# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1274 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1275 --- ## [Questions about a theory re: Japan's pandemic success story](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-a-theory-re-japans-pandemic-success-story/955126)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2021, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-a-theory-re-japans-pandemic-success-story/955126 "2021-11-29T20:06:20Z")
Japan has had remarkable success battling the pandemic. They were slow with the vaccine rollout this spring, but now their vax rate is well over 70%, and currently the COVID daily new case count is about 100 cases per d… --- ## [iPhone duplicating contacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-duplicating-contacts/955139)
**Author:** [@SpacemanSpiff\_II](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpacemanSpiff_II)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2021, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-duplicating-contacts/955139 "2021-11-29T19:42:09Z")
My iPhone belongs to my employer, and the contacts are synched with my Outlook contacts. The problem I have is that for some reason it keeps creating duplicate copies of the contacts, so that I end up with 5 or so copies… --- ## [A question about roller skates and food service](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-roller-skates-and-food-service/955141)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2021, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-roller-skates-and-food-service/955141 "2021-11-29T19:28:21Z")
So I’m watching Michael Nesmith’s Elephant Parts the other day, and a question comes to mind- What is the origin of the drive-in roller skating car hop? --- ## [Qwertycard password assistance cards - how good/bad an idea is this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qwertycard-password-assistance-cards-how-good-bad-an-idea-is-this/933178)
**Author:** [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2021, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qwertycard-password-assistance-cards-how-good-bad-an-idea-is-this/933178 "2021-11-29T18:13:52Z")
This product popped up as an ad pretending to be a news article somewhere: https://www.qwertycards.com/ So it’s a card the size of a credit card, printed with a simple substitution cipher for the 26 letters of the alph… --- ## [Is this Involuntary Servitude?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-involuntary-servitude/951013)
**Author:** [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2021, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-involuntary-servitude/951013 "2021-11-29T18:06:09Z")
In the mail today I received an order from a court, demanding that I fill out numerous forms supplying information about an employee, her wages, benefits, etc. They want copies of her W-2s, which as far as I know I sup… --- ## [Replacing windshield - is a recalibration of camera/safety equipment necessary?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replacing-windshield-is-a-recalibration-of-camera-safety-equipment-necessary/954529)
**Author:** [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2021, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replacing-windshield-is-a-recalibration-of-camera-safety-equipment-necessary/954529 "2021-11-29T17:44:33Z")
My windshield is damaged and needs to be replaced (fairly big cracks shooting out from a central point of damage). I googled around about costs and found Safelite Autoglass that offered to give me a quote. I put in the i… --- ## [Did Hoffa ever collect on any of the loans he made to the mafia?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-hoffa-ever-collect-on-any-of-the-loans-he-made-to-the-mafia/955122)
**Author:** [@whc.03grady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whc.03grady)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2021, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-hoffa-ever-collect-on-any-of-the-loans-he-made-to-the-mafia/955122 "2021-11-29T17:31:35Z")
Did Hoffa ever collect on any of the loans he made to the mafia? Did he ever expect to? If not, what was he gonna do, just let it ride? How do you collect if, somehow, the mafia owes you money anyway? --- ## [Does anyone have a good recipe for homemade chocolate pudding?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-have-a-good-recipe-for-homemade-chocolate-pudding/955043)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2021, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-have-a-good-recipe-for-homemade-chocolate-pudding/955043 "2021-11-29T17:22:11Z")
Just looking for new ideas for Christmas. --- ## [The Drachten Experiment: Safer Driving Through Removing Street Signs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-drachten-experiment-safer-driving-through-removing-street-signs/951482)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2021, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-drachten-experiment-safer-driving-through-removing-street-signs/951482 "2021-11-29T16:11:10Z")
In Antifragility, Taleb talks about an experiment that occurred in a small Netherlands town where traffic lights and street signs were removed. Allegedly, this deregulation led to an increase in safety as a sense of res… --- ## [Help with a Latin phrase?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-a-latin-phrase/461890)
**Author:** [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2011, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-a-latin-phrase/461890 "2011-02-25T16:38:49Z")
I’ve been trying to find the meaning of Inlitterati lumen fidei–which is a lyric from Wilco’s Theologians. I’ve googled, of course, but I’ve either found Latin-to-English dictionaries which tells me the literal translati… --- ## [Google: People also ask "What president died on Mount Saint Helens?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-people-also-ask-what-president-died-on-mount-saint-helens/955105)
**Author:** [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2021, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-people-also-ask-what-president-died-on-mount-saint-helens/955105 "2021-11-29T15:51:58Z")
So I google “mt st helens eruption video” because I wanted to see, well, I guess it’s self-explanatory. Google lately has a “people also ask” section, where they list common similar questions. Apparently people also as… --- ## [What do you like that you wouldn't have thought you would like?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-like-that-you-wouldnt-have-thought-you-would-like/954190)
**Author:** [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Replies:** 141\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2021, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-like-that-you-wouldnt-have-thought-you-would-like/954190 "2021-11-29T15:38:18Z")
It can be anything. A type of food, movie, book, music. For me, it has to be my latest obsession with metal music. I never used to like metal, but lately, I love metal music, and especially Viking metal. What’s funny i… --- ## [Are all types of milk good for lost teeth?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-all-types-of-milk-good-for-lost-teeth/955133)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2021, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-all-types-of-milk-good-for-lost-teeth/955133 "2021-11-29T14:13:59Z")
I’ve heard that putting teeth that have been knocked out into a cup of milk will let the doctor/dentist put it back into your mouth. Is cow milk the best for this, or can it be from any animal? (I’m guessing almond milk … --- ## [Word That Means 'Uncle-Or-Aunt'?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/word-that-means-uncle-or-aunt/954891)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2021, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/word-that-means-uncle-or-aunt/954891 "2021-11-29T13:54:42Z")
My Uncle Carl was born in 1929. And it’s really kind of sad. He is one of the last of his generation in my family. He also is my last uncle or aunt. It kind of reminds me of 1993. That is when my last great uncle or aun… --- ## [What skill are you most proficient at, that you accidentally learned with your off hand?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-are-you-most-proficient-at-that-you-accidentally-learned-with-your-off-hand/955020)
**Author:** [@Pavelb1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pavelb1)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2021, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-are-you-most-proficient-at-that-you-accidentally-learned-with-your-off-hand/955020 "2021-11-29T13:35:20Z")
Myself as a right-handed person: Went to slingshot left-handed, which led to shooting a bow left-handed, led to pretending to shoot a rifle left-handed…also play air-guitar/ rock band left handed. But it all started be… --- ## [Ridiculous moment in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (contains spoilers, sort of)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ridiculous-moment-in-butch-cassidy-and-the-sundance-kid-contains-spoilers-sort-of/939190)
**Author:** [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2021, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ridiculous-moment-in-butch-cassidy-and-the-sundance-kid-contains-spoilers-sort-of/939190 "2021-11-29T06:15:31Z")
I’ve always enjoyed this movie while under no illusion that it’s a classic. But watching it last night I was struck by a moment of ridiculousness that somehow escaped me before. Butch and Sundance have been pursued on h… --- ## [Tax the Richest... Loans](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-the-richest-loans/955037)
**Author:** [@DeadTreasSecretaries](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeadTreasSecretaries)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2021, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-the-richest-loans/955037 "2021-11-29T04:27:52Z")
Interesting article that basically says that the best way to tax the ultra-wealthy would be to put a tax on very large loans using assets as collateral. Currently, the wealthy can use this as a loophole to avoid paying t… --- ## [Ask the (former) crackhead](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-former-crackhead/456274)
**Author:** [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2021, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-former-crackhead/456274 "2021-11-29T04:13:19Z")
I’ve been loathe to start this thread, in light of the very personal and embarassing nature of the behavior, but decided to do so in the interest of making a positive contribution to the Dope’s mantra to fight ignorance. … --- ## [Coffee v.s. Cacao](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coffee-v-s-cacao/954253)
**Author:** [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2021, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coffee-v-s-cacao/954253 "2021-11-29T03:39:26Z")
Love cold brew. I do 50/50 caff and decaf. Keep reading about cacao as a good alternative. Less jitters, etc. Better for me. Thoughts? Anyone does the switch? How do you feel? Is it terribly pricey? All I see for sale … --- ## [I found a satanic nazi "historical site"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-found-a-satanic-nazi-historical-site/954960)
**Author:** [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2021, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-found-a-satanic-nazi-historical-site/954960 "2021-11-29T03:30:37Z")
in another thread, there was a side discussion of L.beria a communist official that was pretty much Stalin’s right-hand man was a serial rapist well having been interested in soviet history i looked it up and I click… --- ## ["This movie has warped my fragile little mind!"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-movie-has-warped-my-fragile-little-mind/954906)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2021, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-movie-has-warped-my-fragile-little-mind/954906 "2021-11-29T03:22:11Z")
What movies did you watch as a young person that were maybe a little too mature for you, and warped your little mind a bit? I think I saw RoboCop when I was six or seven years old, and I was blown away by the level of v… --- ## [Why aren’t more color names used as surnames?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-aren-t-more-color-names-used-as-surnames/954978)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2021, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-aren-t-more-color-names-used-as-surnames/954978 "2021-11-29T03:05:37Z")
White, Black, Grey/Gray, Brown… these are fairly common surnames. But why don’t we read about the exploits of the Lavender family or the acting dynasty of the Ceruleans? Why is there no real Mr. Pink or Mr. Orange? Wh… --- ## [Tell us about something you have done on a stage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-something-you-have-done-on-a-stage/954768)
**Author:** [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2021, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-something-you-have-done-on-a-stage/954768 "2021-11-29T02:35:04Z")
Have we not all known the roar of the greasepaint, the smell of the crowd at some point in our lives? The show must go on, so I will let you entertain me. When I was in second or third grade, I played the role of Mopsy… --- ## [Black on black crime, jack](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-on-black-crime-jack/955024)
**Author:** [@Roger\_That](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roger_That)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2021, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-on-black-crime-jack/955024 "2021-11-29T02:13:32Z")
I find it criminal that all of my devices have a jack that is in the middle of a black background, making it impossible to find the spot to plug in my UBS cord, or power cord or whatever in a dimly lit room. You would im… --- ## [Religious/Secular holidays in America (mostly Christmas, split from the Columbus Day thread)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-secular-holidays-in-america-mostly-christmas-split-from-the-columbus-day-thread/954138)
**Author:** [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Replies:** 459\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2021, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-secular-holidays-in-america-mostly-christmas-split-from-the-columbus-day-thread/954138 "2021-11-29T02:06:13Z")
Christmas, as the majority of society celebrates it, is now entirely secular, on a par with Thanksgiving. There’s no real rationale for objecting to it as a holiday on the grounds of its religious roots. And I say this a… --- ## [Acoustic Guitar Buying Advice](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acoustic-guitar-buying-advice/950053)
**Author:** [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2021, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acoustic-guitar-buying-advice/950053 "2021-11-29T00:40:11Z")
I am looking to buy an acoustic guitar for my 18 year old son for Christmas. He has been teaching himself on an inexpensive electric guitar for about 18 months and is pretty enthusiastic about it. I don’t know anything a… --- ## [Tabletop games (with one player remote)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tabletop-games-with-one-player-remote/954977)
**Author:** [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2021, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tabletop-games-with-one-player-remote/954977 "2021-11-29T00:00:20Z")
My D&D group has decided to take a hiatus from D&D, but we’d still like to get together in person (we’re all vaccinated and boosted) on a regular basis to play something or other. The catch is that one member of the gro… --- ## [Simple Technique to Boost My Stationary Bike Work Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-technique-to-boost-my-stationary-bike-work-out/954997)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 28, 2021, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-technique-to-boost-my-stationary-bike-work-out/954997 "2021-11-28T23:14:53Z")
I have Type II Diabetes. And believe me, I am doing the best I can. My A1C is 7ish, down from over 8 before. My doctor said that we want it around 6ish. I suspect that we may need some pharmacological intervention. I dig… --- ## [On the matter of bail (particularly as it relates to the Waukesha suspect)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-matter-of-bail-particularly-as-it-relates-to-the-waukesha-suspect/954877)
**Author:** [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [November 28, 2021, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-matter-of-bail-particularly-as-it-relates-to-the-waukesha-suspect/954877 "2021-11-28T23:13:30Z")
Continuing the discussion from Dozens injured in Waukesha, WI at Christmas parade \[update: 6 dead, over 40 injured\]: Separate topic in order not to derail the MPSIMS thread. The Waukesha suspect’s bail was set at $5 mi… --- ## [Was America Always Materialistic?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-america-always-materialistic/955002)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 28, 2021, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-america-always-materialistic/955002 "2021-11-28T22:38:20Z")
Status has been reflected by material goods for thousands of years. Problems with the supply chain are much in the news, especially with approaching holidays and more frequent Black Fridays and the like. Said less ofte… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1273) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1275)