# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1255 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1256 --- ## [Oklahoma Christmas lyric - what's a six pack of 3.2?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oklahoma-christmas-lyric-whats-a-six-pack-of-3-2/956221)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2021, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oklahoma-christmas-lyric-whats-a-six-pack-of-3-2/956221 "2021-12-18T02:38:13Z")
I’ve tried Google. Oklahoma Christmas lists Southern foods chicken fried steak, pecan pie. What’s 3.2? I assume it’s booze? What’s the significance to Oklahoma? \[Reba:\] So put on some Bob Wills to set the mood \[Blak… --- ## [MCU: No spoilers please: Any need to see "Eternals" prior to "Spider-man:No Way Home"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcu-no-spoilers-please-any-need-to-see-eternals-prior-to-spider-man-no-way-home/956194)
**Author:** [@ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2021, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcu-no-spoilers-please-any-need-to-see-eternals-prior-to-spider-man-no-way-home/956194 "2021-12-18T02:01:30Z")
Given that “Eternals” has met with a resounding “meh”, I wasn’t going to see it until next month when it pops up for free on Disney+. But I am pretty excited about the next Spider-Man movie and am planning to catch it in… --- ## [Instant Coffee 100% Coffee?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instant-coffee-100-coffee/955517)
**Author:** [@Kedikat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kedikat)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2021, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instant-coffee-100-coffee/955517 "2021-12-18T01:45:15Z")
I have a can of instant coffee. The label says simply 100% coffee. No other ingredients listed. I also make coffee from grounds. Using same cup and creamer product, sugar. Regardless of ground coffee type/brand. The in… --- ## [What did you expect would happen \[If you drop a bottle\]?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-you-expect-would-happen-if-you-drop-a-bottle/955498)
**Author:** [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2021, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-you-expect-would-happen-if-you-drop-a-bottle/955498 "2021-12-18T00:56:12Z")
That it would break into smithereens? Taking groceries into the house I retrieved the bag with the 750ml bottle of Bulleit in it, it was about waist height when the bag spilt and the bottle falls out SMACK against the … --- ## [Trump's tax cuts benefited lower-income people the most](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-tax-cuts-benefited-lower-income-people-the-most/955531)
**Author:** [@Bootb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bootb)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2021, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-tax-cuts-benefited-lower-income-people-the-most/955531 "2021-12-18T00:26:06Z")
Despite the endless liberal whining every time taxes are cut, Trump’s tax cuts helped the people who needed it. --- ## [Cell phone tower antennas different shape?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-tower-antennas-different-shape/956157)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2021, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-tower-antennas-different-shape/956157 "2021-12-18T00:10:56Z")
Lately I see some that are cylinders and not rectangles . Is this a new design? --- ## [Recursion in Python - How Does It Know to Unwind?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recursion-in-python-how-does-it-know-to-unwind/600076)
**Author:** [@FrustratedIdiot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FrustratedIdiot)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2021, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recursion-in-python-how-does-it-know-to-unwind/600076 "2021-12-18T00:09:05Z")
I don’t know anything about programming, but I have decided to try to learn Python. One of the lessons I’m reading deals with recursion. Apparently, you can write a function that calls another function. The function c… --- ## [Copper sulfate in the fireplace: Is is dangerous?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copper-sulfate-in-the-fireplace-is-is-dangerous/956189)
**Author:** [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2021, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copper-sulfate-in-the-fireplace-is-is-dangerous/956189 "2021-12-18T00:08:50Z")
I have a very old can of Sears Color Fire crystals. The idea was to shake some on your fireplace logs to add different colors to the flames. The can says it contains copper sulfate, and carries some cautions about contac… --- ## [People familiar with old-time mental asylums: Did doctors ever refuse to admit someone, because they didn't have a mental illness?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-familiar-with-old-time-mental-asylums-did-doctors-ever-refuse-to-admit-someone-because-they-didnt-have-a-mental-illness/955963)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2021, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-familiar-with-old-time-mental-asylums-did-doctors-ever-refuse-to-admit-someone-because-they-didnt-have-a-mental-illness/955963 "2021-12-18T00:00:29Z")
I’m aware that there was once a time when people could be admitted to a mental health facility just on the say-so of another adult (often the husband) and a doctor. Were there ever people who weren’t admitted, because n… --- ## [What childhood games would you like to see in the Olympics?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-childhood-games-would-you-like-to-see-in-the-olympics/954631)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2021, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-childhood-games-would-you-like-to-see-in-the-olympics/954631 "2021-12-17T23:50:25Z")
For example; dodge ball, Red Rover, butts (buns) up, etc… My submission is: Four Square --- ## [War reenactment around the world?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/war-reenactment-around-the-world/956055)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2021, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/war-reenactment-around-the-world/956055 "2021-12-17T21:03:02Z")
In the southeast region of the US, reenactment of the American civil war is a thing: Some of the participants go to great lengths to be authentic to the equipment, technology, and dress of the times. From that Wikipe… --- ## [Merry Christmas & a Blessed New Year!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/merry-christmas-a-blessed-new-year/956239)
**Author:** [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2021, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/merry-christmas-a-blessed-new-year/956239 "2021-12-17T20:50:08Z")
Yeah, it’s early, but I walk out of here in ten minutes and won’t be back until Monday the 3rd of January, so now is the time for me to wish you all a very blessed holiday in whatever way you choose to celebrate it! As … --- ## [Induction ranges](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/induction-ranges/956170)
**Author:** [@Kropotkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kropotkin)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2021, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/induction-ranges/956170 "2021-12-17T20:27:11Z")
We have an electric glass top range, not induction. We hate it. We hate it because it is slow to heat up and because it maintains the temperature by cycling on and off, meaning the pan heats off, cools down, reheats, rat… --- ## [Excel Question - VLookup with a partial match](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-question-vlookup-with-a-partial-match/956186)
**Author:** [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2021, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-question-vlookup-with-a-partial-match/956186 "2021-12-17T20:16:07Z")
I can do a VLookup where the lookup value contains wildcards to pull matches from the table array. So you could use &\*"Smith"\*& for the lookup value and match to John Smith Jr. But how can I do a lookup where the lookup … --- ## [Vaccinations for the really little guys and girls](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vaccinations-for-the-really-little-guys-and-girls/954402)
**Author:** [@Do\_Not\_Taunt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Do_Not_Taunt)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2021, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vaccinations-for-the-really-little-guys-and-girls/954402 "2021-12-17T19:48:40Z")
It’s approved now (US) for the 5-and-up set, which is great, but my little guy is 2, and I’d love to get him vaccinated, too. Googling finds a few articles like this one: which suggests that Pfizer is doing tests now… --- ## [Weird tropes that seem to have caught on](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-tropes-that-seem-to-have-caught-on/951695)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2021, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-tropes-that-seem-to-have-caught-on/951695 "2021-12-17T19:41:52Z")
List them here folks. Mine will be that line from Jurassic Park. Where the guy goes: “Na uh uh… Na uh uh…” I know I’ve seen this referenced in a few sitcoms. The last one I saw it in was Rick and Morty I think. I wonde… --- ## [The Green Marker Scare](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-green-marker-scare/830865)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2021, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-green-marker-scare/830865 "2021-12-17T19:41:23Z")
Was mentioned on Wikipedia’s feed a couple of days ago so I gave this ~75 minute animation a look on YouTube. Disturbing. For spoiler’s sake I won’t even discuss it in this first post but I’d like to ask a few questions… --- ## [Does a smoker box do anything a dedicated smoker can't?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-smoker-box-do-anything-a-dedicated-smoker-cant/956233)
**Author:** [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2021, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-smoker-box-do-anything-a-dedicated-smoker-cant/956233 "2021-12-17T19:39:48Z")
I’m trying to determine whether someone needs both. Smoker is one of the vertical ones where you put a tray of wood chips and a tray of water, food on racks above, and it is lit with either propane burner on the bottom o… --- ## [So I guess "The hotter the better" does not apply to professional grade stainless steel cookware?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-guess-the-hotter-the-better-does-not-apply-to-professional-grade-stainless-steel-cookware/956230)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2021, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-guess-the-hotter-the-better-does-not-apply-to-professional-grade-stainless-steel-cookware/956230 "2021-12-17T19:33:48Z")
Because I have caught fire to my pans on three occasions. The last time I was using avocado oil which is supposed to have a high smoke point. So what gives? I’ve become a little spooked of my stainless steel cookware. I… --- ## [(Mis)Casting](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mis-casting/841906)
**Author:** [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Replies:** 430\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2021, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mis-casting/841906 "2021-12-17T18:19:10Z")
Essentially a more accessible version of an earlier game thread. This is easier to participate in because all you have to do is come up with a single dubious casting choice for a rebooted movie or tv role proposed by the… --- ## [Idaho vs. education](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idaho-vs-education/956109)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2021, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idaho-vs-education/956109 "2021-12-17T16:43:25Z")
I posted this article in the SRIOTD thread, but the more I thought about it, the more I thought it prolly deserves its own thread for real debate on the idealogies, priorities and realities that the story brings up, and … --- ## [Happy Beethoven's Birthday!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-beethovens-birthday/956145)
**Author:** [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2021, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-beethovens-birthday/956145 "2021-12-17T16:32:10Z")
Party hearty! :tada: --- ## ["Federal courts do not recognize the physician-patient privilege" Is this true, and if so, why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-courts-do-not-recognize-the-physician-patient-privilege-is-this-true-and-if-so-why/956222)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2021, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-courts-do-not-recognize-the-physician-patient-privilege-is-this-true-and-if-so-why/956222 "2021-12-17T16:30:17Z")
I was reading this website and section when the phrase “Federal courts do not recognize the physician-patient privilege.” This seems odd to me. Why would there be such an omission in the law? Is it just that it’s never s… --- ## [How much did the classic 1970s Frisbees weigh?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-did-the-classic-1970s-frisbees-weigh/956132)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2021, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-did-the-classic-1970s-frisbees-weigh/956132 "2021-12-17T14:50:10Z")
The question is in the title. Were they 130 grams? I have a couple of 175 g ones, and they seem big. --- ## [Driving force of an electron on earth](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-force-of-an-electron-on-earth/956004)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2021, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-force-of-an-electron-on-earth/956004 "2021-12-17T14:45:17Z")
Probably a stupid question, but what is the engine or mechanism that keeps an electron moving? I’ve read that atoms are essentially forever, so I’m assuming so are their electrons. They have mass, so are the ones here o… --- ## [Is Bill Murray a convicted felon?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bill-murray-a-convicted-felon/956084)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2021, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bill-murray-a-convicted-felon/956084 "2021-12-17T13:29:08Z")
I’ve seen several articles about Murray getting caught with 10 pounds of Marijuana at ORD. He plead guilty and got 5 years probation. I’d assume a felony but it was 1970 so who knows. --- ## [Hot riveting by hand: How common today](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-riveting-by-hand-how-common-today/955549)
**Author:** [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2021, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-riveting-by-hand-how-common-today/955549 "2021-12-17T11:44:18Z")
I was watching this clip that showed a riveting team during the construction of the Chrysler building in 1920. A guy throws a red hot rivet to another who catches it and puts it into the joint and a third man hammers th… --- ## [Why are there so few words starting with N?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-so-few-words-starting-with-n/940708)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2021, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-so-few-words-starting-with-n/940708 "2021-12-17T11:44:01Z")
Relatively, of course. A visitor from another planet, completely unfamiliar with Earth languages, would naively assume that the words of English are distributed evenly among the letters of the alphabet. Of course, in ac… --- ## [Vaccine side-effects and deaths from the vaccine reporting system?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vaccine-side-effects-and-deaths-from-the-vaccine-reporting-system/955520)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2021, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vaccine-side-effects-and-deaths-from-the-vaccine-reporting-system/955520 "2021-12-17T07:49:42Z")
TIFU by actually yelling at my batshit landlord to stop talking about the vaccine and side-effects while I was trying to watch a football game that we were already getting creamed in. (To the point where I put a movie o… --- ## [Is the Amazon AWS outage affecting you?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-amazon-aws-outage-affecting-you/955663)
**Author:** [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2021, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-amazon-aws-outage-affecting-you/955663 "2021-12-17T02:54:30Z")
Amazon had a fairly severe AWS outage on the East coast of the US today. I was wrapping gifts earlier and wanted some music in the background. My trusty Amazon Echo Dot was not able to fulfill any of my requests. I reboo… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1254) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1256)