# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=349 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 350 --- ## [What is the most commonly used phrase in English that came from a movie?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-commonly-used-phrase-in-english-that-came-from-a-movie/1011068)
**Author:** [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Replies:** 325\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2025, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-commonly-used-phrase-in-english-that-came-from-a-movie/1011068 "2025-03-24T03:27:07Z")
We’ve got a thread going on about movie lines people use in everyday conversation. What would be THE most commonly used movie line in English? My rules: It has to be essentially original to a movie script. No fair … --- ## [I’m seeking your thoughts on breath/lung trainers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-m-seeking-your-thoughts-on-breath-lung-trainers/1015981)
**Author:** [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2025, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-m-seeking-your-thoughts-on-breath-lung-trainers/1015981 "2025-03-24T02:03:26Z")
I’m seeking opinions, anecdotes, or advice about breathing/lung trainers. I’ve found these online, and they range in price from a few bucks to hundreds of dollars. They look like a small hose you stick in your mouth. … --- ## [Gene Hackman's Estate Lawsuits](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gene-hackmans-estate-lawsuits/1015831)
**Author:** [@Coriolanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coriolanus)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2025, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gene-hackmans-estate-lawsuits/1015831 "2025-03-24T01:42:37Z")
Just in terms of following through on my request to move the legal issues to FQ (not IMHO as I read enough posters who either were lawyers or play one on TV) to bring it here. As I understand the facts: He was 95 and … --- ## [Why does Trump have to sidestep Congress?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-trump-have-to-sidestep-congress/1015911)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2025, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-trump-have-to-sidestep-congress/1015911 "2025-03-23T23:18:14Z")
As an addon to the “Trump can do anything. No one will stop him!” conversation, I was thinking about his executive orders, especially the new one dismantling the Department of Education. Why, with a majority in both of … --- ## [The illusory nature of state power](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-illusory-nature-of-state-power/1015960)
**Author:** [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2025, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-illusory-nature-of-state-power/1015960 "2025-03-23T21:08:08Z")
Stories with a moral about the illusory nature of state power: King Solomon’s enslavement of the jinn to build the Temple. Mario and the Magician by Thomas Mann, a 1929 allegory about Fascism. Then, when We decreed (So… --- ## [Have we ever had a question about why we have eyebrows?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-we-ever-had-a-question-about-why-we-have-eyebrows/1015977)
**Author:** [@Saffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saffer)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2025, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-we-ever-had-a-question-about-why-we-have-eyebrows/1015977 "2025-03-23T18:32:23Z")
I wanted to test the capacity of a large language model to halucinate. I decided to use deepseek for this purpose. I asked it some questions which I expected would lead to halucintation. Here is the chat Me: what do you… --- ## [Isn’t the root problem that Trump and his followers, honestly, just aren’t that bright?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/isn-t-the-root-problem-that-trump-and-his-followers-honestly-just-aren-t-that-bright/1015818)
**Author:** [@GailForce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GailForce)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2025, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/isn-t-the-root-problem-that-trump-and-his-followers-honestly-just-aren-t-that-bright/1015818 "2025-03-23T17:00:03Z")
When all is said and done, after examining the root problem as “evil” or “narcissism” or “shameless self-interest” or “Christian nationalism” or some other very accurate explanation, isn’t the simple truth that they’re d… --- ## [Could countries refuse to grant Americans entry?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-countries-refuse-to-grant-americans-entry/1014917)
**Author:** [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2025, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-countries-refuse-to-grant-americans-entry/1014917 "2025-03-23T16:46:12Z")
Is it likely that other countries will refuse to allow Americans to travel/vacation/visit in light of our current government situation? Would the EU take a stance that their citizens can’t go to the US, nor can Americans… --- ## ["The Yellow Sweater"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-yellow-sweater/664705)
**Author:** [@agnesnitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/agnesnitt)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2025, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-yellow-sweater/664705 "2025-03-23T16:19:01Z")
I’m trying to find the author of a short story called “The Yellow Sweater”. It’s NOT by Hugh Garner which appears to be a bout a hitchhiker. This is a story about a boy who goes to visit a college with his family. He’s … --- ## [What crimes would you personally use your jury nullification power on?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-crimes-would-you-personally-use-your-jury-nullification-power-on/1015953)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2025, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-crimes-would-you-personally-use-your-jury-nullification-power-on/1015953 "2025-03-23T15:49:28Z")
Jury nullification is the legal theory that the people have ultimate power over how crime enforcement through acquittal. This choice is taken by the jury when a person has without question violated a law but the jury fe… --- ## [Older Movies / shows / books that are STILL funny](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-movies-shows-books-that-are-still-funny/1014929)
**Author:** [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Replies:** 174\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2025, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-movies-shows-books-that-are-still-funny/1014929 "2025-03-23T15:22:23Z")
In the thread about Gene Hackman, someone mentioned Young Frankenstein and Blazing Saddles not being as funny when rewatched recently. I concurred - there were elements in those that would simply not fly, these days. Lot… --- ## [Paquito D'Rivera and his apostrophe](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paquito-drivera-and-his-apostrophe/1015912)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2025, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paquito-drivera-and-his-apostrophe/1015912 "2025-03-23T15:20:56Z")
Why is an apostrophe used when Rivera starts with a consonant? Why not de Rivera? --- ## [The Department of Faith is re-instated](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-department-of-faith-is-re-instated/1014043)
**Author:** [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUBv.2)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2025, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-department-of-faith-is-re-instated/1014043 "2025-03-23T13:16:10Z")
Distraction or actual, unthinkable idea? This is a video from PBS It appears donald re-enstated it during his first term. Don’t know how I missed that. Frankly, it scares the hell out of me. --- ## [Electric State on Netflix](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-state-on-netflix/1015792)
**Author:** [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2025, 10:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-state-on-netflix/1015792 "2025-03-23T10:09:55Z")
I was looking for something to watch and gave this new Netflix movie a shot. It’s by the Russo brothers which probably explains the Star studded cast. It’s not very good in the sense that it is filled with cliches and b… --- ## [The present situation (quasi dictatorship) is most comparable to which previous, historical situation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-present-situation-quasi-dictatorship-is-most-comparable-to-which-previous-historical-situation/1015956)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2025, 8:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-present-situation-quasi-dictatorship-is-most-comparable-to-which-previous-historical-situation/1015956 "2025-03-23T08:00:02Z")
The US is on the road to full-on dictatorship. I’d say we’re about 20 percent there, on a continuum from 1 percent = full-on liberal democracy and 100 percent = Nazi Germany. This is comparable to …? I wouldn’t say that… --- ## [If red blood cells don't contain DNA, how can blood be used for DNA tests?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-red-blood-cells-dont-contain-dna-how-can-blood-be-used-for-dna-tests/1015963)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2025, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-red-blood-cells-dont-contain-dna-how-can-blood-be-used-for-dna-tests/1015963 "2025-03-23T06:57:51Z")
The wikipedia article on red blood cells says that they don’t contain DNA: Because of the lack of nuclei and organelles, mature red blood cells do not contain DNA and cannot synthesize any RNA (although it does contain… --- ## [How are you protesting?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-you-protesting/1015120)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2025, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-you-protesting/1015120 "2025-03-23T02:48:43Z")
What are you doing to protest Trump’s destruction of the United States of America? There’s really nothing that I can do, other than to write my congressional representatives. I posted in one thread or another, the lett… --- ## [Want your own person DOGE records?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/want-your-own-person-doge-records/1015966)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2025, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/want-your-own-person-doge-records/1015966 "2025-03-23T01:24:34Z")
This was on Jamie Raskin’s website, so I think it’s reliable. It does need to be printed off and snail-mailed. I’m going to do it, anyway. --- ## [Help me calculate Nero Wolfe's income](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-calculate-nero-wolfes-income/1015933)
**Author:** [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2025, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-calculate-nero-wolfes-income/1015933 "2025-03-23T00:57:46Z")
At the beginning of And Be A Villain, Archie is doing Wolfe’s taxes, and says he’ll have to send a check for $4,300 with the return and another $10,000 for the first estimated quarterly payment. So I’m assuming the total… --- ## [Will Musk be given U.S. military secrets?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-musk-be-given-u-s-military-secrets/1015940)
**Author:** [@Gordon\_G](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gordon_G)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2025, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-musk-be-given-u-s-military-secrets/1015940 "2025-03-23T00:28:58Z")
The New York Times reported Thursday on a briefing Musk was to receive today at the Pentagon: The above can be read without a subscription. POTUS denies that the briefing will be about China, but I do not fully trust … --- ## [Is There a Limit to Liability When You're At Fault in an Accident?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-limit-to-liability-when-youre-at-fault-in-an-accident/1015255)
**Author:** [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2025, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-limit-to-liability-when-youre-at-fault-in-an-accident/1015255 "2025-03-23T00:17:25Z")
Way back in 2019, Tracy Morgan was involved in an auto accident while driving his Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport when he was sideswiped by a Honda CR-V. For those of you who might be unfamiliar with Bugatti, they’re a Frenc… --- ## [1988 Democratic candidate Michael Dukakis' wife, Kitty, dies at 88](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1988-democratic-candidate-michael-dukakis-wife-kitty-dies-at-88/1015967)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2025, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1988-democratic-candidate-michael-dukakis-wife-kitty-dies-at-88/1015967 "2025-03-22T23:23:13Z")
She was very candid about her battles with alcoholism, drug addiction, and treatment-refractory depression. RIP, Ms. Dukakis. A cause of death was not, to my knowledge, released. --- ## [What happened to the ABSCAM Yacht?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-the-abscam-yacht/1015883)
**Author:** [@EnolaStraight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EnolaStraight)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2025, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-the-abscam-yacht/1015883 "2025-03-22T20:34:14Z")
Abscam - Wikipedia In the late 70s-early 80s the FBI ran a sting operation in which several politicians accepted bribes. The setting was aboard an expensive yacht (earlier confiscated from a drug dealer). What happene… --- ## [Greek mythology blood spawning](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greek-mythology-blood-spawning/1015886)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2025, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greek-mythology-blood-spawning/1015886 "2025-03-22T20:18:46Z")
Just how many entities in Greek mythology were born from someone or something else’s blood? I seem to recall more than a few but a comprehensive list would be nice. --- ## [Stupid stuff I have done](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-stuff-i-have-done/1014958)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2025, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-stuff-i-have-done/1014958 "2025-03-22T20:08:49Z")
I was reading a similar post on another forum when I was reminded of this long ago disaster. I’ll post it here since you guys are friendlier. This happened in my late teens so I should have known better. My parents thre… --- ## [I saw a parked Tesla with its headlights on--what happens?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-saw-a-parked-tesla-with-its-headlights-on-what-happens/1015917)
**Author:** [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2025, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-saw-a-parked-tesla-with-its-headlights-on-what-happens/1015917 "2025-03-22T20:03:45Z")
I just walked past a Tesla parked (unoccupied), with its headlights and taillights on, in the middle of the afternoon. So I’m wondering what will happen.. With a traditional car, of course, we all know the results–afte… --- ## [Death in the White House](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-in-the-white-house/1015927)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2025, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-in-the-white-house/1015927 "2025-03-22T19:22:27Z")
Something I just got a wonderment about: How many people have died in the White House? There’ve been several Presidents who’ve died in office. Checking their Wikipages, I find that three died there: William Henry Harri… --- ## [I have a dryer not attached to a vent and I’m inexperienced and physically weak…](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-dryer-not-attached-to-a-vent-and-i-m-inexperienced-and-physically-weak/1015577)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2025, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-dryer-not-attached-to-a-vent-and-i-m-inexperienced-and-physically-weak/1015577 "2025-03-22T18:34:44Z")
Advice greatly desired: I got a new washer and dryer delivered today. But they couldn’t hook the dryer up to the wall without an adapter. I went out to get one, but the delivery guys had to leave while I was gone. So the… --- ## [A really cool thing happened](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-really-cool-thing-happened/1015854)
**Author:** [@aurora\_maire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aurora_maire)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2025, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-really-cool-thing-happened/1015854 "2025-03-22T18:20:50Z")
And in today’s world, I really needed one to happen. We all do. So this is a thread to talk about the cool thing that happened to you and gave you a bit of joy. Last night a friend on Facebook posted something about o… --- ## [What are the main cafes right now in the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-main-cafes-right-now-in-the-us/1015799)
**Author:** [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Replies:** 158\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2025, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-main-cafes-right-now-in-the-us/1015799 "2025-03-22T18:10:41Z")
The reason for asking, is that Starbucks in struggling in the UK and so our market has shifted, (the TL;DR is that Costa has taken over as market leader) and I hear Starbucks is also on the decline in the US, so I am wo… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=348) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=350)