# How to tell them apart (a public service) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 5, 2004, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497 "2004-08-05T19:16:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 14
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2004, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497/261 "2004-08-11T21:52:04Z")
> [@Katisha](#): > > Know Your Repetitively-Named English Kings! > > The Edwards: > **Edward VII** is the one who came after Victoria and that I can’t remember anything else about. He was the cool one – had a walk-on part in _Upstairs, Downstairs_. The Edwardian era was named after him. Lots of mistresses, including Lily Langtry. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2004, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497/262 "2004-08-11T22:30:43Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > **Scotch** : Whiskey > **Scot** : Citizen of Scotland > **Whiskey** : Scotch > **American Whiskey:** blended whiskeys > **Bourbon** : Sour mash whiskey I believe it’s **Whisky** : Scotch. No “e”. But only if we’re discussing Scotch. I get a 10-point nit-pickery award for this one… ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2004, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497/263 "2004-08-11T23:36:15Z")
> [@AskNott](#): > > **Annie X-mas** enumerated _NYC Bridges and Tunnels_ for us. I kept looking for the _59th Street Bridge_ in the title of Paul Simon’s song (many folks think it’s called _Feelin’ Groovy._) Did Simon make it up, or is the 59th Street Bridge called something else in **Annie’s** List? The 59th Street Bridge is another name for the Queensboro Bridge. Queensboro is the official name. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2004, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497/264 "2004-08-12T00:40:19Z")
> [@wolf\_meister](#): > > Well it seems the **Invisible Man** discussion is still incomplete. > Yes, thusfar the following have been mentioned: the HG Wells novel, the Ralph Ellison book and “Memoirs of An Invisible Man” (story and movie). > > Yet there is another one: > **The Invisible Man** a short story written in 1911 by GK Chesterton. One more… **The Invisible Man** - TV show on the Sci-Fi Channel that aired from 2000 - 2002 starring Vincent Ventresca and Paul-Ben Victor that was unjustly canceled after it’s second season. ---
**Author:** ![tracer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tracer/32/20578_2.png) [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2004, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497/265 "2004-08-12T02:24:14Z")
**Anton Chekhov** - 19th century Russian playwright. **Pavel Chekov** - 23rd century Russian starship-navigator. ---
**Author:** ![tracer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tracer/32/20578_2.png) [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2004, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497/266 "2004-08-12T02:28:47Z")
**Antonin Dvorak** - composer of great big overblown symphonies **Augustus Dvorak** - creator of great big overblown keyboard layout ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Tan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charlie_tan/32/12582_2.png) [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2004, 7:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497/267 "2004-08-12T07:57:08Z")
[1974 Chevy Camaro](http://www.fedrelandsvennen.no/amcar/joyrides/camaro/74camaro.jpg) - GM 2+2 sports car [1974 Pontiac Trans Am](http://www.firebirdgallery.com/2nd%20Gen%20Images/74ta18.1.jpg) - GM 2+2 sports car [1974 Pontiac LeMans](http://www.pontiacheaven.org/images/jpgs/74_lemans_lf.jpg) - GM 2+2 sports car [1988 Pontiac LeMans](http://www.blossburg.org/coalfest/00carshow/p28.jpg) - GM compact car [1988 Opel Kadett](http://www.napoy.com/kadet_16S_v88.jpg) - GM compact car **Bryan Adams** - Canadian rock musician, remembering the summer of '69 **Ryan Adams** - American rock musician, born in '74 **Bruce Springsteen** - The Boss **Rick Springfield** - The Mullet **Buffalo Springfield** - A group, not a person. American folk-rock **Dusty Springfield** - Was interested in the Son of a Preacherman **Dusty Hill** - ZZ Top, wears impressive beard. **Frank Beard** - ZZ Top. Doesn’t. Wear a beard. ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2004, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497/268 "2004-08-12T12:07:06Z")
The Gaspode writes: \> Bryan Adams - Canadian rock musician, remembering the summer of '69 Actually Adams remembers very little about the summer of '69, when he was 9 years old. He originally called the song “Summer of '75” (or something like that), about the summer when he was 15 (or something like that). A record producer told him, “Who cares about 1975? Make the song about 1969.” ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2004, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497/269 "2004-08-12T12:09:03Z")
**Donald Duck** Cartoon character from Disney Studios. **Daffy Duck** Cartoon character from Warner Brothers Studios. **Howard the Duck** Cartoon character from Marvel Comics, and adapted into a live-action movie by George Lucas. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2004, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497/270 "2004-08-12T12:27:48Z")
**Alfred Bester** – science fiction writer, SFWA Grandmaster, author of _The Stars My Destination_. **Alfred Bester** – telepath in the TV series _Babylon 5_, who bears a striking resemblance to Pavel Chekov. You can call him Al. > [@](#): > > The Invisible Man - TV show on the Sci-Fi Channel that aired from 2000 - 2002 starring Vincent Ventresca and Paul-Ben Victor that was unjustly canceled after it’s second season. Also a [TV show](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0051285/) (British-made) that aired in the US in 1958. ---
**Author:** ![scotandrsn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a4c791/32.png) [@scotandrsn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scotandrsn)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2004, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497/271 "2004-08-12T14:49:53Z")
> [@Yllaria](#): > > Oh, and \*\*centrifugal \*\* force exists. It’s **centrifical** force that’s fictional. (I assume it’s a mish-mash of centrifugal and centripetal.) Sadly, more people know ‘centrifical’ than both of the real forces. Ahem! **Centripetal Acceleration** : Acceleration of an object traveling in a circular path toward the center of the circle. Necessary to maintain circularity of the path. Usually requires the application of some kind of centripetal centripetal force. **Centrifugal Force** : Illusory perception of outward force resulting from being in an object undergoing centripedal acceleration. Nothing is actually pushing outward. \*\*Centrifical Force[/B} Apparent mispronunciation of “centrifugal” by people who either need to listen more carefully or need speech therapy. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2004, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497/272 "2004-08-12T15:13:15Z")
> [@The Gaspode](#): > > [1974 Chevy Camaro](http://www.fedrelandsvennen.no/amcar/joyrides/camaro/74camaro.jpg) - GM 2+2 sports car > [1974 Pontiac Trans Am](http://www.firebirdgallery.com/2nd%20Gen%20Images/74ta18.1.jpg) - GM 2+2 sports car > [1974 Pontiac LeMans](http://www.pontiacheaven.org/images/jpgs/74_lemans_lf.jpg) - GM 2+2 sports car > [1988 Pontiac LeMans](http://www.blossburg.org/coalfest/00carshow/p28.jpg) - GM compact car > [1988 Opel Kadett](http://www.napoy.com/kadet_16S_v88.jpg) - GM compact car [1968 Opel GT](http://www.hoelsche-flip.de/gt_w.JPG) - GM sports car [1969 Opel Kadett B](http://www.hoelsche-flip.de/69er%20Kadett%20B%20Coupe_w.jpg) - GM compact car [1974 Opel Manta](http://www.hoelsche-flip.de/Manta.JPG) - GM 2+2 sports car ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2004, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497/273 "2004-08-12T15:26:38Z")
\*\*Ford \*\* [Econoline](http://auto.consumerguide.com/auto/new/reviews/full/index.cfm/id/23208) [Econolodge](http://www.econolodge.com/) ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2004, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497/274 "2004-08-12T17:30:17Z")
**grommet** – a circular piece of metal used to reinforce holes. **Gromit** – an animated dog from Aardman Animation **Wallace** – Gromit’s owner. Loves cheese. **George Wallace** – Alabama governor known for his opposition to integration, though he later came to accept it. White. Dead. **George Wallace** – comedian. Black. Alive. **William Wallace** – Scottish military leader portrayed in **Braveheart** **Mike Wallace** – TV reporter (CBS), best known for **60 Minutes**. Likes meatloaf\*. 😉 **Chris Wallace** – TV reporter (ABC, now Fox News), son of Mike. **Irving Wallace** – Best-selling novelist. **Amy Wallace** – his daughter, author of various nonfiction best sellers. **David Wallechinsky** – her brother (Irving’s son), editor of **The People’s Almanac** and **The Book of Lists**. **Wallace Shawn** – Actor and writer, best known for **My Dinner with Andre** Short, balding, intellectual roles. Alive. **Wallace Beery** – Oscar-winning actor, best known for **The Champ**. Tall, burly, unintellectual roles. Dead. \ ***meatloaf** – a recipe made of baked ground meat and other ingredients. **Meat Loaf** – rock singer, **Bat Out Of Hell**. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2004, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497/275 "2004-08-12T19:04:45Z")
\*\*The Motion Picture \*\* An old NASA probe is altered by aliens and sent back to earth. However it is too powerful and may destroy the earth. Kirk Spock McCoy and the _dad_ from 7th Heaven save the earth. (the also wear pajamas all the time) **The Wrath of Khan** An old enemy of Kirk steals something made by an old girlfriend of Kirk’s and Kirk’s bastard son is a big jerk through all of it. The crew wears the red uniforms and Kirstie Alley plays Saavik. Oh and Spock dies. **The Search for Spock** The crew does not wear uniforms. They steal the Enterprise and go search for Spock. Spock is found by Kirk’s bastard son and Saavik, (played by Robin Curtis) Kirk’s bastard son gets killed by Klingons and the Enterprise is destroyed by Kirk via a self-destruct. **The Voyage Home** The one with the whales. OK this time an alien probe approaches earth threaten to destroy the entire planet because it can’t talk to any whales. Kirk, Spock (alive!) and crew travel back to present day and steal some whales and save the earth. Again! The Enterprise-A is only in the last moments of the film. This one has the _mom_ from 7th Heaven and Robin Curtis sets a record by playing Saavik a second time. **The Final Frontier** The one that sucks ass. **The Undiscovered Country** The one with all the Shakespeare quotes. Sulu commands the Excelsior. Christian Slater does a cameo and Kirk brings about peace with the Klingon Empire. Kim Cattral plays someone who was supposed to be Saavik but she isn’t. **Generations** Picard drags Kirk out of heaven to save his sorry butt. To repay him Picard gives Kirk an unmarked grave on some godforsaken planet. Oh and Troi drives the ship for the first time in her career. She hits a planet. **First Contact** The one with the Borg. And it pretty much rocks. Insurrection The one with the planet with some sort of fountain of youth. It tried to make some sort of message about Israel, I think. **Nemesis** The one with the Romulans. Could have been much better if it was such a showcase for Brent Spiner. Troi drives the ship again. This time she hits another ship. ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2004, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497/276 "2004-08-12T20:37:30Z")
**Kate Moseley** - character played by uberbabe Moira Kelly in the much-better-than-average romantic comedy _The Cutting Edge_ **Kate Mosley** - character played by uberbabe Jennifer Aniston in the slightly-better-than-average romantic comedy _Picture Perfect_ ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2004, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497/277 "2004-08-12T20:39:27Z")
**Shirley Ujest**? the pig you were thinking of in an earlier post was [Olivia](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0689829531/qid=1092342902/sr=ka-1/ref=pd_ka_1/104-9962073-5987947) I am surprised that, so far, no one has mentioned: **James Brown** : Godfather of Soul, Soul Brother #1, the Hardest Working Man in Show Business, the creator of Star Time **Jim Brown** : #32 of the Cleveland Browns; generally considered to be one of the, if not _the_ greatest running backs of all time. Also a champion lacrosse player in college at Syracuse **James Brown** : Sports announcer on CBS ---
**Author:** ![Katisha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bcef8e/32.png) [@Katisha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Katisha)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2004, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497/278 "2004-08-12T20:45:53Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > He was the cool one – had a walk-on part in _Upstairs, Downstairs_. The Edwardian era was named after him. Lots of mistresses, including Lily Langtry. Ah, of course. My knowledge of British history becomes far less in-depth after about the Glorious Revolution or so. 😉 Fondness for mistresses seems to have been common to all the Edwards, except the kids (V and VI) and Edward II, who didn’t swing that way… ---
**Author:** ![freakstasy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c57346/32.png) [@freakstasy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freakstasy)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2004, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497/279 "2004-08-12T22:05:32Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > **Wallace Shawn** – Actor and writer, best known for **My Dinner with Andre** Short, balding, intellectual roles. Alive. > **Wallace Beery** – Oscar-winning actor, best known for **The Champ**. Tall, burly, unintellectual roles. Dead. **Wallace D. Fard** – founded Nation of Islam **Wallace Stegner** – author of “Angle of Repose” (Pulitzer Prize for fiction) **Wallace Stevens** – modernist poet: “The Man With the Blue Guitar” **Wallace K. Harrison** – architect of the Metropolitan Opera House in NYC ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2004, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497/280 "2004-08-12T22:09:32Z")
Thanks, **Zebra**! Now if only someone could explain how to tell the various TV serieseses apart. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497.md?page=13) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497.md?page=15)