# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=137&state=muted [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 138 --- ## [Why did they used to write apostrophes in place of silent e's?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-they-used-to-write-apostrophes-in-place-of-silent-es/1027915)
**Author:** [@themapleleaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/themapleleaf)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2026, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-they-used-to-write-apostrophes-in-place-of-silent-es/1027915 "2026-02-24T00:46:39Z")
If you look at writing from the 18th century and sometimes later, it seems common to see aprostrophized e’s that we would generally consider silent, in this way: caution’d ev’ry Why did people do this? Was there a tim… --- ## [Random Winter Olympics questions/opinions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-winter-olympics-questions-opinions/1027685)
**Author:** [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Replies:** 140\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2026, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-winter-olympics-questions-opinions/1027685 "2026-02-23T21:00:01Z")
Curling. It apparently matters a huge amount that you don’t touch the stone part of the stone. OK, whatever, but then how is it acceptable for players to touch and tap the opponents played stones with their brushes whe… --- ## [What if Trump says he has fired SCOTUS Justices who voted against him?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-trump-says-he-has-fired-scotus-justices-who-voted-against-him/1027855)
**Author:** [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2026, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-trump-says-he-has-fired-scotus-justices-who-voted-against-him/1027855 "2026-02-23T20:58:34Z")
Continuing the discussion from Trump Tariffs Struck Down: How would it play now that the Court has struck down the Trump tariffs he announces Roberts, Barrett, Kagan, Jackson and Sotomayor are fired and he announces the… --- ## [Company's coming! Winter storm Fern](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/companys-coming-winter-storm-fern/1026951)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 187\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2026, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/companys-coming-winter-storm-fern/1026951 "2026-02-23T20:52:32Z")
Fern is coming. She’ll be knocking on my door this afternoon. She has a cold, cold heart. I have to say she has caused a stir, but she ain’t welcome. Especially in her blinding brilliant colors. Fern? Really? When di… --- ## [Fastest human powered sports (no gravity assist)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fastest-human-powered-sports-no-gravity-assist/1027771)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2026, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fastest-human-powered-sports-no-gravity-assist/1027771 "2026-02-23T19:34:56Z")
So no skiing. From a standing start over an official distance, no demonstration events. This is what I have so far. Running 100 meters in 9.58 seconds - speed 10.43 m/s, 23.35 mph. Skating 1000 meters in 1:05.37 - sp… --- ## [Tell me about your experiences with dental tourism!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-experiences-with-dental-tourism/1027903)
**Author:** [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2026, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-experiences-with-dental-tourism/1027903 "2026-02-23T18:19:05Z")
As I’m aging, my teeth are crumbling. They were never great to begin with, but now they seem much more fragile. I’d sort of like to get implants for all my molars. However, US dental insurance pays for practically nothin… --- ## [USB Flash drives are getting ridiculously small and have large storage GB's](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usb-flash-drives-are-getting-ridiculously-small-and-have-large-storage-gbs/1027867)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2026, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usb-flash-drives-are-getting-ridiculously-small-and-have-large-storage-gbs/1027867 "2026-02-23T16:18:04Z")
I bought a 256GB 3.2 Kingston Data Traveler Cloud storage is fine for backups. I need fast speeds for Smooth Audio and Video playback. Read Speed up to 200MB/s Write Speed up to 60MB/s Fits my requirements. That’s a… --- ## [Should we go through with our Mexico vacation in February (poll)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-go-through-with-our-mexico-vacation-in-february-poll/1026886)
**Author:** [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2026, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-go-through-with-our-mexico-vacation-in-february-poll/1026886 "2026-02-23T16:08:08Z")
poll Back in December, when it seemed like ‘TACO’ trump was just talking tough about taking military action with Venezuela, Mexico, taking possession of Greenland, etc. etc., et al; before the trump admin started command… --- ## [Complaints of "bad writing" or "bad storytelling" as a place holder for ... something else](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/complaints-of-bad-writing-or-bad-storytelling-as-a-place-holder-for-something-else/1027800)
**Author:** [@Airbeck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airbeck)\ **Replies:** 87\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2026, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/complaints-of-bad-writing-or-bad-storytelling-as-a-place-holder-for-something-else/1027800 "2026-02-23T15:52:01Z")
I’ve noticed a common thing that happens in current internet discourse over new shows or movies is for some on the anti side to use “bad writing” or “bad storytelling” as their complaint, when it’s obvious that not only … --- ## [Easiest way to distinguish Australian accent from British?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/easiest-way-to-distinguish-australian-accent-from-british/1027553)
**Author:** [@Timz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Timz)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2026, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/easiest-way-to-distinguish-australian-accent-from-british/1027553 "2026-02-23T14:43:45Z")
I was surprised to learn that Leo McKern was Australian. Watching him in Man for all Seasons, Rumpole and Reilly, Ace of Spies I assumed his was just another kind of English accent to go with Henry Higgins and Eliza Dool… --- ## [Who is where in “the K shaped economy”?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-where-in-the-k-shaped-economy/1026058)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2026, 10:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-where-in-the-k-shaped-economy/1026058 "2026-02-23T10:14:53Z")
So allegedly we are in a K-shaped economy. Not sure that’s a new thing? The norm for years at least has been a “hollowing out of the middle” which seems to me to be the same thing? A top group is doing well and a bottom … --- ## [(Old) Friends, Romans, Penitents, Lent me your ear: An Ash Wednesday MMP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-friends-romans-penitents-lent-me-your-ear-an-ash-wednesday-mmp/1027707)
**Author:** [@dogbutler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dogbutler)\ **Replies:** 243\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2026, 8:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-friends-romans-penitents-lent-me-your-ear-an-ash-wednesday-mmp/1027707 "2026-02-23T08:16:34Z")
So who’s flogging themselves for 40 days? I’m off today to drive Roomie to Clemmons. NC for more knee appointments so I may check in the afternoon. So hijack away. And currently it’s 45 degrees Ferret Height(7.222 Cen… --- ## [Weirdly collectable](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weirdly-collectable/801815)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2026, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weirdly-collectable/801815 "2026-02-23T04:20:00Z")
Today a Google Image search led me to stumbling on a nice web site dedicated to the surprisingly large variety of “creature” figurine toys that have been sold over the past few decades. (One of the most interesting sets … --- ## [Does ChatGTP diss your American city?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-chatgtp-diss-your-american-city/1027627)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2026, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-chatgtp-diss-your-american-city/1027627 "2026-02-23T00:51:10Z")
Some researchers used ChatGTP to suss out which states and cities had the laziest, most uptight, least honest people by comparing places two at a time. Though this reflects many biases and is extremely unlikely to be ac… --- ## [What to do with leftover lasagna sauce?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-leftover-lasagna-sauce/1027862)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2026, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-leftover-lasagna-sauce/1027862 "2026-02-23T00:11:59Z")
I recently made a lasagna with ground venison and Italian sausage. I wasn’t really paying attention to the fact that the recipe made enough for 2 lasagnas. Other than making another lasagna, which I don’t really want bec… --- ## [You daffy things!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-daffy-things/1027890)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2026, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-daffy-things/1027890 "2026-02-22T22:06:37Z")
Oh, it is glorious. Bright, cheerful. Yellow! Yes, and smells great. (Ok, the aroma is quite loud at times) My Daffodils are blooming! And they are really putting on a show this year. I have about a half acre, mostl… --- ## [Nine Backcountry Skiers Dead from Avalanche in Lake Tahoe Area {February 18, 2026}](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nine-backcountry-skiers-dead-from-avalanche-in-lake-tahoe-area-february-18-2026/1027808)
**Author:** [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2026, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nine-backcountry-skiers-dead-from-avalanche-in-lake-tahoe-area-february-18-2026/1027808 "2026-02-22T20:05:32Z")
Six skiers out of a group of fifteen survived. While one is still missing, it is not possible he would have survived because of the cold. Avalanche warnings were issued–but apparently ignored? One of the worst avalanc… --- ## [Is Trump facing his mortality and wanting to take the world down with him](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-facing-his-mortality-and-wanting-to-take-the-world-down-with-him/1022632)
**Author:** [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2026, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-facing-his-mortality-and-wanting-to-take-the-world-down-with-him/1022632 "2026-02-22T19:02:44Z")
Trump loves to take revenge, is he taking revenge on the world, mortality even God, by creating as much hurt as possible before he goes. He seems to be the type who if he can’t have it, he will make damn sure no one els… --- ## [Sewage leak in DC area](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sewage-leak-in-dc-area/1027884)
**Author:** [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2026, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sewage-leak-in-dc-area/1027884 "2026-02-22T14:45:21Z")
Apparently there is a major sewer leak in the DC area which has led to a declaration of emergency. You’d think, symbolism aside, that this would be a relatively bipartisan issue, but there is still finger pointing becau… --- ## [Movie/TV buffs: Anyone heard of Director Casey Kasper?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-tv-buffs-anyone-heard-of-director-casey-kasper/407209)
**Author:** [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2026, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-tv-buffs-anyone-heard-of-director-casey-kasper/407209 "2026-02-22T13:52:34Z")
So here in wonderful Marietta, OH we’ve got a guy running around named ‘Casey Kasper’. He claims to be a producer/director from Hollywood and he wants to turn our town into the setting for a new show he’s producing for … --- ## [How to shrink an exFAT partition in Windows 11?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-shrink-an-exfat-partition-in-windows-11/1027840)
**Author:** [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2026, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-shrink-an-exfat-partition-in-windows-11/1027840 "2026-02-22T06:03:51Z")
I have a 16 terabyte external drive formatted using an exFAT partition. I am using only about a quarter of it and want to shrink the partition to make a second drive. Apparently this is possible using the tools native to… --- ## [I cleared this spot, it's MINE!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cleared-this-spot-its-mine/1027096)
**Author:** [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Replies:** 153\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2026, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cleared-this-spot-its-mine/1027096 "2026-02-22T04:31:41Z")
The recent snows have re-ignited the annual debate in our fair city about shoveling out the parking spot in front of one’s house and then proclaiming a perpetual “this spot is mine,” even to the point of putting down tra… --- ## [The new World Cup commercial with Owen Wilson and Sofia Vergara](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-world-cup-commercial-with-owen-wilson-and-sofia-vergara/1027863)
**Author:** [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2026, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-world-cup-commercial-with-owen-wilson-and-sofia-vergara/1027863 "2026-02-22T01:05:20Z")
Is the Spanish spoken in the commercial grammatically correct? In the ad, Sofia Vergara is teaching Owen Wilson how to say his name. They both say “Mi nombre es Owen.” My high school Spanish teacher taught us that the… --- ## [Trump's "Board of Peace"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-board-of-peace/1026919)
**Author:** [@Chad\_Sudan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chad_Sudan)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2026, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-board-of-peace/1026919 "2026-02-21T21:08:06Z")
It’s time for a separate thread on Trump’s “Board of Peace.” Here we examine the question: Can swords be beaten into ploughshares by the world’s biggest loose cannon? Which countries and which politicians associate the… --- ## [Inbred Aristos](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inbred-aristos/1027852)
**Author:** [@aruvqan\_myers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan_myers)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2026, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inbred-aristos/1027852 "2026-02-21T13:35:45Z")
So, watching a bit about “Wealthy English Aristocrats insist on their relevance in modern society” and Lord and Lady Chichester have held this property since the 1400s … and he is grumping about he and his wife and 4 kid… --- ## [I solved a London Times cryptic finally](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-solved-a-london-times-cryptic-finally/1024024)
**Author:** [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2026, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-solved-a-london-times-cryptic-finally/1024024 "2026-02-21T12:28:19Z")
I’ve been solving cryptic crosswords my whole adult life. American ones, e.g. the ones made by Cox and Rathvon. Generally I can do them without too much difficulty. For the last year or so I’ve been working on British p… --- ## [An AI lover? Is this real?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-ai-lover-is-this-real/1027663)
**Author:** [@xtenkfarpl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xtenkfarpl)\ **Replies:** 117\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2026, 8:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-ai-lover-is-this-real/1027663 "2026-02-21T08:00:12Z")
BBC article I just saw. Is this real, I wonder? The BBC is usually fairly reliable, but they have been known to put out a few jokes, like the famous Dimbleby report on the Italian Spaghetti Harvest… --- ## [Rev Jesse Jackson RIP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rev-jesse-jackson-rip/1027740)
**Author:** [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2026, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rev-jesse-jackson-rip/1027740 "2026-02-21T01:35:55Z")
CNN article: --- ## [Fact checking the claim that "California has plenty of water, we just let most of it run into the ocean."](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fact-checking-the-claim-that-california-has-plenty-of-water-we-just-let-most-of-it-run-into-the-ocean/1027719)
**Author:** [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2026, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fact-checking-the-claim-that-california-has-plenty-of-water-we-just-let-most-of-it-run-into-the-ocean/1027719 "2026-02-21T00:39:42Z")
The claim in the OP is one often leveled by conservative politicians at California, but I didn’t put this in P&E because I am hoping to get a factual answer. This claim seems to be based on on the ruling from rears ago … --- ## [How useful are at-home DNA tests?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-useful-are-at-home-dna-tests/798258)
**Author:** [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2026, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-useful-are-at-home-dna-tests/798258 "2026-02-20T23:06:56Z")
Column here. Those AncestryDNA TV commercials irk me. One lady kept saying the test determined she was from all nations, so now she didn’t know what nation to put down on forms. What the …? I am unaware of any DNA test … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=136&state=muted) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=138&state=muted)