# Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=34 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 35 --- ## [Beating (less) dead horses: less or fewer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beating-less-dead-horses-less-or-fewer/1025525)
**Author:** [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2025, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beating-less-dead-horses-less-or-fewer/1025525 "2025-12-21T01:28:58Z")
When to use “less” and when to use “fewer”. Fewer people today care about the issue, resulting in less discussion about the distinctions.\* Style guides counsel writers that “fewer” is used with count nouns, like people, … --- ## [Is "chapping my hide" a SDMB-flavor-of-the-month expression?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-chapping-my-hide-a-sdmb-flavor-of-the-month-expression/1025886)
**Author:** [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2025, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-chapping-my-hide-a-sdmb-flavor-of-the-month-expression/1025886 "2025-12-20T18:21:38Z")
I am an English-as-a-second-language poster, so my exposure to English is way more concentrated than that of many native speakers here. Which has good and not-so-good sides. One good side is that I seem to reckon that t… --- ## [IRobot, the maker of Roomba, has filed for Bankruptcy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/irobot-the-maker-of-roomba-has-filed-for-bankruptcy/1025738)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2025, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/irobot-the-maker-of-roomba-has-filed-for-bankruptcy/1025738 "2025-12-20T02:26:58Z")
Is your Roomba sulking in a corner crying? I remember when Roomba first hit the market. Engineer Joe Jones working in the MIT Computer and AI lab created the early design. It makes me feel so old to see the development… --- ## [Phone case problems](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phone-case-problems/1025800)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2025, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phone-case-problems/1025800 "2025-12-20T00:19:16Z")
I have a mobile phone. It’s an older model; a Samsung Galaxy A12 I bought in 2020. When I bought the phone, I also bought a protective screen and silicon case. The silicon case has torn and I want to replace it. I have … --- ## [Bermuda triangle and conspiracy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bermuda-triangle-and-conspiracy/1025826)
**Author:** [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2025, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bermuda-triangle-and-conspiracy/1025826 "2025-12-19T20:48:10Z")
Random shower thought: how/why did the Bermuda Triangle fall out of favor with the “Conspiracy Loonies”, while other CL-fads (flat-earth, moon landing, and new ones: 11/9, vaccines, covid) seem to be doing well? (just … --- ## [Checks, Public Input, and the Federal Reserve](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/checks-public-input-and-the-federal-reserve/1025626)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2025, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/checks-public-input-and-the-federal-reserve/1025626 "2025-12-19T20:19:26Z")
Recently, the Fed began considering doing away with paper checks. I wanted to contact them about this. But their public input page will not accept input. All it does is pulse slowly, & will not permit me to input data… --- ## [Dinosaur tracks found in Italy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dinosaur-tracks-found-in-italy/1025813)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2025, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dinosaur-tracks-found-in-italy/1025813 "2025-12-18T16:43:17Z")
Apparently thousands https://www.npr.org/2025/12/17/nx-s1-5647391/dinosaur-tracks-italy-olympics Ahead of the Olympic Games. Cool. --- ## [Not Broke ! Yay!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-broke-yay/1025734)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2025, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-broke-yay/1025734 "2025-12-18T01:01:25Z")
No I didn’t drop Grannys good china platter. No, didn’t give the savings account to some Nigerian scammer. I just fell off the deck last night. Letting the dogs go potty. I am not sure what happened. Just found myse… --- ## [No one expects to find a dead body at the Dollar Tree](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-one-expects-to-find-a-dead-body-at-the-dollar-tree/1025730)
**Author:** [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2025, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-one-expects-to-find-a-dead-body-at-the-dollar-tree/1025730 "2025-12-17T23:46:33Z")
Bit of a mystery here: “Foul play is not suspected.” One senses that certain lawyers who are featured on billboards in the area have already contacted the next of kin. --- ## [Civil rights pioneer's statue goes up in U.S. Capitol as Virginia representative, replacing General Lee](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/civil-rights-pioneers-statue-goes-up-in-u-s-capitol-as-virginia-representative-replacing-general-lee/1025779)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2025, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/civil-rights-pioneers-statue-goes-up-in-u-s-capitol-as-virginia-representative-replacing-general-lee/1025779 "2025-12-17T21:34:06Z")
Every state gets two bronze statues in the US Capitol recognizing important figures from its past. For awhile, Virginia’s representation was George Washington and Robert E. Lee. Lee’s statue was removed in 2020 at the r… --- ## [Remember "getting a flat" when someone stepped on the back of your shoe - do kids still do that?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-getting-a-flat-when-someone-stepped-on-the-back-of-your-shoe-do-kids-still-do-that/1025740)
**Author:** [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2025, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-getting-a-flat-when-someone-stepped-on-the-back-of-your-shoe-do-kids-still-do-that/1025740 "2025-12-17T00:28:52Z")
When I was a kid, a common prank (or something that sometimes happened by accident) was that the kid standing behind you in line put the front of his shoe on the heel of yours, so when you stepped forward, your foot came… --- ## [Seeing Earth's curvature: anyone tried this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeing-earths-curvature-anyone-tried-this/1025569)
**Author:** [@Timz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Timz)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2025, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeing-earths-curvature-anyone-tried-this/1025569 "2025-12-16T22:26:14Z")
Familiar question: “How high do you have to be to see Earth’s curvature?” Neither the questioner nor the answerers ever say what “see the curvature” means, or why it would be easier from high altitude. So: what does it … --- ## [The street we live on is unique](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-street-we-live-on-is-unique/1025488)
**Author:** [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2025, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-street-we-live-on-is-unique/1025488 "2025-12-16T18:18:59Z")
As far as I can tell, there is no other street with the same name in the entire country. And, it’s only two words, eight letters total. I just thought that is unusual. We now return you to your regularly scheduled prog… --- ## [Microchimerism. Well, wow](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microchimerism-well-wow/1025538)
**Author:** [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2025, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microchimerism-well-wow/1025538 "2025-12-15T23:03:37Z")
The flow of DNA back and forth seems to be just incredible. The image charting the two-way path of DNA through generations shows it all. What might this mean for, well, brain health across generations, etc? --- ## [(Old) It's Gonna Snow? Oh No! Oh No! Oh No!- A Winter MMP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-its-gonna-snow-oh-no-oh-no-oh-no-a-winter-mmp/1025513)
**Author:** [@dogbutler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dogbutler)\ **Replies:** 258\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2025, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-its-gonna-snow-oh-no-oh-no-oh-no-a-winter-mmp/1025513 "2025-12-15T14:36:59Z")
Slush! Fog! Black ice! Dogs and cat living together! Mass Hysteria! And it’s Aldi run day, so that will be fun. How’s your weather? I’m up. caffeinated, and shoveled. Off to heave. It’s currently 32 degrees Ferret … --- ## [Police investigating homicide at home of Rob Reiner and his wife](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-investigating-homicide-at-home-of-rob-reiner-and-his-wife/1025713)
**Author:** [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2025, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-investigating-homicide-at-home-of-rob-reiner-and-his-wife/1025713 "2025-12-15T04:15:34Z")
Apparently there has been a double homicide at the L.A. home of director/actor Rob Reiner and his wife. Reports are a 78 year old male and 68 year old woman have been found dead in this home. These are the ages of Rein… --- ## [Sayings, idioms, and acronyms which seem to indicate the OPPOSITE of what is intended](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sayings-idioms-and-acronyms-which-seem-to-indicate-the-opposite-of-what-is-intended/1024599)
**Author:** [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Replies:** 121\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2025, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sayings-idioms-and-acronyms-which-seem-to-indicate-the-opposite-of-what-is-intended/1024599 "2025-12-14T23:48:34Z")
On another site I was taken a bit aback yesterday when I read that a political ad had been “dropped”–so I immediately wondered who canceled it and why-was it DFT-enabled censorship at work again? A cowardly news service … --- ## [You can't watch Pornhub in Texas (for the time being)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-cant-watch-pornhub-in-texas-for-the-time-being/998866)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 95\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2025, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-cant-watch-pornhub-in-texas-for-the-time-being/998866 "2025-12-14T16:00:51Z")
Pornhub says that Texas laws don’t keep children safe, so if you’re in the Lone Star State, you’ll have to go elsewhere to get some relief by looking at feet or hot moms/dads or whatever floats your boat. Texas says they… --- ## [Where the F\*\*\*\* have I been?!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-the-f-have-i-been/1025635)
**Author:** [@melaniethewitch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/melaniethewitch)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2025, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-the-f-have-i-been/1025635 "2025-12-14T11:51:55Z")
Short answer is doing high school. long answer is, Chronically I’ll suffering while my parent says they will not make me food until all my homework is done. uh yeah.. hi. I’m back ig. I have been managing my POTs and dea… --- ## ["Christmas" Specials ... that aren't Chrismassy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-specials-that-arent-chrismassy/1012145)
**Author:** [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2025, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-specials-that-arent-chrismassy/1012145 "2025-12-14T03:45:33Z")
Has anyone noticed this? I’ve noticed 2. Motown Christmas and Christmas at Graceland. They’ll dress every one in red have Christmas decorations and do a couple of Christmas songs. Motown did very few xmas songs, and b… --- ## [Mattel, you are very special](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mattel-you-are-very-special/1025613)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2025, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mattel-you-are-very-special/1025613 "2025-12-14T02:06:05Z")
To me. Not sure I know anything about your corporate mis-deeds or not. I hope it’s good enough. God knows I spent many dollars on their products over the years. In July 2025, Mattel dropped the Type 1 diabetic Barbie.… --- ## [GCHQ Christmas Challenge 2025](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gchq-christmas-challenge-2025/1025668)
**Author:** [@colinfred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/colinfred)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2025, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gchq-christmas-challenge-2025/1025668 "2025-12-13T16:47:47Z")
Quite a bit of fun. I’ve solved the main puzzle, but have given up on trying to crack Santa’s password. --- ## [Odd recommendations to reduce stess and anxiety](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-recommendations-to-reduce-stess-and-anxiety/1025648)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2025, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-recommendations-to-reduce-stess-and-anxiety/1025648 "2025-12-13T16:40:03Z")
I’ve been insane for like 4 days. Erratic behavior, weird evil(?)thoughts. Interrupted sleep. This is due to my conditions that I really cannot control. Stress and anxiety just adds a nice cherry on top. I know I’ve be… --- ## [Sauropod dinosaurs may have been more colorful than we previously thought](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sauropod-dinosaurs-may-have-been-more-colorful-than-we-previously-thought/1025655)
**Author:** [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2025, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sauropod-dinosaurs-may-have-been-more-colorful-than-we-previously-thought/1025655 "2025-12-13T00:41:13Z")
I just watched a podcast interview with one of the scientists behind this study. They looked at diplodocus scales that were incredibly well preserved and they were able to identify a variety of melanosomes. They were o… --- ## [Sleep apnea - don't sleep on your back](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-apnea-dont-sleep-on-your-back/1018890)
**Author:** [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2025, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-apnea-dont-sleep-on-your-back/1018890 "2025-12-12T19:17:36Z")
Who knew?!? If you didn’t, then try not sleeping on your back. :rofl: I had a home sleep study done a dozen years ago or so. Diagnosed as mild apnea, got a CPAP, and no longer felt like I had permanent jet lag every aft… --- ## [The Mandela effect on YOU](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-mandela-effect-on-you/1024254)
**Author:** [@melaniethewitch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/melaniethewitch)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2025, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-mandela-effect-on-you/1024254 "2025-12-12T17:17:24Z")
What are some of the mandela effects that really confused you? I’ll go first! Monopoly man Monocle berenstein bears --- ## [Words you mis-said](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-you-mis-said/1024059)
**Author:** [@melaniethewitch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/melaniethewitch)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2025, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-you-mis-said/1024059 "2025-12-12T17:10:52Z")
What are some words you’ve accidently said? what did you actually mean? I’ll go first, Frain bog I mean Brain fog --- ## [Another pronunciation vexation - crudites](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-pronunciation-vexation-crudites/1025618)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2025, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-pronunciation-vexation-crudites/1025618 "2025-12-12T15:22:45Z")
Carrots and celery with a nice dip. Love em. Always been just veggies to me. But I do realize it is properly (smugly) called “crudites”. In 79 years I have never heard anyone pronounce crudites although I have puzzled ov… --- ## [British man fined £150 for spitting up leaf that flew into his mouth](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-man-fined-150-for-spitting-up-leaf-that-flew-into-his-mouth/1025631)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2025, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-man-fined-150-for-spitting-up-leaf-that-flew-into-his-mouth/1025631 "2025-12-12T02:56:21Z")
An elderly man in Skegness, England, was fined £250 (later reduced to £150 on appeal) back in February when a leaf blew into his mouth and he spit it out. They said he was committing an “environmental crime”. A bit he… --- ## [Ghost dog? Ghost girl? Yeah, no](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ghost-dog-ghost-girl-yeah-no/1025628)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2025, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ghost-dog-ghost-girl-yeah-no/1025628 "2025-12-11T23:20:03Z")
In a fit of retail need, Ivy says she needs stuff. I grouse a bit. Look, we were shopping allover bigger town yesterday. I say “Why?” She says “coz, looky I have coupons!” Can I tell you how bad I hate Dollar General… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=33) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=35)