I was actually surprised that Urban Dictionary had not yet come up with a definition of the internet craze ‘planking’, seeing how widespread it has become. Even if you do live in a cave you would be hard-pressed not to have come across it, considering the most recent tragedy whereby a young gentleman stupidly attempted to plank himself on the balcony of a seven-story apartment block. It made headline news because he fell. Fatally.
The warning has been put out there that you attempt planking at your own risk. Duh.
La Donna del Vino 
Planking world champ