# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=292 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 293 --- ## [Why do classic names have diminutives / nicknames that change the initial?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-classic-names-have-diminutives-nicknames-that-change-the-initial/1019916)
**Author:** [@themapleleaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/themapleleaf)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2025, 10:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-classic-names-have-diminutives-nicknames-that-change-the-initial/1019916 "2025-06-23T10:46:15Z")
There is - or was - a tendency in English to take very common names and for a nickname to develop that changed out the initial. To wit: Richard —\> Rick—\>Dick. In the past (until it started to be common as slang for a ce… --- ## [Question about a failing electric stovetop burner element](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-a-failing-electric-stovetop-burner-element/1019813)
**Author:** [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2025, 9:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-a-failing-electric-stovetop-burner-element/1019813 "2025-06-23T09:07:22Z")
We have an electric stove that has two two-burner cartridge inserts (for a total of 4 burners). The left side cartridge insert has large and small traditional coil-style burners, like the kind Grandma used, where the pan… --- ## [(Old) Every Girl Crazy 'Bout A Sharp Dressed MMP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-every-girl-crazy-bout-a-sharp-dressed-mmp/1019688)
**Author:** [@dogbutler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dogbutler)\ **Replies:** 296\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2025, 8:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-every-girl-crazy-bout-a-sharp-dressed-mmp/1019688 "2025-06-23T08:51:22Z")
Today is my official Brown 5 Year Anniversary date, which means I get a vest. Or I’m 100% vested in the pension. I get those two confused. In any case, it means a few bucks, so in a non-Apocalypse scenario, I can affo… --- ## [What to make of a US E-4B doomsday plane going to D.C](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-make-of-a-us-e-4b-doomsday-plane-going-to-d-c/1019844)
**Author:** [@justdoit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justdoit)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2025, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-make-of-a-us-e-4b-doomsday-plane-going-to-d-c/1019844 "2025-06-23T05:36:19Z")
One of these doomsday plans made an unexpected stop in D.C. yesterday and I was wondering how alarming is this. Is Trump preparing for a big war with Iran? Would they be capable of attacking him with a bomb blast so he… --- ## [Hey night auditor, I can send as many elevators to the top floor I want!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-night-auditor-i-can-send-as-many-elevators-to-the-top-floor-i-want/1013974)
**Author:** [@MW\_Degen\_Gamblr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MW_Degen_Gamblr)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2025, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-night-auditor-i-can-send-as-many-elevators-to-the-top-floor-i-want/1013974 "2025-06-23T05:09:51Z")
Not really… I essentially live in hotels, so I know what is normal and what is not. When I first arrived I was told that the set of elevators closest to the front desk were not working, and to use the second set. I was … --- ## [How will U.S. Politics affect the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-u-s-politics-affect-the-2028-los-angeles-olympics/1019959)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2025, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-u-s-politics-affect-the-2028-los-angeles-olympics/1019959 "2025-06-23T03:39:24Z")
The Los Angeles Summer Olympics are supposed to run from July 14 to July 30 in 2028, and the Trump government will still be fully in power. Are there any safeguards in place to ensure that pretty much all countries will… --- ## [Jack Reacher is a serial killer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jack-reacher-is-a-serial-killer/1019886)
**Author:** [@New\_Labor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/New_Labor)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2025, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jack-reacher-is-a-serial-killer/1019886 "2025-06-23T02:50:30Z")
I have enjoyed all the Reacher books, they are good pot boilers. Last month I was talking with my brother about Reacher. His opinion is that Reacher is a serial killer. That got me thinking. Vigilante? Yes, for sure. Se… --- ## [How do I copy an image into a thread?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-copy-an-image-into-a-thread/1011981)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2025, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-copy-an-image-into-a-thread/1011981 "2025-06-23T01:33:58Z")
I know there must be a way to copy a still image into a thread, since it’s frequently done. How do I do that? (eg images from Wikimedia Commons or media items.) --- ## [I Pit Split\_p\_j](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-split-p-j/941620)
**Author:** [@Mighty\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Mouse)\ **Replies:** 1472\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2025, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-split-p-j/941620 "2025-06-23T01:21:15Z")
My first pitting! This tool comes out guns blazing in the Derek Chauvin thread claiming to have a smoking gun, but when shown that the gun is actually a steaming turd, just keeps repeating the same nonsense again and ag… --- ## [Split\_p\_j is banned](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/split-p-j-is-banned/1019992)
**Author:** [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2025, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/split-p-j-is-banned/1019992 "2025-06-23T00:24:13Z")
It should not surprise anyone, including the subject of this post, that Split\_p\_j has been banned. This poster was instructed to stop posting about conspiracy theories, and after two temporary suspensions for violating… --- ## [Indiana Jones and the Great Circle](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/indiana-jones-and-the-great-circle/1011507)
**Author:** [@Yodalicious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yodalicious)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2025, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/indiana-jones-and-the-great-circle/1011507 "2025-06-23T00:12:36Z")
Anyone else playing? Thoughts? I’m only a few hours in, still in the Vatican, but it’s by far my favorite game this year. I’m not really a fan of first person games, but I loves me some Dr. Jones, so had to play. I d… --- ## [I'm buying a small room window A/C - any recommendations?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-buying-a-small-room-window-a-c-any-recommendations/1019986)
**Author:** [@aurora\_maire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aurora_maire)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2025, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-buying-a-small-room-window-a-c-any-recommendations/1019986 "2025-06-23T00:04:46Z")
When I had my central A/C unit serviced about a month ago, the tech said it was low on refrigerant but he couldn’t find a leak. He added some and said to let them know if I started having issues with cooling and I’d pro… --- ## [Why it's a bad idea to talk to the cops: the case of the alleged wife-killer Barry Morphew](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-its-a-bad-idea-to-talk-to-the-cops-the-case-of-the-alleged-wife-killer-barry-morphew/942222)
**Author:** [@KennyT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KennyT)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2025, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-its-a-bad-idea-to-talk-to-the-cops-the-case-of-the-alleged-wife-killer-barry-morphew/942222 "2025-06-22T23:32:00Z")
Some backstory: Barry Morphew looks a lot like his wife. Perhaps likeness attracts? Both appear to be attractive and healthy. Title: Husband charged with murder of missing wife in Colorado also charged with voter fr… --- ## [Do you watch riffed versions of your favorite B-Movies?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-watch-riffed-versions-of-your-favorite-b-movies/1019950)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2025, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-watch-riffed-versions-of-your-favorite-b-movies/1019950 "2025-06-22T21:33:00Z")
By “riffs”, I mean voice-overs by Mystery Science Theater 3000, Cinematic Titanic, RiffTrax or any of the others that take a schlock film and have fun with added dialog and descriptions. Right now I am watching a RiffTr… --- ## [Republican vs. Democratic pedophiles](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-vs-democratic-pedophiles/1019867)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2025, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-vs-democratic-pedophiles/1019867 "2025-06-22T21:31:21Z")
For the purpose of this thread, ‘pedophile’ means adult who has sexual relations with a minor (boys or girls). I’ve read at least three, maybe four, articles about Republican politicians (and adjacent) being arrested fo… --- ## [I just took the red pill AND the blue pill](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-took-the-red-pill-and-the-blue-pill/1019925)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2025, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-took-the-red-pill-and-the-blue-pill/1019925 "2025-06-22T20:57:35Z")
I’ve got a bad head cold, so I just took a robitussin pill and a naproxen pill. Robitussin for throat and coughing, naproxen for headache. Robitussin was red, naproxen was blue. We’ll see how my take on reality is when… --- ## [Help with niggling plot points tv/film](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-niggling-plot-points-tv-film/1019880)
**Author:** [@colinfred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/colinfred)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2025, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-niggling-plot-points-tv-film/1019880 "2025-06-22T18:45:50Z")
I don’t know if anybody else gets the case where they remember a vague plot point/conversation fragment from something they’ve watched and it keeps buzzing around until it gets resolved. I get this quite a bit, I’m hopin… --- ## [Tolkien's orcs = British soldiers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tolkiens-orcs-british-soldiers/1019946)
**Author:** [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2025, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tolkiens-orcs-british-soldiers/1019946 "2025-06-22T18:04:03Z")
I’m re-reading LOTR (I think for the 3rd time…definitely the first time in 25 years or so). I’ve always thought that the best scenes are the ones where the bad guys take the stage and get some dialog. But what strikes … --- ## [How Much of the USS Constitution Is Original?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-of-the-uss-constitution-is-original/632047)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2025, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-of-the-uss-constitution-is-original/632047 "2025-06-22T17:18:58Z")
My guess is…zero. The ship was reconstructed several times (my uncle has an ash tray made from copper removed from the ship in 1927, during rebuilding). Wood rots, and most of the hull probably has been replaced several… --- ## [Could the US destroy Israel's nuclear weapons capability?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-us-destroy-israels-nuclear-weapons-capability/1019979)
**Author:** [@DemonTree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DemonTree)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2025, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-us-destroy-israels-nuclear-weapons-capability/1019979 "2025-06-22T15:31:59Z")
This thread made me wonder whether Israel’s nuclear capability could be destroyed similarly to Iran’s: Obviously Iran couldn’t do it, and it’s different because Israel is thought to already have operational nuclear we… --- ## [Toothache AND busted toilet!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toothache-and-busted-toilet/1019930)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2025, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toothache-and-busted-toilet/1019930 "2025-06-22T13:35:04Z")
GODDAMMIT! My dentist screwed up my filling, and then went on vacation for a week. So, I can’t get the tooth fixed until Monday. AND I get get up this morning , and the toilet is busted. And I can’t get anybody to sh… --- ## [Congressional baseball game](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-baseball-game/1019630)
**Author:** [@justdoit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justdoit)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2025, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-baseball-game/1019630 "2025-06-22T13:18:58Z")
I enjoy watching the Congressional baseball game. It’s an interesting mix of politics and sports. The history is kind of intersting also. Axios has results from 1962-2025: https://www.axios.com/2025/06/11/congression… --- ## [The US bombs three major nuclear sites in Iran](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-bombs-three-major-nuclear-sites-in-iran/1019975)
**Author:** [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2025, 9:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-bombs-three-major-nuclear-sites-in-iran/1019975 "2025-06-22T09:04:17Z")
Donald Trump says the strikes “totally obliterated” Iran’s nuclear enrichment facilities, and tells Tehran to “make peace” or face “far greater” attacks in future. This is what the BBC tells me this morning. Naturally… --- ## [Has Kristi Noem commited impeachable offenses?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-kristi-noem-commited-impeachable-offenses/1019830)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2025, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-kristi-noem-commited-impeachable-offenses/1019830 "2025-06-22T03:22:48Z")
Let’s move beyond An official can be impeached for anything the House decides. Instead, the person must have actually committed a high crime or misdemeanor. and to not fight the hypothetical assume a normal Senate C… --- ## [UK / USA inheritance - what sort of professional do I need?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-usa-inheritance-what-sort-of-professional-do-i-need/1018773)
**Author:** [@Coriolanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coriolanus)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2025, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-usa-inheritance-what-sort-of-professional-do-i-need/1018773 "2025-06-22T02:33:54Z")
Factual Questions might be the wrong forum, and I’ll self-report this post (if I can). I am looking for a factual answer, related to legal/country-country accounting advice. Tomorrow (May 24) is a bank holiday in the UK… --- ## [Supporting military action that you are able but not willing to participate in is extremely cowardly](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supporting-military-action-that-you-are-able-but-not-willing-to-participate-in-is-extremely-cowardly/834250)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 546\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2025, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supporting-military-action-that-you-are-able-but-not-willing-to-participate-in-is-extremely-cowardly/834250 "2025-06-22T00:14:59Z")
Spinoff from this thread: http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=875473 In more detail, my position is this: The basis of whether military action by one’s country should be considered should be based on th… --- ## [Speaking of killers - Raymond Reddington](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speaking-of-killers-raymond-reddington/1019924)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2025, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speaking-of-killers-raymond-reddington/1019924 "2025-06-21T23:01:41Z")
Confession - I’m not much of a prime time TV or current movie viewer. My TV tastes run to the Automotive, History, Science and Discover channels along with whatever movies make it to regular TV or “Movies on Demand”, no… --- ## [The most Republican accident ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-republican-accident-ever/1010153)
**Author:** [@Tatterdemalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tatterdemalion)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2025, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-republican-accident-ever/1010153 "2025-06-21T22:51:50Z")
An ex republican congressman, after being convicted of tax fraud, is paralyzed by falling off a horse while playing polo. And he starts a go-fund-me. Can you think of a more Republican thing than that? --- ## [Do you warm up tortillas before eating them?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-warm-up-tortillas-before-eating-them/1019791)
**Author:** [@Xocomil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xocomil)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2025, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-warm-up-tortillas-before-eating-them/1019791 "2025-06-21T22:46:45Z")
I was watching a Hank Green video in which he discussed the fact that whole wheat tortillas are only healthier than flour tortillas for him because he can eat and eat flour tortillas while he finds that whole wheat torti… --- ## [What would a diadem made of radium (and diamonds) be like](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-a-diadem-made-of-radium-and-diamonds-be-like/1019175)
**Author:** [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2025, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-a-diadem-made-of-radium-and-diamonds-be-like/1019175 "2025-06-21T21:46:12Z")
So I was reading some of the lesser Oz books and came across the following passage in The Road to Oz. but before they left the great Throne-Room King Evardo added to Ozma’s birthday presents a diadem of diamonds set in… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=291) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=293)