# Latest

**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=832&state=muted

[Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md)

**Page:** 833

---

## [Macaroni and cheese](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/macaroni-and-cheese/983710)

<div class="topic-metadata">

**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\
**Replies:** 36\
**Last updated:** [May 11, 2023, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/macaroni-and-cheese/983710 "2023-05-11T22:58:37Z")

</div>

I made from-scratch mac-and-cheese today for the first time, with this simple (but moderately labor intensive) recipe: I had to make some variations – I used whole wheat rotini, which required more time and more milk …

---

## [If Subway's Tuna Ain't Tuna, Then What Is It?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-subways-tuna-aint-tuna-then-what-is-it/931773)

<div class="topic-metadata">

**Author:** [@Two\_Many\_Cats2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats2)\
**Replies:** 235\
**Last updated:** [May 11, 2023, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-subways-tuna-aint-tuna-then-what-is-it/931773 "2023-05-11T22:51:28Z")

</div>

People are saying Subway’s Tuna is not tuna or fish but they aren’t saying what it is other than “various concoctions”. Now, I used to work at Subway in my younger years, and I mixed their tuna with mayo, and while the …

---

## [Help me illuminate my basement (need answer kinda fast)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-illuminate-my-basement-need-answer-kinda-fast/982813)

<div class="topic-metadata">

**Author:** [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\
**Replies:** 15\
**Last updated:** [May 11, 2023, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-illuminate-my-basement-need-answer-kinda-fast/982813 "2023-05-11T22:30:29Z")

</div>

I’m remodeling my basement. I’m walling off a utility room for the boiler and hot water heater, adding a large TV and a gas fireplace, and opening up the center to make room for square dancing. I will put a treadmill in …

---

## [What is the lowest level of employment at which point anti-discrimination laws kick in?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-lowest-level-of-employment-at-which-point-anti-discrimination-laws-kick-in/983858)

<div class="topic-metadata">

**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\
**Replies:** 15\
**Last updated:** [May 11, 2023, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-lowest-level-of-employment-at-which-point-anti-discrimination-laws-kick-in/983858 "2023-05-11T22:06:50Z")

</div>

If a big company like Boeing, Microsoft or Apple were to announce: “We refuse to hire black applicants,” such a thing would be instantly blasted; it would go viral in the blink of an eye and the legal system would be rig…

---

## [When did the United States military begin requiring in person announcements of family member deaths?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-united-states-military-begin-requiring-in-person-announcements-of-family-member-deaths/981619)

<div class="topic-metadata">

**Author:** [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\
**Replies:** 24\
**Last updated:** [May 11, 2023, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-united-states-military-begin-requiring-in-person-announcements-of-family-member-deaths/981619 "2023-05-11T22:00:53Z")

</div>

Take a look at this telegram from 1942 informing a woman that her husband(age 28) has died and they’ll give her $50 to bury him. I thought by 1942, in person delivering of…

---

## [Self-cleaning ovens are dangerous?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/self-cleaning-ovens-are-dangerous/982689)

<div class="topic-metadata">

**Author:** [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\
**Replies:** 19\
**Last updated:** [May 11, 2023, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/self-cleaning-ovens-are-dangerous/982689 "2023-05-11T21:57:09Z")

</div>

I just read an article in a reputable magazine (Family Handyman) supposedly written by a professional applicance repair person, who says that you should never use an oven’s self cleaning feature. According to him, the he…

---

## [How to deal with bloodsucking bastard ticks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-deal-with-bloodsucking-bastard-ticks/966099)

<div class="topic-metadata">

**Author:** [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\
**Replies:** 46\
**Last updated:** [May 11, 2023, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-deal-with-bloodsucking-bastard-ticks/966099 "2023-05-11T21:56:53Z")

</div>

My friend has a few acres of land and a cabin in northern lower Michigan. I was up there with him for the weekend, and the ticks were bad. He caught one crawling up his leg within an hour of getting up there, picked seve…

---

## [Are you tired of the "TWO WEEKS EARLIER" trope in movies?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-tired-of-the-two-weeks-earlier-trope-in-movies/983862)

<div class="topic-metadata">

**Author:** [@slicedalone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slicedalone)\
**Replies:** 42\
**Last updated:** [May 11, 2023, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-tired-of-the-two-weeks-earlier-trope-in-movies/983862 "2023-05-11T21:48:49Z")

</div>

I am. Seems to me half of all the films I see these days begin with some sort of action-packed, bizarre, confusing scene that lasts ten minutes or so, and then we get a card that says “TWO WEEKS EARLIER” and then the fi…

---

## [The Sting (1973), 50 years later; movies that’ve held up well](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sting-1973-50-years-later-movies-that-ve-held-up-well/981359)

<div class="topic-metadata">

**Author:** [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\
**Replies:** 135\
**Last updated:** [May 11, 2023, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sting-1973-50-years-later-movies-that-ve-held-up-well/981359 "2023-05-11T21:40:51Z")

</div>

Yesterday Mrs. Bullitt and I watched the classic movie, The Sting (1973). It’s a movie that has held up well through the years. Still entertaining, still fun. And a very good soundtrack. And we also realized that, hey, …

---

## [Are these special eggs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-special-eggs/983903)

<div class="topic-metadata">

**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\
**Replies:** 9\
**Last updated:** [May 11, 2023, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-special-eggs/983903 "2023-05-11T20:56:21Z")

</div>

… And why the over-the-top packaging? This is a recipe for some sort of custard, I think. Pinterest link: At about 0:19 seconds in

---

## [etaoin shrdlu](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/etaoin-shrdlu/55063)

<div class="topic-metadata">

**Author:** [@Mofo\_Rising](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mofo_Rising)\
**Replies:** 54\
**Last updated:** [May 11, 2023, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/etaoin-shrdlu/55063 "2023-05-11T18:30:12Z")

</div>

etaoin shrdlu So what the hell is the deal with that? I know Cecil himself promised an upcoming column on the subject, but I’m damned impatient. It sounds to me like an in-joke. And there’s nothing more irritating than …

---

## [Did petroglyph writers practice petroglyph writing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-petroglyph-writers-practice-petroglyph-writing/983855)

<div class="topic-metadata">

**Author:** [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\
**Replies:** 12\
**Last updated:** [May 11, 2023, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-petroglyph-writers-practice-petroglyph-writing/983855 "2023-05-11T18:04:34Z")

</div>

When I’m hiking in areas with petroglyphs, one thing that I find curious is how few petroglyphs there are. Even though communities lived in those areas for thousands of years, there’s only a relative handful of petrogly…

---

## [Searching for blanket with satin trim](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/searching-for-blanket-with-satin-trim/983881)

<div class="topic-metadata">

**Author:** [@Macphisto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Macphisto)\
**Replies:** 3\
**Last updated:** [May 11, 2023, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/searching-for-blanket-with-satin-trim/983881 "2023-05-11T16:34:27Z")

</div>

I’m looking for one of those old-style, vintage blnkets with the holes and the four-inch, not inch and a half, satin/nylon trim at top and bottom. Can anyone help? I’m in the UK.

---

## [Bologna, Italy fun?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bologna-italy-fun/983817)

<div class="topic-metadata">

**Author:** [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\
**Replies:** 3\
**Last updated:** [May 11, 2023, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bologna-italy-fun/983817 "2023-05-11T15:39:32Z")

</div>

I’ve got a couple of days in Bologna coming up. Any must sees/dos? ETA: if it’s not underwater. I see reports of flooding in Emilia-Romagna :ocean:

---

## [Are conversations between the pitcher and catcher a bad thing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-conversations-between-the-pitcher-and-catcher-a-bad-thing/983538)

<div class="topic-metadata">

**Author:** [@StraightTalk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StraightTalk)\
**Replies:** 25\
**Last updated:** [May 11, 2023, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-conversations-between-the-pitcher-and-catcher-a-bad-thing/983538 "2023-05-11T14:14:19Z")

</div>

I enjoy going to a ball game on occasion. I went to one yesterday. We were losing (Astros) and in the last inning, while we were at bat, the catcher left home plate to talk to the pitcher. The crowd BOOOOOOOOOOOOED. …

---

## [Is there a specific term for this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-specific-term-for-this/983830)

<div class="topic-metadata">

**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\
**Replies:** 6\
**Last updated:** [May 11, 2023, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-specific-term-for-this/983830 "2023-05-11T13:15:49Z")

</div>

Replacing a vulgar expletive with a substitute more suitable for mixed company or tender ears. E.G.: shucks, shoot, darn, fudge, dagnabit, etc. Euphemism seems too generic.

---

## [Meg 2: The Trench: Great movie idea, or the greatest movie idea?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meg-2-the-trench-great-movie-idea-or-the-greatest-movie-idea/983800)

<div class="topic-metadata">

**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\
**Replies:** 19\
**Last updated:** [May 11, 2023, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meg-2-the-trench-great-movie-idea-or-the-greatest-movie-idea/983800 "2023-05-11T13:09:43Z")

</div>

Jason Statham vs. a giant shark….again. Truly we live in an age of wonders.

---

## [Hypotax and Foreign Income Exclusion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypotax-and-foreign-income-exclusion/983878)

<div class="topic-metadata">

**Author:** [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\
**Replies:** 1\
**Last updated:** [May 11, 2023, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypotax-and-foreign-income-exclusion/983878 "2023-05-11T13:03:09Z")

</div>

Consider an American employee onboarding at a new US company overseas that tells her they will take hypotax from her paycheck. If the employee already has a) SOFA status in that country; b) is not obligated to pay local …

---

## [Digital "Passkeys"? Who What Where When And Why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/digital-passkeys-who-what-where-when-and-why/983588)

<div class="topic-metadata">

**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\
**Replies:** 34\
**Last updated:** [May 10, 2023, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/digital-passkeys-who-what-where-when-and-why/983588 "2023-05-10T23:59:33Z")

</div>

Google has created something called a “digital passkey” to replace passwords. Given that many Techs harbor a perverse view that poking at obscure bits of software in unnecessary ways is somehow fun, I dread the results …

---

## [Repair or Replace/Junk My Car - Decisions, Decisions, Decisions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repair-or-replace-junk-my-car-decisions-decisions-decisions/976134)

<div class="topic-metadata">

**Author:** [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\
**Replies:** 35\
**Last updated:** [May 10, 2023, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repair-or-replace-junk-my-car-decisions-decisions-decisions/976134 "2023-05-10T23:40:24Z")

</div>

Well, got the car to the mechanic. Turns out the suspension problems were worse than I thought/knew. Basically, needs new shocks, struts, and suspension work forward and back. Estimate is around $1800 for getting the …

---

## [To what extent do the lowest-level military people know what the mission is?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-do-the-lowest-level-military-people-know-what-the-mission-is/953779)

<div class="topic-metadata">

**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\
**Replies:** 29\
**Last updated:** [May 10, 2023, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-do-the-lowest-level-military-people-know-what-the-mission-is/953779 "2023-05-10T22:27:29Z")

</div>

Say you have a U.S. submarine that is secretly deploying mines in the Strait of Hormuz. To what extent would non-combat crewmembers such as a cook or doctor aboard the sub know what’s going on? Would they even know whe…

---

## [Bazooka Joe Marketing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bazooka-joe-marketing/983722)

<div class="topic-metadata">

**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\
**Replies:** 62\
**Last updated:** [May 10, 2023, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bazooka-joe-marketing/983722 "2023-05-10T21:18:37Z")

</div>

Bazooka gum was cheap and long lasting. In the past, I thought it tasted delicious. In addition to the gum, a somewhat bizarre comic was included. I read there were thousands of different ones. Was it ever explained …

---

## [Superman is a pussy (yeah, thats right! You heard me!)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superman-is-a-pussy-yeah-thats-right-you-heard-me/9255)

<div class="topic-metadata">

**Author:** [@Inky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inky)\
**Replies:** 26\
**Last updated:** [October 13, 1999, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superman-is-a-pussy-yeah-thats-right-you-heard-me/9255 "1999-10-13T06:20:00Z")

</div>

Superman is a total pussy! There, I said it, and I’d say it again! Superman is bulletproof, superstrong, can fly, has heat vision, x-ray vision, he’s got superbreath that can freeze things solid (very improbable psysic…

---

## [Is Bannon's support of RFK jr.'s POTUS candidacy all you need to know?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bannons-support-of-rfk-jr-s-potus-candidacy-all-you-need-to-know/983423)

<div class="topic-metadata">

**Author:** [@slicedalone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slicedalone)\
**Replies:** 40\
**Last updated:** [May 10, 2023, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bannons-support-of-rfk-jr-s-potus-candidacy-all-you-need-to-know/983423 "2023-05-10T19:39:33Z")

</div>

For me, it’s more than sufficient. If Bannon’s supporting it, then it’s evil and destructive and racist, authoritarian-friendly, and that’s all I need to know. I say this as a huge fan of RFK sr. and as a former colleag…

---

## [Birth control pills switched to OTC status in the U.S.?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/birth-control-pills-switched-to-otc-status-in-the-u-s/967801)

<div class="topic-metadata">

**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\
**Replies:** 44\
**Last updated:** [May 10, 2023, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/birth-control-pills-switched-to-otc-status-in-the-u-s/967801 "2023-05-10T19:10:42Z")

</div>

This has been discussed many, many times over the past 60-plus years, and just because other countries do it doesn’t mean we should. They are on prescription status for many reasons, and those reasons all boil down to S…

---

## [Who should pay Reparations to African Americans?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-pay-reparations-to-african-americans/835753)

<div class="topic-metadata">

**Author:** [@Clu-Me-In](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clu-Me-In)\
**Replies:** 554\
**Last updated:** [May 10, 2023, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-pay-reparations-to-african-americans/835753 "2023-05-10T18:08:33Z")

</div>

There is no question that compensation is due African American descendants of slaves but who should pay the reparations? The answer most definitely isn’t this one…https://www.cnn.com/2019/06/18/politics/mitch-mcconnell-o…

---

## [“The Princess Bride” as imagined by isolated stars during early covid](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-princess-bride-as-imagined-by-isolated-stars-during-early-covid/983851)

<div class="topic-metadata">

**Author:** [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [May 10, 2023, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-princess-bride-as-imagined-by-isolated-stars-during-early-covid/983851 "2023-05-10T15:47:55Z")

</div>

I only just now came across this, but it’s utterly charming. They’re so obviously having huge fun making it. Sorry if someone already posted it, I didn’t see it. (The Princess Bride: Home Movie (full) - YouTube)

---

## [Hey Pi AI!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-pi-ai/983822)

<div class="topic-metadata">

**Author:** [@Ponderoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponderoid)\
**Replies:** 1\
**Last updated:** [May 10, 2023, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-pi-ai/983822 "2023-05-10T15:40:20Z")

</div>

I don’t think anybody’s posted about this one yet. https://heypi.com/talk This one is free to use, is even more oriented toward chat than ChatGPT. It’s more personable, claims to have no guardrails or other restrictio…

---

## [Is a Dopp kit a thing to you](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-dopp-kit-a-thing-to-you/944668)

<div class="topic-metadata">

**Author:** [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\
**Replies:** 86\
**Last updated:** [May 10, 2023, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-dopp-kit-a-thing-to-you/944668 "2023-05-10T15:05:12Z")

</div>

I always had a Dopp kit packed as a kid because my dad demanded it. I’m not sure how to describe it, but it was kind of like a duffel-bag, with the 2 inch wide nylon straps, except rather than 3+ feet long, 2 feet wide …

---

## [Electric meter?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-meter/983750)

<div class="topic-metadata">

**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\
**Replies:** 8\
**Last updated:** [May 10, 2023, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-meter/983750 "2023-05-10T14:53:57Z")

</div>

For several years I have been complaing about my electric meter. My bill was a bout double everyone else in my neighborhood with similar requirements. Edison would come out and check it and assure me everything was fine.…

[Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=831&state=muted)

[Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=833&state=muted)
