The Friday File: Until recently, licking was the only way to affix a stamp to an envelope. The caloric content in the adhesive on US stamps is/was 1/10 of a calorie, for UK stamps; on average 5.9 calories (different adhesives). In 1995, Dean Gould of the UK licked a record 450 stamps in four minutes and along the way consumed 2,655 calories. Imagine royal wedding invitation lists and RSVP envelopes!