# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=405 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 406 --- ## [Need answer fast - what could make a swimming pool boil furiously?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-answer-fast-what-could-make-a-swimming-pool-boil-furiously/1012165)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2024, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-answer-fast-what-could-make-a-swimming-pool-boil-furiously/1012165 "2024-12-26T21:26:45Z")
It’s near midnight now at my apartment complex and the tenant swimming pool is bubbling and roiling furiously and sending out huge clouds of vapor. The area has a strong smell of chlorine. What causes this? Do such swimm… --- ## ["Life is Beautiful" (1997) \[Unboxed spoilers\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-is-beautiful-1997-unboxed-spoilers/1012190)
**Author:** [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2024, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-is-beautiful-1997-unboxed-spoilers/1012190 "2024-12-26T20:46:41Z")
Had never seen it until TCM aired in back to back with the documentary on “The Day the Clown Cried.” Some random thoughts, and I’m inviting anyone with more insight into the movie (or the doc). It took a while for it t… --- ## ["Reading for Comprehension". Why Else Would You Read?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reading-for-comprehension-why-else-would-you-read/1012121)
**Author:** [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2024, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reading-for-comprehension-why-else-would-you-read/1012121 "2024-12-26T19:46:15Z")
I’ve often seen Dopers insulting others by saying something like, “You need to read for comprehension!” It’s a nasty and infantile insult, IMO, but whatever… folks are gonna bitch, especially in the Bitching Zone (the P… --- ## [Compression socks and copper](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compression-socks-and-copper/1012142)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2024, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compression-socks-and-copper/1012142 "2024-12-26T19:38:46Z")
What’s the deal about copper as an ingredient of compression socks? How does copper make them better? I see lots of claims that various socks have copper, but I’ll be damned if I can figure out how that would work. You’d… --- ## [They’ve found a 35,000 year old saber tooth tiger kitten](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-ve-found-a-35-000-year-old-saber-tooth-tiger-kitten/1011777)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2024, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-ve-found-a-35-000-year-old-saber-tooth-tiger-kitten/1011777 "2024-12-26T18:13:55Z")
And it has toe beans! And fur! (I can’t believe this hasn’t been posted yet - and if it has, sorry, I really did search diligently) Anyway, this is a very cool find. As far as I can tell it’s pretty much intact. Link:… --- ## [Could they design helicopters based on drones?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-they-design-helicopters-based-on-drones/786180)
**Author:** [@Born\_to\_be\_Mild](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Born_to_be_Mild)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2024, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-they-design-helicopters-based-on-drones/786180 "2024-12-26T17:48:34Z")
The title says it all really, Could the way drones fly (with four sets of rotors) influence the design of passenger carrying aircraft? Are there any examples already in use? (I’ve only seen helicopters with 2 sets of r… --- ## [How best to glue metal parts to miscellaneous plastics?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-best-to-glue-metal-parts-to-miscellaneous-plastics/1011888)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2024, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-best-to-glue-metal-parts-to-miscellaneous-plastics/1011888 "2024-12-26T16:59:16Z")
I need to glue a couple hundred little aluminum tags to the plastic caps of vials of essential oils and aroma compounds. What method would work best? The vials come from many different sources. The type of plastic obvio… --- ## [Hardest recognizable song to hum?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hardest-recognizable-song-to-hum/197795)
**Author:** [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2024, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hardest-recognizable-song-to-hum/197795 "2024-12-26T16:50:50Z")
For these purposes, “human beat box” sounds are equivalent to humming. So, what’s the hardest song to hum/beatbox to someone and have them know it, but yet, one would recognize it in a heartbeat on the radio? My candid… --- ## [Parents may sell me their car artificially cheap. What are the tax and legal implications of this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parents-may-sell-me-their-car-artificially-cheap-what-are-the-tax-and-legal-implications-of-this/1012132)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2024, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parents-may-sell-me-their-car-artificially-cheap-what-are-the-tax-and-legal-implications-of-this/1012132 "2024-12-26T15:41:35Z")
My parents have recently suggested a generous gift/offer (although it’s only tentative; they may decide not to.) They have a secondhand car that is worth somewhere between $17-21k on the market right now, but they are of… --- ## [A note to SDMB newcomers in late December](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-note-to-sdmb-newcomers-in-late-december/1012129)
**Author:** [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2024, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-note-to-sdmb-newcomers-in-late-december/1012129 "2024-12-26T14:34:31Z")
Traditionally, there’s a reduction in post traffic at this time of year. Everybody’s busy with holiday stuff. I remember a newcomer a few years ago who groused, “Where is everybody? I thought this was The Teeming Million… --- ## [Rotation of axes update](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rotation-of-axes-update/1012163)
**Author:** [@EnolaStraight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EnolaStraight)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2024, 10:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rotation-of-axes-update/1012163 "2024-12-26T10:48:47Z")
Rather than hyperzombize this old thread: Rotation of axes - Factual Questions - Straight Dope Message Board Rotation in the fourth dimension looks like THIS: (2) 4-Dimensional Rotation - YouTube --- ## [Christmas Eve 2024](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-eve-2024/1012138)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2024, 10:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-eve-2024/1012138 "2024-12-26T10:08:58Z")
Christmas Eve. All the rushing around is done. Watching / listening to Carols from King’s Cambridge. « Once in Royal David’s City … » Merry Christmas and Joyeux Noël! --- ## [Sitcom actors who became famous for dramatic movie roles](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sitcom-actors-who-became-famous-for-dramatic-movie-roles/1011533)
**Author:** [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2024, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sitcom-actors-who-became-famous-for-dramatic-movie-roles/1011533 "2024-12-26T04:43:31Z")
Many actors who first became famous in television sitcoms have gone on to become famous movie-star comedians. Much less common, I think, are sitcom stars who later become even more famous for dramatic roles on the silve… --- ## [Help me ID this song, circa 2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-id-this-song-circa-2000/1009611)
**Author:** [@Nature\_s\_Call](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nature_s_Call)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2024, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-id-this-song-circa-2000/1009611 "2024-12-26T03:46:06Z")
This has been driving me crazy for years. There was a song I heard during the peak of Napster and Limewire’s popularity. The song was from a female singer/songwriter - low production value, voice and instrument only, m… --- ## [In what condition are Marie Curie's remains?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-what-condition-are-marie-curies-remains/1012090)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2024, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-what-condition-are-marie-curies-remains/1012090 "2024-12-25T23:17:38Z")
As I understand it, Marie Curie’s remains are in a coffin lines with an inch of lead, because they’re radioactive. Would the radioactivity tend to preserve her body? Or would she rot like everyone else? --- ## [Enron? Really?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enron-really/1011362)
**Author:** [@2\_More\_Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2_More_Bits)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2024, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enron-really/1011362 "2024-12-25T23:12:24Z")
This ad ran on the back page of today’s (12/8/24) Sunday NYT \[Album\] Enron newspaper ad … --- ## [Question about wills with conditions - don't need answer fast - this is hypothetical](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-wills-with-conditions-dont-need-answer-fast-this-is-hypothetical/1012134)
**Author:** [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2024, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-wills-with-conditions-dont-need-answer-fast-this-is-hypothetical/1012134 "2024-12-25T22:56:23Z")
My MIL died a couple of weeks ago and my husband is the executor. That’s only relevant because it got me thinking about wills. (Hers is simple and straightforward - no property, just splitting up a bank account.) It got… --- ## [What handgun ammunition has the most kinetic energy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-handgun-ammunition-has-the-most-kinetic-energy/1011959)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2024, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-handgun-ammunition-has-the-most-kinetic-energy/1011959 "2024-12-25T21:46:48Z")
My impression is the 50 caliber desert eagle and the 44 magnum are the most powerful ammunition available on a handgun. I’ve seen guns that look like stock-less, short barreled AK-47s that fire 7.62x39 ammunition, but I… --- ## [Were you led to believe Santa's Reindeer were male?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-led-to-believe-santas-reindeer-were-male/217559)
**Author:** [@Isabelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isabelle)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2024, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-led-to-believe-santas-reindeer-were-male/217559 "2024-12-25T16:57:43Z")
When calling off the name of Santa’s reindeer, don’t you get the impression they are all male? I mean a name like “Rudolph?” Even in the cartoon RUDOLPH THE RED NOSE REINDEER, he is shown to be a “guy” because he is sep… --- ## [Movie, Conclave (2024; fiction, papal conclave)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-conclave-2024-fiction-papal-conclave/1009864)
**Author:** [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2024, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-conclave-2024-fiction-papal-conclave/1009864 "2024-12-25T16:26:38Z")
The missus and I had the in-laws over for dinner last night, to commiserate about, you know, Tuesday. And we also talked about this movie and it looks pretty good. Has anyone seen it? What’d you think? We’re thinking of… --- ## [How strong is NATO without USA?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-strong-is-nato-without-usa/1011100)
**Author:** [@Loggins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loggins)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2024, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-strong-is-nato-without-usa/1011100 "2024-12-25T05:43:02Z")
I assume Trump will isolate USA, and probably pull out of NATO, so, how strong is NATO vs for instance russia without USA? There are a few Nuclear weaponed nations even without USA in NATO. But in general, surely France,… --- ## [Silver Palate mashed potatoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silver-palate-mashed-potatoes/641585)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2024, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silver-palate-mashed-potatoes/641585 "2024-12-25T04:58:31Z")
Not health food by any means, but sheer awesomely rich starchy goodness: These mashed potatoes can be made ahead and reheated. Feel free to substitute lower-fat dairy products. Makes 6-8 servings. 9 large baking potato… --- ## [Why America was founded (Elon Musk rant)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-america-was-founded-elon-musk-rant/1011917)
**Author:** [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2024, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-america-was-founded-elon-musk-rant/1011917 "2024-12-25T04:47:02Z")
America declared independence and fought a war because a rich, unelected, foreign man (King George III) told Americans what to do for his own benefit. Now history is repeating itself … Elon Musk “Any member of the Hous… --- ## [Elon Musk learns art of political ratfucking, funding ads that impersonate the Harris Campaign](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elon-musk-learns-art-of-political-ratfucking-funding-ads-that-impersonate-the-harris-campaign/1008982)
**Author:** [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2024, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elon-musk-learns-art-of-political-ratfucking-funding-ads-that-impersonate-the-harris-campaign/1008982 "2024-12-25T04:22:22Z")
MSBC notes that a Trump super-Pac runs ostensibly pro-Harris ads bragging about her solidarity with Israel, microtargeted at Michigan Muslims. The same organization attacks Harris in Pennsylvania for her insufficient sup… --- ## [I don't watch commercials](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-watch-commercials/1006769)
**Author:** [@GailForce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GailForce)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2024, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-watch-commercials/1006769 "2024-12-25T03:22:28Z")
They seem to bother me more than they do for most people, but I’ve used a simple workaround to avoid seeing over 90% of the ads on TV–I simply record everything, and start watching 10 minutes late (for a one-hour program… --- ## [If Ukraine is facing a troop shortage, why don't they just hire mercenaries](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-ukraine-is-facing-a-troop-shortage-why-dont-they-just-hire-mercenaries/1012086)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2024, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-ukraine-is-facing-a-troop-shortage-why-dont-they-just-hire-mercenaries/1012086 "2024-12-25T02:53:47Z")
I think Russia is offering $2,000 a month to soldiers. For Ukraine they could hire 100,000 mercenaries for 2k a month, that works out to 2.4 billion a year. Ukraine is spending about 100 billion a year on military in be… --- ## [Weird Question about a 20th century playwriting pair](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-question-about-a-20th-century-playwriting-pair/1011939)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2024, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-question-about-a-20th-century-playwriting-pair/1011939 "2024-12-25T02:31:59Z")
While looking up information about something in the 20th century entertainment biz, I stumbled across a usage I was unfamiliar with and now it’s bugging me. Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman were fixtures of the Broadway … --- ## [What Event(s) were crucial for Dutch language and cultural awakening?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-event-s-were-crucial-for-dutch-language-and-cultural-awakening/1012054)
**Author:** [@DerSchneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DerSchneck)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2024, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-event-s-were-crucial-for-dutch-language-and-cultural-awakening/1012054 "2024-12-25T01:49:39Z")
…in order to cement the people of what is now the Nederland as a separate entity from German(y)? --- ## [How well do your video Streaming Apps perform?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-well-do-your-video-streaming-apps-perform/1012044)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2024, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-well-do-your-video-streaming-apps-perform/1012044 "2024-12-25T01:12:23Z")
Q1 Are you using the smart tv App or Casting from your phone or PC? Q2 Which smart tv Apps do you use? YouTube, Prime, Peacock, Paramount+, MAX, Pluto or something else? Q3 How well do they perform? Any time outs, loc… --- ## [Does the spelling of a name have some significance in Japanese?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-spelling-of-a-name-have-some-significance-in-japanese/1009114)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2024, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-spelling-of-a-name-have-some-significance-in-japanese/1009114 "2024-12-25T01:04:02Z")
I’ve been reading some of Haruki Murakami’s books recently, and one of the things that strikes me is that some times there will be a mention of how someone’s name is spelled. It might be about how two names sound the sa… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=404) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=406)