# 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:** 339
**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, 2025, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6762 "2025-05-11T23:45:13Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > Whether the father did better than his promise or worse than his promise depends entirely on what the daughter thinks of it. Did he ask her? If not, did he notice her reaction when he told her? If she said “No, Daddy, what I wanted was to see the movie!” then he did worse. If she said “Great! That’s even better than I asked for!” then he did better. If he neither asked her nor paid any attention to her reaction when he changed the deal, then he should have. Exactly this. ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2025, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6763 "2025-05-12T00:47:03Z")
How to pronounce the -ing in _eating_ or _going_. I didn’t answer the poll because none of the answers was true for me. The -ing in _finger_ is pronounced /ɪŋg/, but in _eating_ or _going_ it’s pronounced /ɪŋ/. So not the same as any of the choices. If the poll had asked “-ing as in _singer_,” I would have chosen that, because it doesn’t have the sound /g/ after the velar nasal /ŋ/. This illustrates why I say that literacy has made us deaf to the sounds of our own language. We come to believe that words are made of letters, but they’re not. Words are made of sounds. Finger /ˈfɪŋgɚ/ Singer /ˈsɪŋɚ/ - Hear the difference? Eating /ˈiːtɪŋ/ Going /ˈgoʊɪŋ/ ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2025, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6764 "2025-05-12T01:22:27Z")
@by-tor’s Starburst poll. I don’t particularly like 'em & don’t think I’ve ever bought a bag of 'em; therefore, I cannot make an informed decision on their distribution in a bag. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2025, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6765 "2025-05-12T20:40:06Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > I don’t particularly like 'em & don’t think I’ve ever bought a bag of 'em; therefore, I cannot make an informed decision on their distribution in a bag. Same here, ---
**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 12, 2025, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6766 "2025-05-12T21:39:55Z")
I don’t know how many steps I take in an average day. I don’t count them, nor do I wear a counter. I do know that it varies considerably. And that I have to get off the computer and go do something that will involve quite a few of them. ---
**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, 2025, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6767 "2025-05-12T21:58:31Z")
Since my current back problems my step count is approximately 3. Slightly exaggerated. ---
**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:** [May 12, 2025, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6768 "2025-05-12T22:13:00Z")
I checked my fitbit account, which I’ve had for an unbelievable ten years. 9634 / day average in that period. ---
**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:** [May 12, 2025, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6769 "2025-05-12T22:21:42Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > I don’t know how many steps I take in an average day. I don’t count them, nor do I wear a counter. Yeah. If it had been an option, I would have chosen “How the hell should I know?” Since it wasn’t, I couldn’t answer. ---
**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:** [May 12, 2025, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6770 "2025-05-12T23:01:30Z")
10,000 steps is my daily goal, but I probably only hit it around 2 times per week. Other days vary considerable, from 2,000 to 8,000. So, I averaged it out. (roughly) Without my watch keeping track, I’d have no idea whatsoever. I’m sometimes surprised (in either direction) when I look to see how many steps I have at the end of the day. (I have counted how many steps from our bedroom to our kitchen. I really have to want another glass of wine to make the trek.) ---
**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:** [May 13, 2025, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6771 "2025-05-13T02:20:36Z")
My walking steps vary wildly. I walk 5K most days, but then I might also mow the lawn or do some other kind of yardwork. On the other hand, on duplicate bridge day, not much walking at all happens. I said 8-10, but who knows. ---
**Author:** ![DaveUnknown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/94ad74/32.png) [@DaveUnknown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaveUnknown)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2025, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6772 "2025-05-13T02:48:01Z")
> [@Johanna](#): > > If the poll had asked “-ing as in _singer_,” I would have chosen that, because it doesn’t have the sound /g/ after the velar nasal /ŋ/. I addressed that a couple posts above i.e. “singer” would have been a better example. My main point was to see if people actually heard themselves pronouncing words like “eating” because in some places it sounds like “eateen” (as in the -ine in “latrine”). I dont know the phonetics. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2025, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6773 "2025-05-13T04:05:42Z")
I’m on the high side on step count. ---
**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:** [May 13, 2025, 11:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6774 "2025-05-13T11:19:42Z")
If ever a poll needed an “I have no freaking idea” option, it’s the steps poll. mmm ---
**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, 2025, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6775 "2025-05-13T12:20:53Z")
I need that for the cheese poll, too. I like cheese. I eat cheese. How often? No freaking idea. Probably some weeks i eat it every day and others i don’t have it at all. ---
**Author:** ![saje](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saje/32/3631_2.png) [@saje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saje)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2025, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6776 "2025-05-13T12:40:55Z")
Steps? No idea. I work retail, have a mini-farm, and do 98% of the household stuff too. Cheese? Love it, but, no idea. Sometimes I buy cheese to eat on crackers, salad, etc. Sometimes I eat out and order things with cheese on them. I don’t keep track of things in that way. ---
**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:** [May 13, 2025, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6777 "2025-05-13T14:37:00Z")
Well, I have a good handle on my cheese consumption. Every damn day. mmm ---
**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, 2025, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6778 "2025-05-13T14:51:43Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > I need that for the cheese poll, too. I like cheese. I eat cheese. How often? No freaking idea. There probably is an occasional day in my life when I don’t eat any cheese; but I figured that’s rare enough that I voted every day. ---
**Author:** ![DaveUnknown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/94ad74/32.png) [@DaveUnknown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaveUnknown)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2025, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6779 "2025-05-13T16:43:57Z")
I had american “cheese” (Kraft slices) earlier. I’m counting that. ---
**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:** [May 13, 2025, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6780 "2025-05-13T16:55:54Z")
The nuclear question was difficult. My reasoning: - India and Pakistan are so close that the repercussions make this less likely. - If Russia were so inclined, they probably would have in Ukraine by now. - “No one before 2045” was a strong contender, but - Things in the US are so nuts right now, and people seem utterly determined to forget the entire history of the 20th century, that what seemed like a good idea in 1945 will probably seem like a good idea again in the 2030s. I don’t think they’ll be used in this president’s term, or the next one’s. ---
**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:** [May 13, 2025, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6781 "2025-05-13T17:16:08Z")
Four weeks ago I started a ten-week program that my cardiologist asked me to do. They provided me with a fitbit, so I know exactly how many steps per day I take now. I only walk a mile a day (strictly for exercise), and the rest of my steps are on top of that, but I expect to increase my apprx. 4000 steps a day. I have to return the fitbit at the end of the ten-week period, so I bought one to keep. It helps me to have a tangible guide to assess my progress. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636.md?page=338) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636.md?page=340)