# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=965&state=muted [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 966 --- ## [What would the 3rd century Romans have called a "bread basket" region in Latin?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-the-3rd-century-romans-have-called-a-bread-basket-region-in-latin/974885)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2022, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-the-3rd-century-romans-have-called-a-bread-basket-region-in-latin/974885 "2022-11-19T21:16:06Z")
What would the 3rd century BC Romans have called a “bread basket” region in Latin? --- ## [Opening a frost free spigot in cold weather](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opening-a-frost-free-spigot-in-cold-weather/975178)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2022, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opening-a-frost-free-spigot-in-cold-weather/975178 "2022-11-19T21:09:08Z")
We are getting down to single digit fahrenheit here and my question is should I open up my frost free outdoor spigots to a trickle to avoid freezing. Yes I know they are not supposed to freeze but isn’t there a limit to… --- ## [My wisteria aka what to ask for to fix this aka the perils of southern engineering](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-wisteria-aka-what-to-ask-for-to-fix-this-aka-the-perils-of-southern-engineering/975108)
**Author:** [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2022, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-wisteria-aka-what-to-ask-for-to-fix-this-aka-the-perils-of-southern-engineering/975108 "2022-11-19T18:08:51Z")
I planted a wisteria a few years ago\*, with support to train it into a tree. The support wasn’t strong enough, so I braced it with angle iron. A bad wind storm came through and blew the wisteria hard enough to bend th… --- ## [I just opened a bottle of "solid" Irish Cream...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-opened-a-bottle-of-solid-irish-cream/474777)
**Author:** [@ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2022, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-opened-a-bottle-of-solid-irish-cream/474777 "2022-11-19T17:49:24Z")
I bought it this morning while I was at the store getting last-minute Thanksgiving necessities. It is an off-brand (I usually drink Bailey’s), but it was the only kind they carried at the little grocery store here (we’r… --- ## [Eric Flint has died](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eric-flint-has-died/968184)
**Author:** [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2022, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eric-flint-has-died/968184 "2022-11-19T16:46:06Z")
Science fiction author Eric Flint has died. Probably best known for his alternative history series and shared world that started with 1632. I did enjoy the series quite a lot but it got so big it got away from me. --- ## [Help! Melodramatic Funky Winkerbean annoys me, yet I must read!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-melodramatic-funky-winkerbean-annoys-me-yet-i-must-read/49395)
**Author:** [@Alzarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alzarian)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2022, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-melodramatic-funky-winkerbean-annoys-me-yet-i-must-read/49395 "2022-11-19T16:17:30Z")
Anyone else find themselves inexplicably drawn to this comic strip to see what latest calamity, or big issue, the gang will have to face, and yet hate themselves for being addicted? The whole Funky is a drunk loser with… --- ## [Currently doing an actor/musician production of 'Man of La Mancha'](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/currently-doing-an-actor-musician-production-of-man-of-la-mancha/975162)
**Author:** [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Ministre_de_l_au-dela)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2022, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/currently-doing-an-actor-musician-production-of-man-of-la-mancha/975162 "2022-11-19T16:14:29Z")
Like the topic says, I’m doing an actor/muso production of ‘Man of La Mancha’ - we’ve still got another 19 shows to do, including tonight’s. I’m playing The Governor/The Innkeeper, and I’m playing classical guitar, stee… --- ## [Rockefeller Center Christmas tree - the logistics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rockefeller-center-christmas-tree-the-logistics/975078)
**Author:** [@Mark\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mark_Finn)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2022, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rockefeller-center-christmas-tree-the-logistics/975078 "2022-11-19T14:57:54Z")
I just skimmed through a video showing the erection of the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center (New York City) a few days ago - from horizontal on a flatbed truck, to a vertical position - assisted by cranes and workers… --- ## ["Messages" (not really) in Pi](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/messages-not-really-in-pi/846073)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2022, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/messages-not-really-in-pi/846073 "2022-11-19T13:21:15Z")
Since Pi is believed to be normal in the sense that any numerical sequence in it’s decimal expansion should appear randomly, and because we currently know the decimal expansion of Pi to 31 trillion digits, then given som… --- ## [Question regarding Hannibal's trek through the Arno valley in 217 BCE](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-hannibals-trek-through-the-arno-valley-in-217-bce/974798)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2022, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-hannibals-trek-through-the-arno-valley-in-217-bce/974798 "2022-11-19T11:47:30Z")
Was Hannibal able to pass through any part of the Appenines to Lake Trasimene as he treked through the Arno valley. Had the Romans blocked every available route? I don’t quite understand the geography of that area. --- ## [Trying to remember a noir film](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-remember-a-noir-film/975182)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2022, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-remember-a-noir-film/975182 "2022-11-19T04:07:30Z")
Filmed in B&W in the 1950s I would say. It takes place in a small bar where the patrons have been taken hostage. Towards the end a policeman crawls through the overhead ductwork to try and take out the bad guy. --- ## [Questions people are convinced of the answer, but are wrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-people-are-convinced-of-the-answer-but-are-wrong/974721)
**Author:** [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Replies:** 133\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2022, 8:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-people-are-convinced-of-the-answer-but-are-wrong/974721 "2022-11-19T08:06:46Z")
Continuing the discussion from Daylight Savings Time: Why is the US congress split on this matter: Nope, just the opposite. When I was in college (pre-Google), this was one of our favorite “pick an argument” quest… --- ## [Cake vs. Pie comedy routine?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cake-vs-pie-comedy-routine/974989)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2022, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cake-vs-pie-comedy-routine/974989 "2022-11-19T06:54:18Z")
Comedian Paul Tompkins has a funny bit about solving the “historic” debate between which is the best dessert. He concludes frosting is more delicious than whipped cream, also arguing when you had a school food drive, pe… --- ## [Friend met an online girlfriend. What's the probability it is legit?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friend-met-an-online-girlfriend-whats-the-probability-it-is-legit/970599)
**Author:** [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2022, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friend-met-an-online-girlfriend-whats-the-probability-it-is-legit/970599 "2022-11-19T04:39:08Z")
Steve (not his real name) was a buddy of mine from college back in the late 1980s/early 1990s. We both graduated with EE degrees, and were roommates for a while. Though he was extremely liberal, and I was more conservati… --- ## [Dopers with enlarged prostates, have you done anything about it and how'd it go?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-with-enlarged-prostates-have-you-done-anything-about-it-and-howd-it-go/974302)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2022, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-with-enlarged-prostates-have-you-done-anything-about-it-and-howd-it-go/974302 "2022-11-19T03:55:06Z")
As a male turning 60 next year, I’m starting to show signs of an enlarged prostate. I won’t go into the details because IYKYK. My PSA level is fine. If you’ve had any treatments for a swollen prostate, I’d like to hea… --- ## [Microsoft Word and everyone else: Stop defaming passive voice](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-word-and-everyone-else-stop-defaming-passive-voice/975077)
**Author:** [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2022, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-word-and-everyone-else-stop-defaming-passive-voice/975077 "2022-11-18T22:05:12Z")
There’s nothing wrong with the passive voice, so please cut it out with broad, generalized writing advice discouraging its use. The passive voice can be very useful. Especially in legal and technical documents, there are… --- ## [What Is The Gay Equivalent For The Expression 'P\*ssy-Whipped'?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-gay-equivalent-for-the-expression-p-ssy-whipped/245116)
**Author:** [@Surreal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surreal)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2022, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-gay-equivalent-for-the-expression-p-ssy-whipped/245116 "2022-11-18T22:00:41Z")
We’ve all heard the expression ‘p\*ssy-whipped’ to describe a man who is completely controlled by his female partner who withholds from him sexually in order to get what she wants. Is there an equivalent term for a gay m… --- ## [J.D. Vance is exactly what the rubes in Ohio deserve](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/j-d-vance-is-exactly-what-the-rubes-in-ohio-deserve/974654)
**Author:** [@deltogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deltogre)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2022, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/j-d-vance-is-exactly-what-the-rubes-in-ohio-deserve/974654 "2022-11-18T21:42:13Z")
Fuck you, Buckeyes. J.D. Vance is our new senator, converted MAGA Republican that he is. He’s a waffle with no discernible moral compass, no loyalty to the state (He called you all “hillbillies” in the title of his book… --- ## [How does the GOP pivot to 2024 from here?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-gop-pivot-to-2024-from-here/974858)
**Author:** [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Replies:** 117\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2022, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-gop-pivot-to-2024-from-here/974858 "2022-11-18T20:42:07Z")
Now that the Red Wave has turned into a Pink Trickle (“you should really get that checked out” – S. Colbert) what does this portend for the 2024 presidential election cycle? In my fondest dreams: the GOP (belatedly) pre… --- ## [I guess we're moving to North Carolina. Eventually](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-guess-were-moving-to-north-carolina-eventually/953626)
**Author:** [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2022, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-guess-were-moving-to-north-carolina-eventually/953626 "2022-11-18T20:36:27Z")
Specifically to my sister’s property in the hills above Asheville, about a half hour up the Blue Ridge Parkway from downtown. She and her husband have a brand-new house there and the previously existing house on the prop… --- ## [Anyone else having issues with Chrome?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-having-issues-with-chrome/975054)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2022, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-having-issues-with-chrome/975054 "2022-11-18T20:04:53Z")
Not just on this site but just about any of them. Chrome keeps crashing and wants me to reload the pages, which usually works. It started a couple of weeks ago and has been awful ever since. I’ve cleared cache and reb… --- ## [U2's Numb and a TV Commercial](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u2s-numb-and-a-tv-commercial/975161)
**Author:** [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2022, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u2s-numb-and-a-tv-commercial/975161 "2022-11-18T20:01:20Z")
When U2’s song Numb came out, I remember there being a TV commercial that sounded very similar out at the same time or maybe before. Can someone here help? Here’s Numb: --- ## [Useful Press ID?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useful-press-id/975160)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2022, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useful-press-id/975160 "2022-11-18T19:16:34Z")
I was looking at the requirements for being considered a “journalist”, which lead me to looking at the world of press passes and press IDs. Getting a particular pass from a police station, government body, etc. to get d… --- ## [Another take on "How rich is Uncle Scrooge"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-take-on-how-rich-is-uncle-scrooge/826757)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2022, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-take-on-how-rich-is-uncle-scrooge/826757 "2022-11-18T18:25:39Z")
There have been various debates based on the volume of his money bin, or whether “jillion” can be compared to other putative values. But recently I came across this excerpt, which can be taken as canon at least at the ti… --- ## [Airlines and refunds](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airlines-and-refunds/975052)
**Author:** [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2022, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airlines-and-refunds/975052 "2022-11-18T17:41:02Z")
There seems to be a big deal being made about how some airlines are being forced to issue refunds for canceled flights. Out of the six listed only one, Frontier, is an American company. Is there some reason the major Ame… --- ## [If Trump won in 2024, would he be eligible to run in 2028?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trump-won-in-2024-would-he-be-eligible-to-run-in-2028/974999)
**Author:** [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2022, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trump-won-in-2024-would-he-be-eligible-to-run-in-2028/974999 "2022-11-18T15:00:58Z")
Obviously, that’s not happening; he’d be 82, for one thing. But my question is not about Trump himself - it’s whether the term limit clock gets set back to zero if there a one-term president runs again after there has be… --- ## [Who else despise living in apartment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-else-despise-living-in-apartment/974952)
**Author:** [@reallyneverknown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/reallyneverknown)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2022, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-else-despise-living-in-apartment/974952 "2022-11-18T13:30:02Z")
It’s like living in a version of h3ll. You have to put up with all the brain dead people you live around who act like animals. There’s always an issue with how loud they are. This ridiculous braindead woman walks like an… --- ## [Any experience buying a car that would have to be shipped?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-experience-buying-a-car-that-would-have-to-be-shipped/974986)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2022, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-experience-buying-a-car-that-would-have-to-be-shipped/974986 "2022-11-18T13:17:25Z")
I am shopping for a used car. I am looking locally but the online auto sites will show me cars everywhere in the country. Dealers in other cities will arrange shipping. But I have never bought a car sight-unseen and I es… --- ## [Minimal fill levels on electric kettles](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minimal-fill-levels-on-electric-kettles/965518)
**Author:** [@SpacemanSpiff\_II](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpacemanSpiff_II)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2022, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minimal-fill-levels-on-electric-kettles/965518 "2022-11-18T11:40:56Z")
My wife just got an electric kettle, and it has marked off various levels, but the lowest level - .5L - says “MIN”. (The highest level - 1.7L - says “MAX”.) I can understand a max level, if the heating element isn’t pow… --- ## [Toilets in the old west](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilets-in-the-old-west/973824)
**Author:** [@stosh1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stosh1)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2022, 11:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilets-in-the-old-west/973824 "2022-11-18T11:24:33Z")
This may be a little strange, but what kind of toilets did they have in the bar rooms of the old west? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=964&state=muted) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=966&state=muted)