# 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:** 163
**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:** [September 25, 2026, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/3241 "2026-09-25T21:02:35Z")
> [@Thumper668](#): > > I’m pretty sure I recently saw a news article where automakers wanted to phase out AM radios but the government (the FCC?) mandated that they continue to provide them. I presume it probably has something to do with the Emergency Broadcast System, which itself probably requires an update. Yes, that bill – and the very long debate in a Pit thread about it – is undoubtedly what spawned the poll question. (And, yes, IMO, while there are good reasons, from an emergency communications standpoint, to not kill off AM radios, it seems like that at least _some_ of the support is being driven by those who support things like right-wing talk and religious broadcasts, which are common on AM.) ---
**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:** [September 25, 2026, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/3242 "2026-09-25T23:01:32Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > …it seems like that at least _some_ of the support is being driven by those who support things like right-wing talk and religious broadcasts, which are common on AM.) So much for letting the free market decide. ETA: I’m not actually against the bill. I honestly don’t know all the pros and cons. (I like to listen to a baseball game now and then on the radio while driving. Other sports are not as radio-friendly) ---
**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:** [September 26, 2026, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/3243 "2026-09-26T00:59:28Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > Yes, that bill – and the very long debate in a Pit thread about it – is undoubtedly what spawned the poll question. Oh, absolutely! And while i don’t think we should be actively killing off AM radio, I’m dubious that requiring it in all new cars is worth legislating. ---
**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:** [September 26, 2026, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/3244 "2026-09-26T15:12:40Z")
> [@JKellyMap](#): > > > [@Loach](#): > > > > I listen to terrestrial radio pretty often but 99% of the time it’s sports radio. I can’t remember the last time I listened to AM > > That’s funny - that’s the only time I DO listen to AM radio, for the occasional sports game. In my youth the New York teams were on AM. Now they are on FM. Or I listen on Sirius. ---
**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:** [September 26, 2026, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/3245 "2026-09-26T16:24:33Z")
I had to look up the number of my congressional district (CA-36), but interestingly when I googled, they said my zip code could mean two different districts. Which makes sense because I had Maxine Waters as my congressperson for ages, then, Ted Lieu, then, back to Maxine, and now with Ted again. My district must have floating boundaries because I haven’t moved in over 40 years. ETA: I occasionally get mail pieces from Maxine’s office, so maybe they’re confused, too. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2026, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/3246 "2026-09-29T14:49:11Z")
Now the results are at 60% Fall, 40% Autumn – which is about the same proportion I use these alternatives. (I voted “Fall,” but with some reluctance). ---
**Author:** ![Thumper668](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thumper668/32/20803_2.png) [@Thumper668](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thumper668)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2026, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/3247 "2026-09-29T14:51:56Z")
I tend to use Autumn as an adjective and Fall as a noun. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2026, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/3248 "2026-09-29T14:54:59Z")
Now that you mention it, so do I (usually). ---
**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:** [September 29, 2026, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/3249 "2026-09-29T15:13:15Z")
Autumnal _withdraws to a dark corner, weeping_ ---
**Author:** ![Thumper668](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thumper668/32/20803_2.png) [@Thumper668](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thumper668)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2026, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/3250 "2026-09-29T15:15:46Z")
The _Autumnal equinox_ only happens once a year. _Autumn breezes_ last all of _Fall_. ---
**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:** [September 29, 2026, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/3251 "2026-09-29T15:33:29Z")
Yes. Fallal just sounds silly. ---
**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:** [September 29, 2026, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/3252 "2026-09-29T16:51:45Z")
I’ve never taken or taught a class during the “Autumn Semester”. ---
**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:** [September 29, 2026, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/3253 "2026-09-29T17:01:49Z")
Either autumn or fall. And I care a small amount about several sports, but not a lot about any of them. ---
**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:** [September 29, 2026, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/3254 "2026-09-29T17:07:54Z")
I think it’s 100% “autumn” for everybody who doesn’t use North American English and only majority “fall” for those who do. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2026, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/3255 "2026-09-29T17:19:45Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > I’ve never taken or taught a class during the “Autumn Semester”. True, but Fall in that case could (arguably) be considered an “attributive noun,” as in “chicken soup.” ---
**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:** [September 29, 2026, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/3256 "2026-09-29T18:15:45Z")
I was about 6, 7 years old the last time I saw MASH, but I remember pretending to be Hawkeye with my school uniform (in Argentina public school uniforms resemble little white lab coats), I don’t remember any other character so I choose Hawkeye 😃 ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2026, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/3257 "2026-09-29T18:17:20Z")
Fun fact: Sidney Freedman was played by Diane Arbus’ ex-husband. Yes, _that_ Diane Arbus. ---
**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:** [September 29, 2026, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/3258 "2026-09-29T18:19:56Z")
> [@Thumper668](#): > > I tend to use Autumn as an adjective and Fall as a noun. Hmm, that sounds mostly right. I think i use “fall” more often, in general. ---
**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:** [September 29, 2026, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/3259 "2026-09-29T19:39:47Z")
> [@JKellyMap](#): > > Fun fact: Sidney Freedman was played by Diane Arbus’ ex-husband. Yes, _that_ Diane Arbus. I did not know that. Cool! Especially since he was one of my favorite characters on the show. I prefer Fall. Otherwise, the “Spring forward Fall back” saying won’t work. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2026, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/3260 "2026-09-29T22:42:33Z")
> [@carrps](#): > > I prefer Fall. Otherwise, the “Spring forward Fall back” saying won’t work. I thought it was “Spring back, fall forward??” 🤪 Yeah, I am looking forward to some real _fall_ weather. We have had maybe a week of fall, but summer is hanging on here in SoCal. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157.md?page=162) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157.md?page=164)