# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=165&state=watching [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 166 --- ## [So I Have Shingles](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-shingles/1001448)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 142\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2026, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-shingles/1001448 "2026-01-12T16:41:59Z")
I’m 53. My doctor told me, when I turned 50, that I should consider the singles vaccine if I had chicken pox as a child. The thing is, I didn’t know if I actually had chicken pox (I do now, of course), and Mamahomie didn… --- ## [The best episode of the worst show](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-episode-of-the-worst-show/1026573)
**Author:** [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2026, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-episode-of-the-worst-show/1026573 "2026-01-12T13:21:17Z")
Galactica 1980 was a terrible show but the pilot episode showed the Cylons attacking Earth which is all any kid at the time wanted to see so it was a great episode. What is the best episode of the worst show? --- ## [What is this … thing (probably has something to do with livestock)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-probably-has-something-to-do-with-livestock/1026408)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2026, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-probably-has-something-to-do-with-livestock/1026408 "2026-01-12T13:04:57Z")
What is this? There are a few for sale on the side of the road on my way to and from work (Salem, Missouri, USA). I imagine it has some agricultural purpose, as lots of folks around here raise chickens, turkeys, goats, e… --- ## [Probability of my car's VIN being accidentally duplicated](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probability-of-my-cars-vin-being-accidentally-duplicated/1026423)
**Author:** [@Orville\_mogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orville_mogul)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2026, 10:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probability-of-my-cars-vin-being-accidentally-duplicated/1026423 "2026-01-12T10:00:28Z")
I have been having a very long back and forth with Peugeot customer service over a problem with my real time traffic, and at one point I received an automatically-generated message informing me that my online services ac… --- ## [Name for this feature of typefaces?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-for-this-feature-of-typefaces/1026505)
**Author:** [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2026, 9:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-for-this-feature-of-typefaces/1026505 "2026-01-12T09:18:28Z")
Take the letter combination VA. If you look closely, you can see that the A kind of sneaks underneath the V - the bottom left corner of the A is further left than the bottom right corner of the V, and the diagonal stroke… --- ## [I accept it. Beckdawrek doesn't understand people at all](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-accept-it-beckdawrek-doesnt-understand-people-at-all/1026517)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2026, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-accept-it-beckdawrek-doesnt-understand-people-at-all/1026517 "2026-01-12T06:47:41Z")
Walked in the restaurant where we planned to have luncheon(just like thinking I am fancy enough for a luncheon). Glanced around looking for the Lil’wrekker and Hambone. The guy at the hostess podium gave us “gun finger… --- ## [Whiteness and Capitalism Go Hand In Hand](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whiteness-and-capitalism-go-hand-in-hand/1026567)
**Author:** [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2026, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whiteness-and-capitalism-go-hand-in-hand/1026567 "2026-01-12T05:04:08Z")
There was nothing sudden about it. For some of us non-Americans, this has always been the face the USA shows outside its own borders. And also, internally this has been coming since Appomattox, one way or another. Yo… --- ## [Is this the first Mock Rockumentary or is it Rock Mockumentary?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-the-first-mock-rockumentary-or-is-it-rock-mockumentary/1025446)
**Author:** [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2026, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-the-first-mock-rockumentary-or-is-it-rock-mockumentary/1025446 "2026-01-12T03:58:37Z")
I’ve heard it said “This is Spinal Tap” was the first mock rockumentary or rock mockumentary. I disagree and think it was a black and white film from 1964 called “A Hard Day’s Night”. What do you Dopers think? --- ## [Memorable Radio Station Callers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memorable-radio-station-callers/1025058)
**Author:** [@RollOutTheBarrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RollOutTheBarrel)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2026, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memorable-radio-station-callers/1025058 "2026-01-12T00:22:27Z")
Years ago, I was listening to the radio and the DJ asked people to call in to say what they would do with a million dollars. After a while, a storm rolled in and the DJ started asking people to call in and report what th… --- ## [How does food poisoning work? How does your body "know" so quickly something is wrong?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-food-poisoning-work-how-does-your-body-know-so-quickly-something-is-wrong/1026543)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2026, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-food-poisoning-work-how-does-your-body-know-so-quickly-something-is-wrong/1026543 "2026-01-11T23:21:07Z")
I was on a trip a week ago and got food poisoning. At least, it sure seemed like it (first time for me for food poisoning). I ate something and 3-4 hours later I was hugging a toilet and that continued for several hour… --- ## [Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com helpful guide](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-co-uk-and-amazon-com-helpful-guide/1026434)
**Author:** [@Coriolanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coriolanus)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2026, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-co-uk-and-amazon-com-helpful-guide/1026434 "2026-01-11T22:04:48Z")
It has come to my attention that some uncertainty has arisen with regard to the status terminology utilised by Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com, respectively. In the interests of clarity, it may be appropriate to set out the … --- ## [How to pronounce Thebes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-pronounce-thebes/1026558)
**Author:** [@Jarragum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jarragum)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2026, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-pronounce-thebes/1026558 "2026-01-11T21:17:21Z")
My question is not new. I just wanted to answer someone’s question about how to pronounce Thebes but I couldn’t find it after I signed up. --- ## [Anything that can go wrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anything-that-can-go-wrong/1012859)
**Author:** [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2026, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anything-that-can-go-wrong/1012859 "2026-01-11T19:54:42Z")
Today would have been the 107th birthday of one Edward A. Murphy, Jr. the lawyer; well the namesake of Murphy’s Law, the basic engineering principle that “If there are two or more ways to do something, and one of those … --- ## [Most blatant rewriting of history by US government? (1/6)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-blatant-rewriting-of-history-by-us-government-1-6/1026430)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2026, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-blatant-rewriting-of-history-by-us-government-1-6/1026430 "2026-01-11T17:17:00Z")
The White House is rewriting history WRT 1/6, blaming capitol police for the riot. https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/06/politics/white-house-january-6-website Maybe I’m biased by the recency, and recalling the horror of watc… --- ## [Could dark matter be...heat?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-dark-matter-be-heat/1026480)
**Author:** [@EnolaStraight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EnolaStraight)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2026, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-dark-matter-be-heat/1026480 "2026-01-11T17:09:25Z")
The Galaxy rotates as if it contains more mass than can be seen. Due to E=mc^2, matter and energy are interchangeable. Heat is a form of energy. Energy can distort spacetime like mass. Can a galaxy full of heat from … --- ## [Crack in shower wall](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crack-in-shower-wall/1026542)
**Author:** [@GESancMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GESancMan)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2026, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crack-in-shower-wall/1026542 "2026-01-11T13:26:35Z")
I went to take a shower this morning, and discovered a crack in my shower wall. I’ve already left a message with my plumber, but his hours are Monday - Friday, so I don’t … --- ## [What wine for a beef bourguignon?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-wine-for-a-beef-bourguignon/1026459)
**Author:** [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2026, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-wine-for-a-beef-bourguignon/1026459 "2026-01-11T13:22:39Z")
I would normally use a cheap Taylor burgundy or port for this recipe, but the local store is out of both. What other deep red wines could I use? --- ## [Vivek Ramaswamy for Ohio Gov?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vivek-ramaswamy-for-ohio-gov/1013114)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2026, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vivek-ramaswamy-for-ohio-gov/1013114 "2026-01-11T12:17:28Z")
Does he have a chance? How red is Ohio? I guess he’s not gonna be running DOGE alongside The Musk. --- ## [Rhyme about Beans](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rhyme-about-beans/1026439)
**Author:** [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2026, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rhyme-about-beans/1026439 "2026-01-11T05:30:26Z")
In 2nd or 3rd grade we learned a rhyme extolling the sonic properties of baked beans. So I’m wondering how others learned it. So, were beans: The musical fruit The magical fruit Good for your heart? --- ## [Dumb question about LA vs Carolina](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-question-about-la-vs-carolina/1026545)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2026, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-question-about-la-vs-carolina/1026545 "2026-01-11T04:36:48Z")
Rams are 12-5. Panthers are 8-9 (losing record, BTW) YTF are they playing the playoff game in Carolina? --- ## [ID these books (Children's book about Greek myths, illustrated book of folk songs) from 1960s](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-these-books-childrens-book-about-greek-myths-illustrated-book-of-folk-songs-from-1960s/1023428)
**Author:** [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2026, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-these-books-childrens-book-about-greek-myths-illustrated-book-of-folk-songs-from-1960s/1023428 "2026-01-11T04:00:33Z")
Hi! I’m trying to track down two books I saw as a child around 60 years ago. One was a children’s book about Greek myths, illustrated in a style heavily influenced by Picasso’s neoclassical style (Picasso was not the art… --- ## [Trump is creating his own gov't-funded personal army of loyalist mercenaries](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-creating-his-own-govt-funded-personal-army-of-loyalist-mercenaries/1026208)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2026, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-creating-his-own-govt-funded-personal-army-of-loyalist-mercenaries/1026208 "2026-01-11T03:34:57Z")
Continuing the discussion from The current second Trump administration: a compendium of horrors: If trump plans to continue as president indefinitely, he will need an army. He is now building one out of ICE, and aggress… --- ## ['Twere the Rants Before Christmas (December Mini-Rants)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twere-the-rants-before-christmas-december-mini-rants/1025280)
**Author:** [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Replies:** 456\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2026, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twere-the-rants-before-christmas-december-mini-rants/1025280 "2026-01-11T00:12:32Z")
Continuing the discussion from Happy Cranks-giving! (November mini-rants): …When all through the board, Not a poster deserving the trolls they ignored; The memes were posted with GIFs animated, Beside nightmare fuel,… --- ## [Does anyone else here like to look at real estate listings?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-else-here-like-to-look-at-real-estate-listings/1026498)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2026, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-else-here-like-to-look-at-real-estate-listings/1026498 "2026-01-10T20:48:03Z")
I do, sometimes, even though I’m not in the housing market. I decided to start this thread because I found a house that seems to violate every building code known to man. It’s in southern Missouri, not far from where I… --- ## [The Surrey Hotel in Miami, FL collecting memories](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-surrey-hotel-in-miami-fl-collecting-memories/821163)
**Author:** [@ChrisO1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChrisO1953)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2026, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-surrey-hotel-in-miami-fl-collecting-memories/821163 "2026-01-10T20:12:15Z")
Seeking any details on The Surrrey Hotel,Miami Florida. I want to know which musicians or vaudeville acts were booked, what the restaurant was like - any pictures, details, etc, particularly in the 1950’s era. I understa… --- ## [Does the speed of light still = c...when NOT observed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-speed-of-light-still-c-when-not-observed/1026499)
**Author:** [@EnolaStraight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EnolaStraight)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2026, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-speed-of-light-still-c-when-not-observed/1026499 "2026-01-10T18:17:39Z")
There’s plenty of measurables which only take on a value when observed. Something with an indeterminate value due to superposition…until the act of observation collapses a wavefunction, thus locking in a value. can a p… --- ## [Remembering OpalCat 2026](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remembering-opalcat-2026/1026033)
**Author:** [@Nickrz2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nickrz2)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2026, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remembering-opalcat-2026/1026033 "2026-01-10T17:33:58Z")
I’m not sure how many of you were around in the olden days, or remember our dear sister Opal, but I just had a long telephone conversation with ther mom, who is still practicing law in Arizona. Without going into a lot … --- ## [Looking For Tips To Flock Some Crafts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-tips-to-flock-some-crafts/1026380)
**Author:** [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2026, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-tips-to-flock-some-crafts/1026380 "2026-01-10T14:51:57Z")
I’m making a bunch of scale model cubicles for an office setting for a tabletop war game. (Other rooms too, but only the cubes are of interest for this part). This is pretty much all 1/8 inch thick walls 1.5 inches high … --- ## [Who are the 5 worst U.S. Presidents?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-5-worst-u-s-presidents/1026144)
**Author:** [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Replies:** 135\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2026, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-5-worst-u-s-presidents/1026144 "2026-01-10T13:36:47Z")
I saw a list elsewhere and it got me thinking. I will try to avoid recency bias. My bottom 5 are: Andrew Jackson Donald Trump James Buchanan Andrew Johnson And at this point, I find myself unsure of who to put in th… --- ## [Discuss & Rate Female ADAs from the Jack McCoy Era of the Original "Law & Order" \[spoilers\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discuss-rate-female-adas-from-the-jack-mccoy-era-of-the-original-law-order-spoilers/1024903)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2026, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discuss-rate-female-adas-from-the-jack-mccoy-era-of-the-original-law-order-spoilers/1024903 "2026-01-10T04:39:01Z")
My Roku TV has one whole channel devoted to the original Law & Order. Yup, 24/7. Around the clock. :face\_with\_spiral\_eyes: It may not include the new re-boot with a white-haired Jack McCoy. I have white hair, but I’m no… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=164&state=watching) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=166&state=watching)