# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1189 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1190 --- ## [Can we talk about congee?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-talk-about-congee/959568)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2022, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-talk-about-congee/959568 "2022-02-23T12:52:01Z")
I had heard of congee but wasn’t sure exactly what it was. The other day I watched a YouTube video where the cook made three different iterations. I was surprised at the high ratio of water/stock to rice-- seven cups of … --- ## [Did Earth ever have methane lakes in its infancy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-earth-ever-have-methane-lakes-in-its-infancy/959823)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2022, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-earth-ever-have-methane-lakes-in-its-infancy/959823 "2022-02-23T12:35:24Z")
Did Earth ever have methane lakes in its infancy? I’ve read how similar Titan is to the early years on Earth. --- ## ["Passing" (Spoilers)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passing-spoilers/959999)
**Author:** [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2022, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passing-spoilers/959999 "2022-02-23T12:34:38Z")
This film is set in the 1920’s. To enhance that effect, it is filmed in low definition black & white. It centers around a Black woman who is passing for white, and the effect that has on her Black childhood friend. Th… --- ## [Standup tables at bars](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/standup-tables-at-bars/959985)
**Author:** [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2022, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/standup-tables-at-bars/959985 "2022-02-23T12:17:16Z")
I’ll admit I don’t get out, and when I do, it’s not to bars. Anyway, I’ve only seen bars with standup tables on tv. Are those a recent thing? If I’m drinking, I don’t want to be standing. --- ## [Origin of "Giving a Lift" and Other Idioms](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-giving-a-lift-and-other-idioms/488774)
**Author:** [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2022, 8:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-giving-a-lift-and-other-idioms/488774 "2022-02-23T08:50:12Z")
My mom has been teaching an ESL class in the evenings. One of the students lives near her, and this week, my mom offered her a lift home. The student didn’t understand what she meant by “a lift.” My mom explained it,… --- ## [Tuesday, Tuesday, Tuesday](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuesday-tuesday-tuesday/959633)
**Author:** [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2022, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuesday-tuesday-tuesday/959633 "2022-02-23T07:06:18Z")
Utterlessly meaningless, but fun: Coming up is: Tuesday, Two-Twenty-Two, Twenty-Twenty-Two (2-22-2022). Sunday, of course, is 2-20-2022, which is almost as fun. You have been alerted. --- ## ["A bowl of corn flour" -- ring a bell? UK readers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-bowl-of-corn-flour-ring-a-bell-uk-readers/938371)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2022, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-bowl-of-corn-flour-ring-a-bell-uk-readers/938371 "2022-02-23T05:48:09Z")
I’m listening to an audio book of an Agatha Christie/Miss Marple story (it’s the first story in The Thirteen Problems) when this term comes up. Apparently it’s a sort of porridge made (I presume) from corn flour, and it … --- ## [The 2022 Winter Olympics Thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2022-winter-olympics-thread/958841)
**Author:** [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Replies:** 209\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2022, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2022-winter-olympics-thread/958841 "2022-02-23T05:09:47Z")
This is the thread to comment on the opening/closing ceremonies as well as any sports. Please keep politics to a minimum, preferably zero (if a giant ice sculpture of Mao shows up commenting on that would be OK) As a (v… --- ## [Adventures in Bread Making](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adventures-in-bread-making/921511)
**Author:** [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2022, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adventures-in-bread-making/921511 "2022-02-23T04:44:18Z")
Lately I have been trying out baking my own bread. I have had some success using the no knead method and the stretch and fold kneading process. Today I mixed 62g of King Arthur 100% whole wheat flour with 62g of filter… --- ## [Is Biden really flying in undocumented immigrants at night? {no, he isn't}](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-biden-really-flying-in-undocumented-immigrants-at-night-no-he-isnt/959640)
**Author:** [@turtlescanfly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/turtlescanfly)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2022, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-biden-really-flying-in-undocumented-immigrants-at-night-no-he-isnt/959640 "2022-02-23T04:25:43Z")
Please give me the Straight Dope. I have heard from more than one person that President Biden has been secretly flying in entire planes full of undocumented, unvaccinated persons and dropping them off under cover of nigh… --- ## [Do you have anything that automatically triggers a “favorite catch phrase” from music?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-anything-that-automatically-triggers-a-favorite-catch-phrase-from-music/957897)
**Author:** [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2022, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-anything-that-automatically-triggers-a-favorite-catch-phrase-from-music/957897 "2022-02-23T03:56:08Z")
Branching off this thread: If it all just doesn’t work out, I resign with a: When searching for something and still can’t find it, I start getting all “I looked, here, I Iooked there, I looked everywhere… --- ## [A sad day for millennials: no more avocado toast](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-sad-day-for-millennials-no-more-avocado-toast/959473)
**Author:** [@Lancia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lancia)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2022, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-sad-day-for-millennials-no-more-avocado-toast/959473 "2022-02-23T03:46:02Z")
In a development that most certainly will not affect Tim Gurner, The USDA has frozen all inspections of avocado shipments originating in the Mexican state of Michoacan. Since 1) all avocados imported from Mexico come fro… --- ## [Would today's cellphone be backwards compatable in 2009?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-todays-cellphone-be-backwards-compatable-in-2009/959918)
**Author:** [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2022, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-todays-cellphone-be-backwards-compatable-in-2009/959918 "2022-02-23T03:25:05Z")
So I’m watching on Netflix, and the characters go back in time to 2009. One of the characters pulls out her smart phone and proceeds to call her mom getting her voicemail. Would that work? --- ## [Restaurants in Minneapolis and area](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurants-in-minneapolis-and-area/959890)
**Author:** [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2022, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurants-in-minneapolis-and-area/959890 "2022-02-23T03:01:43Z")
We’re moving to MSP in May-ish. I would like some recommendations for local area restaurants. I know about Nook in St. Paul, but that’s about it. We eat pretty much all kinds of food, other than tofu. Fire away. --- ## [Whatever happened to Fuzzy Logic?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatever-happened-to-fuzzy-logic/959904)
**Author:** [@PozhanPop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PozhanPop)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2022, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatever-happened-to-fuzzy-logic/959904 "2022-02-23T02:20:22Z")
I remember it being a huge thing in the late 90s where it was being applied to even washing machines and microwaves. It was a Japanese concept if I remember right. Did it just taper off or is it incorporated into curre… --- ## [157 Dead Ethipian Airlines Crash in New Boeing 737 Max](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/157-dead-ethipian-airlines-crash-in-new-boeing-737-max/830885)
**Author:** [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Replies:** 303\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2022, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/157-dead-ethipian-airlines-crash-in-new-boeing-737-max/830885 "2022-02-23T01:42:44Z")
It was a brand new airplane delivered in November. Unlike many African airlines Ethiopian Airlines has a very good safety reputation. --- ## [How the ancients would of communicated about covid 19 (a writing contest)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-the-ancients-would-of-communicated-about-covid-19-a-writing-contest/959946)
**Author:** [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2022, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-the-ancients-would-of-communicated-about-covid-19-a-writing-contest/959946 "2022-02-23T01:39:24Z")
there was a contest by Antigone a website that discusses all things ancient and historical decide to have a writing contest on how the ancient world would have discussed or written about covid 19 and a lot of it is fun… --- ## [Trump and Executive Privilege](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-and-executive-privilege/952482)
**Author:** [@StraightTalk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StraightTalk)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2022, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-and-executive-privilege/952482 "2022-02-23T01:31:33Z")
Does anyone else find it funny that Trump had to ask Biden, AS PRESIDENT, to extend executive privilege to him? I hope that Biden’s response was “Dude! You don’t even think I was elected legitimately. I’m not giving y… --- ## [Catholic priest inadvertently changed one word during baptism rites for decades, and apparently it's a BIG PROBLEM](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catholic-priest-inadvertently-changed-one-word-during-baptism-rites-for-decades-and-apparently-its-a-big-problem/959494)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 103\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2022, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catholic-priest-inadvertently-changed-one-word-during-baptism-rites-for-decades-and-apparently-its-a-big-problem/959494 "2022-02-23T01:15:31Z")
A priest with the Catholic Diocese of Phoenix, named Father Andres Arango, has apparently been using the phrase “we baptize you in the name of the Father,” et. al., for his entire career, when he should have been using t… --- ## [What would be the best chemical elements for a shapeshifter to turn into?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-the-best-chemical-elements-for-a-shapeshifter-to-turn-into/959920)
**Author:** [@Cmyers1980](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cmyers1980)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2022, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-the-best-chemical-elements-for-a-shapeshifter-to-turn-into/959920 "2022-02-23T01:14:29Z")
If someone had the ability to shapeshift into any chemical element, compound, form or material while still maintaining normal human speed and movement like Metamorpho and Absorbing Man what would be the best and most ver… --- ## [National Margarita day](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/national-margarita-day/959971)
**Author:** [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2022, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/national-margarita-day/959971 "2022-02-23T00:34:41Z")
I hadn’t known it was national Margarita Day until just now. But by coincidence before I headed to the store I saw the temp Breached the 55 degree barrier for a sec, which inspired me to pick up some 'rita supplies. Whic… --- ## [Differently-Abled Actors and Actresses](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/differently-abled-actors-and-actresses/959118)
**Author:** [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Replies:** 150\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2022, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/differently-abled-actors-and-actresses/959118 "2022-02-22T23:02:29Z")
I recently completed my re-watch of Columbo and was thinking about Peter Falk’s glass eye (in one episode he jokes about it!) That made me think of other actors & actresses that might be differently-abled (note that I am… --- ## [Are rainbows an optical illusion?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-rainbows-an-optical-illusion/959818)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2022, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-rainbows-an-optical-illusion/959818 "2022-02-22T22:16:08Z")
This morning, a beam of light coming through the window and through a prism cast a rainbow/spectrum on me, as I could see in the mirror. But when I positioned myself so that I was just intercepting the red part, the lig… --- ## [Canada and the Coronavirus](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-and-the-coronavirus/850643)
**Author:** [@Mikemike2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mikemike2)\ **Replies:** 992\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2022, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-and-the-coronavirus/850643 "2022-02-22T22:12:12Z")
Hi Guys, I have been watching all these threads on Coronavirus. I have paid attention to many countries, and the US is the center of attention it seems for most of them, which is cool. I care what happens in the US, b… --- ## [Am I Imagining Things (Climate Change And Personal Observations)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-imagining-things-climate-change-and-personal-observations/956814)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2022, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-imagining-things-climate-change-and-personal-observations/956814 "2022-02-22T21:20:47Z")
I just had to ask someone this question once. Because it has bothered me for quite some time. I guess I might as well tell you. I was born in 1968. And it seemed when I was still a child, we always had a white Christmas… --- ## [Day in Brooklyn Brew Tour?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/day-in-brooklyn-brew-tour/959686)
**Author:** [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2022, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/day-in-brooklyn-brew-tour/959686 "2022-02-22T21:14:35Z")
We may be going to Brooklyn Saturday or Sunday just for something to do. It looks like there are some craft breweries in the area and the idea is to walk/Uber to as many as we can without falling over. We were to Bay Rid… --- ## [Is it wrong to call all three ships of Columbus's first voyage to the Americas carracks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-wrong-to-call-all-three-ships-of-columbuss-first-voyage-to-the-americas-carracks/959929)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2022, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-wrong-to-call-all-three-ships-of-columbuss-first-voyage-to-the-americas-carracks/959929 "2022-02-22T21:00:45Z")
Is it wrong to call all three ships of Columbus’s first voyage to the Americas carracks? Simon Winchester in “Atlantic: A Vast Ocean of A Million Stories” states(p. 86): “His three small carracks , the Niña, the Pinta … --- ## [Who do you work for? Tuuckman Marsh. Is that a law firm? No, a rock band](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-do-you-work-for-tuuckman-marsh-is-that-a-law-firm-no-a-rock-band/959854)
**Author:** [@Mike\_Mabes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mike_Mabes)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2022, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-do-you-work-for-tuuckman-marsh-is-that-a-law-firm-no-a-rock-band/959854 "2022-02-22T20:24:21Z")
Love, love love this movie. Burn After Reading. --- ## [Space Force!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/space-force/854182)
**Author:** [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Replies:** 105\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2022, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/space-force/854182 "2022-02-22T19:14:41Z")
I just learned of a new comedy from Steve Carell coming out on Netflix May 29 about the creation of Space Force, called “Space Force”, unsurprisingly. Got some interesting names in it, like John Malkovich, Lise Kudrow, J… --- ## [Judge rules against school mask mandates, Chicago Public Schools to ignore order?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-rules-against-school-mask-mandates-chicago-public-schools-to-ignore-order/958998)
**Author:** [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2022, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-rules-against-school-mask-mandates-chicago-public-schools-to-ignore-order/958998 "2022-02-22T19:03:23Z")
An Illinois state judge has issued a restraining order barring schools from enforcing mask mandates, however the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) issued a statement that their masking policies will not change. Can any legal… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1188) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1190)