# 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:** 9
**Author:** ![The\_Great\_Zamboni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4bbf92/32.png) [@The\_Great\_Zamboni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Great_Zamboni)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2004, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497/161 "2004-08-09T00:36:09Z")
> [@OtakuLoki](#): > > In the German military build up of the late 1930’s the _planned_ aircraft carrier of the newly reborn Kriegsmarine was going to be called **Graf Zeppelin** in honor of the pioneering work done with airships by the original Graf Zeppelin. However, because of the political difficulties in getting the Kriegsmarine and the Luftwaffe to cooperate, the **Graf Zeppelin** was never given a high priority for completion. It was launched in 1938, however, launching a hull only rarely completes the construction process. (For example, there are many pictures of the launching of the **Bismark** which show that nothing above the weather deck had yet been installed.) There are reports that the **Graf Zeppelin** was moved to a Norweigian fjord around the same time as the Tirpitz, but the political tug of war between the Kriegsmarine and Luftwaffe, kept Goering from being willing to allow for even the construction of planes or training of pilots for \ Naval duty. :o I should know my German War History better. I had always thought that the Graf Zeppelin was completed and had been in full service. Maybe next time I’ll do some research before I look stupid. **Honda:** A Japanese automotive company that builds better cars than \*\*Hyandai:\*\*A Korean automotive company. ---
**Author:** ![tim314](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim314/32/3468_2.png) [@tim314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim314)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2004, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497/162 "2004-08-09T00:37:33Z")
That post would have been funnier if you’d left out the middle part. > [@Chefguy](#): > > You missed several definitions on this one . . . . an offense punishable by death. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2004, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497/163 "2004-08-09T00:38:50Z")
> [@The Great Zamboni](#): > > **Honda:** A Japanese automotive company that builds better cars than \*\*Hyandai:\*\*A Korean automotive company. And even better than [Hyundai](http://www.hyundaiusa.com/). 😃 ---
**Author:** ![The\_Great\_Zamboni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4bbf92/32.png) [@The\_Great\_Zamboni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Great_Zamboni)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2004, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497/164 "2004-08-09T00:45:46Z")
> [@Mr. Blue Sky](#): > > And even better than [Hyundai](http://www.hyundaiusa.com/). > > 😃 I Googled _Hyandai_ to confirm that it was from Korea. Google suggested _Hyundai_ instead. I noticed the misspelling, and still didn’t correct it. :smack: I’m on a roll today. \*\*Hyandai:[b/] A word I just made up. **Hyundai:** A real car company. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Great\_Zamboni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4bbf92/32.png) [@The\_Great\_Zamboni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Great_Zamboni)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2004, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497/165 "2004-08-09T00:47:43Z")
> [@The Great Zamboni](#): > > I Googled _Hyandai_ to confirm that it was from Korea. Google suggested _Hyundai_ instead. I noticed the misspelling, and still didn’t correct it. :smack: I’m on a roll today. > > \*\*Hyandai:[b/] A word I just made up. > **Hyundai:** A real car company. :smack: :smack: :smack: I screwed up the vB code in that. :mad: I am on fire! :wally to myself. ---
**Author:** ![Kat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b19c9b/32.png) [@Kat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kat)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2004, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497/166 "2004-08-09T01:32:39Z")
**Rogue** is a member of the fictional X-Men, of comic and movie fame. **Rouge** is a type of cosmetic. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2004, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497/167 "2004-08-09T01:46:48Z")
**George Michael** : Sucessful 80’s pop icon **George Michael** : Sucessful sports show host (The George Michael Sports Machine) ---
**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 9, 2004, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497/168 "2004-08-09T01:47:14Z")
> [@Biffy the Elephant Shrew](#): > > > [@Askia](#): > > > > Baloo = A singing bear. > > **Belew** = A singing and guitar-playing [Bear](http://www.thebearsmusic.com/index2.html). I just wanted to say, this is my favorite so far. Nice one, **Biffy**! ---
**Author:** ![Loopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loopus/32/15343_2.png) [@Loopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopus)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2004, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497/169 "2004-08-09T01:53:23Z")
**copyright** : Legal protection of a creative piece of work. Automatically conferred upon creation. Lasts for 70 years after the death of the creator. **trademark** : Legal protection of a logo or trade name. Must be applied for. Lasts forever, or until the courts declare that it has become a generic term. **patent** : Legal protection of a design, invention, or idea. Must be applied for. Lasts for 20 years. **James A. Garfield** : A US president who was shot and killed _ **Garfield** _: A comic strip that should be shot and killed ---
**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 9, 2004, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497/170 "2004-08-09T02:31:11Z")
**Tito Puente** : percussianist & band leader, sort of a Puerto Rican Desi Arnaz. Dead. **Tito Fuentes** : Cuban; played second base (but not second bass) for the San Francisco Giants during the 60s & 70s. Not dead. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2004, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497/171 "2004-08-09T02:33:43Z")
> [@Jeff Olsen](#): > > **Tito Puente** : percussianist & band leader, sort of a Puerto Rican Desi Arnaz. Dead. > **Tito Fuentes** : Cuban; played second base (but not second bass) for the San Francisco Giants during the 60s & 70s. Not dead. **Daisy Fuentes** : lots of guys have wanted to get to second base with her, and she’s definitely not dead. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2004, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497/172 "2004-08-09T03:23:10Z")
Michelle Branch - plays the guitar and sang with Carlos Santana Vanessa Carlton - plays the paino and sang with the Counting Crows ---
**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 9, 2004, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497/173 "2004-08-09T03:42:02Z")
\*\*Helen Slater \*\* appeared in SuperGirl and City Slickers. \*\*Helen Hunt \*\* Mad about You, A varity of movies. **Lee Lee Sobieski** Helen Hunt’s doppelganger, no relation. **Joan Crawford** Actress with a fondness for shoulder pads. **Joan Jett** Rockstar chick that keeps going. **Jet Li** Martial arts star **Benny & the Jetts** song by Elton John. ---
**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 9, 2004, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497/174 "2004-08-09T03:46:29Z")
**Bruce Lee** Martial Artist. Dead. **Brandon Lee** Bruce’s son. Martial artist. Dead. **Christopher Lee** villian in movies. Alive **Carrie Lee** CNN News achor. Alive. **Jet Li** Martial arts star. Alive. **Sara Lee** Everybody likes. ---
**Author:** ![NoCoolUserName](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5fc32e/32.png) [@NoCoolUserName](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NoCoolUserName)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2004, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497/175 "2004-08-09T05:09:35Z")
**Sherlock Holmes** the great detective. **John Holmes** the big man. **Larry Holmes** the heavyweight boxer. **Katie Holmes** “Dawson’s Creek” actress. Not a heavyweight in any sense of the word. **Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.** celebrated physician and professor of anatomy and physiology at Harvard. **Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.** heavyweight jurist, a member of the United States Supreme Court for over 30 years. **Rupert Holmes** successful playwright. **Basil Rathbone** the classic Holmes. **Jeremy Brett** the best Holmes. **Holmes:** > [@](#): > > “Come, Watson, the game’s afoot!” **Alexander Graham Bell:** > [@](#): > > “Come here, Watson. I need you.” ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2004, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497/176 "2004-08-09T05:16:41Z")
**Australia** - kangaroos, boomerangs, southern hemisphere. Crocodile Dundee comes from there. **Austria** - none of the above. The Sound of Music is set there. \*\*Sydney \*\*- large city in Australia \*\*Sidney \*\*- small town in Canada \*\*Paraguay \*\*- small South American country that lost a third of it’s male population in a war against Uruguay in the 1920s. \*\*Uruguay \*\*- small South American country that lost a third of it’s male population in a war against Paraguay in the 1920s. (these were 1920’s style death 'guays) \*\*Menswear \*\*- clothing **Men swear** - yes they do, don’t they? ---
**Author:** ![wolf\_meister](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf_meister/32/15202_2.png) [@wolf\_meister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolf_meister)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2004, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497/177 "2004-08-09T05:51:15Z")
**NoCoolUserName** Is that the same Rupert Holmes that sang “The Pina Colada Song”? Gee this topic is clearing up a great many misconceptions. And while we’re at it: **Rip Torn:** Actor, usually appears in dramatic roles. **Rip Taylor:** Totally off-the-wall nut-case comedian. Think confetti !!! ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2004, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497/178 "2004-08-09T05:56:56Z")
> [@wolf\_meister](#): > > **Rip Torn:** Actor, usually appears in dramatic roles. > **Rip Taylor:** Totally off-the-wall nut-case comedian. Think confetti !!! This always gets me. The one with the goofy pun of a nickname is the (mostly) serious one. The one with the goofy persona is the one with the normalish name. ---
**Author:** ![Tenar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@Tenar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tenar)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2004, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497/179 "2004-08-09T06:08:13Z")
> [@Askia](#): > > **Captain Marvel (I)** [The Big Red Cheese.](http://shazam.imginc.com/WhosWho/captainmarvel.asp) > **Captain Marvel, Jr.** [His protege.](http://www.samuelsdesign.com/comics/big/cap_jr.jpg) > **Captain Mar-Vell (II)** [Marvel Comics first version.](http://www.toonopedia.com/capmarv2.jpg) > **Captain Marvel (III)** [Marvel Comics’ second permutation.](http://www.super-herois.com.br/cap_marvel2.gif) > **Captain Marvel (IV)** [Marvel Comics latest permutation.](http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/14789955855.1.GIF) > **Marvelman** [The British invasion.](http://www.comune.modena.it/glamazonia/articoli/marvelman/marvelman1.jpg) Later called _Miracleman._ > **Young Marvelman.** [His first protege.](http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Hills/6569/marvelman/marvel56.jpg) Later called _Young Miracleman_. > **Kid Marvelman** [His other protege](http://marvelman.freeservers.com/img66.gif), and later, [greatest enemy.](http://photobank.ngccoin.com/cgcgallery/miracleman%2315-9.8.jpg) Later called _Kid Miracleman._ > > I was going to do \*\*Mary Marvel, The Lieutenants Marvel, Uncle Marvel, Hoppy the Marvel Bunny, Miraclewoman, Winter \*\* and **Miracledog** , but frankly, the coding has just gotten ridiculous. You forgot **Andrew Marvell** (1621-1678), the metaphysical poet, most famous for “To His Coy Mistress.” (I always thought it was called “The Shepherd to His Coy Mistress,” but that’s not the way I keep finding it listed.) And how about \*\* Imply\*\* To suggest without stating outright \*\* Infer\*\* To perceive that which is implied And, of course \*\* Nucular\*\* How most presidents describe atomic weapons \*\* Nuclear\*\* How most intelligent people describe atomic weapons ---
**Author:** ![Tenar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@Tenar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tenar)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2004, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497/180 "2004-08-09T06:10:48Z")
Sorry, I forgot one – **Goofy** A dog who is a human **Pluto** A dog which is a dog [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497.md?page=10)