# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=350&state=tracking [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 351 --- ## [MLB Offseason Thread 2024-2025](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526)
**Author:** [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Replies:** 390\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2025, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526 "2025-03-24T18:31:32Z")
Since the Dodgers just wrapped up the World Series in 5 games, I suppose it’s time that we start the off-season thread. I’ll start: Wasting absolutely no time, Atlanta has traded OF Jorge Soler to the Angels for pitche… --- ## [Calling cell phones "blackberries" in 2010?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-cell-phones-blackberries-in-2010/1015968)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2025, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-cell-phones-blackberries-in-2010/1015968 "2025-03-24T18:20:40Z")
In the 2010 film “The Town” with Ben Affleck - the bank robbers have everyone hand over their phones by yelling, “Put your blackberries in the bag!” I know some phones were blackberries but I don’t recall anyone referrin… --- ## ["Make my thread disappear"-Is it unusual that this board doesn't work that way?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-my-thread-disappear-is-it-unusual-that-this-board-doesnt-work-that-way/1015711)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2025, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-my-thread-disappear-is-it-unusual-that-this-board-doesnt-work-that-way/1015711 "2025-03-24T17:18:10Z")
More than once I have seen requests from people, when things didn’t go their way, that they be stricken from this board and/or their thread be disappeared as if it never happened. Is this something that actually happens… --- ## [Writers Guild of America goes on strike (5/2/23) tentative deal (9/25/23) Now accepted (10/9/23)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writers-guild-of-america-goes-on-strike-5-2-23-tentative-deal-9-25-23-now-accepted-10-9-23/983448)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 462\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2023, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writers-guild-of-america-goes-on-strike-5-2-23-tentative-deal-9-25-23-now-accepted-10-9-23/983448 "2023-10-09T23:30:58Z")
The Writers Guild of America has gone on strike as of midnight, and it’s expected that late-night shows will be the first to be affected. Episodic television is written out several weeks to a few months in advance. http… --- ## [How do animated ads in subway tunnels work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-animated-ads-in-subway-tunnels-work/1016013)
**Author:** [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2025, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-animated-ads-in-subway-tunnels-work/1016013 "2025-03-24T16:46:38Z")
I don’t know how common this type of ad is, but sometime around 2010 I was sitting next to a window on the L.A. subway when this animated ad for the movie Coraline appeared in the window. I think I get the basic idea he… --- ## [I do a whole lot less grocery "stockpiling" that I used to. Do you?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-do-a-whole-lot-less-grocery-stockpiling-that-i-used-to-do-you/1015919)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2025, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-do-a-whole-lot-less-grocery-stockpiling-that-i-used-to-do-you/1015919 "2025-03-24T16:45:44Z")
Wondering if this is yet another of my personal quirks or a more universal trend. Growing up my mother had THREE pantries. One right off the kitchen, a second in the ‘unfinished’ area of the basement, and a third that … --- ## [Russian Ю and Я - what are they?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-and-what-are-they/1015920)
**Author:** [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2025, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-and-what-are-they/1015920 "2025-03-24T16:26:15Z")
Russian (and other Slavic languages that use the Cyrillic alphabet) contain the letters Ю and Я, which have unusual (from a Westerner’s perspective) sound values. Ю is yu, and Я is ya. How are these letters thought of i… --- ## [Didn't Know Doughnuts Die](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-know-doughnuts-die/710719)
**Author:** [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2015, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-know-doughnuts-die/710719 "2015-01-30T03:57:26Z")
I was PLANNING to get the new tires for my car next month, but it’ll have to be today. All are bald and the front driver’s side tire has been filled with umpteen cans of Fix-O-Flat. So I stopped to put a little more air… --- ## [(Old) Top O' the Mundane To Ya- A St. Patrick's Day MMP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-top-o-the-mundane-to-ya-a-st-patricks-day-mmp/1015709)
**Author:** [@dogbutler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dogbutler)\ **Replies:** 342\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2025, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-top-o-the-mundane-to-ya-a-st-patricks-day-mmp/1015709 "2025-03-24T15:12:20Z")
Wear your green, pour yourself a pint of the black stuff, and vomit in the streets in honor of Ireland’s Patron Saint. Or go about your normal mundane Monday. I’m up, caffeinated, and sheveled. Off to heave, so hijack… --- ## [Settings on my computer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/settings-on-my-computer/1016032)
**Author:** [@GailForce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GailForce)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2025, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/settings-on-my-computer/1016032 "2025-03-24T14:20:03Z")
By chance, this morning I happened upon the place on my computer that allowed me to change the time my screen goes black when I leave it idle. I added minutes all over the place, but now I can’t find the place I was in … --- ## [Jessica Rabbit--smoking cigarette? Y/N](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jessica-rabbit-smoking-cigarette-y-n/995109)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2025, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jessica-rabbit-smoking-cigarette-y-n/995109 "2025-03-24T13:44:48Z")
I have a vague recollection of Who Framed Roger Rabbit, first run, in theaters. And I have seen what appear to be fan images of Jessica Rabbit, smoking a cigarette, in a long cigarette holder. And I know that Torch Sin… --- ## [Help me identify a song that sounds like “Famous Blue Raincoat” by Leonard Cohen](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-a-song-that-sounds-like-famous-blue-raincoat-by-leonard-cohen/1016027)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2025, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-a-song-that-sounds-like-famous-blue-raincoat-by-leonard-cohen/1016027 "2025-03-24T12:49:56Z")
No, it’s not Leo Sayers When I Need You. This song is in Spanish, and to the music is almost the same, even more so than When I Need You in comparison. It’s probably from the 2010s, though it wouldn’t surprise me if it… --- ## [How to color a photo](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-color-a-photo/1015961)
**Author:** [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2025, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-color-a-photo/1015961 "2025-03-24T12:08:07Z")
My church wants a pic for its directory. Sometimes I look good, I doubt I would tomorrow. Pastor said theres a lot of glare, especially in background. How would I fix this? --- ## [When have you ever seen or used a stem-and-leaf or box-and-whiskers graph in the wild](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-have-you-ever-seen-or-used-a-stem-and-leaf-or-box-and-whiskers-graph-in-the-wild/1015835)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2025, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-have-you-ever-seen-or-used-a-stem-and-leaf-or-box-and-whiskers-graph-in-the-wild/1015835 "2025-03-24T12:05:08Z")
Or better yet, when would YOU use one? I think to all of the data displays we were taught in school and with box-and-whiskers graphs I think I’ve only seen two used outside of classes. And I have seen data that could h… --- ## [Wot, no MM?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wot-no-mm/1016019)
**Author:** [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2025, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wot-no-mm/1016019 "2025-03-24T11:51:53Z")
NM, one has magically appeared. This can be deleted. And i misspelled MMP ! What a muppet. --- ## [My Roku Turns Itself On](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-roku-turns-itself-on/1015905)
**Author:** [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2025, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-roku-turns-itself-on/1015905 "2025-03-24T11:40:59Z")
For the last month or so, I’ve been arriving home after school and finding my Roku TV turned on and in screen saver mode. At first, I thought maybe that, in my half comatose waking state, I didn’t notice that I had left … --- ## [America First may result in lost armament sales](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-first-may-result-in-lost-armament-sales/1015640)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2025, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-first-may-result-in-lost-armament-sales/1015640 "2025-03-24T05:22:40Z")
Canada and Portugal were both in the process of buying F-35 jets from the US. The new Canadian Defence Minister has announced that Canada may only take the first 16 jets, scheduled for delivery this year, cancel the res… --- ## [What did the halftone screen etching process for printing actually look like?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-the-halftone-screen-etching-process-for-printing-actually-look-like/1015975)
**Author:** [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2025, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-the-halftone-screen-etching-process-for-printing-actually-look-like/1015975 "2025-03-24T05:09:55Z")
I understand how halftones of photographs work in terms of printing them on paper, your eye/brain understanding them, etc. But I can never seem to find any images/videos of what the actual etching process looked like. Pe… --- ## [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? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=349&state=tracking) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=351&state=tracking)