# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=274&state=watching [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 275 --- ## [Electric Trains on Hot Days](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-trains-on-hot-days/1020329)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2025, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-trains-on-hot-days/1020329 "2025-07-23T23:45:15Z")
Why do electrified trains have to obey a slower speed limit on hot days? I always thought it is because the overhead wires expand and droop more (from catenary action). Thus, the pantograph is more likely to snap a wire.… --- ## [Opinions sought (inheritance)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-sought-inheritance/1021127)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 101\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2025, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-sought-inheritance/1021127 "2025-07-23T23:11:08Z")
TL;DR I really don’t know where to look for advice on this subject. I am asking for opinions than actual advice. Here is the situation. My wife and I are in our late 80s. We have assets that will likely be in the ne… --- ## [Elerebal Reserve Oedo of Goveryaeb](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elerebal-reserve-oedo-of-goveryaeb/1021222)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2025, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elerebal-reserve-oedo-of-goveryaeb/1021222 "2025-07-23T22:00:10Z")
That’s what appears to be written around the seal of the Federal Reserve in the fake Jerome Powell resignation latter, apparently the result of AI generation. I love it. It sounds like the name and planet of origin of … --- ## [A baseball scoring question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-baseball-scoring-question/1021219)
**Author:** [@LoneRhino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LoneRhino)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2025, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-baseball-scoring-question/1021219 "2025-07-23T21:25:47Z")
Pitcher A walks Batter X. Pitcher B comes into the game and gets Batter Y to hit into a force play with X being out and Y on 1st base. Y later scores. Which pitcher gets charged with the run. A or B? --- ## [How do I get live location updates in a vehicle?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-live-location-updates-in-a-vehicle/1021151)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2025, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-live-location-updates-in-a-vehicle/1021151 "2025-07-23T20:55:02Z")
I’m a passenger traveling on the highway. I want to see a live map of my vehicle’s location. The current speed would be a nice feature. I’ve seen YouTube car revivals and the driver uses GPS to check speed. The 50 yea… --- ## [Was there an earlier attempt to build a Channel Tunnel?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-there-an-earlier-attempt-to-build-a-channel-tunnel/1021105)
**Author:** [@Hatchie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hatchie)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2025, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-there-an-earlier-attempt-to-build-a-channel-tunnel/1021105 "2025-07-23T20:54:48Z")
To answer my own question, yes: Wikipedia notes that it was proposed more than once, and work started on both the English and French side in 1882, abandoned in 1883 with over a mile of tunnel built. I was watching a hun… --- ## [I got 4 really nice Adirondack chairs for free off Craigs today!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-4-really-nice-adirondack-chairs-for-free-off-craigs-today/1021211)
**Author:** [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2025, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-4-really-nice-adirondack-chairs-for-free-off-craigs-today/1021211 "2025-07-23T20:26:06Z")
They was a little wobbly, but I quickly identified the key spot for a couple of fresh bolts. A little engineering, stuff I had on hand, and a few minutes of labour-of-love and I got a killer set-up outside. The Crew tri… --- ## [Fuel economy of freight trains?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuel-economy-of-freight-trains/449202)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2025, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuel-economy-of-freight-trains/449202 "2025-07-23T17:21:45Z")
Lately in the DC market, an ad has been running on the radio promoting freight trains as an efficient means of transportation. They say that a freight train can ship a ton of freight 476 miles on a gallon of gas. Later… --- ## [Sacagawea](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sacagawea/776190)
**Author:** [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2025, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sacagawea/776190 "2025-07-23T17:10:01Z")
Link to Staff Report I dunno if Bibliophage is still around, but I enjoyed this staff report. Well done. --- ## [RIP Malcolm-Jamal Warner (July 21, 2025)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-malcolm-jamal-warner-july-21-2025/1021156)
**Author:** [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2025, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-malcolm-jamal-warner-july-21-2025/1021156 "2025-07-23T15:41:24Z")
Malcom-Jamal Warner has died in an accidental drowing: I’ve always liked him, and had really enjoyed him on The Resident. --- ## [I'm building a house! How can you help?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-building-a-house-how-can-you-help/1021181)
**Author:** [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2025, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-building-a-house-how-can-you-help/1021181 "2025-07-23T13:37:21Z")
I’ve been watching this guy Justus Reid who is an American living in Serbia(?) who bought a house for €5,000 and is now making daily videos about renovating the house and the land. The most amazing thing about his video… --- ## [Sunset Boulevard 75th anniversary](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sunset-boulevard-75th-anniversary/1021189)
**Author:** [@peedin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peedin)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2025, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sunset-boulevard-75th-anniversary/1021189 "2025-07-23T12:57:52Z")
Max! This movie turns 75 this year and is being shown in theaters August 3 and 4. I got my ticket and look forward to seeing this masterpiece on the big screen. Gloria Swanson, William Holden, and Erich von Stroheim. … --- ## [What food price increase most surprises you?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-food-price-increase-most-surprises-you/1021039)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2025, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-food-price-increase-most-surprises-you/1021039 "2025-07-23T12:42:17Z")
This morning my wife came home and said our usual coffee was going for $19 a can - which was more than she could bring herself to pay. So she went with a cheaper brand. Sometime before covid it was $9, so it has more t… --- ## [Trump bloody after shots fired at a Trump Rally: Jul 13, 2024](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-bloody-after-shots-fired-at-a-trump-rally-jul-13-2024/1004162)
**Author:** [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Replies:** 923\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2025, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-bloody-after-shots-fired-at-a-trump-rally-jul-13-2024/1004162 "2025-07-23T11:25:06Z")
Just saw it live. Holy Crap! More to come… --- ## [Car crash - safety systems did not seem to work well](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-crash-safety-systems-did-not-seem-to-work-well/1021200)
**Author:** [@mandala](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mandala)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2025, 9:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-crash-safety-systems-did-not-seem-to-work-well/1021200 "2025-07-23T09:41:00Z")
I was in a car crash recently; I got away unhurt, but my car was totaled. I want opinions from folks here on the car’s safety systems that did not seem to work as advertised. From the 3-lane roadway, I entered the leftm… --- ## [More waving at people](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-waving-at-people/1021193)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2025, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-waving-at-people/1021193 "2025-07-23T05:50:32Z")
Take off from this thread: I was in my car in line at Chick Fil A when I spotted some movement in the restaurant. Two middle Eastern teenagers at a table were trying to get my attention. When I looked at them they flas… --- ## [Law in the state of India-na](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/law-in-the-state-of-india-na/1009793)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2025, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/law-in-the-state-of-india-na/1009793 "2025-07-23T05:42:26Z")
Let us imagine that the great state of Indiana was selected by the followers of Hinduism as their shared homeland within the USA. Further, let’s assume that their numbers are so great that they are able to become X major… --- ## [Do any lawyers know someone who became a lawyer through reading the law?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-lawyers-know-someone-who-became-a-lawyer-through-reading-the-law/831334)
**Author:** [@dorvann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorvann)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2025, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-lawyers-know-someone-who-became-a-lawyer-through-reading-the-law/831334 "2025-07-23T04:58:50Z")
California, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington still allow people to take the bar exam and become lawyers without going to law school. I was wondering if any lawyers(or anyone else) knew someone who became a lawyer throu… --- ## [Can someone explain Nathan Fielder's "The Rehearsal" to me?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-nathan-fielders-the-rehearsal-to-me/1019983)
**Author:** [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2025, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-nathan-fielders-the-rehearsal-to-me/1019983 "2025-07-23T04:10:18Z")
A friend mentioned this show to me because the second season ended with Fielder apparently flying a 737. I knew nothing about the show before watching that episode and… I just didn’t get it. I see it’s supposed to be a … --- ## [I am suddenly getting responses to somebody's spam email even though I am not To or cc](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-suddenly-getting-responses-to-somebodys-spam-email-even-though-i-am-not-to-or-cc/1021198)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2025, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-suddenly-getting-responses-to-somebodys-spam-email-even-though-i-am-not-to-or-cc/1021198 "2025-07-23T02:33:59Z")
How can I be receiving emails that are not addressed to me? I have received about eight emails in rapid succession that all appear to be responses (they are autoresponses, except one, which is an angry screed against sc… --- ## [Anno City Builder Series](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anno-city-builder-series/1021086)
**Author:** [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2025, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anno-city-builder-series/1021086 "2025-07-23T00:57:03Z")
I didn’t see any existing threads for this series of games, so I figured I’d make one. Both to discuss my ongoing adventures in Anno 1800, and to discuss the upcoming Anno 117. Anno is a City builder series. I’ve only p… --- ## [Roads Are Most Slippery Just After it Starts Raining](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roads-are-most-slippery-just-after-it-starts-raining/1021159)
**Author:** [@jjakucyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjakucyk)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2025, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roads-are-most-slippery-just-after-it-starts-raining/1021159 "2025-07-23T00:36:12Z")
This is a frequently repeated claim, that roads/pavement are the most slippery in the first 10 minutes or so after rain starts, because the rain brings dirt, brake dust, tire rubber, and oils to the surface. After it’s … --- ## [Do adult women wear capelets (AI warning)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-adult-women-wear-capelets-ai-warning/1021162)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2025, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-adult-women-wear-capelets-ai-warning/1021162 "2025-07-22T23:00:33Z")
I’ve oft seen younger girls (viz, pre-adolescent) wear garments like this. \[Album\] imgur.com … --- ## [What causes dry eyes and lungs when the air is very humid?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-causes-dry-eyes-and-lungs-when-the-air-is-very-humid/1021204)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2025, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-causes-dry-eyes-and-lungs-when-the-air-is-very-humid/1021204 "2025-07-22T22:33:21Z")
Ever since I moved into a different apartment, the internal air was really humid (69-72% humidity), so I ran a big dehumidifier to try to get it down. I also got two digital hygrometers. What happened then was rather od… --- ## [Battle of Midway: what time?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/battle-of-midway-what-time/1021167)
**Author:** [@Timz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Timz)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2025, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/battle-of-midway-what-time/1021167 "2025-07-22T19:50:45Z")
Everyone’s read about the history-making five minutes, 10:25 to 10:30, when the Dauntlesses hit the three Japanese carriers. Was that Hawaii time, or what? How far west did the battle take place? First guess is it was H… --- ## [You’re on Jeopardy: what’s your interview anecdote?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-re-on-jeopardy-what-s-your-interview-anecdote/1021150)
**Author:** [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2025, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-re-on-jeopardy-what-s-your-interview-anecdote/1021150 "2025-07-22T19:41:05Z")
Put another way, what line should Ken Jennings (or Alex Trebeck, if the world was fair) feed you to elicit a short, interesting blurb during the brief interview portion of Jeopardy, held during the first round once the s… --- ## [The end of an era. Ozzy Osbourne retires](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-of-an-era-ozzy-osbourne-retires/979235)
**Author:** [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2025, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-of-an-era-ozzy-osbourne-retires/979235 "2025-07-22T18:43:44Z")
Not much to add to that. I’ve always been a fan, but was never able to see him in concert. --- ## [Does sports talk radio (in the US) pay any attention to soccer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-sports-talk-radio-in-the-us-pay-any-attention-to-soccer/1021131)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2025, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-sports-talk-radio-in-the-us-pay-any-attention-to-soccer/1021131 "2025-07-22T18:20:19Z")
I haven’t really listened to sports talk radio in over a decade, but when I did, the nationally syndicated and local shows alike both treated soccer somewhere on a continuum from hostile indifference to unmasked hostilit… --- ## [HVAC DEAD--I wish I was, too](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hvac-dead-i-wish-i-was-too/1021081)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2025, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hvac-dead-i-wish-i-was-too/1021081 "2025-07-22T18:20:04Z")
In the South, with no AC. Motherboard inj HVAC died. Tech may or may not be able to jury-rig a temp fix. But a new motherboard may take 2 months to get here from China. --- ## [Crazy flooding in our area](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crazy-flooding-in-our-area/1021112)
**Author:** [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2025, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crazy-flooding-in-our-area/1021112 "2025-07-22T17:50:17Z")
We live just outside Washington, DC on the Maryland side, and got around 5 inches of rain in a fairly short period of time yesterday afternoon/evening. People living next to a nearby creek were advised to evacuate, and … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=273&state=watching) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=275&state=watching)