# Discussion thread for the "Polls only" thread (Part 1) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 28, 2022, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380 "2022-09-28T11:33:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 205
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2023, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4082 "2023-05-11T22:40:59Z")
> [@markn\_1](#): > > Tablesaw (I counted it as “other saw”) Well that’s just a type of circular saw, isn’t it? I specifically didn’t include table saw as a separate option because in my mind a table saw is the same as a circular saw; it’s just a circular saw mounted on a table. > [@markn\_1](#): > > Jigsaw And likewise, a jigsaw is just a kind of reciprocating saw as far as I’m concerned. ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2023, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4083 "2023-05-11T23:25:28Z")
I wouldn’t say neither of those are standard terminology. Yes, a table saw spins a circular blade, but it’s almost never called a “circular saw”. A circular saw is a handheld tool (which I also have). Similarly, a jigsaw does have a blade that reciprocates, but the term “reciprocating saw” almost always refers to a Sawzall type of tool, not a jigsaw. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2023, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4084 "2023-05-11T23:33:09Z")
Confession: The reason almost all of my power tools are Ridgid is that Home Depot was running a special on Ridgid tool sets the week we closed on this house. In 6 years I’ve never used the circular saw but everything else has gotten a workout. ETA: I agree with @markn_1. The terms apply to different things. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2023, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4085 "2023-05-11T23:38:11Z")
All this talk of power tools reminds me of my fantasy of being one of those people who builds cabinets in their garage. I don’t have a garage. But building things with tools is one of those “in another life I would…” interests. Maybe I should volunteer for Habitat for Humanity. ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2023, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4086 "2023-05-11T23:38:14Z")
> [@markn\_1](#): > > Yes, a table saw spins a circular blade, but it’s almost never called a “circular saw”. A circular saw is a handheld tool (which I also have). The one my dad had did double duty as either type. You could remove it from the table and use it as a handheld circular saw, or you could mount it to the table and use it that way. That is almost certainly why I think of them as one in the same. In fact I think I kind of assumed that was how all table saws worked. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2023, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4087 "2023-05-11T23:40:11Z")
Huh. No. The table saws I’ve used have much larger blades than a circular saw has, and the table is an integral part of the experience of using it. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2023, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4088 "2023-05-11T23:40:17Z")
> [@markn\_1](#): > > Similarly, a jigsaw does have a blade that reciprocates, but the term “reciprocating saw” almost always refers to a Sawzall type of tool, not a jigsaw. Right. If you have both you’d never use one in place of the other. Very different uses, which IMO makes them different tools. ---
**Author:** ![gkster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gkster/32/14107_2.png) [@gkster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gkster)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2023, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4089 "2023-05-12T00:03:57Z")
In the power tools thread, instead of “I know as much about power tools as I know about Eleanor of Aquitaine”, my preferred option would have been “I don’t know as much about power tools as I know about Eleanor of Aquitaine”. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2023, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4090 "2023-05-12T03:01:21Z")
Grandma Eleanor? Sure I know her. She’s my 25(?) great grandmother. ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2023, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4091 "2023-05-12T11:10:35Z")
I have a bench grinder. (An angle grinder would probably be more useful.) The only reason i know about Eleanor of Aquitaine is that she was the subject of the first million pound winning question in “Who wants to be a millionaire” (UK). ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2023, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4092 "2023-05-12T15:45:11Z")
I ain’t got no stinkin’ lawn. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2023, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4093 "2023-05-12T15:59:59Z")
I knew a few things about Eleanor of Aquitaine from a fiction book I read (over and over) as a teen. Interestingly, about the only thing the book was accurate about was the lineage of the family surrounding her. I have looked up some information over the years but the question sent me to Wikipedia for a more thorough reading of her history. What a fascinating (and strong) woman. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2023, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4094 "2023-05-12T16:12:46Z")
> [@susan](#): > > I ain’t got no stinkin’ lawn Neither do I, at least right after I pick up dog poop. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2023, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4095 "2023-05-12T18:16:20Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Grandma Eleanor? Sure I know her. She’s my 25(?) great grandmother. When doing a family tree it’s always useful to have a president in the family. A lot of the work has been done. I share a grandfather with Lincoln. Through that family I can trace things up to Longshanks and further up to Eleanor of Aquitaine. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2023, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4096 "2023-05-12T20:57:49Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > …Maybe I should volunteer for Habitat for Humanity. I have, and by all means, I hope you will too! ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2023, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4097 "2023-05-13T01:50:18Z")
Angle grinder is my favorite tool ever. Don’t get a lot of opportunities to use it, but it’s awesome. Given the right blade, you can cut _anything_ with it. You could cut your car in half with it. Length-wise. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2023, 10:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4098 "2023-05-13T10:54:20Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > Angle grinder is my favorite tool ever. I’ve used the winch on my gf’s ATV a lot lately. Riding mower got wedged against a fence yesterday and winched it right our. Pulled a shrub out. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2023, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4099 "2023-05-13T11:53:05Z")
I’ve certainly heard the term “courtesy flush”, but haven’t been sure what it meant. You left out one of the things i thought was possible, though, a flush while you are doing your business to cover the sound, so it’s not as obvious to others what you are doing. I used a fancy toilet in Japan that had a button that made a flushing sound (without actually using any water) that i understood was for the purpose of obscuring the sounds you were making. I kinda thought that was a courtesy flush. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2023, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4100 "2023-05-13T13:18:56Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > I’ve certainly heard the term “courtesy flush”, but haven’t been sure what it meant. Ditto. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2023, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4101 "2023-05-13T20:10:18Z")
I think the term can be applied in many situations. A friend admitted to waiting for someone to flush before “doing their business” or until the room seems empty at the office. So my flush might become a courtesy opportunity for another user. Certainly a second flush qualifies as a courtesy flush if needed. A different friend would run around her house checking and flushing all the toilets as guests were arriving, when her kids were small. Her concern was real and warranted. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380.md?page=204) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380.md?page=206)