What are some good ways to alleviate hiccups?

I actually learned this from an oncology nurse whose patients sometimes get chronic hiccups from certain chemo; the thing to do is have someone pull down on your earlobes while slightly cupping your ears forward,, and then you drink water slowly while they hold your earlobes. Works every time. I taught this to a friend who had trouble with hiccups after surgery and she says it saved her life.