# 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:** 422
**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:** [December 4, 2023, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/8424 "2023-12-04T01:02:30Z")
Yeah. I would have picked something in the middle, had that been an option. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2023, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/8425 "2023-12-04T03:29:12Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > What’s the case for “Puff the Magic Dragon” being about marijuana (for those who voted that way)? An article in [_Newsweek_ magazine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puff,_the_Magic_Dragon#Speculation_about_drug_references). > After the song’s initial success, speculation arose—as early as a 1964 article in _[Newsweek](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newsweek)_—that the song contained veiled references to smoking [marijuana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabis_(drug)).[[8]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puff,_the_Magic_Dragon#cite_note-8) The word “paper” in the name of Puff’s human friend Jackie Paper was said to be a reference to [rolling papers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolling_paper), the words “by the sea” were interpreted as “by the C” (as in [cannabis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabis)), the word “mist” stood for “smoke”, the land of “Honahlee” stood for [hashish](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hashish), and “dragon” was interpreted as “draggin’” (i.e., inhaling smoke). Similarly, the name “Puff” was alleged to be a reference to taking a “puff” on a joint. The supposition was claimed to be common knowledge in a letter by a member of the public to _[The New York Times](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times)_ in 1984.[[9]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puff,_the_Magic_Dragon#cite_note-9)[[10]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puff,_the_Magic_Dragon#cite_note-10) ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2023, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/8426 "2023-12-04T03:32:02Z")
> [@DesertDog](#): > > > [@](#): > > > > After the song’s initial success, speculation arose—as early as a 1964 article in _[Newsweek](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newsweek)_—that the song contained veiled references to smoking [marijuana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabis_(drug)).[[8]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puff,_the_Magic_Dragon#cite_note-8) The word “paper” in the name of Puff’s human friend Jackie Paper was said to be a reference to [rolling papers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolling_paper), the words “by the sea” were interpreted as “by the C” (as in [cannabis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabis)), the word “mist” stood for “smoke”, the land of “Honahlee” stood for [hashish](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hashish), and “dragon” was interpreted as “draggin’” (i.e., inhaling smoke). Similarly, the name “Puff” was alleged to be a reference to taking a “puff” on a joint. The supposition was claimed to be common knowledge in a letter by a member of the public to _[The New York Times](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times)_ in 1984.[[9]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puff,_the_Magic_Dragon#cite_note-9)[[10]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puff,_the_Magic_Dragon#cite_note-10) That sounds exactly like the kind of stuff you’d come up with if you first thought up the theory _a priori_ and then went looking for corroborating “evidence.” ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2023, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/8427 "2023-12-04T03:55:07Z")
If you look hard enough you can find anything. For years afterward Yarrow, the writer of the song, would demonstrate at concerts how “The Star Spangled Banner” had drug references. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2023, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/8428 "2023-12-04T04:09:43Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > What’s the case for “Puff the Magic Dragon” being about marijuana (for those who voted that way)? Exactly zero. > [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > That sounds exactly like the kind of stuff you’d come up with if you first thought up the theory _a priori_ and then went looking for corroborating “evidence.” And this. Jeebuskeeerist on a pogo stick- there are actually SDMBers who think Puff is about drugs? > **[Is 'Puff the Magic Dragon' About Marijuana?](https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/puff-the-magic-dragon/)** > > Is 'Puff, the Magic Dragon' a song about marijuana? Just like the evidence that Oz is about the Silver Standard. ---
**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:** [December 4, 2023, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/8429 "2023-12-04T04:29:59Z")
In 1984 everyone had heard the claim that _puff the magic dragon_ was about cannabis, but anyone who actually listened to the song knew it wasn’t. ---
**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:** [December 4, 2023, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/8430 "2023-12-04T06:03:08Z")
I said I don’t have the means to make waffles at home, but I would have preferred a choice with a stronger statement. I dislike waffles, I probably haven’t eaten one in over 50 years, I don’t know anyone who eats waffles, and I don’t think I’ve ever even seen a waffle maker in real life. Waffles are just not part of my life experience in any way. ---
**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:** [December 4, 2023, 9:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/8431 "2023-12-04T09:07:54Z")
There were a lot of “i eat waffles regularly” options. We own a waffle maker, but i can’t remember the last time we used it. I don’t think we’ve ever purchased a frozen waffle. We had pancakes for lunch yesterday. My husband is fond of pancakes, and makes them pretty regularly. I don’t dislike waffles, but it’s just not a thing i do. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2023, 11:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/8432 "2023-12-04T11:24:18Z")
> [@markn\_1](#): > > I don’t think I’ve ever even seen a waffle maker in real life In my experience, they’re pretty common in hotels that offer free breakfast. So, for me, “I make them once or twice a year” and “I don’t have the means to make waffles at home” are both accurate. ---
**Author:** ![psychonaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psychonaut/32/4655_2.png) [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2023, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/8433 "2023-12-04T12:13:27Z")
Regarding my perpetual abilities poll, I’m not at all surprised that perpetual restfulness is the top answer. (I expected as much, which is why I allowed people to select two abilities.) I _am_ surprised at the distribution of the remaining abilities. Personally, I picked perpetual nutrition—although I love eating, buying groceries and eating out are _expensive_, and cooking from scratch takes a long time. I’d much rather have the option of not having to spend all that time and money. I would never have picked perpetual cleanliness. I love taking hot showers, and they don’t take up all that much time. Soap, shampoo, and deodorant are pretty cheap considering the minute quantities you use at a time. Even if I was perpetually clean, I’d still shower or bathe regularly, just for the relaxation value. Still, @squeegee makes a good point about never having to wipe after using the toilet. That was something I hadn’t considered when building the poll. And kudos to @markn_1 for making me laugh out loud with his observation about perpetual entertainment: “I can’t really imagine how this would work. It sounds like it’s asking if I want a mental illness.” I suppose he’s right, though it’s the sort of mental illness I wouldn’t mind having. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Cardigan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardigan/32/187_2.png) [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2023, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/8434 "2023-12-04T13:01:03Z")
A 1940s vintage Willys Jeep ---
**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:** [December 4, 2023, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/8435 "2023-12-04T13:07:51Z")
> [@psychonaut](#): > > I love taking hot showers, and they don’t take up all that much time. Soap, shampoo, and deodorant are pretty cheap considering the minute quantities you use at a time. Even if I was perpetually clean, I’d still shower or bathe regularly, just for the relaxation value. I enjoy bathing, but it’s not good for my skin. And if i could cook without ever worrying that i might be smearing bacteria around from the chicken, or heck, getting flour-y fingerprints all over the kitchen, that would be awesome. Not having to wipe would also be great. I’m actually on my way to a doctor’s appointment about a problem that is probably caused by overly-vigorous wiping. I love eating, and I’m afraid that if i had perpetual nutrition i wouldn’t enjoy food as much. Or worse, every bite would make me fatter. ---
**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:** [December 4, 2023, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/8436 "2023-12-04T13:12:08Z")
I have a waffle maker, a great batter recipe, and a bag of our blueberries in the freezer. I’d never make waffles just for me, so I make waffles any time my gf asks me to, which is about once a month. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2023, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/8437 "2023-12-04T14:40:59Z")
I own a waffle maker, and the King Arthur Cookbook has a fan-fucking-tastic (and easy) Belgian Waffle recipe. This Saturday, I’ll be making waffles! ---
**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:** [December 4, 2023, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/8438 "2023-12-04T16:28:36Z")
Not voting in the education choice poll. I think the right choice depends massively on the person and, in my case, if I could be starting now at the age I was when I graduated high school but with my current knowledge of myself, I’d be looking for a sequence of farm internships on different farms; which wasn’t one of the choices. That obviously wouldn’t be the right choice for everybody. ---
**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:** [December 4, 2023, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/8439 "2023-12-04T17:00:57Z")
I like waffles but rarely have them. These days, I can’t read about them without hearing Donkey from the _Shrek_ movies. If I feel hot while I’m sleeping in the winter, I’ll just turn down the coverlet, or even bring one or both arms out from under it. That usually cools me down and I feel better. I watched every episode of _Succession_ although, as I posted in that thread, it was kind of a hate-watch for me. They were all awful people, to one degree or another, but I liked seeing the family dynamics and all the corporate backstabbing, as well as the lifestyle porn of amazing Manhattan apartments, gleaming corporate suites, beautiful vacation homes, private jets, limos, helicopters, etc. Logan Roy was far and away the most detestable character, as he was a shitty, manipulative dad who was a worldwide force for evil, using his media empire to spread lies everywhere. Connor Roy, the eldest child, was the best of a bad bunch - narcissistic, a bit flighty and not all that smart, but not actively evil, I’d say, even when he was running for President. The intent of the creator of a work of art - painting, song, movie, book, etc. - is usually interesting to me, but never determinative. I like knowing what they had in mind, but once the work of art goes out to the masses, everyone’s free to interpret it as they see fit. Some interpretations make sense to me and I’ll agree; others don’t, and I’ll disagree. I think some creators may also subconsciously send messages through their work that they don’t even realize or understand. My current car has heated front seats and, in Ohio winters, they’re great. Now I wonder how I ever got by without 'em! I’m a bit of a germophobe, unfortunately, and COVID only made it worse. When I’m in court I’m handling papers and files all day, and pretty frequently wash my hands. I figure I wash my hands eight to ten times a day; sometimes more. The oldest car I owned - and the first - was a 1985 Chevy Chevette I bought from my older sister; it had been her college graduation present. It was cheap and ugly but reliable, and got me around town just fine. The oldest car I was ever in would have been when I was a kid, riding in one of my parents’ cars - a station wagon from the early Sixties, most likely. Of those superpowers, I chose perpetual restfulness (I’m so busy, having another seven or eight hours a day to do stuff would be great) and perpetual cleanliness (more time savings as to showering and, yes, washing my hands). ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2023, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/8440 "2023-12-04T17:03:04Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > I like waffles but rarely have them. These days, I can’t read about them without hearing Donkey from the _Shrek_ movies. When my kids are visiting, I’ll quote that before we go to bed. Once or twice a year I’ll actually follow through. ---
**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:** [December 4, 2023, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/8441 "2023-12-04T17:22:25Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > The light questions were all wrong for my car. When the headlights go on, the dash lights dim. Mine, too, but I voted “The dash lights do not come on”. I figure that’s technically true, because they were already on. And regarding the question “Would you notice if you were driving in the dark and your dashboard wasn’t illuminated?” yes, I would notice. The problem is that my dashboard is never not illuminated when the car is running. ---
**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:** [December 4, 2023, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/8442 "2023-12-04T18:32:05Z")
I do have a rough idea of when two of my three cats were born, but we just celebrate them all on February 14th for simplicity. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2023, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/8443 "2023-12-04T18:37:48Z")
We know the day our dog was born, but we don’t celebrate it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380.md?page=421) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380.md?page=423)