# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=178 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 179 --- ## [South Park Season 27 - discussion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/south-park-season-27-discussion/1021281)
**Author:** [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Replies:** 143\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2025, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/south-park-season-27-discussion/1021281 "2025-12-22T10:57:50Z")
That was, uh, a pretty interesting way to come back after quite awhile without episodes. I think if Trump responds to, well, everything they just did in that episode, it will be seen as a big success. Did anyone watch … --- ## [The (still) unknown origin of 'dogs' meaning 'feet.'](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-still-unknown-origin-of-dogs-meaning-feet/1025122)
**Author:** [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2025, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-still-unknown-origin-of-dogs-meaning-feet/1025122 "2025-12-22T07:45:21Z")
For many years, the story has been that it was Cockney Rhyming Slang for “dog’s meat.” The august OED, however, throws some cold water on that idea more or less saying that It has been suggested that this is short for … --- ## [(Old) What's Your Favorite Ice Cream Cone? - An Inappropriate Winter MMP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-whats-your-favorite-ice-cream-cone-an-inappropriate-winter-mmp/1025719)
**Author:** [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Replies:** 303\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2025, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-whats-your-favorite-ice-cream-cone-an-inappropriate-winter-mmp/1025719 "2025-12-22T05:26:51Z")
Hah! My first ever MMP, inspired by learning the fact that on December 15, 1903, food cart vendor Italo Marchiony received a patent for inventing a machine that makes ice cream cones. So what’s your favorite? Who care… --- ## [Mass shooting at Bondi Beach, Australia](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-shooting-at-bondi-beach-australia/1025683)
**Author:** [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Replies:** 99\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2025, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-shooting-at-bondi-beach-australia/1025683 "2025-12-22T04:56:01Z")
2 men opened fire at a Hannukah candle lighting event at Bondi Beach, Australia. Reports so far say 10 fatalities. To the best of our knowledge, the shooters have been neutralized. This is a developing story. https://ww… --- ## [NCIS’ Tony & Ziva Spinoff Series is scheduled](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ncis-tony-ziva-spinoff-series-is-scheduled/998333)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2025, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ncis-tony-ziva-spinoff-series-is-scheduled/998333 "2025-12-22T04:42:28Z")
Tony and Ziva were very popular on NCIS. Both characters left the show. Ziva left at the beginning of season 11. Tony stayed through season 13. I’m excited to see this new 10 episode series. It will be an entirely diffe… --- ## [Goddamn it, Sarah (huckleberry) Sanders](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goddamn-it-sarah-huckleberry-sanders/1025678)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2025, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goddamn-it-sarah-huckleberry-sanders/1025678 "2025-12-22T04:30:51Z")
Once again Arkansas is first. First in teen pregnancy. First in boys graduating non-readers from highschool. And, now. First in the nation for: No national PBS. We are now gonna have lovely home made local programmi… --- ## [The great Justin Bieber challenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-justin-bieber-challenge/601728)
**Author:** [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2025, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-justin-bieber-challenge/601728 "2025-12-22T03:08:45Z")
Haters: Justin Bieber’s Christmas album is so great that I’m willing to buy it for you (much of the proceeds go to charity.) This is the first album in my 40-year history of being alive where I have liked every single … --- ## [Why aren't there ultrawide TVs with theater-like aspect ratios to prevent letterboxing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-there-ultrawide-tvs-with-theater-like-aspect-ratios-to-prevent-letterboxing/1025899)
**Author:** [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2025, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-there-ultrawide-tvs-with-theater-like-aspect-ratios-to-prevent-letterboxing/1025899 "2025-12-22T02:55:38Z")
TVs used to have an aspect ratio of 4:3, but these days they’re almost all 16:9. However, this means that most made-for-theater movies are still letterboxed, with black bars at the top and bottom. Many movies are 2.39:1 … --- ## [Ever used an airplane lavatory?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-used-an-airplane-lavatory/1025541)
**Author:** [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Replies:** 131\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2025, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-used-an-airplane-lavatory/1025541 "2025-12-22T02:45:19Z")
I took my first flight at the age of 9, so I’ve been utilizing air travel for over 40 years. From the years of 2003-2013, I was on approximately 1,200 flights for work, with several going cross-country non-stop. While ta… --- ## [Any gift-wrapping services in Portland (OR)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-gift-wrapping-services-in-portland-or/1025914)
**Author:** [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2025, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-gift-wrapping-services-in-portland-or/1025914 "2025-12-22T02:03:30Z")
I’ve picked up some Christmas presents and my fine motor skills have deteriorated significantly since the last time I wrapped presents. I’m getting a little tired of the old gift bag-and-tissue paper method of presenting… --- ## [Any idea where this building is? (Tall tower, windowless on one side, with red and cream-ish vertical stripes)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-idea-where-this-building-is-tall-tower-windowless-on-one-side-with-red-and-cream-ish-vertical-stripes/1025739)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2025, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-idea-where-this-building-is-tall-tower-windowless-on-one-side-with-red-and-cream-ish-vertical-stripes/1025739 "2025-12-22T00:48:00Z")
Where is #8 on this list? --- ## [Why were these unneeded subtitles in "Night of the Hunter"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-were-these-unneeded-subtitles-in-night-of-the-hunter/1025575)
**Author:** [@Marine\_One](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marine_One)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2025, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-were-these-unneeded-subtitles-in-night-of-the-hunter/1025575 "2025-12-21T20:30:42Z")
I’m watching The Night of the Hunter (1955) on TCM. There is the scene where a bunch of kids and John and Pearl are asking for food from a woman in a house. Suddenly, there is this subtitle at the bottom of the screen: … --- ## [What is Going on with Marijuana at the Federal Level?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-going-on-with-marijuana-at-the-federal-level/1001063)
**Author:** [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2025, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-going-on-with-marijuana-at-the-federal-level/1001063 "2025-12-21T18:09:08Z")
I think this belongs here, since it really is a political question. At this point, 24 states with a majority of the US population have legal recreational weed. And that’s without getting into medical. Pew finds 70% of … --- ## [Why "Merry" Christmas?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-merry-christmas/47410)
**Author:** [@peepthis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peepthis)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2025, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-merry-christmas/47410 "2025-12-21T17:50:13Z")
I checked the archives but didn’t find this asked previously: Why (in American English, at least) do we say “Merry Christmas” and not “Happy Christmas,” “Fan-tab-u-lous Christmas,” or some other variation? How far back … --- ## [Twyst drink mix](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twyst-drink-mix/1025859)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2025, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twyst-drink-mix/1025859 "2025-12-21T17:25:57Z")
My Beloved picked up a box of multi-flavored drink mixes called “Twyst”, and I am trying to figure out how they actually work and if they are really any good. The powdery substance comes in a long tube with a short, thi… --- ## [Christmas music](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-music/1011885)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 104\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2025, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-music/1011885 "2025-12-21T16:31:02Z")
I like Christmas music. It’s joyful and fun to sing along to. Yes, maybe I’m a weird-o but honestly, it’s generally well written and we usually get new interpretations of the classics every year. I have a suspicion that… --- ## [Elise Stefanik stepping down](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elise-stefanik-stepping-down/1025884)
**Author:** [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2025, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elise-stefanik-stepping-down/1025884 "2025-12-21T16:25:32Z")
Elise Stefanik, a Republican representative from upstate New York, has announced that she’s bowing out of the race for the Republican nomination for governor of New York, as well as that she will not seek re-election to … --- ## [What is a "Declaration Of Vengeance", and is this something we have declared before?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-declaration-of-vengeance-and-is-this-something-we-have-declared-before/1025908)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2025, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-declaration-of-vengeance-and-is-this-something-we-have-declared-before/1025908 "2025-12-21T16:07:52Z")
US hits ISIS in Syria with large retaliatory strikes, officials say | Reuters The Secretary of “War” has declared that this strike on ISIS is not an act of war, but a “Declaration of Vengeance”. Sound pretty damn petty… --- ## [Service men with "estimates". This is super shady right?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/service-men-with-estimates-this-is-super-shady-right/1025792)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2025, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/service-men-with-estimates-this-is-super-shady-right/1025792 "2025-12-21T16:06:22Z")
So I’m trying to hire a handyman to do some stuff around the house. The first three people I called wanted a 50 to 75 dollar deposit. The way it works is; they come out and look at what you needed done. If you like the … --- ## [Most people get Ayn Rand's philosophy wrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-people-get-ayn-rands-philosophy-wrong/1024474)
**Author:** [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Replies:** 412\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2025, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-people-get-ayn-rands-philosophy-wrong/1024474 "2025-12-21T15:41:40Z")
Disclaimer: I am not a strong proponent of any specific ideology. IMHO people tend to glom onto them as if they were gospel without using their brains to figure out when or if they work. Nor do I consider myself an exp… --- ## [Did all the music acts lip-sync on the Ed Sullivan show?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-all-the-music-acts-lip-sync-on-the-ed-sullivan-show/1025572)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2025, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-all-the-music-acts-lip-sync-on-the-ed-sullivan-show/1025572 "2025-12-21T15:18:31Z")
I recently found the Mama and Papas protest video from the Ed Sullivan show. Michelle eats a banana and later offers it to Mama Cass. It’s obvious John and Michelle are talking during the lip syncing. Did all the music… --- ## [3 Killed, 9 Injured in Metro Station in Taipei](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3-killed-9-injured-in-metro-station-in-taipei/1025913)
**Author:** [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2025, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3-killed-9-injured-in-metro-station-in-taipei/1025913 "2025-12-21T15:15:33Z")
I saw this news Saturday morning (Beijing time) on Chinese media. The incident happened Friday. The number I give in the title above does not include the killer, who died running from the police. --- ## [How does my dog know about deliveries before they arrive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-my-dog-know-about-deliveries-before-they-arrive/1025887)
**Author:** [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2025, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-my-dog-know-about-deliveries-before-they-arrive/1025887 "2025-12-21T13:11:43Z")
Whenever something is due to be delivered, my dog seems to know when it is en route. That is, when Amazon would start marking the number of stops as 3 or 4 away, or UPS or FedEx would be about 15 minutes away (but not wh… --- ## [Electromagnetic analogs in General Relativity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electromagnetic-analogs-in-general-relativity/1025894)
**Author:** [@EnolaStraight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EnolaStraight)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2025, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electromagnetic-analogs-in-general-relativity/1025894 "2025-12-21T12:28:25Z")
EM radiation…Light… has certain qualities: Varying frequency::wavelength describes “color”…at least perceptible in the visible part of the spectrum. One can even perceive the angle of polarization…using 3D glasses from… --- ## [Advice for distracted drivers and/or those that distract them](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-for-distracted-drivers-and-or-those-that-distract-them/1025625)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2025, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-for-distracted-drivers-and-or-those-that-distract-them/1025625 "2025-12-21T07:52:07Z")
For drivers that have to make eye contact with others in the car while they talk, and for others in the car that talk to drivers knowing full well that the driver will try to make eye contact with them: Shut the fuck UP… --- ## [Donald Trump says he is going to give an address on prime time tv on December 17, 2025. Are you going to watch to see what he says?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-says-he-is-going-to-give-an-address-on-prime-time-tv-on-december-17-2025-are-you-going-to-watch-to-see-what-he-says/1025766)
**Author:** [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Replies:** 265\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2025, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-says-he-is-going-to-give-an-address-on-prime-time-tv-on-december-17-2025-are-you-going-to-watch-to-see-what-he-says/1025766 "2025-12-21T07:04:21Z")
Two days before the deadline that the files are supposed to be released, Trump says he’s going to address the nation on Prime Time. Do you care enough to watch what he’ll say live or will you forgo it and read about it … --- ## [My father died yesterday](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-father-died-yesterday/1025903)
**Author:** [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2025, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-father-died-yesterday/1025903 "2025-12-21T04:55:27Z")
My father died yesterday, at the age of 94. He had a remarkable life. As a child he was in the Budapest ghetto during WWII. He escaped to the west during the 1956 Hungarian revolution and met my mother in a refugee camp… --- ## [Poll: Best Bond (non-Connery edition)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-best-bond-non-connery-edition/1014634)
**Author:** [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2025, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-best-bond-non-connery-edition/1014634 "2025-12-21T04:17:13Z")
Continuing the discussion from Amazon MGM takes creative reins of James Bond, ending an era of family control of 007: In honor of (or memoriam for) the Bond franchise now that Prime has taken it over, I’m just curious w… --- ## [A Holiday \[food\] hangover thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-holiday-food-hangover-thread/1025895)
**Author:** [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2025, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-holiday-food-hangover-thread/1025895 "2025-12-21T04:05:40Z")
(I’m sort of channelling my inner Beckdawreck here, whose style I genuinely admire) Oh hearken ye to thine company Holiday party . . . Where the company is pleasant (hopefully for ya) and the food is plentiful. It he… --- ## [Killing, forever, a built in "perk" on my phone](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killing-forever-a-built-in-perk-on-my-phone/1025874)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2025, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killing-forever-a-built-in-perk-on-my-phone/1025874 "2025-12-21T03:36:19Z")
Voicemail. How do I murder without reservation this thang. This is my sooper seekrit (shhh) Motorola burner. No one uses the number to contact me. (Welp, because the number is seekrit too). I get calls from somewhere.… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=177) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=179)