# Can you make any sense out of this list? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 15, 2010, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-make-any-sense-out-of-this-list/536228 "2010-04-15T16:21:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![maladroit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f475e1/32.png) [@maladroit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maladroit)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2010, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-make-any-sense-out-of-this-list/536228/21 "2010-04-15T19:40:29Z")
Sounds like one of your neighbors needs to change his meds, and he’s gonna be really mad when he finds out you touched his stuff. (or didn’t write back, or something) ---
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2010, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-make-any-sense-out-of-this-list/536228/22 "2010-04-15T19:58:50Z")
I’m going with schizophrenic or bipolar neighbor for the win. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2010, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-make-any-sense-out-of-this-list/536228/23 "2010-04-15T20:17:30Z")
The key word is “Tegretol” ---
**Author:** ![williamweigand](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b3f665/32.png) [@williamweigand](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/williamweigand)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2010, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-make-any-sense-out-of-this-list/536228/24 "2010-04-16T14:01:34Z")
**Knowed Out** , I’m truly impressed with the research you did. You may have something there with your conclusion - at the very least a career in comedy writing - I busted a gut laughing. On a more serious note, I know a number of people with bipolar disorder but don’t know what meds they’re on. Either way, I doubt either of them put this list in my mailbox. ---
**Author:** ![pantheon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/6bbea6/32.png) [@pantheon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pantheon)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2010, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-make-any-sense-out-of-this-list/536228/25 "2010-04-16T21:01:39Z")
I can’t make any sense of it, but I can make a hat, or a brooch, or a pterodactyl! ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2010, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-make-any-sense-out-of-this-list/536228/26 "2010-04-16T22:50:11Z")
Computer passwords? ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2010, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-make-any-sense-out-of-this-list/536228/27 "2010-04-16T23:05:45Z")
> [@Alice\_The\_Goon](#): > > I’m going with schizophrenic or bipolar neighbor for the win. Seconded. And yes, Tegretol is the tip-off ---
**Author:** ![Gagundathar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a183cd/32.png) [@Gagundathar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gagundathar)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2010, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-make-any-sense-out-of-this-list/536228/28 "2010-04-16T23:15:24Z")
This is one of the best threads I have read in quite a long time. //// Any useful code word group will look inexplicable to anyone without the key and this is just weirdly ordered enough to look like what I think a code word group might look like. Y’all know how this crypto scheme works, right? ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2010, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-make-any-sense-out-of-this-list/536228/29 "2010-04-17T03:16:58Z")
How are you going to feel when the Antarctican Hollow-Earthers attack, and you didn’t show the code to the CIA in time to stop the senseless Sno-Cone onslaught? ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2010, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-make-any-sense-out-of-this-list/536228/30 "2010-04-17T16:44:50Z")
I’m trying to figure out the ingredients list in illegal toffee chips > [@ivan\_astikov](#): > > Okay, now I’m seriously considering changing my username to this! It would make a great custom title for you! ---
**Author:** ![williamweigand](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b3f665/32.png) [@williamweigand](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/williamweigand)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2010, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-make-any-sense-out-of-this-list/536228/31 "2010-04-17T19:25:43Z")
O.P. here. I don’t have time to respond to as many of your posts as I’d like, but thought that if any of you would like to see the “original” list, I could have someone at work show me how to fax it. Let me know. ---
**Author:** ![ivan\_astikov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@ivan\_astikov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivan_astikov)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2010, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-make-any-sense-out-of-this-list/536228/32 "2010-04-17T19:32:54Z")
[quote=“Gary “Wombat” Robson, post:30, topic:536228”] I’m trying to figure out the ingredients list in illegal toffee chips It would make a great custom title for you! [/QUOTE] If you can use your power and influence to make it so, I’ll give a donation to a nominated charity. ---
**Author:** ![williamweigand](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b3f665/32.png) [@williamweigand](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/williamweigand)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2010, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-make-any-sense-out-of-this-list/536228/33 "2010-04-18T12:59:33Z")
I think I might have it figured out - and if I’m right, I’m really ticked. Although it may have been posted in jest, **Wile E** ’s post (#13 above) could be on the nose. And the company whose website **Chessic Sense** provided a link for in post 17 might be the one behind it. I didn’t get around to mentioning that the first two words in the list were written larger than all the rest. So maybe that company decided to come up with a sneaky advertising campaign where they write a slightly disguised version of their name at the top of a list of nonsensical sounding words, run off a buttload of them on a copier, and sneak them into peoples’ mailboxes. Then they hope enough people think WTF, sending them to Google to find a link to their website. (After all, I might not be the only one to find this list in my mailbox - just the only one stupid enough to give them free advertising on a message-board read by teeming millions.) If my theory is correct, I apologize to you all. I give the powers-that-be my permission to delete this thread if it can be determined without a doubt that I inadvertently spammed the Board. Or perhaps you might think that, just as **Hal Briston** ’s sheep sex thread provided an object lesson in the dangers of leaving your computer unattended when logged in to the Dope, this one could teach people to suspect the possibility of a sneaky ad campaign when they see something weird like this list. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2010, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-make-any-sense-out-of-this-list/536228/34 "2010-04-18T14:12:06Z")
My guess? Somebody’s dabbling in homeopathy. A lot of the terms sound like a phonetic attempt to spell the names of some substances. Maybe they were trying to write down a list of items being relayed to them over the phone or they were seeing on TV. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2010, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-make-any-sense-out-of-this-list/536228/35 "2010-04-18T14:50:59Z")
A list of possible usernames for a message board? ---
**Author:** ![Imago](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/85e7bf/32.png) [@Imago](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Imago)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2010, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-make-any-sense-out-of-this-list/536228/36 "2010-04-19T15:53:14Z")
An undifferentiated schizophrenic whose symptoms were mainly a combo of disorganized and paranoid could CONCEIVABLY write this, but it’s far more likely to be either a prank or a code. It seems like there may be too many instances of resemblance to actual words/names to be an advertising campaign from any place with conventional copyright laws? What with all the patented drugs and references to online games. ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2010, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-make-any-sense-out-of-this-list/536228/37 "2010-04-19T18:20:41Z")
> [@williamweigand](#): > > I think I might have it figured out - and if I’m right, I’m really ticked. > > Although it may have been posted in jest, **Wile E** ’s post (#13 above) could be on the nose. And the company whose website **Chessic Sense** provided a link for in post 17 might be the one behind it. > > I didn’t get around to mentioning that the first two words in the list were written larger than all the rest. > So maybe that company decided to come up with a sneaky advertising campaign where they write a slightly disguised version of their name at the top of a list of nonsensical sounding words, run off a buttload of them on a copier, and sneak them into peoples’ mailboxes. Then they hope enough people think WTF, sending them to Google to find a link to their website. (After all, I might not be the only one to find this list in my mailbox - just the only one stupid enough to give them free advertising on a message-board read by teeming millions.) > > If my theory is correct, I apologize to you all. I give the powers-that-be my permission to delete this thread if it can be determined without a doubt that I inadvertently spammed the Board. Or perhaps you might think that, just as **Hal > Briston**’s sheep sex thread provided an object lesson in the dangers of leaving your computer unattended when logged in to the Dope, this one could teach people to suspect the possibility of a sneaky ad campaign when they see something weird like this list. I was right? Actually, I came up with my joke comment when I googled one of the word combos in your list and found a whole lot if Russian websites, and Russian usually means spam. But I can’t see how incoherent spam mail in a real mailbox would benefit anyone as advertising. Most email spam wants to trick you into going to their website or stealing your passwords or installing a virus on your computer. Spam mail in you real world mailbox wouldn’t have the same immediate effect. Not to mention, that I think it’s actually illegal to put non mail stuff in people’s mailboxes so if it’s a viral marketing campaign of sorts it’s a bit risky for that company should people complain. Did you ask any of your neighbors if they got one in their mailbox? ---
**Author:** ![dobieman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7c8e57/32.png) [@dobieman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dobieman)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2010, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-make-any-sense-out-of-this-list/536228/38 "2010-04-19T19:00:54Z")
It is the latest “on-palm” set of notes for Sarah Palin at one of her public frenzies of demagoguery. (Don’t worry that it is missing pronouns, verbs, articles, etc. Those are supplied automatically by those accustomed to listening to her.) ---
**Author:** ![goodie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/839c29/32.png) [@goodie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/goodie)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2010, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-make-any-sense-out-of-this-list/536228/39 "2010-04-19T19:00:55Z")
Looks like a mnemonic device, perhaps elements? Bismuth, zirconium, cobalt…I see a few that won’t match, though, so maybe not JUST elements. ---
**Author:** ![hougaswd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/dc4da7/32.png) [@hougaswd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hougaswd)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-make-any-sense-out-of-this-list/536228/40 "2010-04-20T02:21:33Z")
> [@williamweigand](#): > > It was on a sheet of paper in my mailbox - no envelope. > > I’ll try to re-create it as well as possible. It’s a mimeograph copy of something handwritten. I can only guess at some of the letters - and why the writer had some words with initial capitalization followed by a lowercase version of the initial letter is part of the mystery. A number of these items seem to connected to printing or art: Niehlo “Niello is a black metallic alloy of sulfur, copper, silver, and usually lead, used as an inlay on engraved metal. It can be used for filling in designs cut from metal. The Egyptians are credited with originating niello decoration, which spread throughout Europe during the late Iron age” > **[Niello](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niello)** > > Niello /niːˈɛloʊ/ is a black mixture, usually of sulphur, copper, silver, and lead, used as an inlay on engraved or etched metal, especially silver. It is added as a powder or paste, then fired until it melts or at least softens, and flows or is pushed into engraved lines in the metal. It hardens and blackens when cool, and the niello on the flat surface is polished off to show the filled lines in black, contrasting with the polished metal around it. It may also be used with other m Niello wa... Rosin oil “A white to brown viscous liquid obtained by fractional distillation of rosin and used in lubricants, adhesives, electrical insulation, and **printing inks** ” [Rosin oil - definition of rosin oil by The Free Dictionary](http://www.thefreedictionary.com/rosin+oil) Caster oil “Castor oil and its derivatives have applications in the manufacturing of soaps, lubricants, hydraulic and brake fluids, paints, dyes, coatings,\*\* inks\*\*, cold resistant plastics, waxes and polishes, nylon, pharmaceuticals and perfumes.” [Caster oil | encyclopedia article by TheFreeDictionary](http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/Caster+oil)))) BetaCarotem “β-Carotene is an organic compound and classified as a terpenoid. It is a strongly-coloured red-orange **pigment** abundant in plants and fruits. As a carotene with beta-rings at both ends, it is the most common form of carotene. It is a precursor (inactive form) of vitamin A.” > **[β-Carotene](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beta_carotene)** > > .mw-parser-output .ib-chembox{border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left}.mw-parser-output .ib-chembox td,.mw-parser-output .ib-chembox th{border:1px solid #a2a9b1;width:40%}.mw-parser-output .ib-chembox td+td{width:60%}@media screen{html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .ib-chembox figure:not(.skin-invert-image):not(.skin-invert):not(.bg-transparent){background:var(--background-color-inverted,#f8f9fa)}}@media screen and (prefers-color-scheme:dark){html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-p... Others seem to be more associated with medicine Tegretol-already noted as a medicine by Knowed Out Balsam Fur I think this is a phonetic spelling of Fir Balsam. “Balsam is a term used for various pleasantly scented plant products. These are oily or gummy oleoresins, usually containing benzoic acid or cinnamic acid, obtained from the exudates of various trees and shrubs and used as a base for some botanical medicines. They may be obtained from…” > **[Balsam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balsam)** > > Balsam is the resinous exudate (or sap) which forms on certain kinds of trees and shrubs. Balsam (from Latin balsamum "gum of the balsam tree," ultimately from a Semitic source such as Hebrew: בֹּשֶׂם, romanized: bośem, lit. 'spice, perfume') owes its name to the biblical Balm of Gilead. > Balsams often contain benzoic or cinnamic acid or their esters. > The Balsam of Matariyya was a substance famous as a panacea among physicians in the Middle East and Europe during the Antique and Medieval periods... The entry associating dioxin and toffee chips is interesting. Dioxin is more closely associated with bio accumulation in animals rather than plants, but might someone with mental problems looking for causes make the leap that they have been poisoned from an otherwise unlikely source? Perhaps this is the shopping list of a depressed artist, self medicating, with poor spelling skills? Walt [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-make-any-sense-out-of-this-list/536228.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-make-any-sense-out-of-this-list/536228.md?page=3)