# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=5&state=tracking [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 6 --- ## [Boiled hot dogs?!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boiled-hot-dogs/1033279)
**Author:** [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Replies:** 127\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2026, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boiled-hot-dogs/1033279 "2026-10-08T15:42:52Z")
Prompted by a stray comment in the executive chef thread… My mom boiled our hot dogs, my wife’s mom did the same. I adopted the practice until I realized I wasn’t bound by tradition and throwing them in a skillet is fas… --- ## [Stupid liberal idea of the day](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-liberal-idea-of-the-day/579086)
**Author:** [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Replies:** 8248\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2026, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-liberal-idea-of-the-day/579086 "2026-10-08T15:39:36Z")
So many to choose from… Let’s start with a classic example of the jackass Nanny State mentality: Wiffleball? Freeze tag? I’m surprised the legislature didn’t mandate that kids all be wrapped in cotton padding 24/7… --- ## [Amazon Prime days, looking for a budget laptop. Should I rush to find one tonight? Need answer soon](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-prime-days-looking-for-a-budget-laptop-should-i-rush-to-find-one-tonight-need-answer-soon/1033661)
**Author:** [@gkster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gkster)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2026, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-prime-days-looking-for-a-budget-laptop-should-i-rush-to-find-one-tonight-need-answer-soon/1033661 "2026-10-08T15:30:17Z")
Amazon Prime days end tonight, and I need a budget laptop. Should I rush to find one tonight? Or will the prices be the same tomorrow? --- ## [Friend with staph infection](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friend-with-staph-infection/1033628)
**Author:** [@Kropotkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kropotkin)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2026, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friend-with-staph-infection/1033628 "2026-10-08T14:55:41Z")
70-year old woman with several significant health problems, from diabetes to COPD to urinary incontinence and more, including, we increasingly suspect, some form of dementia or cognitive impairment. She is unable or unwi… --- ## [A Perfectly Reasonable Amount of Schadenfreude about Things Happening to Trump & His Enablers (Part 3)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 4765\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2026, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175 "2026-10-08T14:43:17Z")
Continuing the discussion from A Perfectly Reasonable Amount of Schadenfreude about Things Happening to Trump & His Enablers (Part 2) - #10001 by kenobi\_65. Previous discussions: A Perfectly Reasonable Amount of Schad… --- ## [Possible beginning of a new pandemic?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-beginning-of-a-new-pandemic/1033599)
**Author:** [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2026, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-beginning-of-a-new-pandemic/1033599 "2026-10-08T14:41:57Z")
A Russian employee of an infectious disease research center in Siberia died of a pneumonia of supposedly unknown origin (or perhaps pneumonic plague). The center is the Irkutsk Research Anti-Plague Institute of Siberia. … --- ## [Protests & Violence: What's Going on in France?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protests-violence-whats-going-on-in-france/1033648)
**Author:** [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2026, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protests-violence-whats-going-on-in-france/1033648 "2026-10-08T14:29:38Z")
I saw on the news last nice that France is in civil turmoil but, the evening news being the Reader’s Digest Condensed Version that it is, didn’t really go into any details. What is going on? --- ## [Five-Word Movie Review](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-word-movie-review/680494)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 3338\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2026, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-word-movie-review/680494 "2026-10-08T13:54:27Z")
Inspired by this thread: Five Word Movie Reviews - Cafe Society - Straight Dope Message Board I thought it might be fun to try it as a game. The Rules Address three movies at a time, reviewing or describing each in j… --- ## [I Pit Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-babale/1016738)
**Author:** [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Replies:** 1378\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2026, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-babale/1016738 "2026-10-08T13:53:43Z")
Continued from the What Were You Thinking? thread . --- ## [Starship development and progress \[previous title: Will Musk's starship reach orbit this year?\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starship-development-and-progress-previous-title-will-musks-starship-reach-orbit-this-year/967583)
**Author:** [@xtenkfarpl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xtenkfarpl)\ **Replies:** 1677\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2026, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starship-development-and-progress-previous-title-will-musks-starship-reach-orbit-this-year/967583 "2026-10-08T13:53:17Z")
There was a flurry of activity last year when the upper stage was being tested. And then… nothing much. Of course there was a lot of 'FAA regulatory ‘stuff’, but it seems that’s been at least somewhat sorted. Has he r… --- ## [What is the first sentence from the book you are currently reading?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-first-sentence-from-the-book-you-are-currently-reading/784858)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 3833\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2026, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-first-sentence-from-the-book-you-are-currently-reading/784858 "2026-10-08T13:47:29Z")
“I think it was my love of wrestling that first took me to the dance hall.” -from Unfaithful Music and Disappearing Ink by Elvis Costello mmm ETA: Requested forum change to Cafe Society --- ## [Crew of the Discovery in 2001 a Space Odyssey](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crew-of-the-discovery-in-2001-a-space-odyssey/816598)
**Author:** [@ssgenius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ssgenius)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2026, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crew-of-the-discovery-in-2001-a-space-odyssey/816598 "2026-10-08T13:47:07Z")
Not sure if this goes in Cafe Society or IMHO Watching the movie 2001, a Space Odyssey, I thought why not send a husband wife pair up there instead of Frank Poole and Dave Bowman? Yes, I know that it is a 1960s movie b… --- ## [Clues by Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clues-by-sam/1030350)
**Author:** [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Replies:** 114\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2026, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clues-by-sam/1030350 "2026-10-08T13:41:56Z")
Is anyone else playing this? I tried it yesterday, and returned today. It’s a little logic puzzle, with 20 people in a grid, and clues like, “Anna is one of 3 criminals in column A”. You need to determine who is a cr… --- ## [Interaction in a beer store](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interaction-in-a-beer-store/1033626)
**Author:** [@LavenderMagnolia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LavenderMagnolia)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2026, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interaction-in-a-beer-store/1033626 "2026-10-08T13:12:07Z")
This happened several years ago now, but I remembered it when looking at some photos the other day, from the city where we lived in at the time. I’ve never quite understood this. A nearby beer/wine store had one of thos… --- ## [OK more language fun: "Rapine and pillaging" vs. "Raping and pillaging"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-more-language-fun-rapine-and-pillaging-vs-raping-and-pillaging/1033655)
**Author:** [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2026, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-more-language-fun-rapine-and-pillaging-vs-raping-and-pillaging/1033655 "2026-10-08T12:26:22Z")
I’ve sometimes seen the idiom said as “Rapine and pillaging”–which from a strictly grammarian standpoint is just atrocious parallelism (or lack thereof), an adjective (?) paired with a gerund. Shouldn’t it be “raping an… --- ## [NFL 2026-2027: Week 5](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-2027-week-5/1033629)
**Author:** [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2026, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-2027-week-5/1033629 "2026-10-08T12:09:49Z")
In Week 4, the surprising Browns edged the Steelers on Thursday, and the Colts spanked Washington in London. The Pats handed the Bills their first loss in their new stadium, and the Rams beat the Eagles in Philly. Brow… --- ## [Finding software for accented letters](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-software-for-accented-letters/1033552)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2026, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-software-for-accented-letters/1033552 "2026-10-08T12:07:34Z")
On my old computer, sadly defunct, there was a program for doing accented letters. Unfortunately I have lost its name and am hoping some Doper knows what it is. The way it worked was every character you wanted started b… --- ## [Why does ESPN ID players with Sr designation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-espn-id-players-with-sr-designation/1033623)
**Author:** [@fedman1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fedman1)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2026, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-espn-id-players-with-sr-designation/1033623 "2026-10-08T11:38:26Z")
Just an observation, but recently I’ve noticed that ESPN–haven’t seen it other places–where they call Aaron Jones Sr and Deebo Samuel Sr, but why? I mean, neither player has son playing in league, so is there a need to i… --- ## [US House races 2026](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-house-races-2026/1023336)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 141\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2026, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-house-races-2026/1023336 "2026-10-08T03:58:18Z")
Here’s our thread on the upper house: Senate races 2026 Thought we ought to have one on the House of Representatives, as well. Here’s Wiki: 2026 United States House of Representatives elections - Wikipedia These may a… --- ## [“Did the earliest humans and dinosaurs live at the same time?”](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-earliest-humans-and-dinosaurs-live-at-the-same-time/1033636)
**Author:** [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2026, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-earliest-humans-and-dinosaurs-live-at-the-same-time/1033636 "2026-10-08T00:58:10Z")
Please answer (here) just yes or no. Like it is a poll. For the first 24 hours. --- ## [First Measles death in Texas - Feb, 2025, and now in other parts of the US](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-measles-death-in-texas-feb-2025-and-now-in-other-parts-of-the-us/1014834)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 437\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2026, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-measles-death-in-texas-feb-2025-and-now-in-other-parts-of-the-us/1014834 "2026-10-08T00:44:06Z")
“1st death as West Texas measles outbreak tops 120 cases. What to know.” https://www.expressnews.com/news/texas/article/measles-first-death-west-texas-outbreak-20188974.php A Texas patient has died from measles, the A… --- ## [2026 Cecil’s Hot Seat - Fantasy Football Guillotine League Year 2](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-cecil-s-hot-seat-fantasy-football-guillotine-league-year-2/1032007)
**Author:** [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Replies:** 106\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2026, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-cecil-s-hot-seat-fantasy-football-guillotine-league-year-2/1032007 "2026-10-08T00:27:50Z")
Alright, Yahoo has renewed the league from last year, and it looks like there are already 13 teams signed up (I’m guessing it’s auto renewal as well). I’m going to preemptively set a draft date for 9/2/26 at 8pm Eastern… --- ## [Whither Canada and the European Union?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whither-canada-and-the-european-union/1033063)
**Author:** [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2026, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whither-canada-and-the-european-union/1033063 "2026-10-08T00:02:05Z")
So it seems like Mark Carney is currently making a serious attempt to redefine Canada’s relationship with the European Union, if not setting Canada on the path to actual EU membership, then perhaps some alternative form … --- ## [Today in nature I saw](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854)
**Author:** [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Replies:** 4386\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2026, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854 "2026-10-07T23:52:39Z")
Just a lizard in the bathroom at work. I caught him and put him outside. But yesterday, I saw a really vivid rainbow in my yard during a passing storm. I could make out almost the whole arc. I’m pretty sure there was… --- ## [Comedians and comedy acts you've seen](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedians-and-comedy-acts-youve-seen/1033244)
**Author:** [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Replies:** 152\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2026, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedians-and-comedy-acts-youve-seen/1033244 "2026-10-07T23:20:55Z")
This past Friday my wife and I saw Jim Gaffigan at the Fox Theater in Detroit. I had not been looking forward to driving downtown, fighting traffic and crowds, and just the whole hassle, having recently injured my shoul… --- ## [Pro-Trump T-shirts at Resorts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-trump-t-shirts-at-resorts/1018827)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 137\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2026, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-trump-t-shirts-at-resorts/1018827 "2026-10-07T22:50:10Z")
I made my regular Memorial Day trip to a beach resort – in this case, Hampton Beach in New Hampshire – to see what the latest summer stuff was. Usually there are new things at the beach, new video games and high-tech pin… --- ## [Ted Lasso Coming back this Summer {August 5, 2026}](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-lasso-coming-back-this-summer-august-5-2026/1027122)
**Author:** [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2026, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-lasso-coming-back-this-summer-august-5-2026/1027122 "2026-10-07T21:44:56Z")
I am late to the Ted Lasso party because I only just got Apple TV a few months ago but my wife and I watched it and loved the show. The ending seemed like a good one for the characters but Apple announced today the show … --- ## [Eva Marie Saint just passed at 102](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eva-marie-saint-just-passed-at-102/1033634)
**Author:** [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2026, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eva-marie-saint-just-passed-at-102/1033634 "2026-10-07T21:44:53Z")
Probably best known for North by North West opposite Cary Grant or On the Waterfront opposite Brando. She worked into her 90s. One of the last of old Hollywood, or maybe the last star. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm00016… --- ## [Blood at 35,000 feet: possible hijacking attempt on flight to Israel](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blood-at-35-000-feet-possible-hijacking-attempt-on-flight-to-israel/1033484)
**Author:** [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Replies:** 156\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2026, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blood-at-35-000-feet-possible-hijacking-attempt-on-flight-to-israel/1033484 "2026-10-07T20:53:15Z")
I posted this in the Aviation thread, but I think it deserves a thread of its own. A FlyDubai flight took off from the UAE early this morning on its way to Tel Aviv, and as it approached Jordanian airspace, it sent out … --- ## [When in discourse of sequential threads](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-in-discourse-of-sequential-threads/911906)
**Author:** [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Replies:** 2818\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2026, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-in-discourse-of-sequential-threads/911906 "2026-10-07T20:48:58Z")
Looks like the old one is more than 10K so here goes. Things are opening up. What personal service are you comfortable to try to get? Toilet Plume and the Coronavirus Normally I get a Toilet Plume every month or so bu… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=4&state=tracking) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=6&state=tracking)