# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=368&state=tracking [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 369 --- ## [Best way to get hearing test and shop for hearing aids? What's your experience?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-get-hearing-test-and-shop-for-hearing-aids-whats-your-experience/1005847)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2025, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-get-hearing-test-and-shop-for-hearing-aids-whats-your-experience/1005847 "2025-02-24T14:50:37Z")
This is one area where I feel like I don’t want to go there. I’m not averse to the idea of wearing hearing aids, but I’m not sure how much I need them or how much of what I might actually need they would help with. I thi… --- ## [Correlation and percent of error](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/correlation-and-percent-of-error/1014583)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2025, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/correlation-and-percent-of-error/1014583 "2025-02-24T14:25:33Z")
I don’t think there is a natural relationship between the correlation coefficient and expected percent of error but maybe here is. Specifically using R^2 is there a general rule (does not have to be mathematically preci… --- ## ["It is a pune or play on words" (Terry Pratchett)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-a-pune-or-play-on-words-terry-pratchett/139849)
**Author:** [@Helena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2025, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-a-pune-or-play-on-words-terry-pratchett/139849 "2025-02-24T13:24:36Z")
This line pops up a few times in the Discworld books, and my husband and I like to quote it to each other. The problem is that we can’t figure out how to pronounce “pune.” Pun? Poon? Pyoon? --- ## [I was this old when I learned](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-this-old-when-i-learned/995405)
**Author:** [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2025, 8:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-this-old-when-i-learned/995405 "2025-02-24T08:58:16Z")
I was 65 yrs old when I found out that hawmow rhymes with COW, not THROW. I was 65 yrs old when i found out the lyrics to Sweet Home Alabama are: ingin’ songs about the Southland I miss Alabamy once again, and I think… --- ## [Maine Governor spars with Trump](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maine-governor-spars-with-trump/1014666)
**Author:** [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2025, 8:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maine-governor-spars-with-trump/1014666 "2025-02-24T08:27:23Z")
Janet Mills, Governor of Maine, had a brief argument with DJT over Maine’s enforcement of transgender policy. Trump spars with Maine’s governor at the White House over transgender athletes (MSN link) “Is Maine here, t… --- ## ["...miner for heart of gold"\*](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miner-for-heart-of-gold/1014709)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2025, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miner-for-heart-of-gold/1014709 "2025-02-24T07:50:45Z")
And, I’m growing old. Not sure how much more I can take. It’s been an altogether trying few days. There are ups and there are downs, there is ins and there’s outs…oh wait, another song. . Very cold. Actually CAF. … --- ## [“The failing” this. “The failing” that](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-failing-this-the-failing-that/1014696)
**Author:** [@2\_More\_Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2_More_Bits)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2025, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-failing-this-the-failing-that/1014696 "2025-02-24T03:54:01Z")
Has any business Trump has described as “failing” actually failed? --- ## [New executive order seizes complete control of all regulatory agencies, interpretation of law](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-executive-order-seizes-complete-control-of-all-regulatory-agencies-interpretation-of-law/1014508)
**Author:** [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2025, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-executive-order-seizes-complete-control-of-all-regulatory-agencies-interpretation-of-law/1014508 "2025-02-24T03:33:57Z")
I know there are already a lot of Trump threads, but this feels like the big one to me. The moment we essentially officially become a dictatorship. Thes executive order states: The title does not say “attempts to sei… --- ## [Russia is mapping undersea fiber cables](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-is-mapping-undersea-fiber-cables/1013786)
**Author:** [@Coriolanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coriolanus)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2025, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-is-mapping-undersea-fiber-cables/1013786 "2025-02-24T03:04:19Z")
Apparently for some years now. Yes, suspicious yet-we-do-not-quite-know-why Same article: Finnish police last month seized a tanker carrying Russian oil and said they suspected the vessel had damaged the Finnish-Es… --- ## [Have links to YouTube been disabled?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-links-to-youtube-been-disabled/981958)
**Author:** [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Replies:** 290\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2025, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-links-to-youtube-been-disabled/981958 "2025-02-24T00:16:55Z")
I just tried posting a couple of YouTube links in and got the message An error occurred: Sorry, you can’t embed media items in a post. What’s going on? --- ## [Only 2 dates, but Valentines Day is Friday. What to do?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/only-2-dates-but-valentines-day-is-friday-what-to-do/1014185)
**Author:** [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Replies:** 87\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2025, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/only-2-dates-but-valentines-day-is-friday-what-to-do/1014185 "2025-02-23T23:28:19Z")
So, ole’ me, who rarely dates, has been on 2 in the past week. I think I’m smitten. Or at least heavily in lust. We met because she’s the daughter of a co-worker’s friend, and she met me because she needed some legal … --- ## [Stories with flashbacks within flashbacks within flashbacks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stories-with-flashbacks-within-flashbacks-within-flashbacks/1014669)
**Author:** [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2025, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stories-with-flashbacks-within-flashbacks-within-flashbacks/1014669 "2025-02-23T23:03:25Z")
Last night I watched an old Humphrey Bogart movie called “Passage To Marseille”. The movie starts out in WWII with a war reporter visiting an outpost of the Free French Air Force, who are preparing for a bombing run that… --- ## [Trying to find out about chimney theory](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-find-out-about-chimney-theory/1014633)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2025, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-find-out-about-chimney-theory/1014633 "2025-02-23T16:21:19Z")
There is a type of side draft forge hood used by blacksmiths who burn coal called a “super sucker” and I’ve never understood the theory of its construction. I gather it uses the Venturi effect to create a natural draft … --- ## [Universal Yardsticks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/universal-yardsticks/1014612)
**Author:** [@EnolaStraight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EnolaStraight)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2025, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/universal-yardsticks/1014612 "2025-02-23T16:04:23Z")
Suppose we wish to send a message to the stars (via radio signal or mechanical probe) and attempt to describe various measurements understandable to extra-terrestrial intelligences. We cannot use such distances known to… --- ## [Dumb thing(s) we did today](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-thing-s-we-did-today/1014456)
**Author:** [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2025, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-thing-s-we-did-today/1014456 "2025-02-23T15:55:06Z")
I do dumb things often-ish, and I’ve decided to celebrate them! Feel free to join in (or mock me, that’s also good). Today I bought a lovely new bird feeder for outside the window, to replace the old, gross one that’s h… --- ## [Impeachment of SCOTUS judges](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeachment-of-scotus-judges/1014672)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2025, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeachment-of-scotus-judges/1014672 "2025-02-23T15:43:52Z")
Of all the techniques that Republicans have used to stack the court, most notably McConnell refusing to hold a confirmation hearing for Garland, why haven’t they tried to outright impeach a liberal justice? --- ## [And Now for Something Completely Different (Finnish Hobby Horse Championships)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-now-for-something-completely-different-finnish-hobby-horse-championships/1014681)
**Author:** [@Ynnad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ynnad)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2025, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-now-for-something-completely-different-finnish-hobby-horse-championships/1014681 "2025-02-23T13:34:08Z")
See the following: or “Finnish Hobby Horse Championships 2023” on YouTube. Google will bring up much more. Discourse wouldn’t let me post a Youtube link. I don’t think it is necessary for me to ask a question or s… --- ## [Your attention-getting clothes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-attention-getting-clothes/1014390)
**Author:** [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Replies:** 93\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2025, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-attention-getting-clothes/1014390 "2025-02-23T13:03:10Z")
Do you have any garments that draw the eyeballs or invite commentary from strangers? Now obviously any of us may have access to some silly costume. No, I’m talking about items you wear regularly, that for some reason a… --- ## [How quickly should a car be washed after driving on salt treated roads?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-quickly-should-a-car-be-washed-after-driving-on-salt-treated-roads/1014502)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2025, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-quickly-should-a-car-be-washed-after-driving-on-salt-treated-roads/1014502 "2025-02-23T12:31:01Z")
Little Rock treated our roads heavily before yesterdays snow and ice storm. They’ll retreat the roads for the next couple days. I watch car repair channels on YouTube. It’s shocking to see a rusted car frame and body … --- ## [Whatsapp for overseas travel](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatsapp-for-overseas-travel/1014457)
**Author:** [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2025, 8:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatsapp-for-overseas-travel/1014457 "2025-02-23T08:08:48Z")
I’ll be in Europe (from the US) in a few months with my phone. I’m exploring possible ways to keep in touch back home without incurring a lot of costs. Someone said use WhatsApp. I understand I just need to have inter… --- ## [Evaporative cooling?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evaporative-cooling/1014455)
**Author:** [@oligArchie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/oligArchie)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2025, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evaporative-cooling/1014455 "2025-02-23T03:38:51Z")
I keep a dish of water outside on the back deck for the birds/squirrels. Currently, there’s a layer of ice forming on the surface of the dish, but ambient temp is 39F on the nearby thermometer. Is evaporative cooling cau… --- ## [CFMs- 3 blade box fan vs 5 blade](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cfms-3-blade-box-fan-vs-5-blade/1014531)
**Author:** [@a6ka97](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a6ka97)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2025, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cfms-3-blade-box-fan-vs-5-blade/1014531 "2025-02-23T03:00:44Z")
Recently “inherited” an older 20"(?) box fan. It has 3 larger (surface area) metal blades. My newer 20" box fan has 5 smaller (surface area) plastic blades. Got me thinking… if the motors are running at the same RPMs is … --- ## [How long to wait for a possibly questionable check to clear?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-to-wait-for-a-possibly-questionable-check-to-clear/1014641)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2025, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-to-wait-for-a-possibly-questionable-check-to-clear/1014641 "2025-02-23T01:28:31Z")
I deposited a check in my credit union savings account. The check is legitimate but the issuing company is a little weird, and I’m afraid that at some point they might tell their bank that the check is improper or someth… --- ## [NEW Stupid Republican Idea of the Day (Part 3)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-3/986588)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 9999\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2025, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-3/986588 "2025-02-22T21:08:05Z")
Continuing the discussion from NEW Stupid Republican Idea of the Day (Part 2) - #10006 by eschereal. Previous discussions: NEW Stupid Republican Idea of the Day (Part 1) NEW Stupid Republican Idea of the Day (Part 2) --- ## [Odd Euphemisms](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-euphemisms/955745)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 119\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2025, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-euphemisms/955745 "2025-02-22T19:36:19Z")
Watching the ball game when a commercial came on for tampons. It stood out only because they used a thin red liquid to show their product’s absorbency rather than the puzzling turquoise one. The next commercial feature… --- ## [Fifty Years Overdue: I Pit Plaza House for 'Greatest Hits of the 30s'](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifty-years-overdue-i-pit-plaza-house-for-greatest-hits-of-the-30s/1014655)
**Author:** [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2025, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifty-years-overdue-i-pit-plaza-house-for-greatest-hits-of-the-30s/1014655 "2025-02-22T18:39:39Z")
When I was 9 or 10 my dad bought a set of “greatest hits” records from a company apparently called Plaza House. Greatest Hits of the 30s, Greatest Hits of the 40s, and a double album Greatest Hits of the 50s/60s. I’ll … --- ## [Giant, carved, wooden forks and spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giant-carved-wooden-forks-and-spoons/1014405)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2025, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giant-carved-wooden-forks-and-spoons/1014405 "2025-02-22T18:23:31Z")
I’ve occasionally wondered what the deal was with giant, carved, wooden forks and spoons. \[NB: The ones pictured are 30 inches. The ones I recall were about 24 inches.\] As you all know, my dad was a Naval officer in t… --- ## [When was pinball popular?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-pinball-popular/1014066)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2025, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-pinball-popular/1014066 "2025-02-22T17:54:49Z")
I’m reading Haruki Murakami’s Pinball 1973 and now I’m wondering about when pinball was actually popular. My “back of my mind” assumption before starting the book was that pinball was mostly a 1970s thing. Looking this… --- ## [Jonathan Pie on Trump](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jonathan-pie-on-trump/1014671)
**Author:** [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2025, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jonathan-pie-on-trump/1014671 "2025-02-22T17:49:03Z")
Not sure where to put this, and I hope the Reddit link is OK. https://www.reddit.com/r/law/comments/1iviynd/uks\_jonathan\_pie\_on\_trump\_and\_the\_art\_of\_the\_deal/ --- ## [Canadian Art Question?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-art-question/1014594)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2025, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-art-question/1014594 "2025-02-22T15:43:54Z")
Years ago, I saw a humorous image by a Canadian artist that showed the Canada-US border. The Canadian side was full of snow and had an igloo, a Canadian flag and perhaps a saluting Mountie. I can’t remember the America… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=367&state=tracking) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=369&state=tracking)