# 20 Questions version 6.0 **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 3, 2002, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/20-questions-version-6-0/101670 "2002-04-03T22:26:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![\_your\_name\_here](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/_/919ad9/32.png) [@\_your\_name\_here](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/_your_name_here)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2002, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/20-questions-version-6-0/101670/21 "2002-04-04T20:31:48Z")
that’s my job **anubis**! monster. **eleven, onze, XI, uh…11!** is it found in people’s homes while under normal use? ---
**Author:** ![Yo\_La\_Tengo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/41988e/32.png) [@Yo\_La\_Tengo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yo_La_Tengo)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2002, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/20-questions-version-6-0/101670/22 "2002-04-04T20:57:52Z")
**Anubis** asked: 10) _Does it have anything to do with injuring animals or other humans?_ **Anus** , no… **(your name here)** asked: 11) _is it found in people’s homes while under normal use?_ **I am a lobster** , sí, señorita… ---
**Author:** ![jaytini2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@jaytini2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jaytini2)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2002, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/20-questions-version-6-0/101670/23 "2002-04-04T20:59:38Z")
ummm…3x4, 6x2, 24/2 was this something that was invented recently…? ---
**Author:** ![jaytini2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@jaytini2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jaytini2)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2002, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/20-questions-version-6-0/101670/24 "2002-04-04T21:04:00Z")
and i forgot to actually write 12 ---
**Author:** ![Journeyman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/779978/32.png) [@Journeyman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Journeyman)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2002, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/20-questions-version-6-0/101670/25 "2002-04-04T21:12:11Z")
13, tredecem, 26/2: Is it’s purpose primarily aesthetic? Is it used for decoration, but without any practical use? ---
**Author:** ![Yo\_La\_Tengo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/41988e/32.png) [@Yo\_La\_Tengo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yo_La_Tengo)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2002, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/20-questions-version-6-0/101670/26 "2002-04-04T21:40:15Z")
**jaytini2** asked: 12) _was this something that was invented recently…?_ **Tiny Jay II** , suppose what your definition of “recently” is, huh? I never actually researched it’s history, but I’d say it’s been around for a while. **Journeyman** asked: 13) _Is it’s purpose primarily aesthetic? Is it used for decoration, but without any practical use?_ **Mr. Adventurous** , good question, but no. ---
**Author:** ![jaytini2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@jaytini2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jaytini2)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2002, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/20-questions-version-6-0/101670/27 "2002-04-04T21:52:25Z")
i like tiny jay, it’s like little john from robin hood…anyway, in case i should clear it up, i would say recently is within the last 20 years… four teens…, one more than a bakers dozen, 14, is this something that has been used to further mankind…such as fire, or the wheel…did i phrase this right? ---
**Author:** ![White\_Lightning](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@White\_Lightning](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/White_Lightning)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2002, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/20-questions-version-6-0/101670/28 "2002-04-04T21:55:35Z")
These are some cool questions. And, > [@](#): > > _Originally posted by **SpaceDog** _ > OK, so it’s a manmade thing that doesn’t require energy to do whatever it does … if it actively does anything. Some people own them, but they’re not encountered on a daily basis and it’s a type of thing rather than one specific thing. And it’s not a monkey. is perfect. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2002, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/20-questions-version-6-0/101670/29 "2002-04-04T21:55:35Z")
Teens with a fifth (quince-flavored brandy?): is this thing normally capitalized, as in a brand-name? asks the grammar geek ---
**Author:** ![Yo\_La\_Tengo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/41988e/32.png) [@Yo\_La\_Tengo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yo_La_Tengo)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2002, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/20-questions-version-6-0/101670/30 "2002-04-04T22:00:13Z")
**jaytini2** asked: 14) _is this something that has been used to further mankind?_ **Tiny Jay II** , hmm. That’s a toughy. If it has, I’d say not very much. What do you think, **WL**? {post-preview} Hey look! It’s **WL**! Oh, there’s another question, too… **DanielWithrow** asked: 15) _is this thing normally capitalized, as in a brand-name?_ **Danny** (sorry, best I could do), nope. This is getting pretty popular, I can’t even keep up. ---
**Author:** ![jaytini2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@jaytini2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jaytini2)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2002, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/20-questions-version-6-0/101670/31 "2002-04-04T22:25:20Z")
last question for me, the work day is winding down… sixteen candles, sweet sixteen 16…is this something with a job specifically related to it’s use/production… i wonder if that is a dumb question diguised as an intellectual one? ---
**Author:** ![SpaceDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spacedog/32/9932_2.png) [@SpaceDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpaceDog)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2002, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/20-questions-version-6-0/101670/32 "2002-04-04T22:27:22Z")
Thanks **WL** it’s rare that anything I write is described as perfect. 😉 OK, if it’s not aesthetic then I can assume it does something, so … Ten and six) Does it require some other _thing_ to do whatever it is that it does. I.e. do you use it with something else, or add something to it to make it useful ? ---
**Author:** ![SpaceDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spacedog/32/9932_2.png) [@SpaceDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpaceDog)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2002, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/20-questions-version-6-0/101670/33 "2002-04-04T22:29:08Z")
OK, I guess my question should be 17 **jaytini2** s post wasn’t there a second ago. ---
**Author:** ![Yo\_La\_Tengo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/41988e/32.png) [@Yo\_La\_Tengo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yo_La_Tengo)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2002, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/20-questions-version-6-0/101670/34 "2002-04-05T00:38:49Z")
**jaytini2** asked: 16) _is this something with a job specifically related to it’s use/production?_ **Tiny Jay II** , I’m very sorry, but I have no idea what you’re talking about. **WL** , right now would be a good time to use your powers as second in charge and help me out. That, or could you give me some examples of “something with a job specifically related to it’s use/production,” **Tiny Jay II**? **SpaceDog** asked: 17) _Does it require some other thing to do whatever it is that it does. I.e. do you use it with something else, or add something to it to make it useful?_ **Laika** , while that looks like a whole bunch of little questions rolled up into one, I’ll go easy on you since you’re getting down to the line. While the answer is yes (I think), the thing you’re probably getting at is ‘does it require electricity?’ **Hint 1** : I advise you to not think that it does. And since I’m such a nice guy, I’ll throw in… **Hint 2** : It was mentioned in at least one of the earlier games, but I won’t say which one(s). ---
**Author:** ![Protesilaus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Protesilaus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Protesilaus)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2002, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/20-questions-version-6-0/101670/35 "2002-04-05T05:22:28Z")
So, so far the thing is a nonliving, man-made, non-specific object not larger than a car, which does not require energy to work. Some people own it, and some encounter it daily, but not really. While being used, it is normally found in people’s homes. It has been around for a while, and it’s purpose is neither decorative nor harmful. It has not been used to further mankind much, if at all. It needs some other thing to do what it does. It probably does not require electricity. And it’s not a monkey. 18 - Is its main purpose entertainment? ---
**Author:** ![Caught\_Work](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/919ad9/32.png) [@Caught\_Work](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caught_Work)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2002, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/20-questions-version-6-0/101670/36 "2002-04-05T05:37:26Z")
This is not a question (well, I suppose it is, but it’s not a question in terms of asking a question in the game), but does the 20th question have to be the answer (ie. Is is a computer???) or is the 20th question a valid question and then the 21st thing a statement on what it is ??? Remember, this is not a question. Well, that last bit was a statement, so it’s not a question, but i’m rambling now … ---
**Author:** ![White\_Lightning](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@White\_Lightning](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/White_Lightning)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2002, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/20-questions-version-6-0/101670/37 "2002-04-05T06:33:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by \*\*Yo La Tengo \*\*\* > **jaytini2** asked: 16) _is this something with a job specifically related to it’s use/production?_ > > **Tiny Jay II** , I’m very sorry, but I have no idea what you’re talking about. **WL** , right now would be a good time to use your powers as second in charge and help me out. Sorry to say I’m as lost as you are. Seems like a circular kind of a question to me – I can’t imagine how anything could have a job that was unrelated to its use. I mean, isn’t that what a job is? > [@](#): > > **SpaceDog** asked: 17) _Does it require some other thing to do whatever it is that it does. I.e. do you use it with something else, or add something to it to make it useful?_ > > **Laika** , while that looks like a whole bunch of little questions rolled up into one, I’ll go easy on you since you’re getting down to the line. While the answer is yes (I think), the thing you’re probably getting at is ‘does it require electricity?’ **Hint 1** : I advise you to not think that it does. My take on this is… looking at the way the question is phrased, the answer should just be no. Actually, this is better. Since, as **YLT** said, it’s getting close, we can be lenient here. I’m gonna go ahead and say 17A) _Do you use it with something else?_ **Yes**. 17B) _Do you add something to it to make it useful?_ **No**. Dunno if that will make things more or less clear, but there you go. Groovy, **YLT**? ---
**Author:** ![SpaceDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spacedog/32/9932_2.png) [@SpaceDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpaceDog)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2002, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/20-questions-version-6-0/101670/38 "2002-04-05T11:21:12Z")
Hmmm, I think I’m more confused than ever. Since we don’t have an answer to 18), which is a very good question, I’m not going to post a question. But I’ll share some thoughts 'cos I’m probably going to miss the answer … > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Yo La Tengo \* > **Laika** , while that looks like a whole bunch of little questions rolled up into one, I’ll go easy on you since you’re getting down to the line. While the answer is yes (I think), the thing you’re probably getting at is ‘does it require electricity?’ **Hint 1** : I advise you to not think that it does. I was actually thinking that you might add water, rather than electricity. But looking at it again I don’t think that’s right. And since **WL** said you don’t _add_ anything that’s the wrong track. > [@](#): > > **Hint 2** : It was mentioned in at least one of the earlier games, but I won’t say which one(s). \*\* I’ve read the threads that are still around and am completely lost. I didn’t see anything plausible, but maybe I’m being stupid. I did think it might be a five year old child but we’ve established it’s non-living. **Caught@Work** as I understand it we have 20 questions, since a guess counts as a question you’d have to take a guess as your 20th question if you hadn’t got it by that point. I’m off be confused some more. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2002, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/20-questions-version-6-0/101670/39 "2002-04-05T11:53:07Z")
I was going to guess _electricity_ (as mentioned in version 4.0), but then the answer to question 14 would presumably be “yes”, 16 would be “yes” (there are jobs related to its production), and 10 would be “not usually” rather than “no”. So I’m stuck. Maybe I need another recap. ---
**Author:** ![Anubis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dfb087/32.png) [@Anubis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anubis)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2002, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/20-questions-version-6-0/101670/40 "2002-04-05T14:57:32Z")
> [@](#): > > _originally posted by I am a Lobster_ > \*\*that’s my job anubis! > > monster.\*\* _ **BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!** _ I have _no_ regrets!!! Ha! [/Crabopple] BTW, I was merely doing it because it ws starting to get confusing and you hadn’t been here for a while. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/20-questions-version-6-0/101670.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/20-questions-version-6-0/101670.md?page=3)