# Hickory, dickory dock! Bad, bad, bad beckdawrek and the mystery of the clocks, and other varied and sundry small items. (well, one thing is kinda big) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 5, 2022, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hickory-dickory-dock-bad-bad-bad-beckdawrek-and-the-mystery-of-the-clocks-and-other-varied-and-sundry-small-items-well-one-thing-is-kinda-big/971012 "2022-09-05T19:41:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2022, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hickory-dickory-dock-bad-bad-bad-beckdawrek-and-the-mystery-of-the-clocks-and-other-varied-and-sundry-small-items-well-one-thing-is-kinda-big/971012/21 "2022-09-06T16:39:42Z")
There was a comment earlier about the battery clocks not being affected by outages. In my experience, when the battery is getting weak, battery clocks will lose time. They’ll do it slowly at first, but it adds up. ---
**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 6, 2022, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hickory-dickory-dock-bad-bad-bad-beckdawrek-and-the-mystery-of-the-clocks-and-other-varied-and-sundry-small-items-well-one-thing-is-kinda-big/971012/22 "2022-09-06T16:57:00Z")
True. What I meant was that they wouldn’t be affected by a grid power outage (or, I suppose, by low or no power in a private off-grid system). ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2022, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hickory-dickory-dock-bad-bad-bad-beckdawrek-and-the-mystery-of-the-clocks-and-other-varied-and-sundry-small-items-well-one-thing-is-kinda-big/971012/23 "2022-09-06T17:30:32Z")
Or Dice Clay. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2022, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hickory-dickory-dock-bad-bad-bad-beckdawrek-and-the-mystery-of-the-clocks-and-other-varied-and-sundry-small-items-well-one-thing-is-kinda-big/971012/24 "2022-09-06T17:46:47Z")
Now get this. It was every clock in the house. All the alarm clocks had battery back up. They were all fried. I know it sounds stupid but my Red washing machine has a clock on it. One the most stupid places a clock can be. Now it doesn’t work. The backup battery fried all of compartment. RJ said that stuff was acid. Don’t touch. All the electric digital clocks were blinking. I have 2 clocks I have to wind. They were not affected. I have a navel clock my Daddy got some-where. It has a plug. It may never work again. When I left home last night the microwave was still blinking and chirping every few minutes. I see a new microwave in my future. Gah!!! ---
**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 6, 2022, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hickory-dickory-dock-bad-bad-bad-beckdawrek-and-the-mystery-of-the-clocks-and-other-varied-and-sundry-small-items-well-one-thing-is-kinda-big/971012/25 "2022-09-06T20:03:42Z")
Very localized electromagnetic pulse? An early experiment by Those Who Are Going To Save Us (or maybe by Those Who Are Going To Save The Rest Of The Planet) checking to see whether their Modern Civilization Ending Equipment will work? (If the latter, watch out for/expect more shu ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2022, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hickory-dickory-dock-bad-bad-bad-beckdawrek-and-the-mystery-of-the-clocks-and-other-varied-and-sundry-small-items-well-one-thing-is-kinda-big/971012/26 "2022-09-06T21:21:31Z")
Is power surge still a thing? All the small appliances were not messed up. My Dish thing was ok. I have just a radio not attached to an alarm clock. Think Gilligan’s Island and their radio. Sits on a shelf. I don’t keep batteries in it. It takes those little transistor batteries. It wasn’t affected ---
**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 6, 2022, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hickory-dickory-dock-bad-bad-bad-beckdawrek-and-the-mystery-of-the-clocks-and-other-varied-and-sundry-small-items-well-one-thing-is-kinda-big/971012/27 "2022-09-06T22:09:16Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Is power surge still a thing? If all the affected battery appliances were only battery-backup, and not entirely battery powered, and were plugged in at the time: then yes, it could have been a power surge. Were there thunderstorms in the area? (Not the only possible cause; but a relatively likely one.) ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2022, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hickory-dickory-dock-bad-bad-bad-beckdawrek-and-the-mystery-of-the-clocks-and-other-varied-and-sundry-small-items-well-one-thing-is-kinda-big/971012/28 "2022-09-06T22:51:11Z")
Yes we have had stormy weather. One Night it was especially electric. Lots of lightning. ---
**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 7, 2022, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hickory-dickory-dock-bad-bad-bad-beckdawrek-and-the-mystery-of-the-clocks-and-other-varied-and-sundry-small-items-well-one-thing-is-kinda-big/971012/29 "2022-09-07T00:02:03Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > One Night it was especially electric. Lots of lightning. I don’t suppose anyone in the house remembered a big lightning hit nearby? I’m now wondering if that kind of discharge might have also done a number on your battery-operated stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2022, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hickory-dickory-dock-bad-bad-bad-beckdawrek-and-the-mystery-of-the-clocks-and-other-varied-and-sundry-small-items-well-one-thing-is-kinda-big/971012/30 "2022-09-07T00:11:28Z")
Oh, I believe there were big lightning strikes in the counties where my house is. Big Wrek said the Game&Fish pulled every boat off the lake that afternoon. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2022, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hickory-dickory-dock-bad-bad-bad-beckdawrek-and-the-mystery-of-the-clocks-and-other-varied-and-sundry-small-items-well-one-thing-is-kinda-big/971012/31 "2022-09-07T00:39:49Z")
Was there a sighting of a large blond guy with a hammer in the area? ---
**Author:** ![Retzbu\_Tox](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/retzbu_tox/32/11829_2.png) [@Retzbu\_Tox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Retzbu_Tox)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2022, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hickory-dickory-dock-bad-bad-bad-beckdawrek-and-the-mystery-of-the-clocks-and-other-varied-and-sundry-small-items-well-one-thing-is-kinda-big/971012/32 "2022-09-07T01:17:04Z")
Sasquatch may have visited, shuffling his hairy feet on the floor to build up static electricity as he made his way around the house touching all the clocks. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2022, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hickory-dickory-dock-bad-bad-bad-beckdawrek-and-the-mystery-of-the-clocks-and-other-varied-and-sundry-small-items-well-one-thing-is-kinda-big/971012/33 "2022-09-07T03:51:56Z")
Yeah. I’m gonna go with this one! ---
**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2022, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hickory-dickory-dock-bad-bad-bad-beckdawrek-and-the-mystery-of-the-clocks-and-other-varied-and-sundry-small-items-well-one-thing-is-kinda-big/971012/34 "2022-09-07T12:26:32Z")
> [@Retzbu\_Tox](#): > > Sasquatch may have visited, shuffling his hairy feet on the floor to build up static electricity as he made his way around the house touching all the clocks But remember: there’s a special Sasquatch in Arkansas that has [googly eyes on his feet](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/becks-bad-bad-bad-bigfoot-trickery-and-the-raccoon-rodeo/855020/10) that give him away. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2022, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hickory-dickory-dock-bad-bad-bad-beckdawrek-and-the-mystery-of-the-clocks-and-other-varied-and-sundry-small-items-well-one-thing-is-kinda-big/971012/35 "2022-09-07T13:27:54Z")
If you have one of those clocks with LED alphanumeric display, be wary at one minute after ten because the little man who lives in the clock is looking out from inside. And he’s looking for _you_! I O O I ---
**Author:** ![Quondam\_Mechanic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quondam_mechanic/32/3404_2.png) [@Quondam\_Mechanic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quondam_Mechanic)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2022, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hickory-dickory-dock-bad-bad-bad-beckdawrek-and-the-mystery-of-the-clocks-and-other-varied-and-sundry-small-items-well-one-thing-is-kinda-big/971012/36 "2022-09-07T15:21:58Z")
I’ve said it before – poltergeists. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2022, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hickory-dickory-dock-bad-bad-bad-beckdawrek-and-the-mystery-of-the-clocks-and-other-varied-and-sundry-small-items-well-one-thing-is-kinda-big/971012/37 "2022-09-07T18:35:13Z")
I fear them. Once I had chair stacking in the the night. At least 4 times. Eventually I found Jamie was hiding cookies on top of the china cupboard. And her boys found them. But I have had my share of really weird stuff happening. Poltergeists have followed me around for years. Add my little black cloud up in my business and my life is difficult. Don’t fret. I’m used to it. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2022, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hickory-dickory-dock-bad-bad-bad-beckdawrek-and-the-mystery-of-the-clocks-and-other-varied-and-sundry-small-items-well-one-thing-is-kinda-big/971012/38 "2022-09-09T01:30:16Z")
Has the corner of your bedroom been acting up? ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2022, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hickory-dickory-dock-bad-bad-bad-beckdawrek-and-the-mystery-of-the-clocks-and-other-varied-and-sundry-small-items-well-one-thing-is-kinda-big/971012/39 "2022-09-09T03:37:32Z")
I am held hostage at the moment. Call Fox and Dana. I need help🙃 ---
**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 9, 2022, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hickory-dickory-dock-bad-bad-bad-beckdawrek-and-the-mystery-of-the-clocks-and-other-varied-and-sundry-small-items-well-one-thing-is-kinda-big/971012/40 "2022-09-09T14:56:29Z")
Hostage by whom? The ghosts? The cats? Your medical team? We need to know where and what kind of assistance to send. – oh. The Fox and Dana reference is a clue. Ghosts or poltergeists? Bigfoot? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hickory-dickory-dock-bad-bad-bad-beckdawrek-and-the-mystery-of-the-clocks-and-other-varied-and-sundry-small-items-well-one-thing-is-kinda-big/971012.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hickory-dickory-dock-bad-bad-bad-beckdawrek-and-the-mystery-of-the-clocks-and-other-varied-and-sundry-small-items-well-one-thing-is-kinda-big/971012.md?page=3)