# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=141&state=muted [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 142 --- ## [Come back, CIA!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/come-back-cia/1027385)
**Author:** [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2026, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/come-back-cia/1027385 "2026-02-17T16:19:34Z")
Every year, my capstone project with my advanced fifth grade English Language Arts students is the Create-a-Country project. Students imagine, write about, and present an imaginary country a la Wakanda, set in modern tim… --- ## [How do countries find their Olympic athletes? How do Olympic teams work in general?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-countries-find-their-olympic-athletes-how-do-olympic-teams-work-in-general/1027605)
**Author:** [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2026, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-countries-find-their-olympic-athletes-how-do-olympic-teams-work-in-general/1027605 "2026-02-17T15:58:47Z")
Beware: Astounding ignorance ahead. I don’t really follow sports (of any kind). The Olympics seem like a mix of different sports categorized by season (?), like right now they’re all winter sports, including many I’ve n… --- ## [Looking for the name of an early website](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-the-name-of-an-early-website/1027697)
**Author:** [@phs3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phs3)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2026, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-the-name-of-an-early-website/1027697 "2026-02-17T15:44:49Z")
Long ago—maybe 1997?—there was a website that was going to solve what was a real problem at the time, before decent search: finding the right site among several. For example, if you went to www.delta.com, it would ask if… --- ## [Words whose verb forms are much less common than their nouns?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-whose-verb-forms-are-much-less-common-than-their-nouns/1027746)
**Author:** [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2026, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-whose-verb-forms-are-much-less-common-than-their-nouns/1027746 "2026-02-17T14:47:08Z")
When was the last time you harbinged your arrival to the holiday party? Do you lase the cat when it’s playtime? Emote at your spouse when you’re angry? Get a jump scare from one who spides? Lech after someone at the bar?… --- ## [Ratifying the US Constitution](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ratifying-the-us-constitution/1027728)
**Author:** [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2026, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ratifying-the-us-constitution/1027728 "2026-02-17T14:27:03Z")
Article V states that one of the methods of ratification is that 3/4 of the state legislatures can approve a proposed amendment. But does the math change if new states are added before that amendment is ratified? Is it … --- ## [Lightning And Sauropod Dinosaurs--How did they survive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lightning-and-sauropod-dinosaurs-how-did-they-survive/1027694)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2026, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lightning-and-sauropod-dinosaurs-how-did-they-survive/1027694 "2026-02-17T14:09:05Z")
Sauropods. Giants dinosaurs, with long necks & tails. You’d think they were walking lightning rods. Were they? If so, how did they survive? Have we found the fossilized remains of a Sauropod hat was killed by Lightn… --- ## [Is the Winter Olympics just various types of sliding?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-winter-olympics-just-various-types-of-sliding/1027586)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 109\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2026, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-winter-olympics-just-various-types-of-sliding/1027586 "2026-02-17T06:19:45Z")
A friend pointed this out, and in the moment it seemed most of the Winter Olympic events are just sliding of one type or another. Of course, winter itself might simply be characterized as sliding plus cold. Does this s… --- ## [Re: Validity of positions in the topic: For those who are in favor of “abortion being left to the states” - why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-validity-of-positions-in-the-topic-for-those-who-are-in-favor-of-abortion-being-left-to-the-states-why/1027731)
**Author:** [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2026, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-validity-of-positions-in-the-topic-for-those-who-are-in-favor-of-abortion-being-left-to-the-states-why/1027731 "2026-02-17T03:45:54Z")
Continuing the discussion from For those who are in favor of "abortion being left to the states" - why?: As best as I can tell, doreen asks to debate why anyone would want abortion left to the states. Three major posi… --- ## [How can we counter Trump putting ICE agents at the polls?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-we-counter-trump-putting-ice-agents-at-the-polls/1027389)
**Author:** [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Replies:** 128\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2026, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-we-counter-trump-putting-ice-agents-at-the-polls/1027389 "2026-02-17T02:34:30Z")
I told a friend literally yesterday that Trump was gonna send ICE to swing districts to supress the vote of poc and Steve Bannon comes out today and says as much : Steve Bannon calls for immigration agents at polling sit… --- ## [What happens when Trump comes for the SDMB?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-trump-comes-for-the-sdmb/1022598)
**Author:** [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Replies:** 123\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2026, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-trump-comes-for-the-sdmb/1022598 "2026-02-17T01:35:40Z")
Think I’m being dramatic? Think again. GOP Investigation Pressures Wikipedia to Reveal Identities of Editors A pair of House Republicans is moving forward with an investigation that will seek to reveal the identities … --- ## [Apps I'd Like to See](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apps-id-like-to-see/1027641)
**Author:** [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2026, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apps-id-like-to-see/1027641 "2026-02-17T00:46:54Z")
Spinning off from this thread, there must be a kajillion apps out there, but there’s never the one you can find that does exactly what you want it to do. As a result, you get more and more annoyed with it, and get differ… --- ## [Obama says aliens are real---Huh?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-says-aliens-are-real-huh/1027684)
**Author:** [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2026, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-says-aliens-are-real-huh/1027684 "2026-02-17T00:45:17Z")
Obama is like, ya know, a kinda respectable and serious guy. So WTF? In a casual conversation on a podcast today, Obama spoke articulately about the usual things you would expect from a former president: .current event… --- ## [Does the shingles vaccine reduce dementia risk?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-shingles-vaccine-reduce-dementia-risk/1027672)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2026, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-shingles-vaccine-reduce-dementia-risk/1027672 "2026-02-16T23:19:38Z")
The association between viruses and inflammation causing certain conditions is not nearly as robust as one would like. But what to make of this evidence that shingles vaccine may lead to a lower incidence of dementia an… --- ## [Are high school class rings still a popular thing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-high-school-class-rings-still-a-popular-thing/1027560)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 91\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2026, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-high-school-class-rings-still-a-popular-thing/1027560 "2026-02-16T16:36:45Z")
I got mine back around 1990, when gold was on the $300 an ounce range. I can’t imagine kids are buying them today at $5,000 an ounce. (I’d sell mine in a heartbeat if it hadn’t gone missing at least 20 years ago.) --- ## [Musk does something good in UK politics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musk-does-something-good-in-uk-politics/1027700)
**Author:** [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2026, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musk-does-something-good-in-uk-politics/1027700 "2026-02-16T16:34:58Z")
The fallout from Musks hilarious spurning of Farage’s desperate fascist arse kissing has landed. So Musk is showing the same genius that he shows in all his dealings. For those keeping count at home this leaves the “… --- ## [If a businessperson wants something from a customer, but not their money, they are not a salesperson, they are a:](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-businessperson-wants-something-from-a-customer-but-not-their-money-they-are-not-a-salesperson-they-are-a/1027602)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2026, 10:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-businessperson-wants-something-from-a-customer-but-not-their-money-they-are-not-a-salesperson-they-are-a/1027602 "2026-02-16T10:01:10Z")
Suppose I had this box of knives. Or that car. Or this whozit. I want to exchange my product for your money; viz, a sale. Making me a salesman. Suppose I had this company that rents billboard space, and your cornfield t… --- ## [Super Bowl LX](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-bowl-lx/1027508)
**Author:** [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Replies:** 300\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2026, 9:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-bowl-lx/1027508 "2026-02-16T09:58:33Z")
All right I don’t see a thread so here’s one. Green Day opens, after introducing a delegation of MVP old-timers. --- ## [Greenland, the world’s largest island?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greenland-the-world-s-largest-island/1026917)
**Author:** [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2026, 8:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greenland-the-world-s-largest-island/1026917 "2026-02-16T08:28:19Z")
In what universe? 860k sq miles to Australia’s 2.9 MILLION? Yes, Australia is a continent. It’s also an island (a body of land completely surrounded by water). --- ## [What do religious texts, other than the Bible, have to say about abortion?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-religious-texts-other-than-the-bible-have-to-say-about-abortion/1027656)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2026, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-religious-texts-other-than-the-bible-have-to-say-about-abortion/1027656 "2026-02-16T06:24:48Z")
What the Bible has to say on the subject has been, is and will be covered in other threads, but what do other religious texts have to say on the subject of abortion? --- ## [Most prolific actor on tv-regular cast only](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-prolific-actor-on-tv-regular-cast-only/1027202)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2026, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-prolific-actor-on-tv-regular-cast-only/1027202 "2026-02-16T03:57:21Z")
Which actor has been a regular cast member on the highest number of series? No movies, no guest starring, no mini-series. Just listed as a regular cast member. Actor, of course, means any human gender (and I hate that… --- ## [(Old) OK, I’ll Start the MMP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-ok-i-ll-start-the-mmp/1027518)
**Author:** [@swampbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampbear)\ **Replies:** 238\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2026, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-ok-i-ll-start-the-mmp/1027518 "2026-02-16T03:31:09Z")
Good Mornin’ Y’all! Up and caffeinatin’. YAWN ‘Tis 41 Amurrkin out and clear with a predicted high of \< snerk \> 69! \< snerk \> and sunny. We shall be hermits today as there is nowhere we either want or need to be. Sounds … --- ## [Fake news? (PM Carney of Canada, on the Howe bridge.)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fake-news-pm-carney-of-canada-on-the-howe-bridge/1027682)
**Author:** [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2026, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fake-news-pm-carney-of-canada-on-the-howe-bridge/1027682 "2026-02-16T01:41:25Z")
There are many videos on YouTube with one talking head or another “reporting” that PM Carney held a press conference where he, basically, told Trump to “shove it” over conditions for opening the Howe bridge. One said all… --- ## [Christmas songs - so many questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-songs-so-many-questions/1025994)
**Author:** [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Replies:** 169\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2026, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-songs-so-many-questions/1025994 "2026-02-15T22:23:24Z")
With Christmas songs on nonstop rotation I can’t help but hear them too many times. When you stop to listen to the words I end up with lots of questions; questions like: Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer - What where the… --- ## [Is there any movie we ALL would agree is good (if not great)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-movie-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026271)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 523\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2026, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-movie-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026271 "2026-02-15T21:17:59Z")
Inspired by this thread: Folk have expressed their opinions that The Princess Bride and Shawshank are “bad” films. Made me wonder if there is ANY movie we can all agree is entertaining and worth watching/rewatching. … --- ## [In this old-timey transistor radio, what are the small numbers next to the six and the eleven on the dial?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-this-old-timey-transistor-radio-what-are-the-small-numbers-next-to-the-six-and-the-eleven-on-the-dial/1027662)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2026, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-this-old-timey-transistor-radio-what-are-the-small-numbers-next-to-the-six-and-the-eleven-on-the-dial/1027662 "2026-02-15T20:52:30Z")
Though I’m of an age that I can remember using radios such as this, and I remember the smaller numbers, I don’t know what they’re for. GDEkQRp2Sp.jpg (600×600) --- ## [What is "ok" to put through a sink disposal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-ok-to-put-through-a-sink-disposal/1024542)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 179\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2026, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-ok-to-put-through-a-sink-disposal/1024542 "2026-02-15T20:48:45Z")
I live in a hi-rise and they just put a note under my door of things not to put in a sink disposal (which every apartment here has). On the list is egg shells, rice/pasta, bones, coffee grounds, batter/dough, fat/oil/gr… --- ## [Social Spread of Slang Term “6-7”](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/social-spread-of-slang-term-6-7/1024825)
**Author:** [@Eric1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eric1)\ **Replies:** 141\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2026, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/social-spread-of-slang-term-6-7/1024825 "2026-02-15T20:23:02Z")
My nephews of twelve and ten in Southern California fllippantly joke about a statement of an evenly-keeled circumstance as a stated “6-7.” The usage seems to be derived from the Net somehow. Is that common with middle-s… --- ## [What motivates Marvel criminals in light of how often they’re killed, beaten or arrested by heroes and villains?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-motivates-marvel-criminals-in-light-of-how-often-they-re-killed-beaten-or-arrested-by-heroes-and-villains/1027529)
**Author:** [@Cmyers1980](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cmyers1980)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2026, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-motivates-marvel-criminals-in-light-of-how-often-they-re-killed-beaten-or-arrested-by-heroes-and-villains/1027529 "2026-02-15T16:29:13Z")
It’s a standard trope in Marvel stories for criminals and terrorists to end up getting killed, injured or left for the police individually and in large groups. There are hundreds of crime fighting heroes active in the US… --- ## [Origin of "Half past a monkey's ass"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-half-past-a-monkeys-ass/216769)
**Author:** [@smootman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smootman)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2026, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-half-past-a-monkeys-ass/216769 "2026-02-15T15:09:37Z")
SO, all you scholars, where did “Half past a monkey’s ass, quarter to his balls” come from? Is there more to the rhyme? --- ## [Post Your Completely Phony Word Etymologies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-your-completely-phony-word-etymologies/1027372)
**Author:** [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2026, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-your-completely-phony-word-etymologies/1027372 "2026-02-15T14:02:22Z")
For instance, the name of the animal “Kangaroo” comes from the Guugu Yimithirr language, but was a misunderstanding. When an European settler was pointing at a kangaroo and asking what it was, the Aborigine gentlemen tho… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=140&state=muted) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=142&state=muted)