# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=714&state=tracking [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 715 --- ## [What did Paul Drake just do? {Perry Mason}](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-paul-drake-just-do-perry-mason/991902)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2023, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-paul-drake-just-do-perry-mason/991902 "2023-10-23T18:03:41Z")
Watching me an episode of Perry Mason. Bored outta my gourd. What? Perry and Paul driving down some street. (Obviously faked, same building passed by 3 times) And I hear a buzz. Paul picks up an old fashioned landline … --- ## [Name that big-band tune, please](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-that-big-band-tune-please/991892)
**Author:** [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2023, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-that-big-band-tune-please/991892 "2023-10-23T16:47:05Z")
This has been making me crazy. This is possibly an Ellington piece, but I can’t figure it out. It’s typically played VERY slowly, with little or no slurring of notes. No, it’s not The Mooche, though that’s a good guess. … --- ## [Rollin' some Hot Wheels down a waterslide!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rollin-some-hot-wheels-down-a-waterslide/991943)
**Author:** [@EnolaStraight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EnolaStraight)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2023, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rollin-some-hot-wheels-down-a-waterslide/991943 "2023-10-23T16:42:01Z")
Behold! (1) Hotwheels | Empty Waterslide - YouTube --- ## [Text scam - from post office? Yes or No?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/text-scam-from-post-office-yes-or-no/991705)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2023, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/text-scam-from-post-office-yes-or-no/991705 "2023-10-23T16:20:56Z")
I’ve gotten this text last week and this week. The grammar looks off. I highlighted the odd phrasing. I haven’t clicked. Scam or not? --- ## [Etymological link between toll and troll?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/etymological-link-between-toll-and-troll/78230)
**Author:** [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2023, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/etymological-link-between-toll-and-troll/78230 "2023-10-23T16:17:06Z")
I have heard it suggested that the name of a “toll bridge” refers to the idea of a “troll” lying in wait under a bridge, demanding “protection money”, as in fairy stories. I understand that the English word “toll” is ul… --- ## [Looking for a fun co-op building game](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-fun-co-op-building-game/991921)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2023, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-fun-co-op-building-game/991921 "2023-10-23T16:02:16Z")
A friend and I don’t often get together physically just because of schedules and stuff, so we try to do so by playing cooperative games. We’re both Civilization fans, but it’s gotten a bit repetitive and we’d like to try… --- ## [We Must Select 50 Languages That Will Survive Forever - Which Criteria Should We Use?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-must-select-50-languages-that-will-survive-forever-which-criteria-should-we-use/990769)
**Author:** [@Moonrise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonrise)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2023, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-must-select-50-languages-that-will-survive-forever-which-criteria-should-we-use/990769 "2023-10-23T13:10:29Z")
There are currently about 7,000 languages in the world. Imagine that for some reason (alien overlords, global dictatorship, whatever…) humanity has to choose the 50 most important ones. Those selected will not only be pr… --- ## [I hate when I do that in the MMP! - old](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-when-i-do-that-in-the-mmp-old/991640)
**Author:** [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Replies:** 318\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2023, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-when-i-do-that-in-the-mmp-old/991640 "2023-10-23T11:55:28Z")
For the last couple of days, and for reasons I cannot fathom, I have been biting the inside of my lower lip when I eat. It hurts like @&^#$@)%\* and yet I keep doing it. Don’t know what leads to it, but I HATE IT!!! I e… --- ## [An Adventures of Superman question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-adventures-of-superman-question/991937)
**Author:** [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2023, 8:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-adventures-of-superman-question/991937 "2023-10-23T08:55:01Z")
There was an episode wherein some bad guys were walking around in public, but they kept their identities safe from Superman by wearing big lead helmets. That’s about all I remember. It sounds idiotic, like why weren’t th… --- ## [A police investigation uses a Google keyword search to find arson suspects-setting a bad precedent?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-police-investigation-uses-a-google-keyword-search-to-find-arson-suspects-setting-a-bad-precedent/991711)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2023, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-police-investigation-uses-a-google-keyword-search-to-find-arson-suspects-setting-a-bad-precedent/991711 "2023-10-23T03:48:53Z")
In the midst of an arson investigation in Colorado, the police department reached out to Google to find out who had searched over a period of 15 days for an address where a fire killed five people. While I’m happy that … --- ## [Pardon Data's French](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pardon-datas-french/115957)
**Author:** [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2023, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pardon-datas-french/115957 "2023-10-23T02:24:57Z")
In ST:TNG episode “Time’s Arrow, Part 1” (the one where Data and company go back in time to meet Mark Twain in old San Francisco), Data realizes he needs money in order to keep up a residence and funds to aquire the equ… --- ## [What's the holdup on green hydrogen?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-holdup-on-green-hydrogen/948018)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2023, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-holdup-on-green-hydrogen/948018 "2023-10-23T00:31:12Z")
Green hydrogen is hydrogen produced by electrolysis of water, where the electricity comes from renewable sources such as solar panels or wind turbines. While there may be some being produced now, it’s just small potatoes… --- ## [I know a fireman who looks after the fire](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-know-a-fireman-who-looks-after-the-fire/991904)
**Author:** [@Coriolanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coriolanus)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2023, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-know-a-fireman-who-looks-after-the-fire/991904 "2023-10-23T00:24:55Z")
Just a congrats to my cousin Anita, who for many months and way too long has been the Interim Fire Chief of Acton, Massachusetts (a bit outside Boston yet inside the I-95 corridor) Just looking at her list of accompli… --- ## [Any case where MM-DD-YY dating has cost money?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-case-where-mm-dd-yy-dating-has-cost-money/990594)
**Author:** [@colinfred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/colinfred)\ **Replies:** 128\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2023, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-case-where-mm-dd-yy-dating-has-cost-money/990594 "2023-10-22T23:03:20Z")
Americans use MM-DD-YY as a shortform, the rest of the world uses the much more sensible DD-MM-YY. Is there a good example of a case where an American firm in good faith sloppily used MM-DD-YY in their international prom… --- ## [Instances where unnamed characters were named after all](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instances-where-unnamed-characters-were-named-after-all/991254)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2023, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instances-where-unnamed-characters-were-named-after-all/991254 "2023-10-22T21:50:11Z")
Like in Kill Bill, where Bill calls “The Bride” “Kiddo” and it turns out her name really is Kiddo. Or when Ted Lasso says to Coach (no first name) Beard “What chu talkin bout, Willis” and it turns out his name is actuall… --- ## [What I look forward to most in the Sunday NYT](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-i-look-forward-to-most-in-the-sunday-nyt/991603)
**Author:** [@2\_More\_Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2_More_Bits)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2023, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-i-look-forward-to-most-in-the-sunday-nyt/991603 "2023-10-22T19:21:27Z")
It used to be the crossword. Then it was the Social Q’s column. But for the past couple years it’s been the Metropolitan Diary. Love those little stories. --- ## [What is your dog/cat thinking of?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-dog-cat-thinking-of/991009)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2023, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-dog-cat-thinking-of/991009 "2023-10-22T17:33:42Z")
What do you think actually goes through your pet’s mind during various parts of the day? If you feel you must post anthropomorphic or “funny” responses - well, I can’t stop you, but I’d prefer thoughts as to what your p… --- ## [Is there a name for this style of joke?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-name-for-this-style-of-joke/991865)
**Author:** [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2023, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-name-for-this-style-of-joke/991865 "2023-10-22T17:13:11Z")
This is an actual conversation between a friend and me yesterday afternoon. Monty: I’m not going anywhere tomorrow, so I’m having curry for dinner. Friend: Why aren’t you going anywhere tomorrow? Monty: I’m not going… --- ## [What would a completely NON-gerrymandered House of Representatives look like?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-a-completely-non-gerrymandered-house-of-representatives-look-like/991766)
**Author:** [@slicedalone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slicedalone)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2023, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-a-completely-non-gerrymandered-house-of-representatives-look-like/991766 "2023-10-22T16:33:40Z")
Imagine if we were to draw up a House on the principles of near-total objective fairness, as close as we can. How would we do it? Feel free to suggest appointing people as non-partisan as we could to be in charge of re-… --- ## [Lego piece. A weird request](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lego-piece-a-weird-request/991003)
**Author:** [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2023, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lego-piece-a-weird-request/991003 "2023-10-22T14:27:43Z")
I have a nephew who has taken to building lego models. He, as kids do, has chosen to build exceptionally complex models, and has gravitated to a website that allows independent designers to sell their model design and i… --- ## [Software that can listen for specific sounds and alert those who are deaf or hard-of-hearing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/software-that-can-listen-for-specific-sounds-and-alert-those-who-are-deaf-or-hard-of-hearing/991895)
**Author:** [@Ponderoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponderoid)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2023, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/software-that-can-listen-for-specific-sounds-and-alert-those-who-are-deaf-or-hard-of-hearing/991895 "2023-10-22T14:26:58Z")
I’m not deaf or hard of hearing, but I might as well be when I’ve got my headphones on and I’m listening to music or watching video. I’m looking for some software for Win11 or android that can listen for certain noises a… --- ## [This old fart finally discovered John Mayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-old-fart-finally-discovered-john-mayer/991707)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2023, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-old-fart-finally-discovered-john-mayer/991707 "2023-10-22T13:33:41Z")
I rarely listen to modern music. I already have a google drive full of music I love. I read about John Mayers newest album Sob Rock. It’s a concept album based on the 80’s ballads. Link Sob Rock - Wikipedia I bought i… --- ## [I want to do standup comedy. Where do I find freelance joke writers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-do-standup-comedy-where-do-i-find-freelance-joke-writers/991597)
**Author:** [@Caribbean\_cruiser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caribbean_cruiser)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2023, 9:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-do-standup-comedy-where-do-i-find-freelance-joke-writers/991597 "2023-10-22T09:50:09Z")
Over the years, maybe 50 people – from friends to CS agents on the phone – have told me I should be doing standup comedy. The idea is super tempting. I have a great niche in mind and would prefer starting with a bang not… --- ## [Friday Fun: How will humanity end? (Poll)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friday-fun-how-will-humanity-end-poll/990867)
**Author:** [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2023, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friday-fun-how-will-humanity-end-poll/990867 "2023-10-22T02:37:58Z")
poll In honor of my finishing Station Eleven on Max, I thought it might be fun to speculate on The End of Humanity (my definition of fun might be slightly different than yours). Of course, SE was not about the complete … --- ## [What sport would you like to see added to the Olympics?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-sport-would-you-like-to-see-added-to-the-olympics/947901)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 163\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2023, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-sport-would-you-like-to-see-added-to-the-olympics/947901 "2023-10-22T01:51:38Z")
As I’m watching some equestrian something, I think that as long as we’re going to have animals in the Olympics, I’d like to see some sort of dog/frisbee competition. I’m generally opposed to sports with judging so maybe … --- ## [Play Rock Paper Scissors against a CGP Grey Youtube video](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/play-rock-paper-scissors-against-a-cgp-grey-youtube-video/991883)
**Author:** [@Ponderoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponderoid)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2023, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/play-rock-paper-scissors-against-a-cgp-grey-youtube-video/991883 "2023-10-22T00:28:45Z")
Play RPS Coin toss on which forum this post belongs in. I kind of wonder if Grey is trying to game Youtube’s algorithm with this and raise his view stats; if so, well done. Don't look at this spoiler until you'… --- ## [Tell me about deep sea mining. What could possibly go wrong?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-deep-sea-mining-what-could-possibly-go-wrong/991818)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2023, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-deep-sea-mining-what-could-possibly-go-wrong/991818 "2023-10-21T22:37:09Z")
In case the news was getting you down, this seems promising. What could possibly go wrong? --- ## [Aspenglow ATM moderation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aspenglow-atm-moderation/991808)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2023, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aspenglow-atm-moderation/991808 "2023-10-21T22:05:41Z")
Are you meaning to single out Slicedalone in this modnote as if he is the one who started the tangent on the initialism “ATM”? Because it gives the appearance that you are, and rebuking him rather sharply. But he is just… --- ## [Determine all ways to group 49 into groups of 7 such that](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/determine-all-ways-to-group-49-into-groups-of-7-such-that/991820)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2023, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/determine-all-ways-to-group-49-into-groups-of-7-such-that/991820 "2023-10-21T18:24:15Z")
…no item appears more than once in the same group with any other item. I am trying to solve this in Excel for someone. I could write a VBA program to do it but I cannot imagine what the algorithm would be. The real-worl… --- ## [endangered species](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/endangered-species/822559)
**Author:** [@fedman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fedman)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2023, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/endangered-species/822559 "2023-10-21T17:40:41Z")
if you believe in evolution, ie survival of the fittest (adapt or die), why should we protect endangered species? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=713&state=tracking) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=715&state=tracking)