# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=586 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 587 --- ## ["Horrible" companies that you love](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/horrible-companies-that-you-love/977561)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2024, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/horrible-companies-that-you-love/977561 "2024-04-15T19:33:15Z")
In fact, they can be so horrible that they are positively evil. But what are the companies of which you are 1%ers? Meaning you are not in the 99% of the population that hates, despises and loathes the company. You don… --- ## [What didn’t he like? (Paul Simon, Sound of Silence)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-didn-t-he-like-paul-simon-sound-of-silence/999598)
**Author:** [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Replies:** 121\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2024, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-didn-t-he-like-paul-simon-sound-of-silence/999598 "2024-04-15T18:54:46Z")
I’m a fan of S&G’s music but I read somewhere, or saw somewhere, that there was a line in the song and Paul Simon didn’t like it. Apparently he loathed it so much that he hated to sing the entire song, just because of th… --- ## [Were there any African American combat engineers/sappers on the Western Front in WWI?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-there-any-african-american-combat-engineers-sappers-on-the-western-front-in-wwi/1000314)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2024, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-there-any-african-american-combat-engineers-sappers-on-the-western-front-in-wwi/1000314 "2024-04-15T18:00:08Z")
Were there any African American combat engineers/sappers on the Western Front in WWI? I couldn’t find any reference to any online. Could it have been one of the jobs not permitted them by the AEF? --- ## [Is it possible to have unwanted phone sex?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-have-unwanted-phone-sex/989984)
**Author:** [@cincinnatus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cincinnatus)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2024, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-have-unwanted-phone-sex/989984 "2024-04-15T17:51:58Z")
Mel Tucker, Michigan State University coach, is accused of sexual harassment by Brenda Tracy. Tracy works with sports programs talking to athletes about sexual violence and is a rape survivor. These details come from a S… --- ## [Do you use a phone holster?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-a-phone-holster/1000054)
**Author:** [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2024, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-a-phone-holster/1000054 "2024-04-15T17:06:49Z")
poll This thread in factual questions: Resulted in several posters describing that they use phone holsters. I think I quit using a holster once I adopted the iPhone in 2008 and gave up my Blackberry. We have about 6,… --- ## [It's Time to Let My Dog Go](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-let-my-dog-go/986437)
**Author:** [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2024, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-let-my-dog-go/986437 "2024-04-15T15:48:19Z")
Way back in 2006, I came home to hear the barking of a puppy under my house. Not being a monster, I was prepared to crawl under the house in order to rescue the puppy, but thankfully he ran right into my arms when I cal… --- ## [How far does the “My life or theirs” argument go?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-does-the-my-life-or-theirs-argument-go/1000211)
**Author:** [@Cmyers1980](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cmyers1980)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2024, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-does-the-my-life-or-theirs-argument-go/1000211 "2024-04-15T14:24:08Z")
Most people believe it would be morally right and justified to kill someone to save yourself or someone else because it’s basic self defense whether the person you’re killing did anything or not. What about the moral pe… --- ## [Word from old newspaper clipping-- "cblige"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/word-from-old-newspaper-clipping-cblige/1000286)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2024, 10:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/word-from-old-newspaper-clipping-cblige/1000286 "2024-04-15T10:26:32Z")
In this Buzzfeed list, in number 27, letters to Santa from 1897, one kid wants some candy and cblige. “Cblige” is obviously a typo, but I haven’t been able to think up what it was supposed to be. --- ## [Trying To Remember This Series of SNL Sketches (Commercials for Bizarro Music/Art Fests With Random Band Names, etc.)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-remember-this-series-of-snl-sketches-commercials-for-bizarro-music-art-fests-with-random-band-names-etc/1000288)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2024, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-remember-this-series-of-snl-sketches-commercials-for-bizarro-music-art-fests-with-random-band-names-etc/1000288 "2024-04-15T07:38:17Z")
SNL did a handful of these sketches from c. 1998 - c. 2007. Horation Sanz was in at least one, Jason Sudeikis in at least one, and Amy Poehler in at least one WITH Jason Sudeikis. The premise was that it was a commercial… --- ## [(Old) The Apocalyptic MMP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-the-apocalyptic-mmp/1000001)
**Author:** [@swampbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampbear)\ **Replies:** 310\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2024, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-the-apocalyptic-mmp/1000001 "2024-04-15T06:07:15Z")
Good Mornin’ Y’all! Up and caffeinatin’. YAWN ‘Tis 55 Amurrkin out and clear with a predicted high of 80 and mostly N.O.S. for the day. Not much shakin’ here today. OYKW has a doc appointment at eight-thirty. Well, it’s … --- ## [If I started a new cigarette company…](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-started-a-new-cigarette-company/1000292)
**Author:** [@Midtown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Midtown)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2024, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-started-a-new-cigarette-company/1000292 "2024-04-15T04:23:11Z")
I used organic tobacco. I wouldn’t advertise to children, or anyone. Maybe just get small retailers to carry my product and hoped to expand over time. I would prominently warn about the health and addiction risks. I wo… --- ## [Did Any MMORPGs Acknowledge The Eclipse?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-any-mmorpgs-acknowledge-the-eclipse/1000287)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2024, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-any-mmorpgs-acknowledge-the-eclipse/1000287 "2024-04-14T21:37:10Z")
World of Warcraft has events every year that somewhat coincide with events on the calendar, such as Greatfather Winter missions around Christmas, etc. Similarly, Red Dead Online has Halloween and Christmas events, and pr… --- ## [What trouble might arise from switching a W-2 employee to 1099 contractor status and then back to W-2?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-trouble-might-arise-from-switching-a-w-2-employee-to-1099-contractor-status-and-then-back-to-w-2/1000258)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2024, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-trouble-might-arise-from-switching-a-w-2-employee-to-1099-contractor-status-and-then-back-to-w-2/1000258 "2024-04-14T21:10:36Z")
I’ve been offered a job by a company in the US, but I had been planning to spend a year or so in Taiwan. They offered to let me work remotely in America first for a few months as W-2, then switch over to 1099 status whil… --- ## [Really odd food](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-odd-food/1000261)
**Author:** [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2024, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-odd-food/1000261 "2024-04-14T18:56:03Z")
I am related to the noted onmnivore and zoöphagist Frank Buckland. From Wikipedia: I am an extraordinarily consumer of weird food. Roast whole fieldmice? Check. Crayfish eggs? Check. Rock Hyrax? Check. That was a slig… --- ## [10th amendment fever dream](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10th-amendment-fever-dream/1000234)
**Author:** [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2024, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10th-amendment-fever-dream/1000234 "2024-04-14T18:15:27Z")
“The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.” The alternate history which is to come: For many reaso… --- ## [Red light under penumbra](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/red-light-under-penumbra/1000027)
**Author:** [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2024, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/red-light-under-penumbra/1000027 "2024-04-14T18:06:42Z")
What was the ruby dot at the bottom of the penumbra during the April 8 eclipse? --- ## [How much hair has there been?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-hair-has-there-been/1000213)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2024, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-hair-has-there-been/1000213 "2024-04-14T16:58:07Z")
Hair lasts a long time (compared to most other tissues) because few things break it down. What if nothing broke it down, and all hair that hasn’t been destroyed by heat was still around? How about an estimated mass? --- ## [Soup and \[what?\] - also, what is soup to you?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soup-and-what-also-what-is-soup-to-you/998845)
**Author:** [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2024, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soup-and-what-also-what-is-soup-to-you/998845 "2024-04-14T16:50:00Z")
Just curious to know what various expectations might exist in different places for something commonly offered with soup This might be either just a conventional default pairing - soup and a bread roll would I think be t… --- ## [What is your favourite funny novel?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-funny-novel/998832)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 200\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2024, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-funny-novel/998832 "2024-04-14T16:36:56Z")
This NYT free article had me questioning what my favourite funny novel is. They give their 22 opinions. I’ve only read six of them, and have never even seen or heard of many of their recommendations. --- ## [Peak "Americana"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peak-americana/1000241)
**Author:** [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2024, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peak-americana/1000241 "2024-04-14T14:36:05Z")
When, where and by whom did Americana peak? my peronal take: 2nd half of the 70ies, Bob Seeger IMHO it doesn’t get more americana than Seeger … Bruce is a distant 2nd … --- ## [What was the highest category of Croix de Guerre in WWI bronze palm or gold palm?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-highest-category-of-croix-de-guerre-in-wwi-bronze-palm-or-gold-palm/1000264)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2024, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-highest-category-of-croix-de-guerre-in-wwi-bronze-palm-or-gold-palm/1000264 "2024-04-14T14:25:59Z")
What was the highest category of Croix de Guerre in WWI bronze palm or gold palm? Neither Wikipedia nor Britannica mention it. Is there a Croix de Guerre with a gold palm ? https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/rememb… --- ## [What does Contingent mean for Beneficiary?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-contingent-mean-for-beneficiary/999980)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2024, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-contingent-mean-for-beneficiary/999980 "2024-04-14T13:38:32Z")
Filling out a Annuity claim form and the beneficiaries. It has 2 primary with percents and 1 contingent with a percent I’m not sure what contingent means in this context? Webster says depending on That’s not very hel… --- ## [Do you use certain foreign words/phrases exclusively rather your native language's words?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-certain-foreign-words-phrases-exclusively-rather-your-native-languages-words/844883)
**Author:** [@lingyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lingyi)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2024, 11:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-certain-foreign-words-phrases-exclusively-rather-your-native-languages-words/844883 "2024-04-14T11:42:46Z")
Sorry if the topic is a bit confusing. English is my first and only intelligible language, but I sometimes catch myself using Japanese words/phrases exclusively in certain situations. I’m not talking about about local w… --- ## [(Dimly) remembering Akebono](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dimly-remembering-akebono/1000254)
**Author:** [@DKW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DKW)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2024, 9:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dimly-remembering-akebono/1000254 "2024-04-14T09:43:03Z")
The Hawaii-born sumo groundbreaker has died at age 54 of heart failure. Having followed the sport avidly when he was active, I feel compelled to say something, but as is usually the case for athletes who have been out o… --- ## [How many time have you broken a cell phone screen?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-time-have-you-broken-a-cell-phone-screen/1000196)
**Author:** [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2024, 9:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-time-have-you-broken-a-cell-phone-screen/1000196 "2024-04-14T09:38:20Z")
Reading a recent thread about someone’s mother who broke her cellphone screen made me realize that in last 15+ years of owning multiple smart phones, I have never broken a screen on one. (Frankly I can’t even remember th… --- ## [Mini-post. The Six Million Dollar Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-post-the-six-million-dollar-man/996529)
**Author:** [@Pavelb1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pavelb1)\ **Replies:** 123\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2024, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-post-the-six-million-dollar-man/996529 "2024-04-14T03:42:34Z")
Now appearing on Peacock It looks great. Better than my dvds. They must have pulled them from the Blu-Rays I could watch for Colonel Austin’s wardrobe alone --- ## [So, my kids found out my Straightdope identity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-kids-found-out-my-straightdope-identity/999681)
**Author:** [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Replies:** 120\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2024, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-kids-found-out-my-straightdope-identity/999681 "2024-04-14T01:15:40Z")
It’s not like I’ve tried to keep the fact that I post here any big secret to my family. My kids knew I posted on a site called ‘Straightdope’ that my older son describes as ‘Reddit for old people’. They’ve been threateni… --- ## [Wouldn't the government itself rebel against a second Trump presidency?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wouldnt-the-government-itself-rebel-against-a-second-trump-presidency/999947)
**Author:** [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Replies:** 215\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2024, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wouldnt-the-government-itself-rebel-against-a-second-trump-presidency/999947 "2024-04-14T01:24:52Z")
First off, I don’t think Trump is going to win; I don’t know if he’ll even make it to the convention. But I wanted to note something odd: All of the speculation I read online, whether on sites like this or by paid write… --- ## [Worst overdubs that made it into the final cut](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-overdubs-that-made-it-into-the-final-cut/998010)
**Author:** [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2024, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-overdubs-that-made-it-into-the-final-cut/998010 "2024-04-14T00:51:58Z")
Examples: Sigourney Weaver in Galaxy Quest “Well fuck screw that!”: The pimp in Crocodile Dundee “Are you gonna talk all night my man or you gonna fuck screw one of 'em?”: Others? --- ## [How's your balance?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-your-balance/999995)
**Author:** [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2024, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-your-balance/999995 "2024-04-14T00:25:34Z")
According to an article I read (but cannot of course remember where) folks who cannot consistently balance on one leg, with no external. support, for more than 10 seconds are likely to die significantly younger than thos… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=585) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=587)