# Pool crashed into basement. How do we fix this? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 10, 2014, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pool-crashed-into-basement-how-do-we-fix-this/695230 "2014-08-10T12:05:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2014, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pool-crashed-into-basement-how-do-we-fix-this/695230/161 "2014-08-22T21:25:39Z")
Ladies and gentlemen of the Dope-jury, I present to you my theory regarding the OP’s true identity: He is a pledge. He clearly doesn’t have the maturity to be an adult adviser to anything. He clearly has no real-world experience dealing with insurance or legal issues, or large amounts of money, or large hierarchical organizations such as the administration of the university or even his own frat’s national headquarters; otherwise he would know that you can’t just cover up something like this. My guess is that he’s 18 years old, and one of the pledging challenges he was assigned is to think up a scenario that, if it happened to the rival frat house across the street, would be the greatest prank of all time. (And by the way, his objection to the term “frat” is because it rhymes too easily with a certain word which the rest of the campus uses to refer to these dubious gentlemen : “frat-rat” ) ---
**Author:** ![Calatin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/439d5e/32.png) [@Calatin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Calatin)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2014, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pool-crashed-into-basement-how-do-we-fix-this/695230/162 "2014-08-22T21:25:49Z")
> [@Nickel\_Please](#): > > Don’t mess with Texas, bro. As someone who lives in Dallas, I have messed with Texas on many an occasion. And wow, I was even willing to give you some leeway if you were on the coast or someplace where Shiner wasn’t as commonplace as mosquitoes, but… really? That’s like people in Mexico treating Corona like a fine delicacy. I’m not saying the beer is bad, but if you gave me a list of “Omega sea diver watches, an Exeter background, and Shiner Bock,” I could pretty much tell you which one didn’t belong. ---
**Author:** ![Nickel\_Please](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b19c9b/32.png) [@Nickel\_Please](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nickel_Please)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2014, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pool-crashed-into-basement-how-do-we-fix-this/695230/163 "2014-08-22T21:40:29Z")
Shiner bock is a damn good beer. Even with sticks (paddles) firmly stuck up in our asses, we are not too good for Shiner. ---
**Author:** ![Calatin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/439d5e/32.png) [@Calatin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Calatin)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2014, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pool-crashed-into-basement-how-do-we-fix-this/695230/164 "2014-08-22T21:42:13Z")
> [@Nickel\_Please](#): > > Shiner bock is a damn good beer. Even with sticks (paddles) firmly stuck up in our asses, we are not too good for Shiner. I never said it wasn’t. Frat boys love it. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Woo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7c8e57/32.png) [@Dr.Woo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Woo)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2014, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pool-crashed-into-basement-how-do-we-fix-this/695230/165 "2014-08-22T21:44:37Z")
> [@Nickel\_Please](#): > > We don’t like the word frat because of the image it projects. There’s a huge difference between frat boys and fraternity men. > > Frat boys: Wears cargo shorts and flip flops, gelled hair, Axe body spray, fist pumps, likely goes to a state school, likely from the Midwest or west coast, drinks corona and flavored vodkas, listens to too much rap music, goes clubbing, will let all kinds of undesirables join their fraternity and fraternity parties, major in communications, bartends or work at Verizon post-graduation, are classless jerks. > > Fraternity men (that would be us): Wears bowties and boat shoes - seersucker suits - pastels - chinos, polos, and Oxford button downs - Omega sea diver watches - Ralph lauren, vineyard vines, j. Crew, Brooks brothers, southern proper - ray bans with croakies - bangs “alabama” swoop, like attends a private school, likely from New England or the south, drinks the finest whiskey, likes shiner bock and Abita purple haze, hunts - fishes - golfs- drives ATV in huge backyards of old money houses, listens to Springsteen, watches Wolf On Wallstreet once a week, hangs out at bars, selective on who they invite to parties and in their fraternity, majors/works in law - finance - medicine, and are wonderful gentlemen. Abita Purple Haze? Chinos & polos? Pussies. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2014, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pool-crashed-into-basement-how-do-we-fix-this/695230/166 "2014-08-22T21:47:13Z")
> [@zoid](#): > > You sound like insufferable little boys who define themselves by the clothes they were and the liquor they drink as opposed to being responsible young men who take responsibility for their actions. > > … Seriously, those lists are identical in reflecting the superficiality of either group. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2014, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pool-crashed-into-basement-how-do-we-fix-this/695230/167 "2014-08-22T22:02:55Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > Texas! Holy fuck! That’s too perfect! How many stereotypes can you ping? This is where we disagree. I was positive the supposed FRAT house is in Florida (or possibly West Virgina). But Texas? Texas! [::clap, clap, clap, clap:: Texas](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ka0goBxF5nE#t=0m18s). Well then, the story _must_ be true; & where are your two other accomplices or are you the “One Stooge”? :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2014, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pool-crashed-into-basement-how-do-we-fix-this/695230/168 "2014-08-22T22:50:04Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > This is where we disagree. I was positive the supposed FRAT house is in Florida (or possibly West Virgina). > > : I don’t think that the frat stereotypes have much regional specificity. I was just referring to Texas’s general reputation for uncouth, self-aggrandizing shallow religiosity, douchiness, and buffoonery. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2014, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pool-crashed-into-basement-how-do-we-fix-this/695230/169 "2014-08-22T23:04:21Z")
I, for one, am pleased to hear that this didn’t happen at my alma mater (a nerd school in upstate New York). ---
**Author:** ![DChord568](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@DChord568](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DChord568)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2014, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pool-crashed-into-basement-how-do-we-fix-this/695230/170 "2014-08-23T03:58:51Z")
> [@Nickel\_Please](#): > > We don’t like the word frat because of the image it projects. There’s a huge difference between frat boys and fraternity men. > > Frat boys: Wears cargo shorts and flip flops… [etc.] > > Fraternity men (that would be us): Wears bowties and boat shoes… [etc.] OK, this tips the scales. No one could seriously be this dickish in real life. Great parody, Nickel. You’ve passed the initiation! ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2014, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pool-crashed-into-basement-how-do-we-fix-this/695230/171 "2014-08-23T04:06:47Z")
> [@DChord568](#): > > OK, this tips the scales. No one could seriously be this dickish in real life. > > Great parody, Nickel. You’ve passed the initiation! [Meet the boys](http://www.pinterest.com/pin/167688786100188845/) ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2014, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pool-crashed-into-basement-how-do-we-fix-this/695230/172 "2014-08-23T07:07:48Z")
At the risk of sounding like a sixty-somethin J-dub who never progressed past junior college, what is meant by the phrase _bangs “alabama” swoop_? Also, OP? It’s “WE Greeks prefer…”, not “US Greeks prefer…”. Please try to write as though you have a college education. ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2014, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pool-crashed-into-basement-how-do-we-fix-this/695230/173 "2014-08-23T07:38:46Z")
“Chi Oh…Chi Oh…It’s off to bed we go…I paid my buck c’mon let’s fuck Chi-Oh…Chi Oh” ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2014, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pool-crashed-into-basement-how-do-we-fix-this/695230/174 "2014-08-23T12:29:06Z")
> [@Nickel\_Please](#): > > > [@Fluffy\_PickleSniffer](#): > > > > So… was there a lot of steam rolling around when that house evaporated? > > Sorry, sometimes my spell check goes crazy. “Evacuated” Dang. I was hoping it really evaporated. \*That \* would have made this thread _much_ more interesting. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2014, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pool-crashed-into-basement-how-do-we-fix-this/695230/175 "2014-08-23T12:36:21Z")
> [@Nickel\_Please](#): > > Yeah there was some water in the basement. Most of it drained though. But a small flood in a basement is totally secondary to a freaking hole in the fraternity house! > > There’s no way in he’ll I would post pictures. The wrong person might see it. Assuming you’re on the level, if you’re going to have someone look at it, how are you planning on keeping it from the “wrong” people? ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2014, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pool-crashed-into-basement-how-do-we-fix-this/695230/176 "2014-08-23T12:43:23Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Builds pool inside house, destroys house due to piss-poor planning, attempts to hide said destruction. > I think you’re frats. I think they’re farts. 😛 Sorry for the double post. There’s just too much snark-worthy material in this thread. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2014, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pool-crashed-into-basement-how-do-we-fix-this/695230/177 "2014-08-23T16:30:50Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > At the risk of sounding like a sixty-somethin J-dub who never progressed past junior college, what is meant by the phrase _bangs “alabama” swoop_? It’s a hair thing. Looks as douchey as it sounds. > [@](#): > > Also, OP? It’s “WE Greeks prefer…”, not “US Greeks prefer…”. Please try to write as though you have a college education. And if you get confused, just ask we dopers to help you out. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2014, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pool-crashed-into-basement-how-do-we-fix-this/695230/178 "2014-08-23T17:27:17Z")
> [@Gary\_T](#): > > It’s a hair thing. Looks as douchey as it sounds. > ) This, apparently — [http://www.mtv.com/onair/two\_a\_days/assets/images/flipbooks/episodes/105/fb\_10.jpg](http://www.mtv.com/onair/two_a_days/assets/images/flipbooks/episodes/105/fb_10.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2014, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pool-crashed-into-basement-how-do-we-fix-this/695230/179 "2014-08-23T17:55:09Z")
That list of characteristics is like watching a train wreck. It’s full of rich-kid classism and “undesirables”? Poor kids? Kids with the wrong haircut or clothes? Liberal arts students? Kids with the wrong parents? Public school kids? Racial minorities? How utterly loathesome. ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2014, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pool-crashed-into-basement-how-do-we-fix-this/695230/180 "2014-08-23T17:56:20Z")
I get the impression [del]Niedermeyer[/del] Nickel Please wants us to think he’s an Omega, not a Delta. Except he blew it with the swimming pool in the frat house thing. I love the secrecy thing. I guess they’ll be sneaking the new joists in during the dead of night. The week and a half spent “praying” should be a hint. Baylor? SMU? TCU? Any other candidates? Do any of those universities have a drinking ban? I’m sort of thinking Baylor might, but then again, frat traditions might outweigh university/God’s rules. I guess the fireworks will start when the school newspaper cranks up for the new semester. There’s probably going to be some student or 3 on the staff that thinks [del]Marmelarde[/del] Nickel Please and his fellow frat rats are snobbish jerks and they’ve been waiting for this opportunity to let the Omegas have it. Nickel Please, do you realize that **this will not look good on _your_ permanent record**? No, not good at all. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pool-crashed-into-basement-how-do-we-fix-this/695230.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pool-crashed-into-basement-how-do-we-fix-this/695230.md?page=10)