# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=146&state=muted [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 147 --- ## [Advice re: Airpods as hearing aid](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-re-airpods-as-hearing-aid/1027391)
**Author:** [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 7, 2026, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-re-airpods-as-hearing-aid/1027391 "2026-02-07T17:09:27Z")
My mother will be 89 this spring. She’s remarkably healthy, taking only an almost homeopathic dose of Levothyroxine and no other medication. After cataract surgery she reads the paper without glasses. But her hearing is… --- ## [Why do traditional Japanese homes use sleeping floor mats?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-traditional-japanese-homes-use-sleeping-floor-mats/1026967)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [February 7, 2026, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-traditional-japanese-homes-use-sleeping-floor-mats/1026967 "2026-02-07T16:53:04Z")
Obviously sleeping on a hard floor, on a mat seems uncomfortable to my Western lifestyle. I’ve done it many, many times on backpacking trips. I’d estimate 175 nights throughout my 30 years of backpacking. The biggest dr… --- ## [Winter Olympics: when did this stunt skiing event get added?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/winter-olympics-when-did-this-stunt-skiing-event-get-added/1027469)
**Author:** [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 7, 2026, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/winter-olympics-when-did-this-stunt-skiing-event-get-added/1027469 "2026-02-07T16:36:27Z")
I’m watching right now, and there’s this downhill skiing event going on, but with a series of ramps and rails. The skiers hop onto the the rails with their skis turned sideways and ride them like teenage skateboarders ri… --- ## [It’s not everyday I learn something new!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-s-not-everyday-i-learn-something-new/1027445)
**Author:** [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 7, 2026, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-s-not-everyday-i-learn-something-new/1027445 "2026-02-07T14:19:55Z")
I never understood the lyric "Which is something between a large bathing machine and a very small second-class carriage” in “The Nightmare Song” from Iolanthe. But, now I know: --- ## [Fred Smith (Television, Blondie) has died](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-smith-television-blondie-has-died/1027459)
**Author:** [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 7, 2026, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-smith-television-blondie-has-died/1027459 "2026-02-07T13:13:39Z")
Another member of Television bites the dust. Seemingly one of the saner, more grounded ones - he always seemed a cool dude from afar. One of the cause of the bad blood between sometimes rivals Blondie and Television, as … --- ## [Botticelli - January 2026](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/botticelli-january-2026/1026186)
**Author:** [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Replies:** 325\ **Last updated:** [February 7, 2026, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/botticelli-january-2026/1026186 "2026-02-07T12:52:16Z")
Happy New Year! I am… That’s… A! Previous month’s thread: Botticellii -- Dec 2025 - #290 by Prof.Pepperwinkle --- ## [Rick Astley is 60 today (2/6/2026)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rick-astley-is-60-today-2-6-2026/1027452)
**Author:** [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 7, 2026, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rick-astley-is-60-today-2-6-2026/1027452 "2026-02-07T05:40:22Z")
Happy birthday to Rick Astley! Here’s a link that explains who he is and why he is famous. --- ## [What was the point of ordering the Israelites to not leaven their bread as they prepared to depart Egypt?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-point-of-ordering-the-israelites-to-not-leaven-their-bread-as-they-prepared-to-depart-egypt/1027274)
**Author:** [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Replies:** 87\ **Last updated:** [February 7, 2026, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-point-of-ordering-the-israelites-to-not-leaven-their-bread-as-they-prepared-to-depart-egypt/1027274 "2026-02-07T01:58:55Z")
Question is in the title. --- ## [Oxtail soup](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oxtail-soup/1027270)
**Author:** [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [February 7, 2026, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oxtail-soup/1027270 "2026-02-07T01:38:48Z")
I brewed a big pot of oxtail soup yesterday for my daughter’s birthday later this week. I followed the recipe in the Joy of Cooking. (An edition from the 80s, if the recipe has changed.) Mostly, it’s just soup. Brown mea… --- ## [Things in Your Car That Go "Boom!"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-in-your-car-that-go-boom/1027149)
**Author:** [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Replies:** 119\ **Last updated:** [February 7, 2026, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-in-your-car-that-go-boom/1027149 "2026-02-07T01:33:22Z")
It was 5 degrees when I started my car at 5:45 am this morning. That’s really cold, but not as cold as the weather we had last weekend. Traffic was moderate on I-294, so I was sailing along at over 80 when suddenly, “B… --- ## [Pro wrestling politics and Trump](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-wrestling-politics-and-trump/1027453)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2026, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-wrestling-politics-and-trump/1027453 "2026-02-06T23:55:22Z")
My favorite political journalist, Josh Marshall, makes the point in the gift link below that Trump’s recent rhetoric about elections and more is a sign of weakness, not strength, and the proper political response is cont… --- ## [I need cheering up](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-cheering-up/1026466)
**Author:** [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Replies:** 87\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2026, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-cheering-up/1026466 "2026-02-06T22:24:35Z")
My partner of 33 years passed away on Tuesday evening. Peacefully in her sleep . I was with her. She had MS and had gone rapidly down hill in the last 6 weeks. On 19th December I had a stairlift installed. She went up… --- ## [Isolated wilderness pockets in urban settings](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/isolated-wilderness-pockets-in-urban-settings/1027446)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2026, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/isolated-wilderness-pockets-in-urban-settings/1027446 "2026-02-06T22:18:31Z")
Have any naturalists conducted serious studies in these isolated pockets to see if any new species or subspecies are emerging? There are several of these in So cal, Los Angeles area. We have one near my house that is abo… --- ## [Study: guns make gun owners feel safe and endangered at the same time](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/study-guns-make-gun-owners-feel-safe-and-endangered-at-the-same-time/1009668)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2026, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/study-guns-make-gun-owners-feel-safe-and-endangered-at-the-same-time/1009668 "2026-02-06T22:15:45Z")
Short version: having a gun provides gun owners with a sense of control and safety. At the same time, having a gun makes gun owners more attuned to the dangers around them, leading them to feel that the world is a more … --- ## [Three Dog Night singer Chuck Negron dies at 83](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-dog-night-singer-chuck-negron-dies-at-83/1027329)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2026, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-dog-night-singer-chuck-negron-dies-at-83/1027329 "2026-02-06T22:13:40Z")
He had an incredible voice, and thankfully did eventually clean up or he would never have lived anywhere near this long. RIP. --- ## [Matzo! The good, the bad, and the pasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matzo-the-good-the-bad-and-the-pasty/1027443)
**Author:** [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2026, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matzo-the-good-the-bad-and-the-pasty/1027443 "2026-02-06T22:12:59Z")
Continuing the discussion from What was the point of ordering the Israelites to not leaven their bread as they prepared to depart Egypt?: The good stuff sells out before passover around here. (The Israeli brands, for wh… --- ## [How much effort is it to run a Discourse board for a small group?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-effort-is-it-to-run-a-discourse-board-for-a-small-group/1027371)
**Author:** [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2026, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-effort-is-it-to-run-a-discourse-board-for-a-small-group/1027371 "2026-02-06T22:07:43Z")
I’m in the leadership of a group of about 700 people and we need a way to communicate amongst ourselves, like a message board, with different threads. We have been using Signal for the past year, but it’s cumbersome. Ma… --- ## [TV series where an actor left, then later came back (possible spoilers) (Not Soaps)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-series-where-an-actor-left-then-later-came-back-possible-spoilers-not-soaps/1027360)
**Author:** [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2026, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-series-where-an-actor-left-then-later-came-back-possible-spoilers-not-soaps/1027360 "2026-02-06T21:53:11Z")
My wife and I just finished watching the BBC murder mystery series “Vera” last night. In the first four seasons, her sidekick was DS Joe Ashworth, played by David Leon. Leon left after S4 and for seasons 5-12 her sidekic… --- ## [My tap water smells....vaguely moldy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-tap-water-smells-vaguely-moldy/1027253)
**Author:** [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2026, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-tap-water-smells-vaguely-moldy/1027253 "2026-02-06T20:58:42Z")
NYC apartment building. 6 units. Up to code. Owners raised their kids here. No doubt there’s no lead pipes. I’ve been aware for months that the cold water feed smells off. I’m weirdly hypersensitive to chlorine- it’s in … --- ## [Mamdani: "A woo woo woo"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mamdani-a-woo-woo-woo/1027435)
**Author:** [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2026, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mamdani-a-woo-woo-woo/1027435 "2026-02-06T20:48:47Z")
Technically this is political but really it’s about a happy little moment at a recent Zohran Mamdani press conference on childcare, in which two small kidlings were given their own little lectern (and live mike!). Joy en… --- ## [China's banning Tesla-style door handles](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chinas-banning-tesla-style-door-handles/1027358)
**Author:** [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2026, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chinas-banning-tesla-style-door-handles/1027358 "2026-02-06T20:46:52Z")
China’s banning hidden door handles. & I think I’m going to go with this is a good rule. --- ## [Troubleshooting a wireless remote light fixture](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/troubleshooting-a-wireless-remote-light-fixture/1027315)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2026, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/troubleshooting-a-wireless-remote-light-fixture/1027315 "2026-02-06T20:46:41Z")
My 3 front porch lights are powered by a wall switch with a wireless remote dusk to dawn motion sensor. The wall switch can also dim and turn the lights on and off. I bought the system 20 years ago and have had to replac… --- ## [Reappraising property tax rates at point of sale--is this a thing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reappraising-property-tax-rates-at-point-of-sale-is-this-a-thing/1027353)
**Author:** [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2026, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reappraising-property-tax-rates-at-point-of-sale-is-this-a-thing/1027353 "2026-02-06T20:38:15Z")
Our community has a common problem, but turned up to eleven: property tax rates are driving low-income families from our community, while they’re too low to support strong local services like schools, firefighters, and i… --- ## [Question about "The Tracer of Lost Persons", by Robert W. Chambers \[SPOILERS\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-the-tracer-of-lost-persons-by-robert-w-chambers-spoilers/181301)
**Author:** [@Crowbar\_of\_Irony\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crowbar_of_Irony_3)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2026, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-the-tracer-of-lost-persons-by-robert-w-chambers-spoilers/181301 "2026-02-06T20:36:46Z")
Hi all, I just gotten a copy of “The Yellow Sign and Other Stories”, authoured by Robert W. Chambers, published by Chaoisum. There’s a portion of “The Tracer of Lost Persons”, and I believe it is part XVII, about an Egy… --- ## [How effective are fire drills?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-effective-are-fire-drills/1027346)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 93\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2026, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-effective-are-fire-drills/1027346 "2026-02-06T18:37:21Z")
Taken from this post in another thread: Airplane simulators: How can they be trusted? - Factual Questions - Straight Dope Message Board Actual studies and/or personal experiences welcome. Do fire drills, in home and at… --- ## [Can we basically breed littler versions of just about any animals?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-basically-breed-littler-versions-of-just-about-any-animals/1027159)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2026, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-basically-breed-littler-versions-of-just-about-any-animals/1027159 "2026-02-06T17:30:45Z")
(Sorry, today’s clearly my day for idle questions.) Humans have a tradition of tinkering with the animals we breed. We developed horse breeds with vastly different coat colors. Hens that lay eggs virtually every day. C… --- ## [Special Oreo flavors](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/special-oreo-flavors/1027331)
**Author:** [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2026, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/special-oreo-flavors/1027331 "2026-02-06T17:23:43Z")
The new Lemon Oreos are really good. So good, in fact, that I had to order two bags this week, because the family discovered how good they are. (Try them crunched up in vanilla ice cream!) How long do these limited fl… --- ## [Does anyone understand DoorDash and other companies DoubleDash Strategy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-understand-doordash-and-other-companies-doubledash-strategy/1027345)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2026, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-understand-doordash-and-other-companies-doubledash-strategy/1027345 "2026-02-06T17:07:45Z")
I’ve tried to ignore this issue for as long as possible. I use DoorDash. It’s the most most popular delivery/shopper Service in my small Town. Today, I was out of Refresh Optive Eyedrops. I used Doordash to order from … --- ## [Do anyone take weight management as seriously as I do?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-anyone-take-weight-management-as-seriously-as-i-do/1026002)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 137\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2026, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-anyone-take-weight-management-as-seriously-as-i-do/1026002 "2026-02-06T16:57:14Z")
About three years ago, I realized I had to lose weight. Since I had retired and had plenty of time, I began exploring healthy weight loss options. I had never dieted before, but with a BMI of 29, I knew I had a significa… --- ## [To hell with gnomes and flamingos](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-hell-with-gnomes-and-flamingos/1027444)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2026, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-hell-with-gnomes-and-flamingos/1027444 "2026-02-06T16:44:51Z")
Somebody missed out on getting the perfect lawn ornament. I fail how to see how it was a “strategically important cargo”. It is a cool hunk of iron and nickel. One of the largest known falls and the largest known stre… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=145&state=muted) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=147&state=muted)