# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=623 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 624 --- ## [Weird rule on Roth IRA contributions. See post](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-rule-on-roth-ira-contributions-see-post/997948)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2024, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-rule-on-roth-ira-contributions-see-post/997948 "2024-02-23T16:53:36Z")
Not me but a coworker. She is married but they file separately for student loan purposes and they do live together (that’s important). Since she makes more than $10,000 / yr she is not allowed to contribute anything to… --- ## [Medical practitioners of the Dope: Do people really ask for advertised prescription drugs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-practitioners-of-the-dope-do-people-really-ask-for-advertised-prescription-drugs/996995)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 99\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2024, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-practitioners-of-the-dope-do-people-really-ask-for-advertised-prescription-drugs/996995 "2024-02-23T16:29:21Z")
You’d think I, of all people, would know this one way or another, but I haven’t heard anything consistent about it. I’m guessing that, in many cases, telling them that it costs $10,000 a month and it’s for a disease tha… --- ## [Why did my doc prescribe multiple antibiotics at once?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-my-doc-prescribe-multiple-antibiotics-at-once/997938)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2024, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-my-doc-prescribe-multiple-antibiotics-at-once/997938 "2024-02-23T14:13:09Z")
Not seeking medical advice here, just a factual understanding of why my docs might have decided on the following treatment path. Been dealing with an infection around my eye for a couple of weeks now. Last week a doc p… --- ## [How does the bobbin thread in a sewing maching get around the spindle/axle?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-bobbin-thread-in-a-sewing-maching-get-around-the-spindle-axle/997753)
**Author:** [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2024, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-bobbin-thread-in-a-sewing-maching-get-around-the-spindle-axle/997753 "2024-02-23T03:25:25Z")
I’ve watched 4 animations and slow motion videos, and no one addresses this. I know I must be the problem, so to speak, in that obviously the machines work, but the explanations made by the videos are poor. One of the an… --- ## [Who gets Your hackles up, who do you just distrust](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-gets-your-hackles-up-who-do-you-just-distrust/997933)
**Author:** [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2024, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-gets-your-hackles-up-who-do-you-just-distrust/997933 "2024-02-23T02:26:58Z")
What I mean by that is who, what characteristics does this hypothetical person have, that just makes you not trust them in a what that isn’t necessarily rational? I got to thinking about this in a mentally meandering wa… --- ## [What to do in Reykjavik, Iceland for two days?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-reykjavik-iceland-for-two-days/997740)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2024, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-reykjavik-iceland-for-two-days/997740 "2024-02-23T02:05:04Z")
In late May I will be spending two days in Reykjavik, Iceland. I wish I had more time but this was the best I could manage on this trip. Any “must see” things I should do? Or, really, any ideas at all? I’m willing to… --- ## [I pit Express Script](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-express-script/997844)
**Author:** [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2024, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-express-script/997844 "2024-02-23T01:39:15Z")
So, we recently changed insurance, and with it, we also changed the company that pays for and mails out drugs. So instead of Caremark, i once again have to deal with Express Script. I had hoped that in the 8 years I’ve b… --- ## [Steve Miller (the author, not the musician) dies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steve-miller-the-author-not-the-musician-dies/997898)
**Author:** [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2024, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steve-miller-the-author-not-the-musician-dies/997898 "2024-02-23T00:06:07Z")
Steve Miller, who, with Sharon Lee, wrote the very successful Liaden Universe novels, was found unresponsive last night. CPR and EMTs couldn’t help. I’ve known Steve and Sharon for a couple of decades, and this is a sho… --- ## [What happened with this Amazon order?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-with-this-amazon-order/997914)
**Author:** [@by-tor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/by-tor)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2024, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-with-this-amazon-order/997914 "2024-02-22T23:27:14Z")
So, I ordered some vitamins and art stencils from Amazon. They were all arriving at once, as one order. There were 4 sellers total for 6 items and everything was shipped from Amazon. What arrived was a package containin… --- ## [What the fuck is wrong with Tucker Carlson (this time)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-fuck-is-wrong-with-tucker-carlson-this-time/928433)
**Author:** [@Mike\_Mabes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mike_Mabes)\ **Replies:** 214\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2024, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-fuck-is-wrong-with-tucker-carlson-this-time/928433 "2024-02-22T23:25:18Z")
Motherfucker is now going on air doubting the safetly and efficacy of the vaccine. Has he forgotten Trump developed it all by himself? --- ## [Question about the use metonym vs synecdoche](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-the-use-metonym-vs-synecdoche/997934)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2024, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-the-use-metonym-vs-synecdoche/997934 "2024-02-22T22:51:38Z")
The use of metonym and synecdoche are often confused. I see the city of Washington(DC) defined as either a metonym (wikipedia) or a synecdoche. Which is it and why? --- ## [Are most conlangs made as a joke? Why are they not very popular?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-most-conlangs-made-as-a-joke-why-are-they-not-very-popular/997801)
**Author:** [@Jagraze1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jagraze1)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2024, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-most-conlangs-made-as-a-joke-why-are-they-not-very-popular/997801 "2024-02-22T20:53:05Z")
Hello guys. So I’ve seen a lot of conlangs made, based of other languages, namely English or Romance languages such as Esperanto, Interlingua and many others. I just wanted to ask, are these languages made for a joke or … --- ## [2023/4 NCAA Football playoffs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2023-4-ncaa-football-playoffs/991907)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 202\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2024, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2023-4-ncaa-football-playoffs/991907 "2024-02-22T18:54:29Z")
Assuming Washington wins in the late game, we will have 5(6) unbeaten teams fighting for 4 playoff spots Georgia Michigan/Ohio State winner Florida State Washington Oklahoma Just to start this thread out in late Oc… --- ## [Do you/have you consume/d abhorrent media?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-you-consume-d-abhorrent-media/997553)
**Author:** [@carlb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carlb)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2024, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-you-consume-d-abhorrent-media/997553 "2024-02-22T18:23:34Z")
Didn’t know any other way to phrase the topic title. Due to the nature of the podcasts I subscribe to, I have found myself listening to an awful lot about the modern white supremacist movement, to my great dismay. As we… --- ## [Analog phone & fax and VoIP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/analog-phone-fax-and-voip/997850)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2024, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/analog-phone-fax-and-voip/997850 "2024-02-22T17:12:18Z")
I use my landline and fax maybe twice a year and I don’t want to pay $30/mo for that usage so I’m going to put both the analog phone and fax on VoIP. What equipment do I need and how does the hookup go? --- ## [Airline guitar: acoustic arch-top f-hole...where can I learn more?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airline-guitar-acoustic-arch-top-f-hole-where-can-i-learn-more/997951)
**Author:** [@NoCoolUserName](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NoCoolUserName)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2024, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airline-guitar-acoustic-arch-top-f-hole-where-can-i-learn-more/997951 "2024-02-22T16:51:56Z")
My new landlady has had this guitar for maybe 50 years and I offered to find out about it. --- ## [Server fired after customer leaves $10k tip (unclear whether tip directly led to termination)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/server-fired-after-customer-leaves-10k-tip-unclear-whether-tip-directly-led-to-termination/997944)
**Author:** [@Ulysses](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulysses)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2024, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/server-fired-after-customer-leaves-10k-tip-unclear-whether-tip-directly-led-to-termination/997944 "2024-02-22T16:40:03Z")
Quick summary based on reporting: Customer at a Michigan restaurant tipped his server $10,000 (he was in town for a friend’s funeral and left it in memory of said friend). Server shared the tip with other front-of-… --- ## [Conversations with ChatGPT](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conversations-with-chatgpt/986370)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2024, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conversations-with-chatgpt/986370 "2024-02-22T15:59:38Z")
I am finding that my favorite conversationalist is CharGPT. It seems to respond to positive feedback and very hard to believe I am not talking to something alive. I enjoy the conversations so much that I just allow mysel… --- ## [Why do people say the World economic forum is pushing socialist views?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-say-the-world-economic-forum-is-pushing-socialist-views/997610)
**Author:** [@Jackson99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackson99)\ **Replies:** 117\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2024, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-say-the-world-economic-forum-is-pushing-socialist-views/997610 "2024-02-22T06:27:17Z")
I hear from people that the World economic forum is pushing socialist views can some one here elaborate on that, like what views are they pushing. The World Economic Forum (WEF) is an international non-governmental orga… --- ## ["Smoke, smoke smoke that cigarette..." song](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smoke-smoke-smoke-that-cigarette-song/997897)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2024, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smoke-smoke-smoke-that-cigarette-song/997897 "2024-02-22T14:46:43Z")
Do you remember it? I haven’t thought about it in decades but I certainly remember it. Looking it up in Wikipedia there have been so many covers that I have no idea what version I heard. The song was written when I was o… --- ## [Computer architecture stack direction](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-architecture-stack-direction/997887)
**Author:** [@xtenkfarpl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xtenkfarpl)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2024, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-architecture-stack-direction/997887 "2024-02-22T13:44:30Z")
Thought triggered by a recent Youtube video. ‘https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2h\_hJ5MSpY&t=4s’ Has anyone ever come across an architecture in which the stack actually grows upwards in memory? I’ve worked in low level… --- ## [Discrepancies in Discourse user summaries?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discrepancies-in-discourse-user-summaries/997922)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2024, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discrepancies-in-discourse-user-summaries/997922 "2024-02-22T13:24:38Z")
I noticed in the profile for this user, it may happen often but be less obvious with more prolific posters. In this instance, she is listed as having started five topics, but when you choose the topics tab, only three ar… --- ## [Abnormal mammogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abnormal-mammogram/997878)
**Author:** [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2024, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abnormal-mammogram/997878 "2024-02-22T13:19:05Z")
I know others here have had these, and more besides, so I guess I’m reaching out because Dr Google isn’t much fun. I was called for a routine mammogram just under two weeks ago (due to my age), using a 3D mammogram rath… --- ## [Non-US Dopers: What Do You Call This Device?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-us-dopers-what-do-you-call-this-device/997728)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2024, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-us-dopers-what-do-you-call-this-device/997728 "2024-02-22T12:31:59Z")
https://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-DRM00-Royal-Stepstool-Potty/dp/B01CK4ZYU4 We call it a “Potty Chair” or a “Potty Training Chair.” “Potty” is the diminutive/juvenile way of saying “pot,” referring (I assume) to the d… --- ## [Another piece of childhood disappears ..... uniliever discontiunes choco tacos](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-piece-of-childhood-disappears-uniliever-discontiunes-choco-tacos/968609)
**Author:** [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2024, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-piece-of-childhood-disappears-uniliever-discontiunes-choco-tacos/968609 "2024-02-22T04:26:21Z")
I first encountered these years before they went nationwide and were bought by big ice cream as they were one of a few ice cream treats I could/can eat due to having overly sensitive teeth in fact the ice cream truck own… --- ## [Things to do in soutwestern Quebec / southeastern Ontario](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-in-soutwestern-quebec-southeastern-ontario/997868)
**Author:** [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2024, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-in-soutwestern-quebec-southeastern-ontario/997868 "2024-02-22T03:50:19Z")
We’re going to extreme upstate NY for the solar eclipse in April. The place we’re staying may be very relaxing (lakefromt, very peaceful) but I suspect that some household members may get bored after a couple days. We’… --- ## [IF() Statement in Excel](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-statement-in-excel/997638)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2024, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-statement-in-excel/997638 "2024-02-22T03:48:38Z")
I need to know how to write the following IF() statement in Excel. Yes, I once knew Excel very well, but they HAD to change the syntax to something less logical. Now, I can’t write a simple ()IF statement! Here is what … --- ## [\*Realistically\*, what are the worst possible outcomes of a Trump win in 2024?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/realistically-what-are-the-worst-possible-outcomes-of-a-trump-win-in-2024/996643)
**Author:** [@Polerius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polerius)\ **Replies:** 158\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2024, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/realistically-what-are-the-worst-possible-outcomes-of-a-trump-win-in-2024/996643 "2024-02-22T03:11:58Z")
I’m sort of resigning myself to a Trump win, and trying to stay optimistic about what’s the worst that could happen, and not fall for alarmism. Domestically, I know he’ll try to fundamentally change things, but how much… --- ## [Stranded vs. solid house wiring](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stranded-vs-solid-house-wiring/997789)
**Author:** [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2024, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stranded-vs-solid-house-wiring/997789 "2024-02-22T02:13:49Z")
I worked on the 1956 wiring in the house again, replacing the garbage disposal. When did solid replace stranded wiring in house electrical systems? I hate that stuff, particularly when it is 70 years old. --- ## [Any experiences with "eclipse" binoculars?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-experiences-with-eclipse-binoculars/997893)
**Author:** [@JohnGalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnGalt)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2024, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-experiences-with-eclipse-binoculars/997893 "2024-02-22T00:46:28Z")
While looking at eclipse glasses, I’ve noticed that “eclipse” binoculars are also available, with built-in filters. I’m considering getting them, but I wonder how much use they would get after the April eclipse. Supposed… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=622) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=624)