# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=182 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 183 --- ## [Youngest Civil War Grandchild?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youngest-civil-war-grandchild/175389)
**Author:** [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2025, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youngest-civil-war-grandchild/175389 "2025-12-16T02:19:07Z")
Do any of you know of a surviving grandchild, under the age of 60, of a Civil War soldier? --- ## [Computer - "Add to dictionary" question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-add-to-dictionary-question/1025718)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2025, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-add-to-dictionary-question/1025718 "2025-12-16T02:15:45Z")
If I write an unknown word on the computer it gets highlighted and one option is to “Add to dictionary”. I do this fairly often if it is a word I will be using again. So where is this “dictionary”? How can I look at all … --- ## [The Witness (puzzle game)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-witness-puzzle-game/1005336)
**Author:** [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Replies:** 229\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2025, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-witness-puzzle-game/1005336 "2025-12-16T00:28:51Z")
This game was mentioned here before, but specifically in comparison to another game (Puzzle game difficulty: "Baba is You" vs "The witness"). I just got it on sale, and I’d like to talk about The Witness specifically. A… --- ## [Building the industrial peace complex](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/building-the-industrial-peace-complex/1025616)
**Author:** [@Kropotkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kropotkin)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2025, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/building-the-industrial-peace-complex/1025616 "2025-12-16T00:12:18Z")
Reflecting on the NYT series on rebuilding the US military, including cost estimates. Got me wondering. What would extensive peace and civil disobedience training for national defence cost? Not interested in why campaign… --- ## [Microchimerism. Well, wow](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microchimerism-well-wow/1025538)
**Author:** [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2025, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microchimerism-well-wow/1025538 "2025-12-15T23:03:37Z")
The flow of DNA back and forth seems to be just incredible. The image charting the two-way path of DNA through generations shows it all. What might this mean for, well, brain health across generations, etc? --- ## [Places that have physical gift cards with bonus cards still?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/places-that-have-physical-gift-cards-with-bonus-cards-still/1025651)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2025, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/places-that-have-physical-gift-cards-with-bonus-cards-still/1025651 "2025-12-15T22:54:10Z")
Restaurants or fast food, need physical cards for Christmas cards. --- ## [Applied pressure of a hose clamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/applied-pressure-of-a-hose-clamp/1025484)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2025, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/applied-pressure-of-a-hose-clamp/1025484 "2025-12-15T21:14:43Z")
I am trying to figure out the math on how much pressure per square inch my hose clamp is applying. The circumference of my hose clamp is 36 inches and I will be applying approximately 36 inch pounds of torque to the hose… --- ## ["Names you associate with \[edit for racial slur\]"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-you-associate-with-edit-for-racial-slur/205004)
**Author:** [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Replies:** 170\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2025, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-you-associate-with-edit-for-racial-slur/205004 "2025-12-15T20:43:33Z")
Got your attention, didn’t I? Well, I meant to, and no, it’s not a Troll. Over in Cafe Society, Liirogue started a thread “Names you associate with white trash”. Several of us came in, and explained politely that “whi… --- ## [Police retrieving computer search history (Brian Walshe case)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-retrieving-computer-search-history-brian-walshe-case/1025599)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2025, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-retrieving-computer-search-history-brian-walshe-case/1025599 "2025-12-15T20:16:41Z")
I have seen this several times before where the police are able to find that a suspect has searched the Internet for things like, “How long before a body starts to smell” and “How to dispose of a body”. Can’t the perp ju… --- ## [Facebook AI Slop](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facebook-ai-slop/1006945)
**Author:** [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2025, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facebook-ai-slop/1006945 "2025-12-15T19:07:25Z")
Over the past few months, I’ve been seeing an awful lot of this crap on my Facebook feed. Some days it seems like literally every other post will be some weird AI-generated image, with text reading “Why don’t pictures li… --- ## [How have the affordability crisis and "K-shaped economy" affected you?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-have-the-affordability-crisis-and-k-shaped-economy-affected-you/1025313)
**Author:** [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2025, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-have-the-affordability-crisis-and-k-shaped-economy-affected-you/1025313 "2025-12-15T17:35:38Z")
Over the past year or two, high inflation mixed with stagnant wages, rampant layoffs, AI, and poor jobs availability has led to quality of life declining for many middle-class and lower households. Per AP: Here's why eve… --- ## [I'm going to see Alton Brown live](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-see-alton-brown-live/1015317)
**Author:** [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2025, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-see-alton-brown-live/1015317 "2025-12-15T16:11:32Z")
My wife got tickets for Alton Brown’s road show in Concord, NH on Tuesday 3/11. Anybody see him before? How is his show? --- ## [Duolingo chess](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duolingo-chess/1024835)
**Author:** [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Ministre_de_l_au-dela)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2025, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duolingo-chess/1024835 "2025-12-15T15:04:33Z")
Hi, everyone. I’ve been learning chess with Duolingo for about a month now. Here’s a quick rundown of some of the pros and cons about it. Let me start by saying that I’ve never had any formal training or teaching in c… --- ## [(Old) It's Gonna Snow? Oh No! Oh No! Oh No!- A Winter MMP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-its-gonna-snow-oh-no-oh-no-oh-no-a-winter-mmp/1025513)
**Author:** [@dogbutler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dogbutler)\ **Replies:** 258\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2025, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-its-gonna-snow-oh-no-oh-no-oh-no-a-winter-mmp/1025513 "2025-12-15T14:36:59Z")
Slush! Fog! Black ice! Dogs and cat living together! Mass Hysteria! And it’s Aldi run day, so that will be fun. How’s your weather? I’m up. caffeinated, and shoveled. Off to heave. It’s currently 32 degrees Ferret … --- ## [Rittenhouse writes a book and may enter politics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rittenhouse-writes-a-book-and-may-enter-politics/993585)
**Author:** [@Crane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crane)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2025, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rittenhouse-writes-a-book-and-may-enter-politics/993585 "2025-12-15T13:55:01Z")
Kyle Rittenhouse has a book - almost. It can be pre-ordered. According to the link, Rittenhouse has fund raising potential and is being considered as a candidate for office in Texas. What is Rittenhouse potential appeal… --- ## [Let's build a Straight Dope Christmas Spotify list](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-build-a-straight-dope-christmas-spotify-list/975749)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 187\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2025, 10:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-build-a-straight-dope-christmas-spotify-list/975749 "2025-12-15T10:28:39Z")
If this is like all the other Spotify threads I’ve started, it will go nowhere. I’m going to build a Christmas playlist for the Straight Dope and need your help to build it. You can pick at most 3 songs to add. “Chri… --- ## [Why would physical therapists refuse to treat a former cancer patient?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-physical-therapists-refuse-to-treat-a-former-cancer-patient/1025696)
**Author:** [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2025, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-physical-therapists-refuse-to-treat-a-former-cancer-patient/1025696 "2025-12-15T04:25:01Z")
My wife has had breast cancer in the same breast twice: in 2010 she had a mastectomy and reconstruction of her left breast, and ten years later there was a recurrence in the chest wall of the same area. A second surgery … --- ## [Police investigating homicide at home of Rob Reiner and his wife](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-investigating-homicide-at-home-of-rob-reiner-and-his-wife/1025713)
**Author:** [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2025, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-investigating-homicide-at-home-of-rob-reiner-and-his-wife/1025713 "2025-12-15T04:15:34Z")
Apparently there has been a double homicide at the L.A. home of director/actor Rob Reiner and his wife. Reports are a 78 year old male and 68 year old woman have been found dead in this home. These are the ages of Rein… --- ## [Sayings, idioms, and acronyms which seem to indicate the OPPOSITE of what is intended](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sayings-idioms-and-acronyms-which-seem-to-indicate-the-opposite-of-what-is-intended/1024599)
**Author:** [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Replies:** 121\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2025, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sayings-idioms-and-acronyms-which-seem-to-indicate-the-opposite-of-what-is-intended/1024599 "2025-12-14T23:48:34Z")
On another site I was taken a bit aback yesterday when I read that a political ad had been “dropped”–so I immediately wondered who canceled it and why-was it DFT-enabled censorship at work again? A cowardly news service … --- ## [Non-US Dopers: Does your culture have an equivalent to "calling dibs"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-us-dopers-does-your-culture-have-an-equivalent-to-calling-dibs/1025666)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2025, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-us-dopers-does-your-culture-have-an-equivalent-to-calling-dibs/1025666 "2025-12-14T22:39:17Z")
“Calling dibs” is like an informal declaration that you (the person calling dibs) are claiming something for yourself before it’s actually available. Dad’s bringing home Indian food? You “call dibs” on the samosas (meani… --- ## [Help Setting Up Dual Monitors w/Work Laptop](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-setting-up-dual-monitors-w-work-laptop/1025623)
**Author:** [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2025, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-setting-up-dual-monitors-w-work-laptop/1025623 "2025-12-14T20:11:43Z")
Hi. So, I’m getting dual monitors for my home office. It’s mostly because the dated Dell laptop my work provided does not work properly with the ultra-wide monitor I bought, and I need serious real estate to do my job. … --- ## [Have I been hacked? (strange message that came through my car speakers)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-i-been-hacked-strange-message-that-came-through-my-car-speakers/1025672)
**Author:** [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2025, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-i-been-hacked-strange-message-that-came-through-my-car-speakers/1025672 "2025-12-14T18:23:32Z")
I came home from an errand just now. I had been listening to a podcast through the car speakers from my phone connected via Bluetooth / Apple CarPlay. After I had parked in the garage, stopped the podcast, but before I t… --- ## [Evolution of pole arms](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evolution-of-pole-arms/1025517)
**Author:** [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2025, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evolution-of-pole-arms/1025517 "2025-12-14T16:12:38Z")
What drives the evolution of these weapons? Consider the fauchard, for example. Around 1300, you have your basic convex blade, while by 1400 a useful hook had been added. … --- ## [You can't watch Pornhub in Texas (for the time being)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-cant-watch-pornhub-in-texas-for-the-time-being/998866)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 95\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2025, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-cant-watch-pornhub-in-texas-for-the-time-being/998866 "2025-12-14T16:00:51Z")
Pornhub says that Texas laws don’t keep children safe, so if you’re in the Lone Star State, you’ll have to go elsewhere to get some relief by looking at feet or hot moms/dads or whatever floats your boat. Texas says they… --- ## [Did anyone else have a class in college that "Everyone flunked the first time"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-anyone-else-have-a-class-in-college-that-everyone-flunked-the-first-time/1025447)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 95\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2025, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-anyone-else-have-a-class-in-college-that-everyone-flunked-the-first-time/1025447 "2025-12-14T14:55:51Z")
I know it’s not just me because I remember seeing it in college based sitcoms too. But I remember there was a first year Earth Science or something similar class that was a prerequisite for something else important so a… --- ## [Identify a song based on a three-note riff from a commercial](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-a-song-based-on-a-three-note-riff-from-a-commercial/1025654)
**Author:** [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2025, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-a-song-based-on-a-three-note-riff-from-a-commercial/1025654 "2025-12-14T14:49:06Z")
The commercial in question is for Native deodorant. You can see it here, and the riff is at the very end (“It’s Native…”) Delete the space between the C and the Q at the end for the link since it won’t let me post it. h… --- ## [Where the F\*\*\*\* have I been?!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-the-f-have-i-been/1025635)
**Author:** [@melaniethewitch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/melaniethewitch)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2025, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-the-f-have-i-been/1025635 "2025-12-14T11:51:55Z")
Short answer is doing high school. long answer is, Chronically I’ll suffering while my parent says they will not make me food until all my homework is done. uh yeah.. hi. I’m back ig. I have been managing my POTs and dea… --- ## [Playing the Game "Sorry" With Dice and A Bell](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/playing-the-game-sorry-with-dice-and-a-bell/502384)
**Author:** [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2025, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/playing-the-game-sorry-with-dice-and-a-bell/502384 "2025-12-14T05:19:17Z")
I was watching a rerun of Carol Burnett and it was a “Eunice” sketch, and Ed, Eunice and Mama were playing the game “Sorry.” Now whenever I played it we had cards. But our favourite trio were playing “Sorry” with a pai… --- ## [What was the first instance of using a record scratch as comic punctuation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-first-instance-of-using-a-record-scratch-as-comic-punctuation/487708)
**Author:** [@jefusan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jefusan)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2025, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-first-instance-of-using-a-record-scratch-as-comic-punctuation/487708 "2025-12-14T03:53:34Z")
You know the deal… someone in a movie says something at a party, or enters the wrong bar, and everyone stops talking as the music stops and the needle scratches across the record. In what movie or TV show did that first… --- ## ["Christmas" Specials ... that aren't Chrismassy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-specials-that-arent-chrismassy/1012145)
**Author:** [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2025, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-specials-that-arent-chrismassy/1012145 "2025-12-14T03:45:33Z")
Has anyone noticed this? I’ve noticed 2. Motown Christmas and Christmas at Graceland. They’ll dress every one in red have Christmas decorations and do a couple of Christmas songs. Motown did very few xmas songs, and b… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=181) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=183)