# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1142 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1143 --- ## [Phishing texts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phishing-texts/962658)
**Author:** [@saje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saje)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2022, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phishing-texts/962658 "2022-04-11T19:25:21Z")
Not sure if this is Mundane or Factual, but … What IS it with the spam/phishing texts I’ve been getting that are just random links to gawd-knows-what? The links are never words, just something that looks like a TinyURL … --- ## [NBA players and spellcheck](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-players-and-spellcheck/962589)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2022, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-players-and-spellcheck/962589 "2022-04-11T18:26:28Z")
I must compliment whoever’s responsible for the Dope’s spell check. I frequently post in the National Basketball Association thread, and have never had a red line appear under any NBA player’s name spelled correctly, no… --- ## [When tropes are subverted](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-tropes-are-subverted/962619)
**Author:** [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2022, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-tropes-are-subverted/962619 "2022-04-11T17:52:19Z")
It seems like in the past oh, couple years or so we’ve had a number of TV / movie trope or cliche threads, which is fine with me, I love a good trope thread. I think I even started one or two. But how about examples whe… --- ## [Criminal to let an older person die?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criminal-to-let-an-older-person-die/962107)
**Author:** [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2022, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criminal-to-let-an-older-person-die/962107 "2022-04-11T17:31:30Z")
This is loosely based on my extended family where the parties involved died decades ago. Man and wife are roughly 63. He’s a heavy drinker and smoker in declining health. He eventually spends most of his time in bed. N… --- ## [Simplified Smiley Test](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simplified-smiley-test/962646)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2022, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simplified-smiley-test/962646 "2022-04-11T17:15:09Z")
Now I just found a much simpler way to make a smile: :slight\_smile: Test to make a wink: :wink: .Oh, well. I tried. --- ## [In defense of Genesis](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-defense-of-genesis/961745)
**Author:** [@Roger\_That](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roger_That)\ **Replies:** 176\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2022, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-defense-of-genesis/961745 "2022-04-11T15:36:01Z")
As a stone-cold absolutist atheist who has delighted for decades in mocking the Bible as an absurd document replete with logical problems that a clever ten-year-old can point out, I have to admit that one element in Gene… --- ## [How can Alabama restrict gender-affirming treatment for adults?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-alabama-restrict-gender-affirming-treatment-for-adults/962625)
**Author:** [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2022, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-alabama-restrict-gender-affirming-treatment-for-adults/962625 "2022-04-11T15:33:57Z")
Alabama passed a law making it a crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison for prescribing gender- affirming treatment to anyone under 19. The age of consent in Alabama is 16. So at 18, you can serve in the military, … --- ## [How to enumerate targets for the Tower of London test?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-enumerate-targets-for-the-tower-of-london-test/962131)
**Author:** [@moes\_lotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moes_lotion)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2022, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-enumerate-targets-for-the-tower-of-london-test/962131 "2022-04-11T15:13:14Z")
Disclaimer: As far as I can tell, the original version of the Tower of London cognitive test is in the public domain, so I’m hoping that I am not violating any copyrights here. The Tower of London cognitive test uses a … --- ## [Can you fix a Title? (Serial numbers on guns)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-fix-a-title-serial-numbers-on-guns/962661)
**Author:** [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2022, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-fix-a-title-serial-numbers-on-guns/962661 "2022-04-11T14:22:25Z")
Of course it should read: What is the Purpose of a Serial Number on a Gun? Thank you. --- ## [Are we allowed to share tools that allow readers to get around paywalls when we link to a story?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-allowed-to-share-tools-that-allow-readers-to-get-around-paywalls-when-we-link-to-a-story/962546)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2022, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-allowed-to-share-tools-that-allow-readers-to-get-around-paywalls-when-we-link-to-a-story/962546 "2022-04-11T14:20:55Z")
My understanding is we cannot use link shorteners and must use the full URL link when we link to something in a post (understandable). This sometimes leads to some people not being able to read that link because they do… --- ## [Invading someone else's space?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/invading-someone-elses-space/961934)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2022, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/invading-someone-elses-space/961934 "2022-04-11T14:19:08Z")
Can you explain what you meant by making him “uncomfortable?” If I’m talking to someone and they raise their voice, OK, I understand they’re angry. But if that’s accompanied by the person also invading my space, gett… --- ## [How functional is Ukraine at this time?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-functional-is-ukraine-at-this-time/962591)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2022, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-functional-is-ukraine-at-this-time/962591 "2022-04-11T13:59:42Z")
This is a topic I haven’t seen much about in the news. What is the state of Ukraine overall? Are there still any factories that are running? Are people in the western part of the country still going to work like norma… --- ## [Please ID this classical score. (Really! It's driving me nuts!)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-id-this-classical-score-really-its-driving-me-nuts/962659)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2022, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-id-this-classical-score-really-its-driving-me-nuts/962659 "2022-04-11T13:43:08Z")
It’s the very intro of this song by Coolio: (The sampling of classical music) I will be forever grateful. Thanks! --- ## [What platitudes do you wish people would stop using?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-platitudes-do-you-wish-people-would-stop-using/960203)
**Author:** [@Cmyers1980](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cmyers1980)\ **Replies:** 154\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2022, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-platitudes-do-you-wish-people-would-stop-using/960203 "2022-04-11T12:59:49Z")
According to Wikipedia a platitude is a trite, meaningless, or prosaic statement, often used as a thought terminating cliché, aimed at quelling social, emotional or cognitive unease. The statement may be true but its mea… --- ## [Vehicles in Venice?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vehicles-in-venice/962342)
**Author:** [@Mark\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mark_Finn)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2022, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vehicles-in-venice/962342 "2022-04-11T11:59:08Z")
Having visited Venice (Italy) a few years ago, and having watched a few videos about it…it’s a city of canals and car-free streets. You walk, or take a boat to get from one place to another. Can emergency vehicles use t… --- ## [An AUS Husband accidentally spends $725 on EIGHT items at the supermarket......have you ever been majorly overcharged?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-aus-husband-accidentally-spends-725-on-eight-items-at-the-supermarket-have-you-ever-been-majorly-overcharged/962293)
**Author:** [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2022, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-aus-husband-accidentally-spends-725-on-eight-items-at-the-supermarket-have-you-ever-been-majorly-overcharged/962293 "2022-04-11T11:18:22Z")
Apparently hubby found out the one problem with “tap cards” the hard way Have you ever been overcharged a large amount like this ? and if so did you catch it in time? --- ## [The Last Of Biden’s Privateers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-last-of-biden-s-privateers/961007)
**Author:** [@BadSamaritan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BadSamaritan)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2022, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-last-of-biden-s-privateers/961007 "2022-04-11T07:06:19Z")
Republicans introduce bill to issue Letters of Marque for privateers against Russian oligarchs. https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/6869/all-actions? --- ## [I Guess There Needs To Be A MMP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-guess-there-needs-to-be-a-mmp/962235)
**Author:** [@swampbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampbear)\ **Replies:** 275\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2022, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-guess-there-needs-to-be-a-mmp/962235 "2022-04-11T05:46:09Z")
Good Mornin’ Y’all! Up and caffeinatin’. YAWN ‘Tis 48 Amurrkin out and clear with a predicted high of 82 and partly N.O.S. whatever that means. I suppose it could also mean mostly cloudy. TWPTB are bein’ cryptic. I envis… --- ## [Hope This Makes Beck Feel Better When She Sees It: Weasel In The House](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hope-this-makes-beck-feel-better-when-she-sees-it-weasel-in-the-house/962607)
**Author:** [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2022, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hope-this-makes-beck-feel-better-when-she-sees-it-weasel-in-the-house/962607 "2022-04-11T05:27:01Z")
Soon after I arrived at the homeplace after my Dad’s passing I learned that there has been a weasel in the house since before my Mom went into the hospital in late March. Apparently it just takes napkins without making … --- ## [Serious actors, or non-actors, doing comedy later on…](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serious-actors-or-non-actors-doing-comedy-later-on/962529)
**Author:** [@Limmin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Limmin)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2022, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serious-actors-or-non-actors-doing-comedy-later-on/962529 "2022-04-11T05:05:42Z")
This could also make for a great thread. “Serious actors, or non-actors, doing comedy later on…” --- ## [Closed FQ thread on laws about sexual assault. Why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/closed-fq-thread-on-laws-about-sexual-assault-why/962587)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2022, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/closed-fq-thread-on-laws-about-sexual-assault-why/962587 "2022-04-11T03:40:05Z")
I could see moving it but even with an OP that initially came off goofy the thread was actually exploring the subject and the murkiness of the laws and their interpretations in a reasonable way. What legally counts as … --- ## [How much do you guess you have in your permanent 'pantry'?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-you-guess-you-have-in-your-permanent-pantry/962523)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2022, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-you-guess-you-have-in-your-permanent-pantry/962523 "2022-04-11T02:40:55Z")
(Pantry is in quotes, because I mean all of your basic food storage types, freezer/fridge/cupboards/true pantry/whatever.) This came up because a friend is going through a really miserable divorce – basically she fled h… --- ## [Dad just passed away](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dad-just-passed-away/962390)
**Author:** [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2022, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dad-just-passed-away/962390 "2022-04-11T02:35:51Z")
My dad passed away early this morning at the age of 87. He grew up in North Carolina and lived most of his life in East Tennessee, but had no use for the NRA or Donald Trump. My mom was just in the hospital and is now … --- ## [2022 Masters Tournament (golf)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-masters-tournament-golf/962416)
**Author:** [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2022, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-masters-tournament-golf/962416 "2022-04-11T01:06:16Z")
Or should we just call this the Tiger Woods tournament thread, since that will be the dominant topic of conversation until Friday night when he misses the cut by 12 (or more likely, drops out Thursday). But hey, I’m as … --- ## [Books you'd like to turn into movies and actors you'd like to see play them](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/books-youd-like-to-turn-into-movies-and-actors-youd-like-to-see-play-them/962422)
**Author:** [@Macfries](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Macfries)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2022, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/books-youd-like-to-turn-into-movies-and-actors-youd-like-to-see-play-them/962422 "2022-04-11T00:11:41Z")
Mine is killer from the heights by mike jahn. Like too see a 1970s version of Clint Eastwood play the main character. --- ## [Is a 40 hour work week normal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-40-hour-work-week-normal/962474)
**Author:** [@sciurophobic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciurophobic)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2022, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-40-hour-work-week-normal/962474 "2022-04-10T22:56:46Z")
How many Americans truly have a standard M-F 40 hour work week, or at least work the same five days out of seven? I mean they never have to do overtime, they’re not expected to check their email at night, and they most d… --- ## [What musical genres are mainly known by only one song?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-musical-genres-are-mainly-known-by-only-one-song/962248)
**Author:** [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Replies:** 176\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2022, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-musical-genres-are-mainly-known-by-only-one-song/962248 "2022-04-10T22:33:33Z")
So random musical musing triggered by describing Ace of Spades by Motorhead to my wife. I described it (I think correctly based on quick Google) as Speed Metal. It occurs to me that this is probably the only example of… --- ## [Strange Knife Fight Ritual](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-knife-fight-ritual/569413)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2022, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-knife-fight-ritual/569413 "2022-04-10T22:07:44Z")
I was watching a western last night (The Long Riders, made in 1980) in which a strange knife fight was staged. Two men are in a bar, one of them is supposed to be half Indian if that matters. They agree to hand-to-hand… --- ## [Sidesleepers--can you train yourself to sleep on your back?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sidesleepers-can-you-train-yourself-to-sleep-on-your-back/962518)
**Author:** [@Tride](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tride)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2022, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sidesleepers-can-you-train-yourself-to-sleep-on-your-back/962518 "2022-04-10T21:47:30Z")
I’ve been a side-sleeper all my life, but at 54 with 2 arthritic shoulders that seems to be ceasing to be an option. I can lay on either side for about 20 minutes before it gets pretty uncomfortable. Last night I dozed… --- ## [Two Marvel Universe questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-marvel-universe-questions/962624)
**Author:** [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2022, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-marvel-universe-questions/962624 "2022-04-10T21:34:46Z")
What’s the difference between Venom and Moon Knight? What is that funky Arabic groove playing over the end credits on Moon Knight? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1141) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1143)