# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=174&state=muted [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 175 --- ## [How high would Watergate rank if it were a Trump scandal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-high-would-watergate-rank-if-it-were-a-trump-scandal/1024930)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2025, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-high-would-watergate-rank-if-it-were-a-trump-scandal/1024930 "2025-12-27T19:09:31Z")
Let’s say that something like Watergate happened, exactly down to details, in the Trump presidency - a break-in, a cover-up, etc. Something bad enough to topple Nixon. Out of all the countless Trump misdeeds, where woul… --- ## [The "crucial detail" in making a pot of tea?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-crucial-detail-in-making-a-pot-of-tea/1025969)
**Author:** [@Timz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Timz)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2025, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-crucial-detail-in-making-a-pot-of-tea/1025969 "2025-12-27T18:31:37Z")
Christopher Hitchens, in Why Orwell Matters: “His long essay on how to make a proper pot of tea is highly orthodox, down to the crucial detail of taking the pot to the kettle instead of the kettle to the pot.” What’s t… --- ## [What does this gesture by a soccer player mean? (both pinkies extended vertically, under eyes)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-this-gesture-by-a-soccer-player-mean-both-pinkies-extended-vertically-under-eyes/1026097)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2025, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-this-gesture-by-a-soccer-player-mean-both-pinkies-extended-vertically-under-eyes/1026097 "2025-12-27T17:39:11Z")
This Sheffield United player scored against Wrexham and then made this gesture. Based on context, it appears as if he’s mocking Wrexham’s players and/or fans by acting is if they’re crying – as in, “haha, waah! waah! I s… --- ## [Changes in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changes-in-the-church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saints/1023716)
**Author:** [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Replies:** 205\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2025, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changes-in-the-church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saints/1023716 "2025-12-27T17:19:46Z")
Continuing the discussion from President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints passed away: First time to do this. I’ll post more later. --- ## [Oh joy, now I'm not just a codger, I'm a drooling codger](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-joy-now-im-not-just-a-codger-im-a-drooling-codger/1026095)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2025, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-joy-now-im-not-just-a-codger-im-a-drooling-codger/1026095 "2025-12-27T17:04:18Z")
In recent weeks I have noticed at odd times that the area under my chin\* is wet. Then I noticed that I have been wiping the corners of my mouth more often with my hand, but if I’m focused on some task I apparently don’t … --- ## [Is anyone watching "Velvet" on Netflix or PBS?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anyone-watching-velvet-on-netflix-or-pbs/1025760)
**Author:** [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2025, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anyone-watching-velvet-on-netflix-or-pbs/1025760 "2025-12-27T17:03:59Z")
I’m talking about the subtitled Spanish series set in the fashion industry of the 1950s and ‘60s. So far, I’ve caught only a few episodes late on Sunday nights, but I’ve enjoyed them greatly. The one in which the two s… --- ## [Help Me Out With My 20th Century Truck (1999 Ford Ranger)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-out-with-my-20th-century-truck-1999-ford-ranger/1026003)
**Author:** [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2025, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-out-with-my-20th-century-truck-1999-ford-ranger/1026003 "2025-12-27T16:58:33Z")
I have a 1999 Ford Ranger. Up to this point I’ve been willing to spend the money to keep it running but I know that one day I will have to part with it. This will make me sad. I really, really like that vehicle. On t… --- ## [Found an Apple watch - how to return it](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/found-an-apple-watch-how-to-return-it/1026030)
**Author:** [@3AxisCtrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3AxisCtrl)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2025, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/found-an-apple-watch-how-to-return-it/1026030 "2025-12-27T14:46:27Z")
Found during a short walk while visiting relatives in Arlington VA. On the back it identifies itself as an Apple Series 3, 38mm. No serial number is evident. I’m not an Apple person, but I had the impression that Appl… --- ## [Do you know more doctors or lawyers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-more-doctors-or-lawyers/1026051)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2025, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-more-doctors-or-lawyers/1026051 "2025-12-27T13:23:08Z")
According to Grok (large grain of salt needed) there are about 1.1 million doctors and 1.3 million lawyers in the US. Do you personally know more doctors or lawyers? I mean outside of professionally, not doctors or lawy… --- ## [Q for dermatologists (about biopsy sites)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/q-for-dermatologists-about-biopsy-sites/1026089)
**Author:** [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2025, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/q-for-dermatologists-about-biopsy-sites/1026089 "2025-12-27T12:41:48Z")
About three years ago I was referred to a dermatologist for a lot of actinic keratoses on my arms. She prescribed fluorouracil cream to make them go away, and most of them have (after a couple of follow-up appointments). … --- ## [How does taste work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-taste-work/1025858)
**Author:** [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2025, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-taste-work/1025858 "2025-12-27T12:33:00Z")
How exactly does the sense of taste work? Let’s say you lick a sheet of pure elemental copper. What makes it taste like copper? Is your tongue actually stripping copper atoms off the sheet and somehow analyzing them…? T… --- ## [Any way of making a cat like you best?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-way-of-making-a-cat-like-you-best/1026070)
**Author:** [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2025, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-way-of-making-a-cat-like-you-best/1026070 "2025-12-27T05:41:38Z")
My friend adopted a cat (really cute and I’ll post pictures later) and her 11-year-old son really wants the cat to like him best. From the experience I had with cats in our home when I was younger, I doubt that but I th… --- ## [At least 36 killed in Hong Kong fire with 279 still missing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-least-36-killed-in-hong-kong-fire-with-279-still-missing/1025162)
**Author:** [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2025, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-least-36-killed-in-hong-kong-fire-with-279-still-missing/1025162 "2025-12-27T05:24:11Z")
BBC The video is horrifying. When I first saw I hoped like hell it was AI. But no, just heartbreaking. --- ## [So when's the trial? (Legal proceedings against faded headliners)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whens-the-trial-legal-proceedings-against-faded-headliners/1023091)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2025, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whens-the-trial-legal-proceedings-against-faded-headliners/1023091 "2025-12-27T02:20:48Z")
Luigi Mangione, remember him? The guy charged with murdering a top insurance executive? That was a bit back in the news cycle, and the lawyers are still maneuvering. For that matter, what other outrages have faded from t… --- ## [How to spot a potential arbitrage bet on the sportsbook apps](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-spot-a-potential-arbitrage-bet-on-the-sportsbook-apps/1026037)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2025, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-spot-a-potential-arbitrage-bet-on-the-sportsbook-apps/1026037 "2025-12-27T02:02:31Z")
DISCLAIMER: I’m aware of all of the provisos, addenda, and other errata regarding the perils of trying to beat the sports books via arbitrage bets. I hold no delusions that I can make consistent money at this, and mostly… --- ## [Are There Any Strong MAGA Politicians?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-strong-maga-politicians/1026039)
**Author:** [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2025, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-strong-maga-politicians/1026039 "2025-12-27T01:47:38Z")
I got to thinking of Mike Johnson and how he’s the weakest Speaker of the House I can remember in my lifetime. The Speaker of the House of Representatives is typically one of the most powerful figures in Congress as the… --- ## [So, suppose humans got a gene mutation that allowed them to teleport](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-suppose-humans-got-a-gene-mutation-that-allowed-them-to-teleport/1025987)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2025, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-suppose-humans-got-a-gene-mutation-that-allowed-them-to-teleport/1025987 "2025-12-27T01:26:45Z")
You know, the classic “I’m in Dallas and I want to be in New York, so I just twitch my nose and concentrate for a second and ZAP I vanish from here and reappear in Central Park” type of teleportation. It occurs to me th… --- ## [Ben Sasse is dying](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-sasse-is-dying/1025996)
**Author:** [@mozchron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mozchron)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2025, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-sasse-is-dying/1025996 "2025-12-27T00:31:01Z")
Ben Sasse is dying of pancreatic cancer I have to admit, i’m a bit torn on this one. On the one hand, he is one of the few republicans to vote to impeach Trump. And my mother and grandfather both passed from pancreatic … --- ## [Need advice: take the safer offer or ride out a merger?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-advice-take-the-safer-offer-or-ride-out-a-merger/1026034)
**Author:** [@cornycopia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cornycopia)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2025, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-advice-take-the-safer-offer-or-ride-out-a-merger/1026034 "2025-12-27T00:27:02Z")
I’m currently an analyst at an insurance company that’s being acquired. I don’t really love my job to begin with and only been there about three years. I recently received an offer from a bank for an HR analyst role, wh… --- ## [David Sedaris - "Santaland Diaries"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-sedaris-santaland-diaries/607199)
**Author:** [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2025, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-sedaris-santaland-diaries/607199 "2025-12-27T00:24:04Z")
I heard this again this morning on NPR for the umpteenth time, and it never fails to crack me up. For those of you who haven’t heard it, here’s a link. The bit where he sings “Away In A Manger” in the style of Billie H… --- ## [How do you use a gift card that has money on it? More specifically...what happens when the balance is low?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-use-a-gift-card-that-has-money-on-it-more-specifically-what-happens-when-the-balance-is-low/1026041)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2025, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-use-a-gift-card-that-has-money-on-it-more-specifically-what-happens-when-the-balance-is-low/1026041 "2025-12-26T23:57:03Z")
I got a gift card for Christmas that is basically cash, but on something that works like a credit card. It is all activated and works like a credit card…easy enough. But what happens when you only have a few dollars le… --- ## [A New Name for Czech Republic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-name-for-czech-republic/3045)
**Author:** [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2025, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-name-for-czech-republic/3045 "2025-12-26T23:55:57Z")
Why is there no short form? I mean we call it’s former partner Slovakia, not the Slovak Republic. Why not Czechia or Czechland? --- ## [Help me identify an old movie about a young woman who lived with her father in a shack in the Old West](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-an-old-movie-about-a-young-woman-who-lived-with-her-father-in-a-shack-in-the-old-west/1026083)
**Author:** [@themapleleaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/themapleleaf)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2025, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-an-old-movie-about-a-young-woman-who-lived-with-her-father-in-a-shack-in-the-old-west/1026083 "2025-12-26T23:52:43Z")
Circa 1987, I watched a movie on TV with my grandmother. I don’t remember the whole story, but there was a young woman – I remember her as good-looking and fair-haired – who lived alone with her father in a shack or cabi… --- ## [Should I write a letter for a former colleague confirming US residence for immigration purposes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-write-a-letter-for-a-former-colleague-confirming-us-residence-for-immigration-purposes/1019012)
**Author:** [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2025, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-write-a-letter-for-a-former-colleague-confirming-us-residence-for-immigration-purposes/1019012 "2025-12-23T15:10:52Z")
A former colleague of mine (“John”) reached out to ask if I could write a letter confirming his residence in the US while we worked together. He has a child recently born overseas, and getting his kid US citizenship is p… --- ## [Finding out about deaths through Facebook](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-out-about-deaths-through-facebook/1026022)
**Author:** [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2025, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-out-about-deaths-through-facebook/1026022 "2025-12-26T22:59:52Z")
I remember the first time this happened a few years ago (probably like a decade or more), it seemed really strange and bizarre, but now Facebook seems to be the default way to find out someone you know has died, at least… --- ## [Actors who are typecast, but only for you](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-are-typecast-but-only-for-you/1025960)
**Author:** [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2025, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-who-are-typecast-but-only-for-you/1025960 "2025-12-26T22:08:45Z")
Typecast actors are those who become so strongly associated with a certain role that it becomes hard for audiences to accept them as any other character. Who are some actors who are not generally considered to be typeca… --- ## [Anyone still able to use iPods? (Classics, Shuffles, Nanos, etc)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-still-able-to-use-ipods-classics-shuffles-nanos-etc/1025924)
**Author:** [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2025, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-still-able-to-use-ipods-classics-shuffles-nanos-etc/1025924 "2025-12-26T22:02:39Z")
I don’t believe in throwing away good technology that still works . . . Case in point, I have a 2005-era iPod Shuffle that still plays music, fitting into my pocket perfectly on my runs. I also have a 2006 iPod Classic,… --- ## [Rolling on very slight grades](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rolling-on-very-slight-grades/723029)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2025, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rolling-on-very-slight-grades/723029 "2025-12-26T21:45:44Z")
Kind of an extreme example here but if you were to build a train track tower on the west coast 10,000 ft high. It gradually sloped all the way to the east coast about 3,000 miles. Only dorps about 3 ft per mile. Would a … --- ## [Our Tech Free Holiday tradition](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/our-tech-free-holiday-tradition/1026031)
**Author:** [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2025, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/our-tech-free-holiday-tradition/1026031 "2025-12-26T20:51:00Z")
in another thread, I referred to my “Tech Free Holiday,” where every Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day, we ‘unplug’ and go super simple. There’s two rules: No screens. No frequencies above 107.1 MHz. (or what… --- ## [Tiny, as in miniature Crocs. Styrofoam shrinkage and other weird physics funzies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tiny-as-in-miniature-crocs-styrofoam-shrinkage-and-other-weird-physics-funzies/1025963)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2025, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tiny-as-in-miniature-crocs-styrofoam-shrinkage-and-other-weird-physics-funzies/1025963 "2025-12-26T17:43:24Z")
Ok. We know Crocs are made from Croslite. Some weird proprietary formula. I’m sure some absent minded physics professor stumbled upon it. (Not important, I don’t think). I saw tiny Crocs on a YouTube. Fit on the guys bi… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=173&state=muted) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=175&state=muted)