# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=94&state=tracking [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 95 --- ## [Tired of this (being short)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tired-of-this-being-short/1029654)
**Author:** [@CastletonSnob1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CastletonSnob1)\ **Replies:** 101\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2026, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tired-of-this-being-short/1029654 "2026-05-09T18:08:25Z")
I’m a guy and 5’2 1/4. I feel like I should be taller because my mom is 5’5, my dad is 5’8, and my grandfather was 5’11. I’m tired of being shorter than everyone when I’m in public. This wouldn’t even be a problem if I … --- ## [I pit "the shooting was staged" conspiracy theorists](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-shooting-was-staged-conspiracy-theorists/1029570)
**Author:** [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Replies:** 147\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2026, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-shooting-was-staged-conspiracy-theorists/1029570 "2026-05-09T16:59:41Z")
There are an alarming number of people on my friends list on Facebook who believe that this latest shooting against the Trump administration at the dinner was staged/faked. What’s more, a lot of it is coming from my own … --- ## [How did the Flying Nun fly?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-the-flying-nun-fly/1029913)
**Author:** [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2026, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-the-flying-nun-fly/1029913 "2026-05-09T16:15:51Z")
Inspired by the FQ thread about how do planes really fly. I was just a little kid when The Flying Nun was on TV. I don’t remember much about it or if they ever gave a reasonable explanation of how she was able to fly. I … --- ## [Gerrymandering race to the bottom: how does it end?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gerrymandering-race-to-the-bottom-how-does-it-end/1029750)
**Author:** [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2026, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gerrymandering-race-to-the-bottom-how-does-it-end/1029750 "2026-05-09T13:34:45Z")
So apparently mid-census re-districting is OK (if there’s a court case challenging this I’m unaware of it). And racial gerrymandering is now OK, according to the late ruling of the SCOTUS. So how does this end? Do we … --- ## [Chess players: Have you ever participated in one of those things where one player plays blindfolded against multiple others?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chess-players-have-you-ever-participated-in-one-of-those-things-where-one-player-plays-blindfolded-against-multiple-others/1029548)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2026, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chess-players-have-you-ever-participated-in-one-of-those-things-where-one-player-plays-blindfolded-against-multiple-others/1029548 "2026-05-09T12:40:09Z")
And for bonus points, was the player a child? I never have, and as far as I know that was never a thing that ever happened in Springfield, Illinois between 1982 (when I learned to play chess) and 2014 (when I moved away… --- ## [How do these mobile games that pay out real money make a profit?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-these-mobile-games-that-pay-out-real-money-make-a-profit/1029738)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2026, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-these-mobile-games-that-pay-out-real-money-make-a-profit/1029738 "2026-05-09T03:16:33Z")
You may have seen them advertised; some of the ads specifically say that they don’t do things that other such apps do to make money (like in-app ads, requiring friend recommendations, cash-in limits, or “top ups,” whate… --- ## [Five Perfect Movies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-perfect-movies/1006586)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 190\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2026, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-perfect-movies/1006586 "2026-05-09T00:27:52Z")
As mentioned in this thread as an aside: Movies you've seen recently (Part 2) - #47 by Czarcasm I want your personal Five Perfect Movies. Not the internet, not someone else’s, and definitely not “This one is pretty go… --- ## [Atrial fibrillation and ablation--what to expect?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atrial-fibrillation-and-ablation-what-to-expect/1029863)
**Author:** [@Kropotkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kropotkin)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2026, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atrial-fibrillation-and-ablation-what-to-expect/1029863 "2026-05-08T23:29:52Z")
Kropotkinskaya is a candidate for ablation to deal with atrial fibrillation. Anyone here with knowledge or experience of the procedure, how to prep, what to expect, after-surgery care? Anything else related to a fib and … --- ## [Scientists discover that cicadas don't like condoms](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientists-discover-that-cicadas-dont-like-condoms/1029887)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2026, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientists-discover-that-cicadas-dont-like-condoms/1029887 "2026-05-08T23:19:57Z")
Some cicada nymphs in the Amazon build ground dicks, scientists try to figure out why. --- ## [Trump Tariffs Struck Down](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-tariffs-struck-down/1018927)
**Author:** [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Replies:** 337\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2026, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-tariffs-struck-down/1018927 "2026-05-08T22:18:03Z")
There’s going to be plenty for a new thread on this one. Here’s the United States Court of International Trade ruling: The administration says it will appeal. And this is so fundamental to the Trump project that one … --- ## [What was your colonoscopy recovery like?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-colonoscopy-recovery-like/1027772)
**Author:** [@RollOutTheBarrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RollOutTheBarrel)\ **Replies:** 124\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2026, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-colonoscopy-recovery-like/1027772 "2026-05-08T19:55:09Z")
Today I scheduled my first colonoscopy for March 31st. I’ve read quite a bit about how much the prep sucks, but I haven’t read as much about how people feel afterwards. I’m sure it varies from person to person so I’d lik… --- ## [Free three-day trials of New York Times through library website](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-three-day-trials-of-new-york-times-through-library-website/1029912)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2026, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-three-day-trials-of-new-york-times-through-library-website/1029912 "2026-05-08T18:54:58Z")
The Norfolk Public Library in Norfolk, Virginia has access to a page that will give anyone who asks for it a three-day free access trial of the New York Times, which you can then use for gift links if you want to. (A fre… --- ## [Fine dining-- kind of a scam?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fine-dining-kind-of-a-scam/1029618)
**Author:** [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2026, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fine-dining-kind-of-a-scam/1029618 "2026-05-08T18:41:23Z")
My wife and I went to a fancy Italian restaurant that recently opened near us for our Anniversary last night. I ordered the ‘Chilean Sea Bass on a Bed of Broccoli Rabe’ from the special menu-- highly recommended by the w… --- ## [In the market for a bicycle](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-market-for-a-bicycle/1029674)
**Author:** [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2026, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-market-for-a-bicycle/1029674 "2026-05-08T17:01:36Z")
\[No, Discourse, I don’t want to rezz 2 decade old threads, thanks\] With gas prices apparently headed north of $5 ($6 for my premium-using coupe), looks like to enjoy the spring I’ll have to spring for a bicycle if I wa… --- ## [Earliest early voting and mail in ballots](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-early-voting-and-mail-in-ballots/1029896)
**Author:** [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2026, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-early-voting-and-mail-in-ballots/1029896 "2026-05-08T07:04:32Z")
Ultimately, I’m trying to figure out the earliest date a vote can be cast, either by mail or in-person early, in any state for the November 3, 2026 general election. My Google-fu is failing me and can’t seem to find one … --- ## [Any new sir David Attenborough in the pipeline for the USA?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-new-sir-david-attenborough-in-the-pipeline-for-the-usa/1003282)
**Author:** [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2026, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-new-sir-david-attenborough-in-the-pipeline-for-the-usa/1003282 "2026-05-08T13:03:04Z")
I am a devoted Attenborough fan going back to the 70s. It’s very difficult for me to fully enjoy any natural world documentaries that are not hosted/narrated by him. But since he’s only two years away from his 100th bir… --- ## [What does "Nonce" Mean?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-nonce-mean/1029543)
**Author:** [@confused\_lane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/confused_lane)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2026, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-nonce-mean/1029543 "2026-05-08T12:18:10Z")
When I was growing up, in Australia, Nonce meant someone someone who was stupid, silly, a bit over to the top. “oh, don’t worry about him, he’s bit of a nonce.” however, now, nearly everywhere is saying that it’s prim… --- ## [Could UAE build their own canal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-uae-build-their-own-canal/1029785)
**Author:** [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2026, 9:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-uae-build-their-own-canal/1029785 "2026-05-08T09:21:26Z")
This may be a really dumb question but with all the money the UAE seems to have (Dubai), would it be feasible or even beneficial to build their own “Panama Canal” from say Dubai straight east to the Gulf of Oman just byp… --- ## [Counterchanged flags](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/counterchanged-flags/1026878)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2026, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/counterchanged-flags/1026878 "2026-05-08T07:35:23Z")
A counterchange (not a countercharge) in heraldry/vexillology is when two colors alternate in different parts of the coat of arms or flag. Two examples I know of in flags: The UK Union Jack is composed of three crosses.… --- ## [Is there a definitive werewolf novel?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-definitive-werewolf-novel/1029803)
**Author:** [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2026, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-definitive-werewolf-novel/1029803 "2026-05-08T02:41:43Z")
Something like Bram Stoker’s Dracula or Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein? --- ## [Strangers on a Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strangers-on-a-train/1022545)
**Author:** [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [May 7, 2026, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strangers-on-a-train/1022545 "2026-05-07T23:03:34Z")
The movie. Towards the end, the cops who were tasked with watching Guy trail him to the amusement park. Is there any justification, in the universe of the movie, for the one cop to take out his pistol, on a crowded midwa… --- ## [Elizabeth Smart, competitive bodybuilder](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elizabeth-smart-competitive-bodybuilder/1029822)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [May 7, 2026, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elizabeth-smart-competitive-bodybuilder/1029822 "2026-05-07T20:37:18Z")
Yep, THAT Elizabeth Smart whose kidnapping and return home in the early 00s made worldwide headlines is now a 38-year-old wife and mother of three - and a competitive female bodybuilder. She’s had more second chances th… --- ## [The Washington Post: Democracy Dies With Us](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-washington-post-democracy-dies-with-us/1009210)
**Author:** [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Replies:** 734\ **Last updated:** [May 7, 2026, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-washington-post-democracy-dies-with-us/1009210 "2026-05-07T18:28:32Z")
They aren’t endorsing a presidential candidate for the first time since 1980. Are they chickenshit about a potential Trump administration clamping down on media he doesn’t like? Yeah, probably. Fascism, pre-approved b… --- ## [Help me identify an episode of the original Iron Chef](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-an-episode-of-the-original-iron-chef/1029712)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [May 7, 2026, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-an-episode-of-the-original-iron-chef/1029712 "2026-05-07T14:42:41Z")
I recall watching an episode of Iron Chef back in the day, probably in 2008, and I’m trying to find out which episode it is. Apparently at least some of what I remember about this episode is not correct based on trying … --- ## [Alternate Award Types For Oscars](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternate-award-types-for-oscars/1029883)
**Author:** [@schnebs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/schnebs)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [May 7, 2026, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternate-award-types-for-oscars/1029883 "2026-05-07T14:29:20Z")
Not too long ago, during the run-up to the Oscars, Bill Maher did a monologue on the Academy Awards. One part of the monologue was his list of alternate reasons for Oscars being awarded. According to Bill, these alterna… --- ## [Why should I care if country X gets a nuclear weapon?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-i-care-if-country-x-gets-a-nuclear-weapon/1029662)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [May 7, 2026, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-i-care-if-country-x-gets-a-nuclear-weapon/1029662 "2026-05-07T14:13:53Z")
I get that it sounds scary if one of our adversaries gets a nuclear weapon. But at the same time, 70 plus years of mutually assured destruction seems to have worked. I have no reason to believe that it won’t keep working… --- ## [How long has this Federal Consumer Center link been down?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-has-this-federal-consumer-center-link-been-down/1029850)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [May 7, 2026, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-has-this-federal-consumer-center-link-been-down/1029850 "2026-05-07T13:12:24Z")
FTC’s Consumer Center How long has this link been down? Is there an explanation as to why it is down? --- ## [Is the notification system down?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-notification-system-down/1029841)
**Author:** [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [May 7, 2026, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-notification-system-down/1029841 "2026-05-07T12:26:01Z")
I just noticed something odd-- I was keeping an eye on the ’ Tonight’s Dinner: Enchiritos!’ thread, and I noticed that the OP had replied to a post I made, with a pull quote from my post and everything (post #10 in the t… --- ## [Legality of signature on U.S. currency](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legality-of-signature-on-u-s-currency/1028835)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [May 7, 2026, 9:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legality-of-signature-on-u-s-currency/1028835 "2026-05-07T09:11:24Z")
Someone in The BBQ Pit or Politics & Elections posted that U.S. currency notes must be signed by the Treasurer and the Secretary of the Treasury, and that if the President replaces the signature of the Treasurer, then th… --- ## [When did the Internet jump the shark?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-internet-jump-the-shark/1029867)
**Author:** [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [May 7, 2026, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-internet-jump-the-shark/1029867 "2026-05-07T04:39:47Z")
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