# Discussion thread for the "Polls only" thread (Part 2) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 16, 2024, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636 "2024-02-16T02:56:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 308
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2025, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6142 "2025-03-25T00:17:22Z")
I know what I want. It’s just hard to do online: the “I” that I can manage to type is a bit too small. There are four Is in Mississippi. ---
**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:** [March 25, 2025, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6143 "2025-03-25T00:34:18Z")
I don’t generally like using an apostrophe for a plural of a letter or acronym, but I make an exception when it would help avoid confusion with another word, in this case the word “is”. ---
**Author:** ![peccavi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peccavi/32/388_2.png) [@peccavi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peccavi)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2025, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6144 "2025-03-25T00:38:23Z")
I wonder how ChatGPT would do with questions like “do you agree or disagree with the following statement” put in separate sessions (so no learning within or between sessions) for each choice in the poll? ---
**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:** [March 25, 2025, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6145 "2025-03-25T00:59:09Z")
I usually write something like “there are four 'I’s in Mississippi”. If “Is” wasn’t a word, i might not bother with the quotes. But in this case, i absolutely would. ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2025, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6146 "2025-03-25T02:46:29Z")
According to the Chicago Manual of Style (if memory serves), the one and only acceptable use of an apostrophe for pluralization is letters of the alphabet. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2025, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6147 "2025-03-25T11:26:28Z")
> [@Maus\_Magill](#): > > the farmhouse my mother hrew up in. I read this as “the farmhouse my mother threw up in”. mmm ---
**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:** [March 25, 2025, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6148 "2025-03-25T13:45:00Z")
Big thumbs. Little keyboard. Though to be honest, I’m relatively sure that she had thrown up there, too. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2025, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6149 "2025-03-25T19:39:10Z")
> [@Wheelz](#): > > According to the Chicago Manual of Style (if memory serves), the one and only acceptable use of an apostrophe for pluralization is letters of the alphabet. I have read that “1970’s” is also okay. But many disagree. However, since there is no doubt as to meaning, I guess it matter little. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2025, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6150 "2025-03-25T20:47:11Z")
Simpsons, forgot Sideshow Bob’s “_Neeaughra_” whenever he steps on rake or something. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2025, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6151 "2025-03-25T20:49:24Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > You’re right. They are more properly called “Eastern Lunch Stealer”. There’s also the West Coast Lunch Stealer. Years ago we were on the beach in Carmel near a couple of guys who’d eaten their hot dog lunch and fallen asleep. We were totally mesmerized watching a gull sneaking up on their blanket, tugging gently on the plastic bag with the hot dog buns in it, oh so delicately pulling one of the buns out of the bag, and hopping a short distance away for _his_ lunch. Highly successful guerrila operation! > [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > > [@Maus\_Magill](#): > > > > the farmhouse my mother hrew up in. > > I read this as “the farmhouse my mother threw up in”. Me, too. A friend of mine snagged the old rotary wall phone that was in a company “office” up in the Sierras. It was 1920s vintage and cool. ---
**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:** [March 25, 2025, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6152 "2025-03-25T21:05:41Z")
> [@carrps](#): > > There’s also the West Coast Lunch Stealer. Years ago we were on the beach in Carmel near a couple of guys who’d eaten their hot dog lunch and fallen asleep. We were totally mesmerized watching a gull sneaking up on their blanket, tugging gently on the plastic bag with the hot dog buns in it, oh so delicately pulling one of the buns out of the bag, and hopping a short distance away for _his_ lunch. Highly successful guerrila operation! Years ago I stopped at some picnic area along the California coast for lunch. I made a sandwich and turned around for just a few seconds to get something out of my car. When I turned back around a gull had opened up my sandwich and was absconding with the meat. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2025, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6153 "2025-03-25T21:25:04Z")
Simpsons - two phrases or catchphrases my in-group uses. “The Bart the” - shorthand for any circumstance where we’re blown away by someone’s credulousness. “Oh yeah, what are you gonna do? Release the dogs? Or the bees? Or the dogs with bees in their mouths and when they bark, they shoot bees at you?” - referring to overkill (often in TT-RPG scenario) with a tacit admission that, oh wait, it _might_ happen after all! ---
**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:** [March 26, 2025, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6154 "2025-03-26T00:10:43Z")
The place where i actually use bunk beds, the upper bunk is very high, and i take the bottom. It’s much easier to get in and out. Especially if i arrive in the room after the other person has gone to sleep. But there are bunk beds that are very low, and i can’t comfortably sit up in the bottom bunk. I haven’t been in one of those in years. But back when i did, i preferred the top. So, _it depends_. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2025, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6155 "2025-03-26T00:12:52Z")
I always preferred the top bunk, but as I get older it’s more common for me to experience the need to see a man about a horse in the wee hours, and who wants to be clambering about at 3AM? ---
**Author:** ![peccavi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peccavi/32/388_2.png) [@peccavi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peccavi)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2025, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6156 "2025-03-26T00:30:33Z")
I picked Simpsons catchphrases I have used. One I use a lot that isn’t on the list is Bart’s muttered “That can’t be good” whenever something goes disastrously wrong in some stunt or daredevil attempt. ---
**Author:** ![peccavi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peccavi/32/388_2.png) [@peccavi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peccavi)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2025, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6157 "2025-03-26T00:32:54Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > The place where i actually use bunk beds, the upper bunk is very high, and i take the bottom. It’s much easier to get in and out. Especially if i arrive in the room after the other person has gone to sleep. But when the crazed serial killer/axe murderer smashes through the bedroom door and starts hacking, they’re going to start with the bottom bunk. So there’s that to consider. ---
**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:** [March 26, 2025, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6158 "2025-03-26T00:41:07Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > s I get older it’s more common for me to experience the need to see a man about a horse in the wee hours, and who wants to be clambering about at 3AM? This, exactly. Plus it’s harder for me to clamber about than it used to be. 20 years ago I’d have been in the ‘don’t care’ camp. > [@peccavi](#): > > But when the crazed serial killer/axe murderer smashes through the bedroom door and starts hacking, they’re going to start with the bottom bunk. Unless they are the person in the bottom bunk . . . Sleep well, everybody! ---
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2025, 8:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6159 "2025-03-26T08:55:04Z")
Good morning! The last time I used a typewriter was for some sort of US post office card which was used for return receipts. That was in 1995. My grandmother kept her rotary dial phone until the phone company made her change it. I think that was in the 2000’s. This was before I had a cell phone I could use, so I would use her phone to call my other relatives when I visited her. I don’t think I’ve used a floppy disk since I moved in 2000. I remember installing software at my previous company with a stack of floppies, but that was probably 1998/9. Bunk bed depends on the actual bed. Some upper bunks have very little headroom. Or there’s nowhere to put my glasses. I generally don’t go anywhere without my glasses so I keep next to the bed. ---
**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:** [March 26, 2025, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6160 "2025-03-26T11:31:23Z")
I don’t care, so i’d defer without the rock paper thing. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2025, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6161 "2025-03-26T11:44:21Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > it’s more common for me to experience the need to see a man about a horse in the **wee** hours, ISWYDT [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636.md?page=307) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636.md?page=309)