# Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=32 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 33 --- ## [Are you known by your legal name, or a diminuitive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-known-by-your-legal-name-or-a-diminuitive/1026069)
**Author:** [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Replies:** 121\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2026, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-known-by-your-legal-name-or-a-diminuitive/1026069 "2026-01-02T01:46:35Z")
My legal name is David. I hate it. I am much happier when people call me just plain Dave. That’s me. My mother hated that, but that’s how my friends called me, how my teachers called me at school, how everybody calle… --- ## [Happy New Year, Unca Cec!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-new-year-unca-cec/1026248)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2026, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-new-year-unca-cec/1026248 "2026-01-01T20:12:47Z")
@Cecil\_Adams Since you’ve been absent a good part of 2025, I was considering giving you a run down of the year. Alas, it’s all a blur. And not worth your time to read. I did wanna say; Hey, I hope ‘26 is better. Mis… --- ## [Rumor Verification requested. Unilateral German Military Action?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rumor-verification-requested-unilateral-german-military-action/1026252)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2026, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rumor-verification-requested-unilateral-german-military-action/1026252 "2026-01-01T19:09:10Z")
Rachel Meadows is claiming that German is doing a non-NATO , unilateral, military movement into Ukraine. True or false? LINK TO STORY Note the timing–act during the Holidays, keep it quiet in Mainstream Media, wait un… --- ## [Stuff you do to close out the year/ start the next one?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuff-you-do-to-close-out-the-year-start-the-next-one/1026228)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2026, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuff-you-do-to-close-out-the-year-start-the-next-one/1026228 "2026-01-01T15:55:39Z")
I finish my Excel spreadsheet for my bank balance and prep the one for the upcoming year. I also make sure any notes on my calendar/ monthly planner carry over into the new year. --- ## [Wishing you all a happy new year](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wishing-you-all-a-happy-new-year/1026209)
**Author:** [@JimNightshade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JimNightshade)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2026, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wishing-you-all-a-happy-new-year/1026209 "2026-01-01T12:50:30Z")
That is all. --- ## [Your pet adoption stories](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-pet-adoption-stories/1026127)
**Author:** [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2026, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-pet-adoption-stories/1026127 "2026-01-01T05:25:42Z")
Pretty much everyone here, I’d wager, has adopted a pet or two (or three, or four, or…) and has a story about it. Here is mine for my latest adoption. A beat-up old stray. That’s what he was, when the rescue took him i… --- ## [84th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor Day](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/84th-anniversary-of-pearl-harbor-day/1025499)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2026, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/84th-anniversary-of-pearl-harbor-day/1025499 "2026-01-01T04:32:13Z")
We’ve come to a place in time where some of us were adults, or nearly so, on the day President Kennedy was assassinated, November 22, 1963, but I wonder if any of us even have parents who remember the Japanese attack on … --- ## [A pretty wild optical illusion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-pretty-wild-optical-illusion/1026198)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2026, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-pretty-wild-optical-illusion/1026198 "2026-01-01T02:08:06Z")
It’s a take off of the checkerboard illusion but more confounding. I’m having a hard time seeing the transition. --- ## [What is meant by "recognizing dual citizenship"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-meant-by-recognizing-dual-citizenship/1015726)
**Author:** [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2025, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-meant-by-recognizing-dual-citizenship/1015726 "2025-12-31T22:07:19Z")
I frequently see statements like “Such and such Country doesn’t recognize dual citizenship” - but what does “recognizing dual citizenship” mean ? I know there are countries where multiple citizenships are avoided - f… --- ## [Getting old sucks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-old-sucks/1026163)
**Author:** [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2025, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-old-sucks/1026163 "2025-12-31T20:17:21Z")
I usually host s New Year’s Eve party. With some trepidation, I’m doing so this year. (Some trepidation because my husband is immune compromised due to his cancer treatment.) I always have a bunch of people who RSVP that… --- ## [Welcome to the Canadoper Café, 2025!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/welcome-to-the-canadoper-cafe-2025/1012410)
**Author:** [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Ministre_de_l_au-dela)\ **Replies:** 840\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2025, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/welcome-to-the-canadoper-cafe-2025/1012410 "2025-12-31T18:01:45Z")
Hi, everybody! Happy New Year! Pull up a chair, grab a double-double or some caribou, have a Nanaimo bar or a butter tart. There’s poutine on the way, and a bit of tourtière still left… This is the place for all thin… --- ## [A thread for all the cancer survivors](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-all-the-cancer-survivors/1019535)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 88\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2025, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-all-the-cancer-survivors/1019535 "2025-12-31T16:46:02Z")
If you or the poster you are referring to can post here, then the word “survivor” fits. My Beloved was diagnosed with breast cancer in May of 2010, and had her operation on June 7th the same year. Breast cancer in one … --- ## [(Mini) Dope Fest in the Philippines. Who can join? Mon 28 Dec in Visayas, on Bohol Island](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-dope-fest-in-the-philippines-who-can-join-mon-28-dec-in-visayas-on-bohol-island/1026094)
**Author:** [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2025, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-dope-fest-in-the-philippines-who-can-join-mon-28-dec-in-visayas-on-bohol-island/1026094 "2025-12-31T12:58:09Z")
@Mr.Duality is on Bohol Island. I’m in the Philippines on vacation and plan to be on Bohol on Monday. I just landed in Cebu tonight (Saturday). If any Dopers are around, care to join us? We’re thinking of Monday morning … --- ## [Drill and Ceremonies in China](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drill-and-ceremonies-in-china/719756)
**Author:** [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2025, 9:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drill-and-ceremonies-in-china/719756 "2025-12-31T09:43:33Z")
I’m having no luck with my “Baidu-ful” (local equivalent of “Google-fu”), so I’m hoping now someone among he TM here has more skill than I can succeed. What I’m looking for is the PLA’s Drill and Ceremonies Manual (or wh… --- ## [The Birth And Death Of An Alaskan Nome](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-birth-and-death-of-an-alaskan-nome/980747)
**Author:** [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2025, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-birth-and-death-of-an-alaskan-nome/980747 "2025-12-30T22:55:07Z")
aka Newspapering; or, the Discrete Charm of the Scanned Page I like to read old newspapers. Not for genealogical purposes, necessarily, but to get some more perspective on the past. I also learn some odd things, like so… --- ## [An AI success!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-ai-success/1026124)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2025, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-ai-success/1026124 "2025-12-30T18:38:35Z")
Since Stephen Miller is such a horrible person and a Jew, I decided he must be a Yecke. This is a derisive name (reportedly from the Yiddish word for jacket) that Jews from Eastern Europe use for the population of Germa… --- ## [Mind blowing facts, from the Atlantic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mind-blowing-facts-from-the-atlantic/1026111)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2025, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mind-blowing-facts-from-the-atlantic/1026111 "2025-12-30T17:04:51Z")
The Atlantic claims these 2025 facts amazed them. Do they amaze you? This seems a tad melodramatic… Excerpt: On average, women’s hands are more sensitive to warmth than men’s, some research suggests. The U.S. releas… --- ## [UUencoding - a take off on the redacted Epstein files](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uuencoding-a-take-off-on-the-redacted-epstein-files/1026079)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2025, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uuencoding-a-take-off-on-the-redacted-epstein-files/1026079 "2025-12-30T14:42:21Z")
Way back when we used Usenet the files were UUencoded. To read a post your reader had to download the file and decode it. Worked fine for texts. Then someone worked out how to UUencode images. These were often multiple p… --- ## [(Old) Happy Hanuholichristkwanzaavus- A Holiday(s) Week MMP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-happy-hanuholichristkwanzaavus-a-holiday-s-week-mmp/1025934)
**Author:** [@dogbutler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dogbutler)\ **Replies:** 278\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2025, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-happy-hanuholichristkwanzaavus-a-holiday-s-week-mmp/1025934 "2025-12-29T17:21:29Z")
Sunday was Yule, today is the last day of Hanukkah, Tuesday is Festivus, Thursday is Christmas, and Friday is Boxing Day and the first day of Kwanzaa. What holidays do you celebrate? Or do just hijack your way through … --- ## [Do you or did you ever live in an interesting or odd or unique house?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-or-did-you-ever-live-in-an-interesting-or-odd-or-unique-house/1026103)
**Author:** [@2\_More\_Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2_More_Bits)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2025, 10:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-or-did-you-ever-live-in-an-interesting-or-odd-or-unique-house/1026103 "2025-12-29T10:23:37Z")
Do you or did you ever live in a geodesic dome, earth-sheltered, sod, Lustron™, octagon (modern or historic), poured-concrete, notably-old, notably-huge or etc. etc. home? What is (or what was) that like? Fun? Cool? A p… --- ## [More on "the whole nine yards"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-on-the-whole-nine-yards/1026081)
**Author:** [@Timz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Timz)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2025, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-on-the-whole-nine-yards/1026081 "2025-12-28T06:47:56Z")
The discussion about the origin of the expression – Cecil eventually cited someone who said the expression didn’t exist (in print, anyway) until the 1960s. Anyone got an earlier appearance? He was responding to a plausi… --- ## [What can I do with metal washers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-do-with-metal-washers/1026036)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2025, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-do-with-metal-washers/1026036 "2025-12-28T04:03:03Z")
I found four or five of them on the street. They’re a bit larger around than quarters and made of some kind of yellowish metal? I could just toss them in the recycling, but is there a better use? --- ## [Cheer up! You're a One-Percenter!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheer-up-youre-a-one-percenter/1026098)
**Author:** [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2025, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheer-up-youre-a-one-percenter/1026098 "2025-12-28T01:19:29Z")
Got the end-of-the-year snowstorm blues? The world treating you like Atlas’ shoulders? Want to feel good about yourself? Let’s have Fun With Numbers! You’re part of the smartest and hippest. OK, hippest got beaten to de… --- ## [Somewhat outstanding X-mas gifts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/somewhat-outstanding-x-mas-gifts/1026093)
**Author:** [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2025, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/somewhat-outstanding-x-mas-gifts/1026093 "2025-12-27T23:22:01Z")
Hi there, just wondering … any (somewhat remarkable) X-mas gifts in your family? I got myself a mechanic espresso-maker (I’ve been long lusting after that) → Cafelat Robot and our teenage kids got the wifey a nice fot… --- ## [Best Christmas gift EV--ER!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-christmas-gift-ev-er/1026080)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2025, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-christmas-gift-ev-er/1026080 "2025-12-27T21:31:39Z")
My daughter found me the cutest origami paper while she was in New York. I told her about Pearl River Mart in Soho and so she went. I wanted pictures inside. You know, so I could be vicariously there. I have ordered art… --- ## [Changes in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changes-in-the-church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saints/1023716)
**Author:** [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Replies:** 205\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2025, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changes-in-the-church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saints/1023716 "2025-12-27T17:19:46Z")
Continuing the discussion from President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints passed away: First time to do this. I’ll post more later. --- ## [Oh joy, now I'm not just a codger, I'm a drooling codger](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-joy-now-im-not-just-a-codger-im-a-drooling-codger/1026095)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2025, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-joy-now-im-not-just-a-codger-im-a-drooling-codger/1026095 "2025-12-27T17:04:18Z")
In recent weeks I have noticed at odd times that the area under my chin\* is wet. Then I noticed that I have been wiping the corners of my mouth more often with my hand, but if I’m focused on some task I apparently don’t … --- ## [At least 36 killed in Hong Kong fire with 279 still missing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-least-36-killed-in-hong-kong-fire-with-279-still-missing/1025162)
**Author:** [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2025, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-least-36-killed-in-hong-kong-fire-with-279-still-missing/1025162 "2025-12-27T05:24:11Z")
BBC The video is horrifying. When I first saw I hoped like hell it was AI. But no, just heartbreaking. --- ## [So, suppose humans got a gene mutation that allowed them to teleport](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-suppose-humans-got-a-gene-mutation-that-allowed-them-to-teleport/1025987)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2025, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-suppose-humans-got-a-gene-mutation-that-allowed-them-to-teleport/1025987 "2025-12-27T01:26:45Z")
You know, the classic “I’m in Dallas and I want to be in New York, so I just twitch my nose and concentrate for a second and ZAP I vanish from here and reappear in Central Park” type of teleportation. It occurs to me th… --- ## [Need advice: take the safer offer or ride out a merger?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-advice-take-the-safer-offer-or-ride-out-a-merger/1026034)
**Author:** [@cornycopia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cornycopia)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2025, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-advice-take-the-safer-offer-or-ride-out-a-merger/1026034 "2025-12-27T00:27:02Z")
I’m currently an analyst at an insurance company that’s being acquired. I don’t really love my job to begin with and only been there about three years. I recently received an offer from a bank for an HR analyst role, wh… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=31) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=33)