# 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:** 19
**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 20, 2026, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/361 "2026-02-20T04:39:51Z")
In standard US English, H has the name “aitch”, which doesn’t contain the sound of the letter. In British English I think it is “haitch” (and maybe in some US dialects too?), which does contain the sound. The name of Q is “kyu” (pronounced like “queue”), which does not contain the sound that the letter normally makes, which is “kw”. The name of Y is “wai” (pronounced like “why”). Y is a weird letter because it can be either a consonant or a vowel. It is usually a consonant, whose sound is not in its name. It’s true that, as you say, one of its vowel sounds is in its name. I think “dub” is a better name because I think the transition would be easier (some people already pronounce the World Wide Web abbreviation “www” as “dub dub dub”). Almost any “w+vowel” name would conflict with an existing word, although a few are available. But maybe conflicting with an existing word is not a big issues, since that already happens with other letters like B, C, I, J, P, etc. ---
**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 20, 2026, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/362 "2026-02-20T04:41:57Z")
> [@markn\_1](#): > > The name of Q is “kyu” (pronounced like “queue”), which does not contain the sound that the letter normally makes, which is “kw”. How about “kwu” and “yie” (rhymes with sigh)? ---
**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 20, 2026, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/363 "2026-02-20T04:48:03Z")
Oh well, if we’re going to rename all the letters, let’s just use a consistent system: all consonants are the letter’s sound + “ee”. So B,C,D,G,P,T,V,Z would keep their current names. W would be “wee”, Q would be “kwee”, and Y would be “yee”. I’d go along with that, although the transition would be hard, since, for example, J would take the name currently used for G. ETA no, actually C can’t remain “see” since that conflicts with S. But it can’t be “kee” either since that has to be used for K. Hm, C is a problem. Maybe “chee”? ---
**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 20, 2026, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/364 "2026-02-20T14:03:40Z")
> [@markn\_1](#): > > standard US English, H has the name “aitch”, which doesn’t contain the sound of the letter. In British English I think it is “haitch” (and maybe in some US dialects too?), which does contain the sound. I hear the H when I say it. > [@markn\_1](#): > > The name of Q is “kyu” (pronounced like “queue”), which does not contain the sound that the letter normally makes, which is “kw”. Yes, pronounced like queue. Exactly. Many letters have multiple pronunciations in English and I said originally that I meant a sound at least somewhat like one of their pronunciations. Trying to insist that they all sound like all their pronunciations doesn’t make any sense. Ditto for Y. > [@thorny\_locust](#): > > sounding at least somewhat like one of its pronunciations ---
**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 20, 2026, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/365 "2026-02-20T15:30:08Z")
Being a great communicator with a high charisma score goes a long way toward being considered a great president. I have neither high charisma or great communication skills. I would go down in history as a bad president. I would do better as the shadowy power behind the throne but that’s too much pressure. ---
**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 20, 2026, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/366 "2026-02-20T16:02:19Z")
I chose “wee” for W because that sounds like it would be a fun letter. mmm ---
**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:** [February 20, 2026, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/367 "2026-02-20T16:07:59Z")
I chose “way” because in German, it is “vay”. ---
**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 20, 2026, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/368 "2026-02-20T16:17:13Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Being a great communicator with a high charisma score goes a long way toward being considered a great president. I have neither high charisma or great communication skills. I would go down in history as a bad president. I would do better as the shadowy power behind the throne but that’s too much pressure. Being good at “doing it now” is also valuable. I am bad at all these skills. I would be a terrible president, who didn’t get much done and might have let important routine things slip. If I hired excelent staff, I might do as well as mediocre. I guess I am fairly good at hiring talented staff, so maybe I am underrating myself. But the very best I might achieve is mediocrity, with a high risk of being terrible. ---
**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:** [February 20, 2026, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/369 "2026-02-20T16:19:18Z")
This all goes for me as well. ---
**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 20, 2026, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/370 "2026-02-20T17:09:55Z")
I’d be okay. We’ve had some really bad Presidents. I’m not particularly charismatic, so that would hurt me, but I’m a bit of a wonk, so I would engage deeply with policy and strategy matters. I would staff my cabinet with experts who could compensate for my gaps in knowledge. Someone once told me that one of my greatest strengths was discernment in who I choose to have around me, and I think that’s true. So with the right staff I think we could compensate for my weaknesses. So, solidly average, I’m guessing. But I would probably make a better legislator than President. If they eliminated the part in politics where you have to talk to people it would have been a viable career choice for me. Alas. ---
**Author:** ![Thing.Fish](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thing.fish/32/9168_2.png) [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2026, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/371 "2026-02-20T17:12:56Z")
I think I would have a hard time functioning as President, assuming I were somehow magically placed into the office. I’m smart and I would hire good people, but sometimes I just need to take four hours off in the middle of the workday to play Balatro, and I suspect that wouldn’t fly in the Oval Office. ---
**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 20, 2026, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/372 "2026-02-20T17:16:13Z")
> [@Thing.Fish](#): > > sometimes I just need to take four hours off in the middle of the workday to play Balatro The current administration classifies that as “executive time” on the President’s schedule. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Thing.Fish](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thing.fish/32/9168_2.png) [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2026, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/373 "2026-02-20T17:19:22Z")
Well, I assume we would have gotten a 100% positive response if the poll was “Would you be a better President than Trump?” ---
**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:** [February 20, 2026, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/374 "2026-02-20T17:25:04Z")
I voted ‘3’ for number of times I’ve had COVID. I know I’ve had it twice, and I strongly suspect a third time as well. ---
**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:** [February 20, 2026, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/375 "2026-02-20T17:25:22Z")
I tested positive for COVID once. I didn’t feel like I had any symptoms, so I wouldn’t have suspected. I did the test because it was available and seemed prudent. ---
**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 20, 2026, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/376 "2026-02-20T17:32:59Z")
Had Covid 3 times. The first was by far the worst. Felt like shit for 3 days and lost taste and smell. The other 2 times were like a cold. I got it at the end of 2021 the first time. I was working in an office. I didn’t catch it when I was going into the houses of the dead and dying for a year. ---
**Author:** ![zimaane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a3d4f5/32.png) [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2026, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/377 "2026-02-20T18:28:59Z")
I’ve had COVID twice. The first time was pretty bad - fever, sore throat, coughing for about two weeks. I had to cancel a vacation. ☹ The second time was like a bad cold. Stayed home from work for a week. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2026, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/378 "2026-02-20T18:46:15Z")
Got COVID once. Went to McDonald’s, got an Egg McMuffin, ate it and then realized I didn’t taste anything. Got a COVID test (had one of those at-home dealies), was positive. Not tasting my Egg McMuffin (and a couple of subsequent meals) was the sole symptom I experienced. ---
**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 20, 2026, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/379 "2026-02-20T19:44:43Z")
I had COVID once, Christmas of 2023, and to be perfectly honest with you, I haven’t been the same since. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2026, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/380 "2026-02-20T19:52:04Z")
Had Covid once in Jan-2023. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157.md?page=18) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157.md?page=20)