# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1886 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1887 --- ## [The 'joke - no punchline' thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-joke-no-punchline-thread/853289)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2020, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-joke-no-punchline-thread/853289 "2020-05-08T15:12:44Z")
Antithesis to the punchline thread. In this thread tell the set up but leave 'em hanging. How many hipsters does it take to screw in a lightbulb? I heard an Iraqi guitar tutor is offering to teach guitarists songs in o… --- ## [what makes something more or less contagious?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-something-more-or-less-contagious/853406)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2020, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-something-more-or-less-contagious/853406 "2020-05-08T15:12:12Z")
What factor(s) determine the degree to which a disease is contagious? Does it have to do with the actual number of particles transferred? I.e. do some diseases require a more massive dose of infectious agents in order … --- ## [Clone Wars Season 7 (spoilers as eps are released)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clone-wars-season-7-spoilers-as-eps-are-released/848287)
**Author:** [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2020, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clone-wars-season-7-spoilers-as-eps-are-released/848287 "2020-05-08T15:06:51Z")
Wanted to give a heads-up that the final season of Clone Wars is dropping sometime today (Feb 21) on Disney+. I’ve been looking forward to this for a looong time! I’ll be watching it sometime this weekend and hopefully … --- ## [Why is "First Baptist" the biggest and fanciest?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-first-baptist-the-biggest-and-fanciest/853263)
**Author:** [@Sdowiat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sdowiat)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2020, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-first-baptist-the-biggest-and-fanciest/853263 "2020-05-08T13:34:14Z")
In the U.S., especially in the Southeast, there are a lot of Christian Evangelist churches. ( Catholic not too much ) Of all those other churches, the First Baptist is almost inevitably the largest and fanciest of th… --- ## ["Classic" movies or TV shows with situations or premises basically impossible today](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/classic-movies-or-tv-shows-with-situations-or-premises-basically-impossible-today/851922)
**Author:** [@robardin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robardin)\ **Replies:** 228\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2020, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/classic-movies-or-tv-shows-with-situations-or-premises-basically-impossible-today/851922 "2020-05-08T13:29:43Z")
About five years ago, when my two oldest kids were young teenagers, I put on a movie I remembered from my own youth at around the same age: National Lampoon’s “Vacation”. To my great surprise, they found it only mildly … --- ## [Cilajet Automobile "Paint Protector"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cilajet-automobile-paint-protector/535631)
**Author:** [@davekhps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davekhps)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2020, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cilajet-automobile-paint-protector/535631 "2020-05-08T13:26:36Z")
This may be a GQ or an IMHO, mods feel free to move. Basically, I’m looking for anyone who can vouch for the effectiveness/ineffectiveness of Cilajet, a brand of automotive paint protector, either through official cite … --- ## [Natural Non-dairy Cheddar Flavor?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/natural-non-dairy-cheddar-flavor/853351)
**Author:** [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2020, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/natural-non-dairy-cheddar-flavor/853351 "2020-05-08T13:03:26Z")
My wife buys a cheese-flavored snack popcorn called Skinnypop that makes all kinds of health claims like non-GMO, gluten free and certified vegan. It was this last claim that got my attention, as it is my understanding … --- ## [Would people have problems found a hill start in an automatic car?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-people-have-problems-found-a-hill-start-in-an-automatic-car/853291)
**Author:** [@Dunmurry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunmurry)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2020, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-people-have-problems-found-a-hill-start-in-an-automatic-car/853291 "2020-05-08T13:02:05Z")
Well if someone is doing a hill start or moving uphill in traffic or similar in a manual car or car with a manual transmission from some videos on YouTube about hill starts and some videos on YouTube about moving uphill … --- ## [Would you go to a virtual convention?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-go-to-a-virtual-convention/853370)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2020, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-go-to-a-virtual-convention/853370 "2020-05-08T12:52:27Z")
Science fiction, fantasy, gaming and other conventions are being cancelled left and right due to virus concerns, but The World Science Fiction Convention, which was to be held in New Zealand this year, has decided to go … --- ## [British kebab shops: What brand of White Garlic sauce and Red Chili sauce do they use](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-kebab-shops-what-brand-of-white-garlic-sauce-and-red-chili-sauce-do-they-use/853345)
**Author:** [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2020, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-kebab-shops-what-brand-of-white-garlic-sauce-and-red-chili-sauce-do-they-use/853345 "2020-05-08T12:46:11Z")
One of the things I miss the most about Britain is a late night doner kebab. I can replicate just about all the ingredients save the above two sauces. There are recipes all over the internet for making them, but they j… --- ## [The Sports Gene...Help me understand & why can't I have it](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sports-gene-help-me-understand-why-cant-i-have-it/852860)
**Author:** [@Sdowiat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sdowiat)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2020, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sports-gene-help-me-understand-why-cant-i-have-it/852860 "2020-05-08T12:23:29Z")
I’m a 50’sh year old well adjusted guy living in the Southeast. The love of SEC Football is HUGE here. I’m a reasonably social guy with friends and all… But I’d like more. So much of it all seems to be centered aro… --- ## [Downloadable greeting cards](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downloadable-greeting-cards/853400)
**Author:** [@Keeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeve)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2020, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downloadable-greeting-cards/853400 "2020-05-08T11:02:04Z")
Mothers Day is coming up fast. I’d rather download a printable card than go to the store, and I don’t mind paying a price comparable to what I’d pay at a store. Google found me loads of sites that do this, but so far, ev… --- ## [Andy Serkis to raise COVID-19 relief funds by reading entire Hobbit live online](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andy-serkis-to-raise-covid-19-relief-funds-by-reading-entire-hobbit-live-online/853369)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2020, 10:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andy-serkis-to-raise-covid-19-relief-funds-by-reading-entire-hobbit-live-online/853369 "2020-05-08T10:46:03Z")
I’m guessing he’ll do Gollum’s voice pretty well. --- ## [Vaping saves lives - regulation should keep that in mind](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vaping-saves-lives-regulation-should-keep-that-in-mind/799201)
**Author:** [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Replies:** 215\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2020, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vaping-saves-lives-regulation-should-keep-that-in-mind/799201 "2020-05-01T20:00:57Z")
E-cigarettes are less dangerous than cigarettes but are equally effective at delivering nicotine. Levy et al. estimate that if smokers switched to e-cigarettes millions of life-years would be saved, even taking into ac… --- ## [Ebola infects immune system cells](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebola-infects-immune-system-cells/853392)
**Author:** [@MaverocK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaverocK)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2020, 9:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebola-infects-immune-system-cells/853392 "2020-05-08T09:10:29Z")
I just watched Kurzgesagt’s video on Ebola virus: The Ebola Virus Explained — How Your Body Fights For Survival - YouTube From the video, the virus appears to infect macrophages, natural killer cells and T cells. What a… --- ## [Is poker gambling?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-poker-gambling/687645)
**Author:** [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [May 7, 2014, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-poker-gambling/687645 "2014-05-07T03:02:28Z")
I’m trying to convince people that it’s not, but I wanted to see what arguments are out there. Preferably, examples should be about hold 'em. My main argument is about odds. If you will make your hand 1 out of 3 times (… --- ## [Entertainment ideas for an old blind man](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainment-ideas-for-an-old-blind-man/802158)
**Author:** [@Tom\_Terrific](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Terrific)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2017, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainment-ideas-for-an-old-blind-man/802158 "2017-11-21T12:59:09Z")
My father in law is 85 yrs old and lives in a assisted living/nursing home. He has macular degeneration. He is also very frail and uses a walker. He can’t watch TV, work his suduco or crossword puzzles anymore, so he is… --- ## [Trump + Pence = Con Men](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pence-con-men/853084)
**Author:** [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2020, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pence-con-men/853084 "2020-05-08T07:50:29Z")
Recent threads on picture algebra remind me that we haven’t played word arithmetic lately:Announcing the 2020 Word Arithmetic Contest. There will be a prize for the best submission. Here’s an example: TRUMP + PENCE … --- ## [German question: use of the word 'erteilen'](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/german-question-use-of-the-word-erteilen/853353)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2020, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/german-question-use-of-the-word-erteilen/853353 "2020-05-08T07:08:20Z")
Hi I’ve seen the word ‘erteilen’ used for "Aufgabe’(class work) but never for “Prüfung/Klausur”. I hope a native German speaker can tell me whether the word ‘erteilen’ can be used in the context of giving an exam. I lo… --- ## [Old (North American) telephone exchanges - Buffalo in particular](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-north-american-telephone-exchanges-buffalo-in-particular/853303)
**Author:** [@Mark\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mark_Finn)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2020, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-north-american-telephone-exchanges-buffalo-in-particular/853303 "2020-05-08T06:12:20Z")
In the 1950’s, phone numbers were changing all over North America to become two letters followed by 5 numbers (many were only 4 numbers). The proposal was to have them converted to all numbers (7) sometime in the future… --- ## [Blue Angels just completed their flyby!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-angels-just-completed-their-flyby/853277)
**Author:** [@txjim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/txjim)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2020, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-angels-just-completed-their-flyby/853277 "2020-05-08T05:28:40Z")
I work in Richardson, Texas and have to be at work most days due to the nature of my job. As it turns out, the Blue Angels flyover of the Dallas/Ft Worth area included a direct route over my facility. Appeared from the… --- ## [Are there political yard signs in countries other than the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-political-yard-signs-in-countries-other-than-the-us/853085)
**Author:** [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2020, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-political-yard-signs-in-countries-other-than-the-us/853085 "2020-05-08T05:27:03Z")
My son is getting a political science minor, and he asked me that question. I’ve never seen one in Germany, but haven’t driven enough in other countries to have a grounded opinion. --- ## [Do Women Have Better Hair Genes or what?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-women-have-better-hair-genes-or-what/853091)
**Author:** [@cornflakes2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cornflakes2)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2020, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-women-have-better-hair-genes-or-what/853091 "2020-05-08T05:13:04Z")
I always wondered why females have long hair (allow their hair to grow long) and males keep their hair short. Where did this come from? Who decided this should be the general ideal for male and females? Why couldn’t … --- ## [How many people is Trump trying to kill with inane suggestions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-people-is-trump-trying-to-kill-with-inane-suggestions/852480)
**Author:** [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Replies:** 124\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2020, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-people-is-trump-trying-to-kill-with-inane-suggestions/852480 "2020-05-08T05:03:49Z")
Latest one: Inject some disinfectant, or shine super-bright UV into your lungs. --- ## ["Plandemic" (conspiracy theory video taken down from You Tube)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plandemic-conspiracy-theory-video-taken-down-from-you-tube/853301)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2020, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plandemic-conspiracy-theory-video-taken-down-from-you-tube/853301 "2020-05-08T04:23:19Z")
This came up on Facebook earlier, and was already gone from YT by the time I clicked on the link. In short, it’s a interview with a scientist who has been discredited for her unorthodox views on, among other things, HIV… --- ## [Martha Grimes, Richard Jury series, The Old Success -- yuck!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martha-grimes-richard-jury-series-the-old-success-yuck/853381)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2020, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martha-grimes-richard-jury-series-the-old-success-yuck/853381 "2020-05-08T04:20:39Z")
A brief book review and expression of disappointment. I started reading this series when it was new and followed it religiously for a while. Then the quality started declining so I’ve missed more than a few. I got this … --- ## [Our democracy is sliding into oblivion (as Trump wants to close USPS)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/our-democracy-is-sliding-into-oblivion-as-trump-wants-to-close-usps/852227)
**Author:** [@contradancer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/contradancer)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2020, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/our-democracy-is-sliding-into-oblivion-as-trump-wants-to-close-usps/852227 "2020-05-08T04:01:33Z")
Now Trump wants to close the post office. Social Security recipients who don’t have a bank account get checks by mail as an exception. they have to go to one of those check cashing places. I found this out when I live… --- ## [Movies with gongs.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-with-gongs/850782)
**Author:** [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2020, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-with-gongs/850782 "2020-05-08T03:57:36Z")
For reasons too mundane to go into, I am in need of movie clips of gongs being rung. The Rank Organization had an intro at the beginning of their movies of a strongman striking a large gong. And (likely an homage) ther… --- ## [Unusual song structure for Mr. Big's "To Be With You": Other examples in pop music?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unusual-song-structure-for-mr-bigs-to-be-with-you-other-examples-in-pop-music/853371)
**Author:** [@Ponch8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponch8)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2020, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unusual-song-structure-for-mr-bigs-to-be-with-you-other-examples-in-pop-music/853371 "2020-05-08T03:19:02Z")
Lots and lots of pop songs have key changes (generally moving up a step or half a step, e.g., C major to C# major). I’m sure we could come up with a huge list of pop or rock songs that do this. Mr. Big’s 1991 hit"To Be… --- ## [So, who will be the Democratic nominee?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-who-will-be-the-democratic-nominee/852693)
**Author:** [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2020, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-who-will-be-the-democratic-nominee/852693 "2020-05-08T02:34:07Z")
I ask because I heard a long-time Biden supporter today state that her candidate is in “real trouble” due to the combination of a continuous stream of gaffes and a sexual assault allegation that needs to die but doesn’t … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1885) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1887)