# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=494&state=tracking [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 495 --- ## [A phrase that might need to be banned (outside The BBQ Pit)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-phrase-that-might-need-to-be-banned-outside-the-bbq-pit/1005501)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2024, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-phrase-that-might-need-to-be-banned-outside-the-bbq-pit/1005501 "2024-08-24T11:27:07Z")
“People are saying…” (and close variations) without immediately pointing out who in particular those people are. It is used to be a checkless way to back up one’s own beliefs or, worse, to see what floats then declare o… --- ## [Words that look like the thing they spell](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-look-like-the-thing-they-spell/1006046)
**Author:** [@nate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nate)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2024, 11:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-look-like-the-thing-they-spell/1006046 "2024-08-24T11:01:11Z")
Words like bed, eyes, and shark. Is there a term for these? Any more examples? --- ## [Secondary cell phone numbers and Google Voice](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secondary-cell-phone-numbers-and-google-voice/1006107)
**Author:** [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2024, 9:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secondary-cell-phone-numbers-and-google-voice/1006107 "2024-08-24T09:50:49Z")
I currently have a land line, cable, and internet service, plus cell phone service. It’s probably time to give up on cable and switch to a streaming TV service for sports (we barely watch cable at all anymore). I don’t… --- ## [Educate me about passkeys, please](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/educate-me-about-passkeys-please/1005579)
**Author:** [@Fir\_na\_tine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fir_na_tine)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2024, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/educate-me-about-passkeys-please/1005579 "2024-08-24T08:12:15Z")
Been seeing some scary stories about every password in the universe being hacked and posted on “the dark evil web”. Several stories have briefly mentioned that we should all switch to passkeys - without really explainin… --- ## [Help me rationalize my knife collection](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-rationalize-my-knife-collection/1005455)
**Author:** [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2024, 8:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-rationalize-my-knife-collection/1005455 "2024-08-24T08:07:11Z")
So, for uninteresting reasons related to having to do with having had multiple households/storage across the world that has FINALLY coalesced into one home, I have a ridiculous number of knives. Notice I did not say “qua… --- ## [How to easily redeem inherited US Savings Bonds](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-easily-redeem-inherited-us-savings-bonds/1005993)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2024, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-easily-redeem-inherited-us-savings-bonds/1005993 "2024-08-24T07:41:59Z")
In my case, one of my nephew’s wife is a notary, and her name just happens extremely similar to mine. As in, identical surnames, and first names that are variants of each other. (Like, if I were Mary and she was Marie.… --- ## [My Sister-In-Law Tracy-Not looking good at all](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-sister-in-law-tracy-not-looking-good-at-all/1005871)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2024, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-sister-in-law-tracy-not-looking-good-at-all/1005871 "2024-08-24T05:46:47Z")
Late last night we got word that my SIL is in a very bad way, with multiple shut downs and a major heart attack. Another Sister-in-law Edie picked up My Beloved here in Portland very early this morning and they rushed to… --- ## [West Wing fans- Do you have a single favorite moment from the show?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/west-wing-fans-do-you-have-a-single-favorite-moment-from-the-show/736344)
**Author:** [@Beelzebubba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beelzebubba)\ **Replies:** 174\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2024, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/west-wing-fans-do-you-have-a-single-favorite-moment-from-the-show/736344 "2024-08-24T05:34:50Z")
I’m among the hardcore West Wing (excuse me, “The West Wing”, as someone on another site corrected me recently…I’m currently plotting his/her death) fans on this site. I’ve noticed over the years that we tend to be some… --- ## [The SDMB Sing-Along](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-sing-along/996367)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 110\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2024, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-sing-along/996367 "2024-08-24T04:02:58Z")
Fish and chips and vinegar Vinegar, vinegar Fish and chips and vinegar Pepper, pepper, pepper, salt. Don’t throw your junk in my backyard My backyard, my backyard Don’t throw your junk in my backyard My backyard’s… --- ## [Len Deighton's "SS-GB" (open spoilers!)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/len-deightons-ss-gb-open-spoilers/318280)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2024, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/len-deightons-ss-gb-open-spoilers/318280 "2024-08-24T03:08:24Z")
Just re-read this favorite alternate-history novel, a police procedural set in Nazi-occupied Britain in late 1941. Operation Sea Lion succeeded (we’re never quite told how), Churchill’s been shot by a German firing squa… --- ## [Will the TV series Evil have a good ending? Open spoilers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-tv-series-evil-have-a-good-ending-open-spoilers/1003648)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2024, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-tv-series-evil-have-a-good-ending-open-spoilers/1003648 "2024-08-24T02:38:24Z")
I’ve been watching the show Evil for the past few months. I think it’s quite good, but with only eight episodes left, I’m starting to worry it’s going to end up the way it’s predecessor, X-files, did, with no resolution… --- ## [Violence against doctors in India?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/violence-against-doctors-in-india/1006056)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2024, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/violence-against-doctors-in-india/1006056 "2024-08-24T01:00:59Z")
I was just reading about Moumita Debnath. She was a medical student in Kolkata (Calcutta) India. Earlier this month she was raped and murdered at the college she was attending. A suspect has been arrested but there are … --- ## [First TV show to consistently feature a character being magical](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-tv-show-to-consistently-feature-a-character-being-magical/1006112)
**Author:** [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2024, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-tv-show-to-consistently-feature-a-character-being-magical/1006112 "2024-08-24T00:09:00Z")
I’m thinking Bewitched type magic, and I Dream of Jeannie. I think “My Favorite Martian” predates these two by a year or so…but is that the first one of this genre? --- ## [Used to be, red was Democrat and blue was Republican; when did that switch?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/used-to-be-red-was-democrat-and-blue-was-republican-when-did-that-switch/1006027)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2024, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/used-to-be-red-was-democrat-and-blue-was-republican-when-did-that-switch/1006027 "2024-08-23T23:53:13Z")
It seemed to do so all of a sudden. I’m sure I could find the answer, but someone here probably already knows. --- ## [How are wooden piers maintained?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-wooden-piers-maintained/1006016)
**Author:** [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2024, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-wooden-piers-maintained/1006016 "2024-08-23T23:15:15Z")
How are large wooden piers, like the Santa Monica pier, maintained? I imagine that the wooden piles are treated to last for many decades, but surely they must eventually rot or erode, or might get damaged by storms, wil… --- ## [Potential for violent protests at the DNC in Chicago](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potential-for-violent-protests-at-the-dnc-in-chicago/1005681)
**Author:** [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2024, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potential-for-violent-protests-at-the-dnc-in-chicago/1005681 "2024-08-23T22:36:53Z")
Continuing the discussion from How can Donald Trump win at this point?: It seemed as if this was getting the “How can Donald Trump win” thread off topic so I started this thread. I don’t anticipate there will be violen… --- ## [What’s the oldest example of a Digital Assistant misunderstanding something?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-oldest-example-of-a-digital-assistant-misunderstanding-something/968565)
**Author:** [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2024, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-oldest-example-of-a-digital-assistant-misunderstanding-something/968565 "2024-08-23T21:38:37Z")
This question popped into my head last night. I vote for TOS: The Paradise Syndrome. Kirk says “Kirk to Enterprise” and that activates the door. Of course, the actual phrase might have been “Kirk to Enterprise,” but th… --- ## [Help me plan 4 nights in Chicago](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-plan-4-nights-in-chicago/976193)
**Author:** [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Replies:** 328\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2024, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-plan-4-nights-in-chicago/976193 "2024-08-23T21:29:46Z")
After wanting to do it for 20 years and not being in a financial position to do it, I’ve finally bitten the bullet and booked a long-distance Amtrak trip with a sleeper. I’ll be hopping on the Empire Builder in Seattle f… --- ## [Fixing the US Government](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fixing-the-us-government/1005238)
**Author:** [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2024, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fixing-the-us-government/1005238 "2024-08-23T20:29:32Z")
There are a lot of complaints floating around about how the US government is broken, or how our system is flawed that creates or exacerbates the dysfunction. I created a thread over in GD about how to remake our governme… --- ## ["me" vs "myself" in English](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/me-vs-myself-in-english/1006017)
**Author:** [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2024, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/me-vs-myself-in-english/1006017 "2024-08-23T20:21:48Z")
Often I’ll hear someone say something like, “Bill and myself went to the movies,” but I would think “Bill and me went to the movies” would be more correct. Or someone will answer a question with, “It’s for myself.” But w… --- ## [How do you visualize a photon traveling through space?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-visualize-a-photon-traveling-through-space/1005968)
**Author:** [@Dodgy\_Dude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dodgy_Dude)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2024, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-visualize-a-photon-traveling-through-space/1005968 "2024-08-23T19:54:48Z")
Is it like a bullet … going forward in a straight line? Or like a snake … serpentining back and forth along the ground? Or like a corkscrew … spiraling it’s way forward? --- ## [Roku v. Google TV](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roku-v-google-tv/1005698)
**Author:** [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2024, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roku-v-google-tv/1005698 "2024-08-23T17:56:29Z")
I have two TCL Roku TVs, which I really like. The Roku interface is clean, easy to navigate, intuitive - and it’s pretty ubiquitous when at a hotel or AirBnB. TCL has now mostly switched their smartOS to Google TV, whic… --- ## [If you signed up for Disney Plus Disney says you can't sue them for any reason](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-signed-up-for-disney-plus-disney-says-you-cant-sue-them-for-any-reason/1005733)
**Author:** [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2024, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-signed-up-for-disney-plus-disney-says-you-cant-sue-them-for-any-reason/1005733 "2024-08-23T17:52:00Z")
A man and his wife were assured her food at a Disney park restaurant were free of allergens. It wasn’t and she died and Disney says he can’t sue because a Disney Plus account he has signed up for has an arbitration claus… --- ## [Welcome, JN.1 - we're so proud!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/welcome-jn-1-were-so-proud/1006060)
**Author:** [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2024, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/welcome-jn-1-were-so-proud/1006060 "2024-08-23T13:20:19Z")
A January JAMA article starts off with: Parents often bask in the glow of their children’s accomplishments, so if SARS-CoV-2 variants were like people, BA.2.86 would be busting its buttons right about now. A little w… --- ## [British use of the word "gaffer"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-use-of-the-word-gaffer/1002472)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2024, 9:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-use-of-the-word-gaffer/1002472 "2024-08-23T09:10:54Z")
I had heard the word “gaffer” used in the context of film (lighting technician) before I read Tolkien and saw it used in the context of people (well, hobbits, but let’s not quibble). He speaks of hobbit “gaffers and gamm… --- ## [Ricardo Montalban miscast in ST2:TWOK](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ricardo-montalban-miscast-in-st2-twok/1005911)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 112\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2024, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ricardo-montalban-miscast-in-st2-twok/1005911 "2024-08-23T05:24:34Z")
I remember reading a review of Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan, where the critic said that Ricardo Montalban had been miscast in the movie. Apparently the critic had never seen Space Seed. My Google Fu is not mighty to… --- ## [Redesigning the United States Government from the ground up - What would a "sensible" government structure look like for America?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/redesigning-the-united-states-government-from-the-ground-up-what-would-a-sensible-government-structure-look-like-for-america/1005234)
**Author:** [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Replies:** 182\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2024, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/redesigning-the-united-states-government-from-the-ground-up-what-would-a-sensible-government-structure-look-like-for-america/1005234 "2024-08-23T05:15:32Z")
This topic got started as comments in P&E, but I think it’s worthy of a separate conversation. I’ll start by pulling posts: --- ## [Do you reuse Dryer Sheets?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-reuse-dryer-sheets/1005027)
**Author:** [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2024, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-reuse-dryer-sheets/1005027 "2024-08-23T05:15:13Z")
Inspired by the Zip-Lock bag thread, how many times will you re-use a dryer sheet? One And Done, or give it a few times? I’ll pull them out of the laundry when I’m folding it (yes, I do that!) and if they still have a g… --- ## [Help me identify this coin(?)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-coin/1006055)
**Author:** [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2024, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-coin/1006055 "2024-08-23T04:55:02Z")
Photo link. Photo#2. Photo#3 I’m honestly not even sure if this is a coin. It has the earmarks of something from long ago, but it’s pretty worn, and I’m not a foreign or ancient coin expert. I did collect coins for many… --- ## [COVID: When am I not contagious?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covid-when-am-i-not-contagious/1006078)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2024, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covid-when-am-i-not-contagious/1006078 "2024-08-23T03:23:21Z")
Yeah…I’ve Googled this but the answers are all vague (probably intentionally so). I tested positive for COVID on Monday (and was actually sick the day before but tested on Monday). I was sick for 3-4 days and today (Th… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=493&state=tracking) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=495&state=tracking)