# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1912 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1913 --- ## [What percent of divorces go to trial?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-percent-of-divorces-go-to-trial/834013)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2020, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-percent-of-divorces-go-to-trial/834013 "2020-04-22T17:44:46Z")
My friend is in a bitter divorce and they cannot settle it so they are going to trial in a few weeks. According to him his wife is asking for things a retired judge as mediator said she will never get. I’m divorce… --- ## [A Feud for the Isolated (Crossposted at Giraffeboards) \[Game Over\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-feud-for-the-isolated-crossposted-at-giraffeboards-game-over/849976)
**Author:** [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2020, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-feud-for-the-isolated-crossposted-at-giraffeboards-game-over/849976 "2020-04-22T17:34:39Z")
Object of the game: Give the most popular answer for each category. You want to match the other people in the game. Rules: No reading the thread before answering. This is on the honor system. Formatting rules must be… --- ## [Why do steam locomotives "chug" (the noise they make...chugga chugga chugga)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-steam-locomotives-chug-the-noise-they-make-chugga-chugga-chugga/852114)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2020, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-steam-locomotives-chug-the-noise-they-make-chugga-chugga-chugga/852114 "2020-04-22T17:28:35Z")
Title kinda says it all. You can hear the noise here. I thought the smoke stack was for wood/coal being burned to heat the water in the boiler. Steam was used to push the piston that drove the wheels. Excess steam is… --- ## [2I/Borisov: latest observations?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2i-borisov-latest-observations/846208)
**Author:** [@jerez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jerez)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2020, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2i-borisov-latest-observations/846208 "2020-04-22T17:27:55Z")
Anyone hear of any recent observations of 2I/Borisov? It’s an interstellar comet (the first was Oumuamua) that was supposed to reach its closest point to earth on December 28th. There doesn’t seem to be any new informati… --- ## [Will the ratio of deaths to recoveries maintain a constant ratio as the illness progresses](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-ratio-of-deaths-to-recoveries-maintain-a-constant-ratio-as-the-illness-progresses/852362)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2020, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-ratio-of-deaths-to-recoveries-maintain-a-constant-ratio-as-the-illness-progresses/852362 "2020-04-22T17:24:42Z")
The rate of death to recovery varies by country, and I’m sure a big part of it is how many people get tested (the more widely available the tests are, the more people who will recover vs die). In the US I think we only … --- ## [who was the better sherlock holmes - jeremy brett or basil rathbone?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-the-better-sherlock-holmes-jeremy-brett-or-basil-rathbone/358652)
**Author:** [@cactus\_waltz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cactus_waltz)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2020, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-the-better-sherlock-holmes-jeremy-brett-or-basil-rathbone/358652 "2020-04-22T16:59:11Z")
I’m taking a plunge into BBC Sherlock Holmes series. I watched the Jeremy Brett series as a kid and I think his delivery is spot-on. Though, how do the two compare? Or are there perhaps an even greater portrayal of Holme… --- ## [Where are the best places to purchase eyeglasses online?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-the-best-places-to-purchase-eyeglasses-online/612940)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2012, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-the-best-places-to-purchase-eyeglasses-online/612940 "2012-03-04T01:46:45Z")
I need a new pair of glasses, but I keep on not finding the time to go to an optician and have a pair made. But I’ve become increasingly aware that a lot of people are buying glasses online. So where do my fellow Doper… --- ## [Botanists and gardeners, what kind of plant/flower is this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/botanists-and-gardeners-what-kind-of-plant-flower-is-this/851951)
**Author:** [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2020, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/botanists-and-gardeners-what-kind-of-plant-flower-is-this/851951 "2020-04-22T16:42:49Z")
Mystery Plant. To elaborate on the photos, the flowers have five petals, look somewhat like wild roses as best I can tell, and do have a faint rose like odor. However, there is nary a thorn to be seen. So I’m pretty s… --- ## [A question for Dr. Birx](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-for-dr-birx/852309)
**Author:** [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2020, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-for-dr-birx/852309 "2020-04-22T16:40:52Z")
Dr. Birx: Do you have a separate, huge, walk-in closet just for all the goddamn scarves you own? --- ## [Why are Fortnite updates so slow and space hungry?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-fortnite-updates-so-slow-and-space-hungry/852318)
**Author:** [@Doug\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_K)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2020, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-fortnite-updates-so-slow-and-space-hungry/852318 "2020-04-22T16:13:45Z")
Not to mention frequent. Tonight’s was bad, but not as bad as a couple of weeks ago. Tonight’s only took about two hours. But a couple of weeks ago I had an hour to kill. When I started the game launcher it said it was… --- ## [Missed field goals: Why not treat them like incomplete passes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/missed-field-goals-why-not-treat-them-like-incomplete-passes/851949)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2020, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/missed-field-goals-why-not-treat-them-like-incomplete-passes/851949 "2020-04-22T14:42:26Z")
Something that has bugged me about football, although I’m sure my opinion is in the minority: In football, it doesn’t matter if you kick the field goal on 1st down or 4th down, if you miss, the other team automatically … --- ## [1964 Alaska Earthquake.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1964-alaska-earthquake/787058)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2020, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1964-alaska-earthquake/787058 "2020-04-22T14:21:28Z")
Here, listen to this. It recounts the history of the earthquake and centers on Jenny Chance, the “newsgirl” for the local radio station. It is well worth your time. --- ## [Backfiring harmful to car? (I hope so)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/backfiring-harmful-to-car-i-hope-so/852194)
**Author:** [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2020, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/backfiring-harmful-to-car-i-hope-so/852194 "2020-04-22T13:51:34Z")
There’s an idiot in town driving a BMW that, I guess, is supposed to be some sort of race car or something and the exhaust is annoyingly loud. It seems he likes to get on the gas hard at every opportunity, even when the… --- ## [NYT article on black hole Sagittarius A\*](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyt-article-on-black-hole-sagittarius-a/852229)
**Author:** [@EdwardLost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EdwardLost)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2020, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyt-article-on-black-hole-sagittarius-a/852229 "2020-04-22T13:32:47Z")
This New York Times article below from a few days ago is about star S2, which closely orbits the Milky Way central black hole. The observation is that S2’s orbit processes in agreement with relativistic calculations. Th… --- ## [Kitchen Mold Source?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kitchen-mold-source/852275)
**Author:** [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2020, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kitchen-mold-source/852275 "2020-04-22T12:48:40Z")
I can remember seeing a 2 part mold \[perhaps in tin or tinned some other metal\] that produced a shape that looked like a proper roasted chicken, legs, wings and all. It was a life sized version of this silicone soap mold\[… --- ## [Rock the Boat line dance from Derry Girls](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-the-boat-line-dance-from-derry-girls/839498)
**Author:** [@Steve\_McQwark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_McQwark)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2020, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-the-boat-line-dance-from-derry-girls/839498 "2020-04-22T11:46:01Z")
I was watching “Derry Girls” on Netflix and in episode 4 of season 2 they are at a wedding reception when the song “Rock the Boat” starts playing. Everyone gets excited, rushes onto the dance floor, and starts a line dan… --- ## [Hair product question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hair-product-question/852281)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2020, 8:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hair-product-question/852281 "2020-04-22T08:55:30Z")
Are creme rinse and conditioner the same thing? I remember creme rinse as a product used to detangle hair, while conditioner was used for volume and split ends, but when I went to the store the other day I couldn’t find… --- ## [Legal status of Mars colony](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-status-of-mars-colony/852219)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2020, 8:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-status-of-mars-colony/852219 "2020-04-22T08:36:31Z")
If in the next few decades Elon Musk’s dream of founding a colony on Mars comes to pass, what will be it’s legal status? Since the 1967 Outer Space Treaty forbids nationalization of bodies in outer space, will such a col… --- ## [Key copying accuracy - Home Depot vs. Ace Hardware](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/key-copying-accuracy-home-depot-vs-ace-hardware/694067)
**Author:** [@weef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/weef)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2020, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/key-copying-accuracy-home-depot-vs-ace-hardware/694067 "2020-04-22T08:23:28Z")
I recently had to make a number of copies of house and car keys and depending where I was at the time I either chose Home Depot or Ace Hardware. Until this point in my life I don’t think I’ve ever had a copied key that d… --- ## [What is the longest "geographically sequential" place name you've seen.?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-longest-geographically-sequential-place-name-youve-seen/852139)
**Author:** [@jebert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jebert)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2020, 8:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-longest-geographically-sequential-place-name-youve-seen/852139 "2020-04-22T08:05:15Z")
I’ve seen examples of places that seem to have been named in an expanding sequence of geographic terms (unfortunately I can’t come up with a real-life example right now). For example, let’s say there was a mountain name… --- ## [Washing face with warm, then cold water (or only either)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washing-face-with-warm-then-cold-water-or-only-either/852323)
**Author:** [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2020, 7:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washing-face-with-warm-then-cold-water-or-only-either/852323 "2020-04-22T07:27:01Z")
What are the effects (beneficial or otherwise) of washing one’s face with first warm water, and then with cold water? Are there any advantages to only washing with warm water? Or only cold? I’m wondering about potential… --- ## [Homemade ravioli - give me your recipes!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homemade-ravioli-give-me-your-recipes/851977)
**Author:** [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2020, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homemade-ravioli-give-me-your-recipes/851977 "2020-04-22T07:23:03Z")
I have the time, so I thought I’d make a stab at ravioli. I’m a passionate cook, but usually avoid ravioli as too much trouble for too quick a reward. But things have changed. I have 00 Tipo/pasta flour and eggs. I can … --- ## [Simple electrical question (I hope)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-electrical-question-i-hope/852265)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2020, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-electrical-question-i-hope/852265 "2020-04-22T06:18:15Z")
I have 3 wall sconces in our bathroom and will be removing one and replacing the other two. Since one of the fixtures will be removed I need to know what to do with the loose wires once I take out the fixture. I’m expect… --- ## [African-American police officers, pre-Civil Rights Era](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/african-american-police-officers-pre-civil-rights-era/852221)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2020, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/african-american-police-officers-pre-civil-rights-era/852221 "2020-04-22T02:53:49Z")
I know there were some, but how did this work out in practice? Were they assigned beats only in black or black-majority neighborhoods? Were they respected by the community or did blacks regard them as Toms, tools of the … --- ## [Compare and Contrast!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compare-and-contrast/851195)
**Author:** [@Sdowiat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sdowiat)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2020, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compare-and-contrast/851195 "2020-04-22T02:19:44Z")
Do you remember when teachers used to correct our statements? Now it seems they only create inconsistencies. What’s up with assignments to “Compare and Contrast” things? To compare means not only to look at how thin… --- ## [Discovering your inner & heretofore unknown hoarding instinct](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discovering-your-inner-heretofore-unknown-hoarding-instinct/851250)
**Author:** [@DummyGladHands](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DummyGladHands)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2020, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discovering-your-inner-heretofore-unknown-hoarding-instinct/851250 "2020-04-22T02:13:36Z")
I try to be a decent member of the human race. I have been pretty desperate for white vinegar. I need it for laundry, if I don’t rinse with it, I break out in really bad itches. Been looking since this shit started. Las… --- ## [Were there any social practices permanently killed off by The Spanish Flu?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-there-any-social-practices-permanently-killed-off-by-the-spanish-flu/852234)
**Author:** [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2020, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-there-any-social-practices-permanently-killed-off-by-the-spanish-flu/852234 "2020-04-22T02:10:13Z")
This question about buffets and other speculations about the future of cruise ships and the like has me wondering, was there anything that was common before The Spanish Flu that became virtually extinct afterwards becaus… --- ## [Golly, Tom Lester is back on Heavenly Green Acres. He was 81.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/golly-tom-lester-is-back-on-heavenly-green-acres-he-was-81/852238)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2020, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/golly-tom-lester-is-back-on-heavenly-green-acres-he-was-81/852238 "2020-04-22T02:04:39Z")
Oliver Douglas,Lisa and Eb are my favorite characters on Green Acres. Tom Lester did a great job portraying Eb. He brought a innocence and truthful approach to Eb. I would have enjoyed a glass of lemonade and a basketbal… --- ## [Origin of 6 feet apart for social distancing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-6-feet-apart-for-social-distancing/852248)
**Author:** [@cmosdes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmosdes)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2020, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-6-feet-apart-for-social-distancing/852248 "2020-04-22T01:50:10Z")
A couple of questions about the 6’ or 2m rule. I heard it came from a study of a sick person on an airplane and looking at the passengers around them that then ended up getting sick. That makes sense. But is that truly… --- ## [Is Bloomberg still dumping a ton of money into the 2020 election](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bloomberg-still-dumping-a-ton-of-money-into-the-2020-election/851997)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2020, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bloomberg-still-dumping-a-ton-of-money-into-the-2020-election/851997 "2020-04-22T01:24:38Z")
He said he would support Biden financially, but with the stock market collapse I think Bloomberg has lost 20 billion in net worth at his lowest after the stock collapse. I think he has gained some back, and right now it… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1911) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1913)