# Questions You've Always Been Wanting To Ask **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 19, 2001, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877 "2001-05-19T02:56:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Lockz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Lockz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lockz)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2001, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877/61 "2001-05-21T03:34:09Z")
Yes, I’m Canadian, and no, not everything I say ends with ‘eh’. It’s often tagged onto questions as (IMHO) a signal that the question is stopped. I’ve never thought about it before, but that’s my attempt. So what do you think, eh? And the show in question is the Royal Canadian Air Farce, not Force. ---
**Author:** ![StephenG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7feea3/32.png) [@StephenG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StephenG)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2001, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877/62 "2001-05-21T04:33:14Z")
“Eh” is pronounced like the English long /a/, or the vowel sound in “hay”. It’s roughly equivalent to the American usage of “hunh”. (In Canada, whenever I’m tempted to say “hunh”, I substitute “eh”. In the U.S., whenever I’m tempted to say “eh”, I substitute “hunh”.) It’s a word that almost begs agreement, assuming the answer to be affirmative. It can be used at the end of a question, to make it more casual or less intense. “You’re a hoser, eh?”\* It can be used in the middle of a sentence, to allow the listener to catch up. “So I was at the bar last night,\* and this girl comes up to me, and she’s pretty hammered, eh, and she says …” \*My apologies for the blatant stereo-typing. ---
**Author:** ![Speaker\_for\_the\_Dead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c77e96/32.png) [@Speaker\_for\_the\_Dead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Speaker_for_the_Dead)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2001, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877/63 "2001-05-21T06:37:51Z")
Ack! I knew it was Air Farce too… I just got lost in my typing. ---
**Author:** ![Fogglethorpe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecd19e/32.png) [@Fogglethorpe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fogglethorpe)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2001, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877/64 "2001-05-21T11:12:56Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by matt\_mcl \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by Fogglethorpe \* > > **He was a staunch supporter of the most corrupt president in history.** > > Warren Harding? \*\* Matt, as far as I can tell, President Harding did not leave a body count, grope any women in the oval office, sell strategic secrets and weapons technology to the enemy, or commit the felonious act of perjury. But, guess who did? ---
**Author:** ![TwistofFate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2001, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877/65 "2001-05-21T11:36:41Z")
Did Clinton really leave a bodycount, or do you beleave in [Urban Legends?](http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/outrage/clinton.htm) ---
**Author:** ![moi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@moi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moi)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2001, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877/66 "2001-05-21T14:18:39Z")
I did this very thing this morning! 😃 On the way to work with **cat** …it’s raining…my windshield is fogging up. **moi:** Um. **cat:**? **moi:** Do I turn the heat on or the AC to deal with this? I felt like a big dweeb. Just like this winter when he explained to me that the heat in my car comes off my engine, so if the engine hasn’t warmed up yet, it’s not worthwhile for me to turn the heat all the way up. :rolleyes: My first car has been such a learning experience. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2001, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877/67 "2001-05-22T05:12:15Z")
What’s the difference between “off sides” and “encroachment?” ---
**Author:** ![andygirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a9adbd/32.png) [@andygirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andygirl)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2001, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877/68 "2001-05-22T05:29:55Z")
I would just like to mention that for many gay people, the HRC symbol serves as a calesdine pride symbol. As it’s less recognizable, it can be safely displayed (as opposed to a rainbow sticker, which is fairly well known) but still have that “I’m in the club” effect. ---
**Author:** ![Monstre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@Monstre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monstre)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2001, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877/69 "2001-05-22T05:30:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by rastahomie \* > What’s the difference between “off sides” and “encroachment?” **Offsides** is when any part of the defensive player’s body is across the line of scrimmage (or free kick line on kickoffs) when the ball is snapped. In a normal play, if a defensive player jumps early and crosses the plane a little but gets back before the ball is snapped, there’s no penalty. **Encroachment** is when a player crosses the neutral zone and makes contact with an opponent **before** the ball is snapped. I believe that in this case, the penalty is called immediately, and it’s a dead ball foul (i.e. the play never actually got off). [More details (unofficial digest) here](http://nfl.com/randf/rulesdigest.html) ---
**Author:** ![honkytonkwillie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3da27b/32.png) [@honkytonkwillie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/honkytonkwillie)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2001, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877/70 "2001-05-22T06:28:29Z")
When I see people wearing glasses with yellow lenses, I always wonder if the color does something to enhance their vision or if they are just trying to look cool. Which is it? ---
**Author:** ![Jet\_Jaguar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jet_jaguar/32/3562_2.png) [@Jet\_Jaguar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jet_Jaguar)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2001, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877/71 "2001-05-22T14:20:17Z")
What does “Deus Ex” and/or “Deus Ex Machina” mean? From it’s usage, I believe it’s some sort of literary device, but I really don’t know. ---
**Author:** ![moi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@moi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moi)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2001, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877/72 "2001-05-22T14:48:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Jet Jaguar \* > **What does “Deus Ex” and/or “Deus Ex Machina” mean? From it’s usage, I believe it’s some sort of literary device, but I really don’t know.** Hey, **Jet Jaguar** …I love this phrase. Latin for “god from the machine.” Innit neat? 😃 You’re right on about it being a literary phrase. I remember my first introduction to it being in high school English class, studying Greek theater. In that case, it referred to the practice of having one of the gods descend from the skies (by means of a stage pully system) to sort out the resolution of the play. Minus the god figures, it refers to any plot resolution that relies on crazy improbably chance or coincidence at the last minute. ---
**Author:** ![Beadalin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Beadalin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beadalin)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2001, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877/73 "2001-05-22T15:30:46Z")
> [@](#): > > > [@](#): > > > > I was in complete shock when I found out (some time ago) that men don’t wipe after urinating. > > > > so my question is: > > > > why not?!! > > **Well, we have the capability to…um…shake it dry…** But see, you don’t. **TMI follows!** I speak from experience with several men (or do I just attract men who are really bad at shaking?). Many is the time when my husband (or boyfriends of yore) would pee before hopping into bed for a delightful romp. I’d go to touch or, for a more unpleasant surprise for me, kiss his penis and it would be wet. It’s gross. I do not want pee on my hand or mouth, thankyouverymuch. So, a little tip for the men out there: wipe if you plan to get frisky immediately after. It’s the least you can do. On to my question: I don’t know what DSL stands for. I know, it’s pathetic, but I really don’t. ---
**Author:** ![Beadalin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Beadalin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beadalin)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2001, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877/74 "2001-05-22T15:34:49Z")
> [@](#): > > I was in complete shock when I found out (some time ago) that men don’t wipe after urinating. **Well, we have the capability to…um…shake it dry…** [/quote] But see, you don’t. **TMI follows!** I speak from experience with several men (or do I just attract men who are really bad at shaking?). Many is the time when my husband (or boyfriends of yore) would pee before hopping into bed for a delightful romp. I’d go to touch or, for a more unpleasant surprise for me, kiss his penis and it would be wet. It’s gross. I do not want pee on my hand or mouth, thankyouverymuch. So, a little tip for the men out there: wipe if you plan to get frisky immediately after. It’s the least you can do. On to my question: I don’t know what DSL stands for. I know, it’s pathetic, but I really don’t. ---
**Author:** ![Beadalin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Beadalin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beadalin)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2001, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877/75 "2001-05-22T15:38:46Z")
I would also like to know how I managed a double post. Sorry about that. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2001, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877/76 "2001-05-22T15:40:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Beadalin \* > \*\*On to my question: I don’t know what DSL stands for. I know, it’s pathetic, but I really don’t. \*\* Digital Subscriber Line ---
**Author:** ![thinksnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thinksnow/32/2849_2.png) [@thinksnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thinksnow)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2001, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877/77 "2001-05-22T15:52:57Z")
**Bead** : the “wet” you encounter might be pre-cum, rather than urine. **honkytonk** Yellow lenses cut out glare. They are great for skiing and in foggy conditions. Have you ever noticed that the best fog-lights are yellow or _amber_, not white/clear? IIRC, they do something to the blue-light that gives the eyes an easier time seeing the light (or whatever you are looking at) more clearly. ---
**Author:** ![Beadalin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Beadalin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beadalin)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2001, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877/78 "2001-05-22T16:14:27Z")
Thanks, rastahomie and thinksnow. thinksnow, I don’t think it’s pre-cum because it the penises in question (when am I ever going to be able to say that again?) weren’t hard at the time, and also had just emerged from the bathroom without being clothed in between. I’m just saying. ---
**Author:** ![thinksnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thinksnow/32/2849_2.png) [@thinksnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thinksnow)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2001, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877/79 "2001-05-22T16:46:08Z")
Well, **Beadalin** , it sounds like you’ve got yourself a case of Inconsiderate Lover[sup]TM[/sup]. This can be easily cured by refusal to touch said lover until the offensive item is properly washed and/or maintained. $0.02 🙂 My ex-fiancee use got on me about wiping, so when I’m home on in a private BR, I usually do dab, but I’ve never thought twice about the shake-and-tuck at a urinal. BTW, isn’t urine supposed to be sterile? Hey! A question: In the movie _Courage Under Fire_ there was a scene where the pharmacist kid told another guy that he could get rid of athletes foot by peeing on his feet in the shower. Any truth to that? ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2001, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877/80 "2001-05-22T17:43:28Z")
Oh, wow. Questions I’ve always been wanting to ask. That’s like giving me a blank check. I entertained the notion of asking things from the infamous list of questions that will get you drawn and quartered, but opted against it. So how about this: [ducking to avoid the flying objects and lightning bolts] Why are some people overly religious (I’m an agnostic bordering on Atheism)? If you were to travel back to ancient Greece or Rome or Egypt, the worshippers would be able to quote you chapter and verse, and show you signs that the gods that they believed in existed. It seems to me that we’re (meaning ALL religions, not to single out any one in particular) caught up in a late 20th-early 21st century mythology, and few people realize it (I realize the tone of this, but it’s not intended as anti-religion or an attempt to start a debate). It appears to me that religion defies conventional logic. [/ducking to avoid the flying objects and lightning bolts] [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877.md?page=5)