# 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:** 394
**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:** [August 6, 2025, 11:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/7862 "2025-08-06T11:19:17Z")
I confidently chose all options except butterfly and other, completely forgetting about the side-stroke. The side-stroke and the breast stroke seem, to me, to be very easily learn-able. Almost instinctive. I never could complete more than two or three butterfly strokes, try as I might. 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:** [August 6, 2025, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/7863 "2025-08-06T11:58:58Z")
It is relaxed, and also moderately powerful. I feel it is by far the best stroke for recreational swimming. ---
**Author:** ![SailorHG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecae2f/32.png) [@SailorHG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SailorHG)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2025, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/7864 "2025-08-06T13:23:29Z")
Sidestroke is one of the strokes what they taught us in scouts for the Swimming merit badge. The instructors claimed it was the least tiring and therefore the one to use if you get separated from your boat in the middle of a large lake. As I recall, they also said it was the quietest, and the one to use if you are sneaking up on an enemy, like in wartime. Thankfully I never had to put it to the test! šŸ˜… ---
**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:** [August 6, 2025, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/7865 "2025-08-06T14:34:05Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > A modified/single-arm side stroke is used to rescue people. Your bottom arm is used to propel you thru the water while your top arm wraps around their chest to hold them to you, their back to your chest, as you move toward safety, whether thatā€™s a pool edge, shallow water, or a boat. This is what I was coming in to mention. I had taken Red Cross lessons when I was little. I would not be surprised if my mother still had the certification cards. I use the sidestroke whenever I get tired - itā€™s a good resting stroke. ---
**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:** [August 6, 2025, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/7866 "2025-08-06T14:50:32Z")
I sink. ---
**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:** [August 6, 2025, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/7867 "2025-08-06T14:59:54Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > I sink. Therefore you yam. mmm ---
**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:** [August 6, 2025, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/7868 "2025-08-06T15:24:14Z")
You sure you didnā€™t leave out a letter there? šŸ˜› I swam 50 and 100 meter Freestyle in high school. Like others, sidestroke was the default for Life Guard certification. I havenā€™t been in any body of water larger than a hot tub in decades. ---
**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:** [August 6, 2025, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/7869 "2025-08-06T15:30:08Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > Therefore you yam. But only if you eats your spinach ---
**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:** [August 6, 2025, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/7870 "2025-08-06T16:37:42Z")
I would also use sidestroke. I donā€™t know how Australian crawl differs from any other crawl, if it does. I was taught a crawl stroke in childhood and can do that also. I used to be able to do what I think is being called butterfly as well as breaststroke with the crawl kick. And I can do a backstroke. How far I can do any of them these days is uncertain. If I were trying to cover a significant distance, Iā€™d probably switch off between sidestroke, backstroke, and if necessary the drownproofing/resting technique I was taught many years ago; but I also avoid, these days, trying to swim long distances, as that seems unwise for somebody with shortness-of-breath problems. ---
**Author:** ![Reeses\_Monkey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reeses_monkey/32/2885_2.png) [@Reeses\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeses_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2025, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/7871 "2025-08-06T17:09:55Z")
Is the sidestroke the one where ā€œyou pick the apple, then put the apple in the basketā€? And which kick do you use? When I was in gym class we had swimming in January (indoor pool.) Iā€™m incredibly nearsighted and we werenā€™t allowed to have our eyeglasses in the pool area. The gym teacher would stand on the diving board to demonstrate strokes and then yell at me when I didnā€™t perfectly imitate what the fuzzy blob was doing. Screw you, fuzzy blob. I was Red Cross certified at age 7. ---
**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:** [August 6, 2025, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/7872 "2025-08-06T17:37:28Z")
I donā€™t swim for exercise. I prefer to float on my back. I could probably ā€œswimā€ 25 meters without drowning but Lord knows what stroke Iā€™d be doing. Iā€™d have appreciated a NOTA on John Tā€™s poll. I couldnā€™t choose any of them. Didnā€™t vote. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2025, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/7873 "2025-08-06T18:25:50Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > what I think is being called butterfly I never tried butterfly, but it looks to me like the stroke of greatest wasted energy. It is like the crawl except with your arms parallel rather than alternating: your arms describe the wings of a butterfly, launching your torso out of the water with each stroke. ---
**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:** [August 6, 2025, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/7874 "2025-08-06T18:39:42Z")
What I remember also had a butterfly kick, in which you pulled your legs up simultaneously with your knees going out to the side and then straightened them out fast to push yourself forward. Which worked, but as I remember it was kind of awkward. (huh. Markdown briefly had standard font for me but has gone back to having its own font.) ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2025, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/7875 "2025-08-06T20:31:01Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > But only if you eats your spinach Actually, Popeye originally ate sweet potatoes, not spinach. As he always says _ā€œI yam what I yam!ā€_ šŸ˜‡ šŸ˜€ ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2025, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/7876 "2025-08-06T21:34:23Z")
Actually, it was ā€œ_A yam, what a yam!_ā€ ---
**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:** [August 7, 2025, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/7877 "2025-08-07T00:20:28Z")
@Karen_Lingel , whatā€™s your goal for the cookies? - Something delicious for the least effort? - Something new-to-you? - Something tasty thatā€™s different from what you usually have, it what other people will be bringing? - Something to impress your friends? - Something as delicious as possible? Answering that question may help you pick a cookie to make. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2025, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/7878 "2025-08-07T00:27:35Z")
Chocolate chip (said in Cookie monster voice) or Oatmeal raisin- chewy only, or Fig Newtons. ---
**Author:** ![Karen\_Lingel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karen_lingel/32/18649_2.png) [@Karen\_Lingel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Karen_Lingel)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2025, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/7879 "2025-08-07T00:34:48Z")
My only goal is to use eggs. ---
**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:** [August 7, 2025, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/7880 "2025-08-07T00:36:13Z")
I couldnā€™t get the poll to let me vote. Was there a maximum number of items I could endorse? ---
**Author:** ![Karen\_Lingel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karen_lingel/32/18649_2.png) [@Karen\_Lingel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Karen_Lingel)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2025, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/7881 "2025-08-07T00:41:25Z")
Itā€™s ranked choice, you have to pick a rank for each one (or abstain) with no duplicates. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636.md?page=393) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636.md?page=395)