# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=142&state=muted [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 143 --- ## [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… --- ## [Bud Cort RIP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bud-cort-rip/1027589)
**Author:** [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2026, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bud-cort-rip/1027589 "2026-02-15T13:52:33Z")
He was probably most famous for Harold and Maude but he will always be the voice of the Computer in Electric Dreams to me. --- ## [aiiee! who does this Matchbox 20 song remind me of?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aiiee-who-does-this-matchbox-20-song-remind-me-of/214893)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2026, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aiiee-who-does-this-matchbox-20-song-remind-me-of/214893 "2026-02-15T13:48:29Z")
Matchbox Twenty’s song “Bright Lights” reminds me of someone else, maybe multiple someones. It drives me absolutely mad. The beginning piano sounds like someone. The middle, where it has the “Let that city take you in… --- ## [Black Box...with a bit of a twist](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-box-with-a-bit-of-a-twist/1027527)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 114\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2026, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-box-with-a-bit-of-a-twist/1027527 "2026-02-15T13:23:55Z")
scenario: Everyone in the world over the age of 18 is given a black box with a small red button. If they press that button within 48 hours someone of their choosing will immediately drop dead. Now the twist. What do y… --- ## ["Ghost scrolling" after using touch screen scroll back](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ghost-scrolling-after-using-touch-screen-scroll-back/1025633)
**Author:** [@Chelonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chelonaut)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2026, 11:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ghost-scrolling-after-using-touch-screen-scroll-back/1025633 "2026-02-15T11:42:11Z")
This typically happens when I follow a link to somewhere in a thread, like a search result. Then if I get curious about the context and use the touch screen to scroll the page back it does so, but after a few seconds it … --- ## [Selling One’s Plasma](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selling-one-s-plasma/1027636)
**Author:** [@Eric1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eric1)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2026, 7:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selling-one-s-plasma/1027636 "2026-02-15T07:27:32Z")
I’ve wondered if you know anyone who sells their plasma? There was some random story on TV yesterday where the producer made it seem like a domestic trend that’s now common culture. I’ve never considered doing that mysel… --- ## [Airbourne wind power](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airbourne-wind-power/1027651)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2026, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airbourne-wind-power/1027651 "2026-02-15T06:18:46Z")
Wind turbine towers have been getting higher because wind at altitude is more consistent and stronger than near the ground. So there’ve been some attempts to move the turbines up higher than towers can reach by attaching… --- ## [Kremlin Critic - Aleksei Navalny dead](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kremlin-critic-aleksei-navalny-dead/997658)
**Author:** [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2026, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kremlin-critic-aleksei-navalny-dead/997658 "2026-02-15T00:41:45Z")
“Crónica de una muerte anunciada” ( Chronicle of a Death Foretold) the Garcia Marquéz Novel was my first thought “That’s what you get if you want (or have) a President that does not to respond to the rule of law” was my… --- ## [Fess up... Have you used AI deliberately?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fess-up-have-you-used-ai-deliberately/1004124)
**Author:** [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Replies:** 219\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2026, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fess-up-have-you-used-ai-deliberately/1004124 "2026-02-15T00:41:30Z")
I’m talking about for work. I tested it a little bit to see if it could write a bit of Python code. I didn’t need the code or anything like it. But, bang, 9 seconds and it was done. I tested it and it was spot on. And … --- ## [Esoteric songwriting credit question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/esoteric-songwriting-credit-question/1027650)
**Author:** [@Jaycat.again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaycat.again)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2026, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/esoteric-songwriting-credit-question/1027650 "2026-02-14T22:44:51Z")
The song “Seems Like Only Yesterday” appears on Jesse Winchester’s 1977 album, “Nothing But A Breeze.” The record label credits the song to Stoney Edwards. However, every online resource lists Winchester as the composer… --- ## [We could all wear ICE gear](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-could-all-wear-ice-gear/1027077)
**Author:** [@Happytree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happytree)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2026, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-could-all-wear-ice-gear/1027077 "2026-02-14T22:20:18Z")
In the pit because I’m gonna get some flack. We should ALL get stupid cos play “Tactical outfits” , fake Temu Oakley’s, and masks, etc. How could anyone tell who who if we’re all unidentified masked men demanding iden… --- ## [Trying to remember name of now-defunct restaurant chain](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-remember-name-of-now-defunct-restaurant-chain/1027645)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2026, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-remember-name-of-now-defunct-restaurant-chain/1027645 "2026-02-14T19:12:07Z")
We went to it occasionally six or seven years ago, and it had a name similar to “Steak N’ Shake” (but that definitely wasn’t it). Perhaps something like “Steak N’ Cake”? --- ## [Love Has Won: The Cult of Mother God](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-has-won-the-cult-of-mother-god/1027561)
**Author:** [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2026, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-has-won-the-cult-of-mother-god/1027561 "2026-02-14T18:31:22Z")
So I’ve been on a cult kick lately and stumbled upon the HBO documentary Love Has Won: The Cult of Mother God (TV Mini Series 2023) - IMDb It’s about the “Love Has Won” cult (see Love Has Won - Wikipedia), where a McDon… --- ## [Who is the model/actress on the back cover of 'Back in the High Life' (1986) Steve Winwood?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-model-actress-on-the-back-cover-of-back-in-the-high-life-1986-steve-winwood/1027649)
**Author:** [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2026, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-model-actress-on-the-back-cover-of-back-in-the-high-life-1986-steve-winwood/1027649 "2026-02-14T17:44:05Z")
I’m guessing it’s the same one who’s on the front, and it’s possible she has a photo credit on the album. Anyway for your reference. . . Link --- ## [A couple of questions about the luge](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-questions-about-the-luge/1027665)
**Author:** [@RollOutTheBarrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RollOutTheBarrel)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2026, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-questions-about-the-luge/1027665 "2026-02-14T17:28:59Z")
How do lugers know when to steer? It seems like they would have very limited visibility. Is there a machine analogous to a Zamboni that resurfaces the ice? --- ## [23rd Annual Super Bowl Early Picks Thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/23rd-annual-super-bowl-early-picks-thread/1026369)
**Author:** [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Replies:** 127\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2026, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/23rd-annual-super-bowl-early-picks-thread/1026369 "2026-02-14T16:27:05Z")
The playoff teams are set, so it’s time for our annual contest – can you predict the Super Bowl a month before the game and join our list of champions?: Year 1 : Trillionaire Year 2 : Uncommon Sense Year 3 : Airman Do… --- ## [Knights of Balmarrow: Advice on writing a book](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knights-of-balmarrow-advice-on-writing-a-book/1027615)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2026, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knights-of-balmarrow-advice-on-writing-a-book/1027615 "2026-02-14T16:03:47Z")
I am working on co-writing and self-publishing a series of novels entitled Knights of Balmarrow, a series based in a fantasy world of swords, multiple races, and magic. It’s based on an RP that myself and a guy named Se… --- ## [Great video about renewables, and more](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-video-about-renewables-and-more/1027323)
**Author:** [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2026, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-video-about-renewables-and-more/1027323 "2026-02-14T15:01:06Z")
I have been a fan of YouTuber Alec at Technology Connections for quite some time now, and I expect more than a few of you have been, too. For those who don’t know him, he’s a 30-something who looks at aspects of technolo… --- ## [Do I need to fill out a Form 1041 for my mother's estate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-to-fill-out-a-form-1041-for-my-mothers-estate/1027647)
**Author:** [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2026, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-to-fill-out-a-form-1041-for-my-mothers-estate/1027647 "2026-02-14T13:41:58Z")
My mother died last April. At that time she had about $40,000 in cash in savings, investments, and retirement accounts on which I, my sister, or both of us were joint owners. We split the cash evenly within a few weeks. … --- ## [What to put on a bagel?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-put-on-a-bagel/1027622)
**Author:** [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2026, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-put-on-a-bagel/1027622 "2026-02-14T13:28:23Z")
I’ve made bagels a few times (they’re not the best, but they’re mine, damnit!), and am planning on making some this weekend for a brunch. I will, of course, get the requisite cream cheese, lox, red onion, tomato, and ca… --- ## [Protesting this warning to me and Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protesting-this-warning-to-me-and-smapti/1027299)
**Author:** [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2026, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protesting-this-warning-to-me-and-smapti/1027299 "2026-02-14T12:58:55Z")
About the thread The ICE shootings in Minneapolis (1/7/2026) The thread has experienced some drift, and there have been repeated mod instructions to stay on-topic. MikeF posted a protest song written in 1969 having no … --- ## [Was the word "rape" basically taboo on TV during the fifties?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-word-rape-basically-taboo-on-tv-during-the-fifties/1009730)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2026, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-word-rape-basically-taboo-on-tv-during-the-fifties/1009730 "2026-02-14T11:52:27Z")
Last night I was trolling around for something to watch on TV, just to kill an hour or so, and came across “Alfred Hitchcock Presents” on (I think it was) Hulu. I’d heard about the show, but never seen it, but why not g… --- ## [Why do we panic (evolutionarily speaking)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-panic-evolutionarily-speaking/1027388)
**Author:** [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2026, 9:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-panic-evolutionarily-speaking/1027388 "2026-02-14T09:40:11Z")
In the ‘Airplane simulators: How can they be trusted?’ thread, one point brought up was that simulators can’t account for the panic reaction in an actual flight emergency. Which got me wondering, why do we often have a p… --- ## [Is Epstein unique?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-epstein-unique/1027343)
**Author:** [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Replies:** 88\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2026, 7:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-epstein-unique/1027343 "2026-02-14T07:34:36Z")
As the Epstein files trickle out, we’re learning of more and more powerful people who were friends with him, who asked for invites to his abuse parties, who supported him in private, who sought his advice–who, in other w… --- ## [Gallup will no longer measure presidential approval after 88 years](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gallup-will-no-longer-measure-presidential-approval-after-88-years/1027595)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2026, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gallup-will-no-longer-measure-presidential-approval-after-88-years/1027595 "2026-02-14T05:28:31Z")
You have ONE job! Why on earth they would stop doing this is beyond my understanding. Assuming the numbers are dutifully gathered and honestly reported then I can’t see any reason for them to stop. It’s literally their… --- ## [Has anyone here ever ordered anything from the Bradford Exchange?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-here-ever-ordered-anything-from-the-bradford-exchange/1027514)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2026, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-here-ever-ordered-anything-from-the-bradford-exchange/1027514 "2026-02-14T05:22:46Z")
I still see full-page ads for those overpriced dust collectors in my local dead-tree newspaper. Who buys that stuff, anyway? Not me, but you do you. For that matter, has anyone here received a gift that obviously came… --- ## [Give me your best crock pot beef stew recipe…please](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-me-your-best-crock-pot-beef-stew-recipe-please/1027590)
**Author:** [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2026, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-me-your-best-crock-pot-beef-stew-recipe-please/1027590 "2026-02-14T03:03:05Z")
Some where around here I have a great beef stew recipe. Unfortunately it’s very labor intensive. Dutch over on the stove, then in the stove, this thing cooked then discarded… lots of moving parts and ingredients. I would… --- ## [Why Minneapolis?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-minneapolis/1026512)
**Author:** [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2026, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-minneapolis/1026512 "2026-02-14T02:47:01Z")
This may be obvious to someone who’s actually been there, but it does seem to me that it’s a bit peculiar that what promises to be a watershed moment for all this ICE nonsense and Trump’s second term, as well as what was… --- ## [We're never going to see these books, are we?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-never-going-to-see-these-books-are-we/841830)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 171\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2026, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-never-going-to-see-these-books-are-we/841830 "2026-02-14T01:01:24Z")
Harlan Ellison \*The Last Dangerous Visions \* current status: Originally due in 1972. Ellison died in 2018. Some stories from the book have been published separately David Gerrold A Method For Madness and the rest of T… --- ## [Good place to get generic bulk Dayquil WITHOUT Nyquil?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-place-to-get-generic-bulk-dayquil-without-nyquil/1027556)
**Author:** [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2026, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-place-to-get-generic-bulk-dayquil-without-nyquil/1027556 "2026-02-14T00:58:26Z")
Is there a good place to get a multi-symptom cold medicine, like Dayquil, but without the drowsy nighttime version that’s usually bundled with it, and preferably as a caplet instead of a gel? e.g. Walmart has Robot or h… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=141&state=muted) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=143&state=muted)