# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=653 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 654 --- ## [Why don't we sneeze when we are sleeping?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-we-sneeze-when-we-are-sleeping/531716)
**Author:** [@Stan\_Shmenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Shmenge)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2024, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-we-sneeze-when-we-are-sleeping/531716 "2024-01-12T23:31:18Z")
Title says it all. I assume we don’t anyway, because I am pretty sure I would be woken up by a sneeze. :wink: --- ## [Was the 1947 partition plan fair to the Palistinians?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-1947-partition-plan-fair-to-the-palistinians/995355)
**Author:** [@Danger\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danger_Man)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2024, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-1947-partition-plan-fair-to-the-palistinians/995355 "2024-01-12T19:37:07Z")
I know this is a difficult topic to discuss. I have no stakes in the conflict myself, and I’m currently reading up on details I’ve missed before and trying to get a clearer picture. Let’s try to limit the discussion to … --- ## [Why are J words in English usually written with Dy in the Tagalog language (ex: Dyanitor instead of Janitor)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-j-words-in-english-usually-written-with-dy-in-the-tagalog-language-ex-dyanitor-instead-of-janitor/996012)
**Author:** [@Jagraze1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jagraze1)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2024, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-j-words-in-english-usually-written-with-dy-in-the-tagalog-language-ex-dyanitor-instead-of-janitor/996012 "2024-01-12T19:33:08Z")
From what I know, I often hear that the English “J” sound does not exist in Tagalog. However, when I see words in Tagalog, there are often sounds that use English “j” (ex: Dyanitor). Why doesn’t Tagalog use J for \[dzh\] i… --- ## [The Big Bang Theory: worth continuing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-worth-continuing/995595)
**Author:** [@GESancMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GESancMan)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2024, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-worth-continuing/995595 "2024-01-12T19:21:41Z")
My wife and I recently decided to watch this show, having never seen it before. My wife hadn’t ever been interested, because she assumed it would be all about a group of guys trying to have sex with a dumb blonde. I was … --- ## [Opinions desired on home heating (short and long term)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-desired-on-home-heating-short-and-long-term/995755)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2024, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-desired-on-home-heating-short-and-long-term/995755 "2024-01-12T17:58:28Z")
I’ve been living in my first floor condo (part of a larger building with multiple units) for about a year now, so I’ve not gotten used to its quirks yet. It’s just shy of 890 square feet. There are baseboard heaters in t… --- ## [What is going on with Google reviews of the film "Leave The World Behind"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-going-on-with-google-reviews-of-the-film-leave-the-world-behind/995935)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2024, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-going-on-with-google-reviews-of-the-film-leave-the-world-behind/995935 "2024-01-12T17:58:08Z")
I did a Google search on the subject movie, and at the top of the page is the Google info on it, followed by site hits. The Google section includes reviews. The proportion of 1-star reviews is way out of proportion to wh… --- ## [I’m rooting for Chris Christie’s run for President (He has dropped from the race Jan 2024)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-m-rooting-for-chris-christie-s-run-for-president-he-has-dropped-from-the-race-jan-2024/985302)
**Author:** [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Replies:** 106\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2024, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-m-rooting-for-chris-christie-s-run-for-president-he-has-dropped-from-the-race-jan-2024/985302 "2024-01-12T16:48:23Z")
I’ve always liked Chris Christie. He’s obviously flawed, but be knows he can’t hide it. So he’s funny. And relatable. And enjoys taking the position that he’s allowed to tell you the straight truth, even if it sucks. … --- ## [What would it be like to reach adulthood twice as fast?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-it-be-like-to-reach-adulthood-twice-as-fast/995913)
**Author:** [@Cmyers1980](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cmyers1980)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2024, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-it-be-like-to-reach-adulthood-twice-as-fast/995913 "2024-01-12T16:02:06Z")
There are various fictional settings where aging is stopped, delayed or altered in some way. My question is if a perfect method was devised for parents to have their children age twice to maturity twice as fast (meaning … --- ## [Mickey's Mouse Trap (2024)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mickeys-mouse-trap-2024/995857)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2024, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mickeys-mouse-trap-2024/995857 "2024-01-12T15:55:03Z")
A whole movie made just to flip the bird to Disney? Really? --- ## [What is the original definition of a Coulomb?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-original-definition-of-a-coulomb/995863)
**Author:** [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2024, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-original-definition-of-a-coulomb/995863 "2024-01-12T15:33:08Z")
I found this: physics - Origin of the coulomb and ampere - History of Science and Mathematics Stack Exchange " my question: why is the coulomb (and ampere) the size it is today, which an outrageous size that makes it… --- ## [Graphing functions with non-integer exponents](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/graphing-functions-with-non-integer-exponents/995951)
**Author:** [@EnolaStraight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EnolaStraight)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2024, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/graphing-functions-with-non-integer-exponents/995951 "2024-01-12T14:21:19Z")
Look at the graph of x^2 R.036035c45a2ac01824e8245c46f1a534 (546×314) (bing.com) a nice “V” shape. here’s the graph of x^3 R.c6f80415c6f0a653349cdccae3032821 (1002×821) (bing.com) An “S” shape Essentially, any even… --- ## [Outdoor Cats Are Using $500 Starlink Satellite Dishes as Self-Heating Beds](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outdoor-cats-are-using-500-starlink-satellite-dishes-as-self-heating-beds/995752)
**Author:** [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2024, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outdoor-cats-are-using-500-starlink-satellite-dishes-as-self-heating-beds/995752 "2024-01-12T12:18:12Z")
The dishes are self-heating and cozy for the cats. Doesn’t help reception. --- ## [What happened to "blur spoiler"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-blur-spoiler/995958)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2024, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-blur-spoiler/995958 "2024-01-12T11:44:39Z")
It has disappeared as a menu option. You now have to type in the tags by hand. This change sucks. --- ## [Paypal rocket/hot air balloon choice](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paypal-rocket-hot-air-balloon-choice/995888)
**Author:** [@colinfred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/colinfred)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2024, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paypal-rocket-hot-air-balloon-choice/995888 "2024-01-12T11:26:48Z")
When I withdraw money back to my bank from Paypal I get 2 choices, the “rocket” which is instant and free or the “hot air balloon” which will take 2-3 days and may charge a fee. As I’ve never chosen the hot air ballon I … --- ## [Family dog eats $4,000 in cash](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-dog-eats-4-000-in-cash/995729)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2024, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-dog-eats-4-000-in-cash/995729 "2024-01-12T11:12:49Z")
And guess how they found out? Yeah, the hard way. I wish Dave Barry still wrote his weekly column. This is right up his alley. --- ## [C, K, G, J, Q, X: which would you call the most pointless letter?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c-k-g-j-q-x-which-would-you-call-the-most-pointless-letter/820092)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2024, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c-k-g-j-q-x-which-would-you-call-the-most-pointless-letter/820092 "2024-01-12T04:58:23Z")
When I was a young Rhymer, only an apprentice in the ways of evil, I used to love reading the encyclopedia. It was the pre-Wikipedia era, of course, meaning I am talking about print volumes (the World Book in my parents’… --- ## [(Old) It is getting cold in the MMP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-it-is-getting-cold-in-the-mmp/994405)
**Author:** [@JaneDoe42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaneDoe42)\ **Replies:** 306\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2024, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-it-is-getting-cold-in-the-mmp/994405 "2024-01-12T01:09:33Z")
Winter has kinda showed up here, the water in the shallow bird bath has started freezing at night and we are bringing the hummingbird feeder in at night (it goes out just after dawn). We lost the tomatoes two nights and… --- ## [We’re number three! (Toronto and slow traffic)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-re-number-three-toronto-and-slow-traffic/995967)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2024, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-re-number-three-toronto-and-slow-traffic/995967 "2024-01-12T00:48:09Z")
London is claimed to have the world’s slowest traffic, with Toronto following Dublin. If taking an average of half an hour to cover six miles is slow… How is traffic in your region? --- ## [Cleanliness](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleanliness/995505)
**Author:** [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Replies:** 239\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2024, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleanliness/995505 "2024-01-12T00:24:18Z")
Every day there are articles in various mainstream media which purport to distill the sage advice of Scientists on the subject of hygiene. Not only how and when to clean one’s body, but also how often to wash your towels… --- ## [Things people say - maybe too often](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-people-say-maybe-too-often/995877)
**Author:** [@Hatchie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hatchie)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2024, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-people-say-maybe-too-often/995877 "2024-01-12T00:10:38Z")
I’d like to list here a few japes or turns of phrase I encounter often (mostly in text, not used in conversation so much) that may or may not be transitioning into cliches and becoming tiresome, to me at least. I’m sure … --- ## [(Chess) Strategic trade of knight/bishop for pawn-rook](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chess-strategic-trade-of-knight-bishop-for-pawn-rook/995931)
**Author:** [@Pavelb1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pavelb1)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2024, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chess-strategic-trade-of-knight-bishop-for-pawn-rook/995931 "2024-01-11T23:26:12Z")
Not tactical. There’s no immediate advantage. Just seeing the title, I assume a lot of people know what I’m talking about. My thinking was a lot of his major pieces are shoved into the upper right corner. And I wanted t… --- ## [When has boycotting an election ever worked out for the opposition?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-has-boycotting-an-election-ever-worked-out-for-the-opposition/995758)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2024, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-has-boycotting-an-election-ever-worked-out-for-the-opposition/995758 "2024-01-11T22:29:45Z")
Here is a very recent headline from the NBC News website: “Sheikh Hasina wins in Bangladesh as opposition boycotts election, saying it’s unfair”. Outside of rare situations where a quorum is needed, when did a boycott … --- ## [How Do I Change Email When Old Address Is Gone?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-change-email-when-old-address-is-gone/995963)
**Author:** [@MindsEye\_Watering](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MindsEye_Watering)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2024, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-change-email-when-old-address-is-gone/995963 "2024-01-11T22:01:48Z")
Tried to change my account to a new email address, but the board is sending a confirmation message to the old (deleted) address. Best address to send queries about this? --- ## [Those "nodding" oil pumps scattered about the oil fields](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-nodding-oil-pumps-scattered-about-the-oil-fields/995838)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2024, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-nodding-oil-pumps-scattered-about-the-oil-fields/995838 "2024-01-11T20:25:00Z")
There aren’t too many here in Ohio but I notice an occasional one when driving the back roads. Not many of them are running, though. They are officially known as pump jacks it seems.Most use an electric motor if they are… --- ## [Tell us some place you lived using only cultural references](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-some-place-you-lived-using-only-cultural-references/995736)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2024, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-some-place-you-lived-using-only-cultural-references/995736 "2024-01-11T20:22:53Z")
Try for ones that only people familiar with your city would be know. For example you could say Thomas Guides SIG Alerts Traffic breaks “The” freeway Or maybe one unique cultural icon that again, only people familiar … --- ## [New Year's Feud](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-years-feud/995517)
**Author:** [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2024, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-years-feud/995517 "2024-01-11T15:38:04Z")
Object of the game: Give the most popular answer for each category. You want to match the other people in the game. Rules: DO NOT READ THIS THREAD BEFORE YOU POST YOUR ANSWERS , lest you see the other answers. If you … --- ## [UK Jeopardy! hosted by Stephen Fry](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-jeopardy-hosted-by-stephen-fry/995712)
**Author:** [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2024, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-jeopardy-hosted-by-stephen-fry/995712 "2024-01-11T14:31:49Z")
Here’s a YouTube link to the first episode. It’s a 50-minute format with 3 rounds. Much slower paced than American Jeopardy! at this point, and the monetary amounts aren’t comparable. Stephen Fry is always worth watchin… --- ## [Let's talk about Quinfall (upcoming MMORPG)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-quinfall-upcoming-mmorpg/995840)
**Author:** [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2024, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-quinfall-upcoming-mmorpg/995840 "2024-01-11T14:05:55Z")
If you haven’t heard, Quinfall is an MMORPG being produced by Turkish developer Vawraek. And it’s… controversial. So a bit of history. Vawraek previously developed a game called Kayra Online, which was being devel… --- ## [“Messages in this conversation”](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/messages-in-this-conversation/995940)
**Author:** [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2024, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/messages-in-this-conversation/995940 "2024-01-11T13:23:30Z")
Outlook, and possibly other email clients too, include a “messages in this conversation” feature. If you have a lengthy chain of correspondence with people ping-ponging emails to each other, you can open any one of them,… --- ## [Navigation (driving)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/navigation-driving/995723)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2024, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/navigation-driving/995723 "2024-01-11T11:28:27Z")
We’re watching an episode of NCIS. ‘McGee’ tells ‘Gibbs’ he’d printed out directions. When I lived in L.A., I relied on my Thomas Guide. It was indispensable. When I started coming up here to northern Washington, I h… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=652) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=654)