# 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:** 65
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2024, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/1282 "2024-05-04T21:42:00Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > Do you all not encounter random men all the time? I was hiking yesterday and saw two random men. Yeah, but in areas I have come to expect fellow Humans. I was really startled when I was at my small cooking campfire out in the middle of no-where, when some guy stumbled in. He was kinda lost and kinda hungry, so I helped him out, but at first I was wishing I had brought a weapon- other than my dandy Swiss Army Knife. As for autobiographies- my preferred method would have a good writer- not a “ghost”- interview me while writing, then I tells past stories, etc that he/she edits. So, the stories are mine, most of the words of wine, but he/she edits, cleans them up, adds some historical background, etc. Thank Prime I have a good buddy that is a licensed contractor- specializing in small jobs- when he is in town, he takes advantage of our guest room and my cooking, and we take advantage of his for small fixes. I was a line cook for a year, so i am a good cook- but hardly a great chef. But the house needs a good dusting and vacuuming etc- so maid, aka housecleaner. ---
**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:** [May 4, 2024, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/1283 "2024-05-04T22:02:08Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > most of the words of wine Careful… in vino veritas and all that. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2024, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/1284 "2024-05-04T22:06:29Z")
> [@pjd](#): > > Careful… in vino veritas and all that. snort- 🤪 😀 ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2024, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/1285 "2024-05-04T23:03:34Z")
In my local I’ve encountered tons of random men. Random women too. No bears, unless you count hirsute gay men. ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2024, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/1286 "2024-05-06T17:49:36Z")
The rule I learned for _a_ or _an_ before words starting in h-: 1. if the _h_ is silent, use _an_ (e.g., “an honest man”) 2. if the _h_ is not silent and the first syllable is accented, use _a_ (e.g., “a history of boating”) 3. if the _h_ is not silent and the first syllable is unaccented, use _an_ (e.g., “an historic event”) However, I wouldn’t consider it wrong, exactly, to use _a_ in case 3, though it’s a little bit jarring to my ears. ---
**Author:** ![colinfred](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colinfred/32/21338_2.png) [@colinfred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/colinfred)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2024, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/1287 "2024-05-06T18:34:51Z")
It’s either “a historic” or “an 'istoric”. If your accent elides the h to the point it’s not said then use an. Otherwise it’s a ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2024, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/1288 "2024-05-06T18:40:17Z")
What I posted above are the rules I learned in grade school, but now that I think about it, I don’t follow them very consistently. I don’t think I would say “an Hungarian city” and I certainly wouldn’t say “an humiliating defeat.” ---
**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:** [May 6, 2024, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/1289 "2024-05-06T19:41:02Z")
I would pay attention to the judge’s instructions in any trial for which I was a juror. If the judge said the jury should ignore something, I would do my best to obey. Somebody saying something disgusting during a meal has never affected my appetite. Seeing or smelling something gross _might_ give me pause, but if I’m hungry, I’m hungry, and I’m going to finish that meal. I have subscriptions to _The New Yorker, Time, Naval History_ and _Architectural Digest_ magazines. My household also has an online subscription to _The New York Times_. If I was wrongfully stuck in prison for decades, I think I would probably say just about anything to get out on parole, even if it meant lying. Yes, listening to an audiobook is “reading.” You are taking into your brain the contents of a book, just not through your eyes. It’s the functional equivalent. A handyman would be useful in our house now and then if someone else were paying for it. I wouldn’t say no. I’d say “an historic,” but wouldn’t be pedantic about it, and wouldn’t criticize someone who didn’t use “an.” One of my life’s regrets is that I never did a stint of military service. Doing civil defense or disaster relief work now would probably be the next best thing. I think of goo as being sticky and/or more like a liquid than glop or goop. Glop and goop are very similar, but glop is thicker, I’d say. > [@Procrustus](#): > > I figured there is a good chance the bear wouldn’t want a confrontation. I never know about people. Hmm, good point. ---
**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 6, 2024, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/1290 "2024-05-06T19:41:31Z")
I think I’d say “an historic”, but I’m not sure. Environmental protection would use, and probably add to, a skill set I’m using in my actual life. I have no skills in the other areas, and don’t know what I’d be good at. Also, it would stand a good chance of letting me be outdoors, which is important for me.But if nobody’s going to pick some areas and lots of people are going to pick environmental protection and they ask for volunteers to switch, then I’d be willing to switch, since they’re supposed to train me. If I were the airline pilot roused by that technique, it would depend on how necessary I thought it was to wake me up. I’d think it was a great idea if the house were on fire, and be furious if my partner just didn’t want me to sleep late; and probably inbetween on various other reasons for waking me up. I don’t know what’s in a margarita and don’t think I’ve ever ordered one. I think that exactly what glop, goo, and goop mean and whether there’s a difference probably depends on who’s saying it. ---
**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 6, 2024, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/1291 "2024-05-06T19:55:22Z")
For those who believe “an” historic is correct - do you use “an” with any other words that start with “h”? mmm ---
**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 6, 2024, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/1292 "2024-05-06T20:21:55Z")
I learned the same rule (any word starting with H that isn’t stressed on the first syllable), so “an horrific experience.” That said, I’ve never followed the rule in speech or writing, and it seem quite old-fashioned and possible British to me. ---
**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:** [May 6, 2024, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/1293 "2024-05-06T20:47:44Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > For those who believe “an” historic is correct - do you use “an” with any other words that start with “h”? I’m sure you’ll get an honest answer to that. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2024, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/1294 "2024-05-06T21:20:16Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > For those who believe “an” historic is correct - do you use “an” with any other words that start with “h”? Only one word, iirc- _hour._ And even there I am not thrilled. In historic- the H _is_ pronounced. ---
**Author:** ![dirtball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dirtball/32/18772_2.png) [@dirtball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dirtball)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2024, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/1295 "2024-05-06T21:25:18Z")
I consider it an honor to present another “an” _h_-word. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2024, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/1296 "2024-05-06T22:02:25Z")
For the poll on what sort of public service to do; hell, I did all of those things already as either an aspect of my career or by raising kids. Or both. At any rate, I voted for prison services. Few others would be able to do it without the anxiety about being in a prison. To me it’d be like old home week. ---
**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 7, 2024, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/1297 "2024-05-07T00:42:20Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Only one word, iirc- _hour._ And even there I am not thrilled. In historic- the H _is_ pronounced. > [@dirtball](#): > > I consider it an honor to present another “an” _h_-word. I guess I should have asked specifically about words where the “h” is not silent. (unless you pronounce it “istoric”) mmm ---
**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 7, 2024, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/1298 "2024-05-07T00:55:40Z")
For historic or hour I would probably say “an” without thinking about it. I write “a”. ---
**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 7, 2024, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/1299 "2024-05-07T23:20:08Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > At any rate, I voted for prison services. Few others would be able to do it without the anxiety about being in a prison. To me it’d be like old home week. I’d do EMS (again); however, EMT is 150-200 hrs of training & a paramedic is 1200-1500 hrs; that’s 9 months of your 12 month service before you’re out there saving lives. Even the EMT is roughly two months of training & then what if they find out, no they can’t handle it? ---
**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 8, 2024, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/1300 "2024-05-08T00:13:36Z")
I’d do emergency medical services. I’d appreciate that training. And I’d be willing to keep keep doing the work part time after my year was up. ---
**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:** [May 8, 2024, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/1301 "2024-05-08T17:13:42Z")
All of the first line choices were awful. A good weather opening is something like: > “There was a desert wind blowing that night. It was one of those hot dry Santa Anas that come down through the mountain passes and curl your hair and make your nerves jump and your skin itch. On nights like that every booze party ends in a fight. Meek little wives feel the edge of the carving knife and study their husbands’ necks. Anything can happen. You can even get a full glass of beer at a cocktail lounge.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636.md?page=64) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636.md?page=66)