# 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:** 437
**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:** [October 7, 2025, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/8723 "2025-10-07T17:11:00Z")
Until today, I’d been spelling it incorrectly. ---
**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:** [October 7, 2025, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/8724 "2025-10-07T17:13:41Z")
My dad had a stypic pencil for shaving, and I occasionally used it when I lived at home. But I never bought one for myself when I moved out and have never felt to need to. But now that I’m on blood thinners, maybe I _should_ get one. ---
**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:** [October 7, 2025, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/8725 "2025-10-07T17:22:55Z")
I completely forgot what a stypic pencil was for until this thread jogged my memory. My dad had one, and I think maybe I used it sometimes when I first started shaving with an actual blade (I used an electric razor in high school and switched when I was in college). But I have never bought one myself that I can recall, and I never cut myself enough while shaving to need one now (shout out to the Gillette Mach 3). ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2025, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/8726 "2025-10-07T17:26:34Z")
Why would you need a whatsit pencil? Surely, that big roll of tissue paper in every bathroom is there for a reason. ---
**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:** [October 7, 2025, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/8727 "2025-10-07T18:09:57Z")
I’d rather not leave the house with little bits of paper stuck to my face. ---
**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:** [October 7, 2025, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/8728 "2025-10-07T18:56:30Z")
Regarding @Mean_Mr.Mustard poll regarding the monthly photo competition, I have noticed that the voter turnout does seem fairly low when the polls go up. It seems to me like it’s mainly just the people who submitted entries who are voting, even though it explicitly states that you don’t have to enter to vote. I have wondered if there’s something that can be done to increase participation in the voting part by non-entrants (It is my hypotheses that most people who don’t enter photos aren’t even paying attention to the thread). ---
**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:** [October 7, 2025, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/8729 "2025-10-07T19:04:02Z")
It hadn’t occurred to me that the photos were judged by a general vote; I hadn’t really thought about it but seem to have been assuming that there was some pre-assigned group deciding. But I don’t know that I’m qualified to judge photos. I don’t know anything about the technical difficulties. ---
**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:** [October 7, 2025, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/8730 "2025-10-07T19:20:45Z")
One of my boyfriends had one, or i wouldn’t know the word. I’ve never used one. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2025, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/8731 "2025-10-07T19:23:16Z")
Back a long time ago, I had a styptic, but no longer. Now i use a badger brush, shaving soap, hot water- and take my time, so I just dont cut myself. ---
**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:** [October 7, 2025, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/8732 "2025-10-07T19:26:59Z")
> [@WildaBeast](#): > > I have noticed that the voter turnout does seem fairly low when the polls go up. The poetry sweatshops were similar IIRC, with basically the poets voting, even though the Ministre would post “please vote!” threads. ---
**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:** [October 7, 2025, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/8733 "2025-10-07T19:27:42Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > But I don’t know that I’m qualified to judge photos. I don’t know anything about the technical difficulties. As a point of information, the voting guidelines instruct the voter to choose their three favorite submissions. No more than that is required. Although there are regularly some very stunning images posted, we are, as a group, much more fartsy than artsy. In other words, c’mon in! mmm ---
**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:** [October 7, 2025, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/8734 "2025-10-07T20:22:07Z")
I remember references to styptic pencils in movies and TV shows back in the 1960s, but I don’t think I’ve ever even seen one in real life. ---
**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:** [October 7, 2025, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/8735 "2025-10-07T22:27:20Z")
I hate rating things. But maybe I’ll take a look over there. ---
**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:** [October 8, 2025, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/8736 "2025-10-08T15:10:51Z")
> [@markn\_1](#): > > I remember references to styptic pencils in movies and TV shows back in the 1960s, but I don’t think I’ve ever even seen one in real life. I know what they are but I’ve never had or used one. ---
**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:** [October 8, 2025, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/8737 "2025-10-08T16:57:26Z")
I always appreciate a good Alice and Bob reference. ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2025, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/8738 "2025-10-09T00:05:46Z")
What about Carol and Ted? ---
**Author:** ![SailorHG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecae2f/32.png) [@SailorHG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SailorHG)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2025, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/8739 "2025-10-09T12:46:42Z")
No, it was Carol and Mike. (Along with Greg, Peter, Bobby, Marsha, Jan, and Cindy.) Alice was the housekeeper. ---
**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:** [October 9, 2025, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/8740 "2025-10-09T14:04:44Z")
I prefer Charlie and Eve, but that’s just me. I’ll let y’all decide on D names. ---
**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:** [October 9, 2025, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/8741 "2025-10-09T14:45:22Z")
I like to include Carol and Dave, personally. ---
**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:** [October 9, 2025, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/8742 "2025-10-09T16:11:47Z")
Those work! I know for sure Carol is popular. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636.md?page=436) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636.md?page=438)