# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=986 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 987 --- ## [Khadaji’s Whatcha Reading Thread - September 2022 edition](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadaji-s-whatcha-reading-thread-september-2022-edition/970700)
**Author:** [@DZedNConfused](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DZedNConfused)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2022, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadaji-s-whatcha-reading-thread-september-2022-edition/970700 "2022-09-29T18:07:42Z")
Hey! Sorry to be late with the thread, it’s probably already September for some of you… I got distracted watching Wierd Al videos :smiley: So it’s September and going to be 100F all week (about 30 for the rest of the wor… --- ## [See my new baby! Horse pic attached](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/see-my-new-baby-horse-pic-attached/382660)
**Author:** [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2022, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/see-my-new-baby-horse-pic-attached/382660 "2022-09-29T17:24:01Z")
I went to an auction this morning and among the household goods and used car, they had three horses being auctioned. I’ve been looking for a companion for my TB gelding Irish, and I bought a miniature horse for only $125… --- ## [Cat People: Why do you like cats over dogs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-people-why-do-you-like-cats-over-dogs/952503)
**Author:** [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Replies:** 166\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2022, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-people-why-do-you-like-cats-over-dogs/952503 "2022-09-29T17:19:54Z")
I’m a cat person, though I DO love dogs. I can’t quite pinpoint why I like cats over dogs. They both have pros and cons, and it’s kind of a wash to me. Cat’s are independent where dogs are usually more social, but there’… --- ## [Does descriptive linguistics mean "anything goes"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-descriptive-linguistics-mean-anything-goes/971005)
**Author:** [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Replies:** 325\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2022, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-descriptive-linguistics-mean-anything-goes/971005 "2022-09-29T17:14:44Z")
This misconception about descriptivism recurs so often in our discussions about language that I thought a dedicated thread to fight ignorance on the matter might be helpful. Here’s a recent assertion of the persistent … --- ## [Yet another odds question (simulating two dice rolls with a deck of cards)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-odds-question-simulating-two-dice-rolls-with-a-deck-of-cards/972087)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2022, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-odds-question-simulating-two-dice-rolls-with-a-deck-of-cards/972087 "2022-09-29T16:57:11Z")
I want to simulate rolling a 20-sided die twice using a deck of cards numbered 1-20, where each card is removed from the deck and put aside once drawn. I can think of two ways which should preserve the 1/400 odds of gett… --- ## [Coca-Cola contains dye made from ants/insects?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coca-cola-contains-dye-made-from-ants-insects/592717)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2022, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coca-cola-contains-dye-made-from-ants-insects/592717 "2022-09-29T16:04:13Z")
Is this true? I read it on the internet, so it must be, right? --- ## [Older dopers - how often to your joint pop or snap?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-dopers-how-often-to-your-joint-pop-or-snap/972439)
**Author:** [@X.L.Lent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/X.L.Lent)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2022, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-dopers-how-often-to-your-joint-pop-or-snap/972439 "2022-09-29T15:51:17Z")
In the last few months my joint have started to pop frequently. At first it was just the shoulders but now more joints are popping and its becoming more frequent. Is this typical for us old-timers? FWIW I’m 63 and yes… --- ## [Do you consider these phrases passive-aggressive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-consider-these-phrases-passive-aggressive/970097)
**Author:** [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Replies:** 103\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2022, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-consider-these-phrases-passive-aggressive/970097 "2022-09-29T15:35:51Z")
I just saw this listicle and was surprised to find out that I use a couple of these in emails. None of of them seem too passive-aggressive to me, but I suppose it depends on the context. #7, ‘Circling back’, is annoying … --- ## [Will Putin be overthrown in the next 12 months as a result of his "partial" mobilization?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-putin-be-overthrown-in-the-next-12-months-as-a-result-of-his-partial-mobilization/972209)
**Author:** [@Gozu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2022, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-putin-be-overthrown-in-the-next-12-months-as-a-result-of-his-partial-mobilization/972209 "2022-09-29T14:33:20Z")
I have often read in the past 6 months that, for historical reasons, mobilization would break the social contract Putin has with the masses and cause an uprising, but as we’ve seen, he is doing it anyways. Until now, it … --- ## [Is Michael\_Varn the new Jim\_B?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-michael-varn-the-new-jim-b/972409)
**Author:** [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2022, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-michael-varn-the-new-jim-b/972409 "2022-09-29T14:24:24Z")
He’s been a member for about 6 years but his posting activity has only recently been picking up. He has an inordinate amount of misspellings in his posts. He posts a lot of idiotic ideas similarly to our recently bann… --- ## [Do women still wear girdles?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-women-still-wear-girdles/357035)
**Author:** [@RCGDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RCGDC)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2022, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-women-still-wear-girdles/357035 "2022-09-29T14:15:43Z")
Do women still wear girdles? When I was growing up in the 70s I would see ads for them. I don’t see it now. But do they still wear girdles and just not talk about it. Or has something else replaced the girdles? --- ## [Is more known about Julius Caesar than William the Conqueror?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-more-known-about-julius-caesar-than-william-the-conqueror/971008)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2022, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-more-known-about-julius-caesar-than-william-the-conqueror/971008 "2022-09-29T12:56:42Z")
Ok, it wasn’t your typical late night bar conversation but a friend mentioned to me last night we know more about Julius Caesar than we do about William the Conqueror who was born almost exactly 1000 years after Caesar. … --- ## [Instant Karma stories](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instant-karma-stories/972233)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2022, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instant-karma-stories/972233 "2022-09-29T12:54:53Z")
This happened almost 30 years ago. I worked a long distance from home. (Heh. Always has been the case with me.) I was riding my motorcycle home from work one afternoon. In California, it’s legal for motorcycles to ri… --- ## [Marx Brothers Question re: Zeppo and Chico](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marx-brothers-question-re-zeppo-and-chico/972395)
**Author:** [@sciurophobic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciurophobic)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2022, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marx-brothers-question-re-zeppo-and-chico/972395 "2022-09-29T12:28:05Z")
In any of the movies with Zeppo does he ever speak to Chico, or vice versa? I know there are scenes with all four brothers (most notably the big musical number in Duck Soup) but from what I remember all of Zeppo’s one on… --- ## [Do you still enjoy big coaster amusement parks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-enjoy-big-coaster-amusement-parks/970849)
**Author:** [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2022, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-enjoy-big-coaster-amusement-parks/970849 "2022-09-29T12:10:43Z")
So Mrs. solost and I went to Cedar Point yesterday. Her family took her every year when she was a kid and she’s a big coaster junkie who describes CP as her “happy place”. We’ve gone many times in the past but haven’t be… --- ## [Have you even met a MAGA supporter?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-even-met-a-maga-supporter/970818)
**Author:** [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2022, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-even-met-a-maga-supporter/970818 "2022-09-29T11:46:51Z")
The type that believes Trump not only won the 2020 election but is still secretly president and still in control of the military and may use the military to remove Biden from the WH who is just a powerless puppet and has… --- ## [Active shooter in Arkansas hospitol. Somebody check on Becky!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/active-shooter-in-arkansas-hospitol-somebody-check-on-becky/972411)
**Author:** [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2022, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/active-shooter-in-arkansas-hospitol-somebody-check-on-becky/972411 "2022-09-29T11:10:39Z")
I am sure from what I have read that our Becky is in the south west corner of her state. This report is from a hospital north of Little Rock in Sherwood. Can someone check on Becky just to make sure? --- ## [About handling off topic, but revalent side bars](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-handling-off-topic-but-revalent-side-bars/972423)
**Author:** [@Ssounder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ssounder)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2022, 10:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-handling-off-topic-but-revalent-side-bars/972423 "2022-09-29T10:54:02Z")
I follow a some Reddit topics and I noticed that when the conversation starts to stray, someone (admin) comes in and tags it to a “continue this thread” that goes to a link. After, you rarely see posts that continue off … --- ## [Do you work remotely and have you seen an episode of The Jetsons since you started remote work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-work-remotely-and-have-you-seen-an-episode-of-the-jetsons-since-you-started-remote-work/972284)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2022, 10:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-work-remotely-and-have-you-seen-an-episode-of-the-jetsons-since-you-started-remote-work/972284 "2022-09-29T10:14:47Z")
No, I haven’t lost my mind. Friend of mine and I are having a drink at the bar, we both work remote for different companies and we started talking about the old episodes of The Jetsons when Mr Spacely (the boss) would po… --- ## [Lost my Dope penpal who'd been to S. Africa in the Discourse move](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-my-dope-penpal-whod-been-to-s-africa-in-the-discourse-move/971596)
**Author:** [@dummygladhands71](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dummygladhands71)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2022, 9:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-my-dope-penpal-whod-been-to-s-africa-in-the-discourse-move/971596 "2022-09-29T09:39:16Z")
After the long COVID layoff, we’re finally going this November. He’d been and was going to share with me things he’d found useful to take and what he’d wished he had taken. Buddy, you still out there?? Sorry, can’t reme… --- ## [How quickly could a woman start lactating?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-quickly-could-a-woman-start-lactating/972331)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2022, 8:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-quickly-could-a-woman-start-lactating/972331 "2022-09-29T08:20:14Z")
Assuming non-pregnancy. If a woman does everything to start lactating ex nihilo: taking hormones, drinking red clover tea, using a breast pump to simulating the baby sucking, etc. If all that is being done, how quickly… --- ## [Nostradamus - sigh](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nostradamus-sigh/972210)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2022, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nostradamus-sigh/972210 "2022-09-29T07:21:11Z")
A 2005 book with fresh interpretations of the old man’s quatrains claims he predicted, “Queen Elizabeth II will die, circa 22, at the age of around 96.” But what I can’t dig up so far is the original wording of the quatr… --- ## [Can a fetus fart?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-fetus-fart/972192)
**Author:** [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2022, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-fetus-fart/972192 "2022-09-29T06:07:11Z")
No, i don’t need an answer fast. But we were discussing this over the dinner table, and i wondered if anyone knows the factual answer. --- ## [How far back could a 'modern' shark breed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-back-could-a-modern-shark-breed/972389)
**Author:** [@BlinkingDuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlinkingDuck)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2022, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-back-could-a-modern-shark-breed/972389 "2022-09-29T05:35:42Z")
I keep seeing that stat that sharks have been on this Earth for hundreds of millions of years pretty much unchanged and are one of the most successful animals. How far back in time could you take a currently alive shark… --- ## [Cleaning chunks of Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-chunks-of-quartz/972414)
**Author:** [@moes\_lotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moes_lotion)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2022, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-chunks-of-quartz/972414 "2022-09-29T05:29:40Z")
I have two smallish (about fist sized) chunks of white quartz that were partly submerged in a forest floor when I found them. I gave them a vigorous scrubbing with dish soap and a stiff brush but there are still dark sta… --- ## [If storm reporter dies, employer responsible/charged?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-storm-reporter-dies-employer-responsible-charged/972417)
**Author:** [@a6ka97](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a6ka97)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2022, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-storm-reporter-dies-employer-responsible-charged/972417 "2022-09-29T03:05:24Z")
In watching the evening news they featured a clip of a Weather Channel reporter reporting on hurricane Ian when a branch (or something) blows into him and knocks him over. Further in his report he could barely walk back … --- ## [Best Chef's Knife?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-chefs-knife/961650)
**Author:** [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Replies:** 133\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2022, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-chefs-knife/961650 "2022-09-29T02:56:31Z")
I have a friend who’s starting a line cook job in a restaurant whose owner has promised to train him up to eventually be a real chef. We were discussing the tools he should invest in. I told him that, to start out, inste… --- ## [Gals, do you wear girdles?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gals-do-you-wear-girdles/97069)
**Author:** [@UrbanChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UrbanChic)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2017, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gals-do-you-wear-girdles/97069 "2017-02-03T21:15:08Z")
I don’t. I hate them. With a passion. I’m not of the mindset that girdles are another invention of men to repress women, either. I just find them extremely uncomfortable. Conversely, I know people who wouldn’t dream of … --- ## [Does a U.S. president have unlimited Medals of Freedom to give out?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-u-s-president-have-unlimited-medals-of-freedom-to-give-out/972228)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2022, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-u-s-president-have-unlimited-medals-of-freedom-to-give-out/972228 "2022-09-28T23:55:16Z")
As I understand it, the Presidential Medal of Freedom is essentially entirely up to the president’s discretion and has no Congressional oversight. Could someone like Trump or Biden really hand them out like Halloween can… --- ## [Checking Parity of Data Sets?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/checking-parity-of-data-sets/972412)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2022, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/checking-parity-of-data-sets/972412 "2022-09-28T23:24:25Z")
I have a complete set of data Q. From Q, we calculate a bunch of new data but, previous to doing so, we drop about 4% of all information that we’ve probabilistically determined is spam. We have developed a new set of to… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=985) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=987)