# Cafe Society **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/cafe-society/15.md?page=400 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 401 --- ## [How can someone be a bad cook?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-someone-be-a-bad-cook/458222)
**Author:** [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Replies:** 147\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2020, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-someone-be-a-bad-cook/458222 "2020-07-17T02:56:32Z")
I was chatting with someone the other night and he mentioned that his mother is a bad cook. It got me to wondering, as I have on and off in the past, how is this possible? Assuming that one is able to follow simple instr… --- ## [Can anyone recommend some role-playing solitaire adventure books?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-recommend-some-role-playing-solitaire-adventure-books/855212)
**Author:** [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2020, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-recommend-some-role-playing-solitaire-adventure-books/855212 "2020-07-16T22:04:27Z")
Wikipedia tells me they were called role-playing solitaire adventures. Basically, they were advanced choose-your-own-adventure books. My son, who is 9, is now reading the Choose-Your-Own-Adventure books from when I was … --- ## [It turns out I judge books by their covers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-turns-out-i-judge-books-by-their-covers/915337)
**Author:** [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2020, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-turns-out-i-judge-books-by-their-covers/915337 "2020-07-16T19:56:58Z")
The local libraries offer ebook borrowing through Overdrive, a digital distribution company. Starting this week, book cover illustrations have not been showing up in search results. Just solid blue rectangles with the bo… --- ## [Obvious word etymologies you realise after the millionth time](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-word-etymologies-you-realise-after-the-millionth-time/711958)
**Author:** [@BOOM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BOOM)\ **Replies:** 116\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2020, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-word-etymologies-you-realise-after-the-millionth-time/711958 "2020-07-16T19:17:42Z")
Prompted by watching Wolf Hall on the BBC (Henry VIII, etc) I suddenly twigged – after 50 years! – that the origin of ‘protestant’ is … wait for it … protest. Can’t believe it. How could I not join those dots up: 50 y… --- ## [Movies You Saw in Film Class?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-you-saw-in-film-class/855671)
**Author:** [@MortSahlFan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MortSahlFan)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2020, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-you-saw-in-film-class/855671 "2020-07-16T12:08:35Z")
College, high school, whatever. But an actual film class. I’m interested in comparing (what else is new?) between all the different film schools. If you can give an approximation of the location without giving up your i… --- ## ["Parasite" coming to Criterion in October: is this a record?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parasite-coming-to-criterion-in-october-is-this-a-record/915478)
**Author:** [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2020, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parasite-coming-to-criterion-in-october-is-this-a-record/915478 "2020-07-16T11:51:44Z")
I know Criterion isn’t exclusively the “classic old movies finally done right on disc” label, but that’s what I normally associate them with. But the Criterion Collection release of Parasite comes less than a year after … --- ## [Dancing With The Stars: Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews out as hosts, Tyra Banks in](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dancing-with-the-stars-tom-bergeron-and-erin-andrews-out-as-hosts-tyra-banks-in/915423)
**Author:** [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2020, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dancing-with-the-stars-tom-bergeron-and-erin-andrews-out-as-hosts-tyra-banks-in/915423 "2020-07-16T11:49:18Z")
My interest in this show has waned over the last few seasons, and this may be the final nail in the coffin. Tom Bergeron was so good as a host. He’s quick-witted, empathetic, and always good in tough situations–like aw… --- ## [Is The Far Side Returning?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-far-side-returning/840244)
**Author:** [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2020, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-far-side-returning/840244 "2020-07-16T05:03:25Z")
https://www.thefarside.com/ Hmmmm… any ideas as to what this is? --- ## [Supernatural Sheriff TV series](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supernatural-sheriff-tv-series/915043)
**Author:** [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2020, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supernatural-sheriff-tv-series/915043 "2020-07-16T05:02:28Z")
The antagonist of a brief TV series before 2000. The protagonists, a man and a woman, eventually murder the guy, but he shows up the next day alive, well and with a smirk. That is all I can recall, having seen only tow o… --- ## [George Carlin - I kinda like it when a lot of people die](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-carlin-i-kinda-like-it-when-a-lot-of-people-die/915370)
**Author:** [@Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Face_Intentionally_Left_Blank)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2020, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-carlin-i-kinda-like-it-when-a-lot-of-people-die/915370 "2020-07-16T00:45:58Z")
George Carlin recorded a special on 09/10/2001 to be aired on Sirius XM radio. Well, the events of the next day kind of shut that down (given the name and the premise), and it was never released. Here it is on Youtube… --- ## [Anyone here make their own jerky?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-here-make-their-own-jerky/915169)
**Author:** [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2020, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-here-make-their-own-jerky/915169 "2020-07-15T23:21:22Z")
I foresee a small batch of homemade beef jerky this week, so let’s talk about all things Dried Meat, shall we? Per Alton Brown I always use flank steak. You? My preference is for very sweet and a bit hot, but zero blac… --- ## [An alien named Paul?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-alien-named-paul/915050)
**Author:** [@Dodgy\_Dude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dodgy_Dude)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2020, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-alien-named-paul/915050 "2020-07-14T21:00:06Z")
In the movie Paul (2011), there’s a scene where he’s talking to Scotty from the JJ Abrams Star Trek where Paul does an impression of the Predator using his fingers as fangs and saying “Anytime.” He follow that impressio… --- ## [Dresden Files - feast or famine](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dresden-files-feast-or-famine/850681)
**Author:** [@Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Face_Intentionally_Left_Blank)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2020, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dresden-files-feast-or-famine/850681 "2020-07-14T16:41:44Z")
Dresden Files fans know my pain. For fourteen books or so, we were used to a book a year(or sooner, in the early years when Butcher had a back-stock of stories), then the fifteenth took a bit longer. . .then we get hit … --- ## [What would you feed these people?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-feed-these-people/915112)
**Author:** [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2020, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-feed-these-people/915112 "2020-07-14T16:39:15Z")
This thread was inspired by something that happened to me 20-some years ago, so I don’t need answer fast. I’ll share what actually happened a little farther down. :fork\_and\_knife: :fork\_and\_knife: :fork\_and\_knife: … --- ## [The Vigil- A Very Jewish Horror Movie](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-vigil-a-very-jewish-horror-movie/915262)
**Author:** [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2020, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-vigil-a-very-jewish-horror-movie/915262 "2020-07-14T16:23:17Z")
In Jewish tradition, somebody stays with the body and prays and watches until it is buried. In Jewish tradition, a dybbuk is a kind of evil ghost caught between this world and the next. Put the two together and you have… --- ## [Khadaji's Whatcha Reading Thread - June 2020 edition](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadajis-whatcha-reading-thread-june-2020-edition/854744)
**Author:** [@DZedNConfused](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DZedNConfused)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2020, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadajis-whatcha-reading-thread-june-2020-edition/854744 "2020-07-14T14:12:33Z")
Summer for the North, Winter for the South… and probably no noticeable difference for the penguins on Antarctica. Me? Just sitting here watching my country go up in flames… and my dog sleep. Anway, more importantly, boo… --- ## [Mustard on Chocolate Chip Cookies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mustard-on-chocolate-chip-cookies/915087)
**Author:** [@Two\_Many\_Cats2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats2)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2020, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mustard-on-chocolate-chip-cookies/915087 "2020-07-14T03:47:55Z")
…is surprisingly good. Just a touch though. Don’t overdo it. --- ## [Kitchen Knife Maintenance](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kitchen-knife-maintenance/915174)
**Author:** [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2020, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kitchen-knife-maintenance/915174 "2020-07-14T00:17:35Z")
Whilst cutting up some veggies for a meal today, I noticed that my knife was a bit dull. Having started cooking more fresh foods lately, rather than frozen or boxed stuff, I’ve been paying attention more to my knives. … --- ## [Tired fictional tropes you hate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tired-fictional-tropes-you-hate/853937)
**Author:** [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Replies:** 311\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2020, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tired-fictional-tropes-you-hate/853937 "2020-07-13T20:56:26Z")
Now that most of us are watching a lot more movies and TV, and our options for new, quality entertainment are going to get thin pretty soon, I thought it might be good to vent on this. One of mine is “friend / mentor / … --- ## [What's the point of those "split" refridgerators where half is freezer and half is fridge?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-those-split-refridgerators-where-half-is-freezer-and-half-is-fridge/915002)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2020, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-those-split-refridgerators-where-half-is-freezer-and-half-is-fridge/915002 "2020-07-13T18:23:57Z")
Anytime I have to use one of those it’s always a nightmare because they’re just so cramped, and I never really see the benefit of extra freezer space because unless I’m buying a million TV dinners or ice cream tubs I don… --- ## [What is the type of German plane shot down in the movie 1917?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-type-of-german-plane-shot-down-in-the-movie-1917/914756)
**Author:** [@wei-ji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wei-ji)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2020, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-type-of-german-plane-shot-down-in-the-movie-1917/914756 "2020-07-13T17:32:33Z")
In the movie “1917,” a German biplane is shot down and we get a pretty good look at it on film. I used to build models of WW I aircraft, but I can’t tell if the movie makers did their homework and used a good model of a… --- ## [Question about Lazarus Long quote](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-lazarus-long-quote/915046)
**Author:** [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2020, 8:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-lazarus-long-quote/915046 "2020-07-13T08:16:11Z")
“There is only one way to console a widow. But remember the risk.” (from “The notebooks of Lazarus Long” by Heinlein in case anyone is wondering) I assume the “one way” is to sleep with her. But what is the risk? Obvio… --- ## [For those needing a Survivor fix](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-needing-a-survivor-fix/915157)
**Author:** [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2020, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-needing-a-survivor-fix/915157 "2020-07-13T00:53:51Z")
Survivor Official is a YouTube channel that has full seasons of survivor from various countries. We decided to designate one night a week and have been watching Survivor Australia season 3 They are on the island for 55… --- ## [D'oh! Of course, I should have known!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doh-of-course-i-should-have-known/915093)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2020, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doh-of-course-i-should-have-known/915093 "2020-07-12T18:15:07Z")
Something I learned today about buying books from Amazon: if there is a free Kindle version it means the book is out of copyright. Therefore, if there are new print versions available of the same book, it will probably b… --- ## [Tell me about your carbon steel knives](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-carbon-steel-knives/914765)
**Author:** [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2020, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-carbon-steel-knives/914765 "2020-07-12T18:03:32Z")
I’m a pretty avid cook and I’m going through the process of updating some of my kitchen equipment. While I’m doing that I am upgrading some of my kitchen knives. One of the things I was looking into getting is a Chinese… --- ## [What new 'Breakfast Sandwiches' would you like to be able to buy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-new-breakfast-sandwiches-would-you-like-to-be-able-to-buy/914886)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2020, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-new-breakfast-sandwiches-would-you-like-to-be-able-to-buy/914886 "2020-07-12T17:45:56Z")
I’m not crazy about eggs in the morning, but I love being able to get a grab-and-eat-neatly-on-the-go sandwich from fast food. Just ham and cheese on a biscuit is good, but I’d love if there were a bigger variety withou… --- ## [Anybody else looking forward to Hamilton tomorrow?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-else-looking-forward-to-hamilton-tomorrow/914139)
**Author:** [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2020, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-else-looking-forward-to-hamilton-tomorrow/914139 "2020-07-12T14:30:02Z")
I couldn’t get actual theater tickets but I am all set now. I have my one month subscription to Disney+ so I can stream it (at $6.95, cheaper than a movie ticket) and I have my cords and cables to hook the laptop to the… --- ## [Can someone explain The Martian Confederacy to me?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-martian-confederacy-to-me/914714)
**Author:** [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2020, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-martian-confederacy-to-me/914714 "2020-07-12T01:09:48Z")
I just discovered this by accident and have no idea what is going on with it? I find it just plain stupid. But oddly enough, I find myself checking it every couple of days when a new strip is released. If you don’t know… --- ## [Who are those other people on Jeopardy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-those-other-people-on-jeopardy/914975)
**Author:** [@jebert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jebert)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2020, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-those-other-people-on-jeopardy/914975 "2020-07-11T21:29:33Z")
On occasion during the break preceding Final Jeopardy there is a shot of the set with the contestants behind their podiums, and there are usually some other people in front of the podiums as well. They could be helping … --- ## [Why are onions so big lately?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-onions-so-big-lately/914675)
**Author:** [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2020, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-onions-so-big-lately/914675 "2020-07-11T17:27:33Z")
Is it just my imagination, or have onions gotten huge recently - like in the last couple of months? Just bought a 3 lb gab of yellow onions and it had four onions in it, all about equally sized. Every other bag was the s… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/cafe-society/15.md?page=399) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/cafe-society/15.md?page=401)