What are goosebumps?

When you are cold, you automatically shiver. Your muscles are twitching to try to warm you. Some of those muscles are attached to the hairs you can see on your arms and legs. When these muscles tighten, they pull the hairs. Your skin is also pulled and “goosebumps” form. They’re called goosebumps (or goose flesh or pimples) because that’s what the skin of a goose looks like when all of the feathers are removed! To avoid horripilation (the fancy word for goosebumps) stay warm, you silly goose!