# Discussion thread for the "Polls only" thread (Part 3) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 29, 2026, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157 "2026-01-29T18:21:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**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:** [February 11, 2026, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/181 "2026-02-11T18:38:49Z")
You can change your vote. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2026, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/182 "2026-02-11T18:42:57Z")
It’s not on the list, but my favorite Muppets are the singing vegetables. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2026, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/183 "2026-02-11T18:50:04Z")
> [@pjd](#): > > Well, telling us that you’re not going to tell us whether you’ve cheated > on your husband tells us all we need to know !! So very incorrect. ---
**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:** [February 11, 2026, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/184 "2026-02-11T18:57:14Z")
Interestingly, I was listening to _Hidden Brain_ on NPR last weekend, and they were talking about the psychology of keeping secrets. Apparently according to lots of studies, we look at people who admit to doing a bad thing more favorably than people who just refuse to answer the question. > **[Keeping Secrets - Hidden Brain Media](https://www.hiddenbrain.org/podcast/keeping-secrets/)** > > We all carry secrets. But doing so can be costly: hiding takes mental work and can harm our health and relationships. ---
**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:** [February 11, 2026, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/185 "2026-02-11T19:03:45Z")
I don’t so much as bark back to our pup, as say, “Bark-bark!” ---
**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:** [February 11, 2026, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/186 "2026-02-11T19:10:43Z")
Other (Big blue monster with ears) [https://muppet.fandom.com/wiki/Thog](https://muppet.fandom.com/wiki/Thog) I think I might have a Muppet type Cookie Monster Grover Thog ---
**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:** [February 11, 2026, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/187 "2026-02-11T19:45:32Z")
I haven’t watched enough Muppets to have developed favorites. Yes, I am old. My childhood predates them, and I didn’t raise any children. I talk to the cats and dog in English; sometimes in bad imitations of meows and barks; and sometimes in my best attempts at their body languages. ---
**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:** [February 11, 2026, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/188 "2026-02-11T19:45:46Z")
Anchovies: no. I don’t like most fish. Those are particularly nasty. Beer: yes. There are some I care less for than others but I like most at least enough to drink it. Black licorice: I voted yes but that’s only for the tame American stuff I’ve had. Apparently it comes in much stronger flavors that I haven’t tried. Blue cheese: I voted neutral because I don’t mind it in moderation but not when the flavor is front and center in a dish. I would rather do without. Buttermilk: I said neutral because I like buttermilk pancakes. I’ve had it as an ingredient in other baked goods. I would never think to drink it. Cilantro: neutral. Maybe I only have part of the gene. It doesn’t taste like soap but it has to be used sparingly or I won’t like it. Coffee: no. I like the smell. Hate the taste of the drink and don’t like anything coffee flavored. Liver: neutral. I would put no except every now and then I get a nostalgic feeling for liver wurst. I eat it but try to forget what it is. Mushrooms: yes. I grew into that. Tofu: yuck. Taste and texture are awful. ---
**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:** [February 11, 2026, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/189 "2026-02-11T20:02:12Z")
Back when I had pets, I would always instruct them to “watch the house” whenever I was heading out the door. 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:** [February 11, 2026, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/190 "2026-02-11T20:03:45Z")
My husband always lets the cats know which one of them is in charge while we’re out. We try to divide the responsibility evenly. ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2026, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/191 "2026-02-11T20:04:54Z")
A few years ago I discovered I have the cilantro/soap gene which explains several disastrous restaurant encounters in the past. No more cilantro for me! ---
**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:** [February 11, 2026, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/192 "2026-02-11T20:15:01Z")
If your dog stretches and you don’t say “That’s a big stretch” you’re a communist. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2026, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/193 "2026-02-11T20:15:10Z")
When I leave the house I sometimes tell my dog “Conan, watch the house, you are in charge now” to the chagrin of my wife and son who are also staying but apparently to be supervised by the dog. ---
**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:** [February 11, 2026, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/194 "2026-02-11T20:16:43Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > Back when I had pets, I would always instruct them to “watch the house” whenever I was heading out the door I tell the dog to “take care of the house.” I don’t generally do that if there’s a human who’ll be staying in the house, though. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2026, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/195 "2026-02-11T20:17:23Z")
I have regular conversations with both of our cats, in particular Pippin. When I come downstairs in the morning, he greets me with a series of meows. Discussion goes something like this: Pippin: “Meow!” Me: “Hi, there!” Pippin: “MEOW!” Me: “Oh, really?” Pippin: “MEOW!” Me: “Is that so?” Pippin: “MEOW MEOW!” Me: “And then what happened?” ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2026, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/196 "2026-02-11T20:24:55Z")
I answered as if I had a cat because I used to have a cat and I loved him. I loved him so much. Mainly I would sing to him (Tune of “Maniac”) _He’s a Merlin cat, Merlin cat that’s for sure_ _And he’s meowing like he’s never meowed before!_ Which prompted my husband to retort: “But he has meowed before.” (This is the Dope. I hope I don’t need to explain why that was infuriating.) I’d also get weird with it. (Madonna) _Gonna dress you up in my cat_ _All over, all over_ Basically I would just insert him into as many songs as possible. ---
**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:** [February 11, 2026, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/197 "2026-02-11T20:28:10Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > > [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > > > Back when I had pets, I would always instruct them to “watch the house” whenever I was heading out the door > > I tell the dog to “take care of the house.” > > I don’t generally do that if there’s a human who’ll be staying in the house, though. Our dog is almost 15. If I said that I would get a look like “If you want the house watched you better do it yourself I’m napping.” ---
**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:** [February 11, 2026, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/198 "2026-02-11T20:32:56Z")
Oh, I sing to my cat all the time. I guess I don’t consider that “conversing” so I didn’t think to include it in the poll. (Tune of “Baby Shark”) _Nelson cat, do do do do do do…_ Or (Tune of “GTO”) _Nelson kitty cat You’re really lookin’ fine Four paws and a tail And a cute little nose Listen to him meow-ow Listen to him purr-rr-rr…_ ---
**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:** [February 11, 2026, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/199 "2026-02-11T20:57:10Z")
The Muppets poll omitted the Sesame Street martians. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/KTc3PsW5ghQ/maxresdefault.jpg "Sesame Street: The Martians Discover a Telephone") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTc3PsW5ghQ) ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2026, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/200 "2026-02-11T21:04:29Z")
OMG I love them too! Uh-huh, uh-huh. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157.md?page=11)