# 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:** 7
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2001, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877/121 "2001-06-07T15:16:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Badtz Maru \* > > You’re joking, right? About Florida being under Texas… \*\* No, I wasn’t joking. Don’t you know how **BIG** Texas is? Alabama, Texas — what’s the diff? O.K., I was mistaken, damnit! It was midnight and I was in stupid question mode and all the drugs I took as a teenager are finally catching up to me and. . . Well, which part is the panhandle? ---
**Author:** ![lurkernomore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@lurkernomore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lurkernomore)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2001, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877/122 "2001-06-07T15:24:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Biggirl \* > \*\*Well, which part is the panhandle? \*\* The skinny western part, as opposed to the peninsula. The part that looks like it could be a handle. ---
**Author:** ![AwSnappity](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a3d4f5/32.png) [@AwSnappity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AwSnappity)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2001, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877/123 "2001-06-07T16:35:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by don Jaime \* > **Yes, Gadget Girl, ammonia DOES work on jellyfish stings. I speak from experience. Urine probably works, too, but I’ve never had to resort to it.** I don’t know how credible this is… On MTV’s _Jackass_ (I must admit, I’m a sucker for that show), Steve-O went “bobbing for jellyfish.” They were going to put a jellyfish in a fishtank and he would basically stick his head in it. Before they did the stunt, the professional zoologist (or whoever) told him to urinate in a milk jug because he would need it later. He later poured it all over his face, and the pain was somewhat relieved. ---
**Author:** ![GrizzRich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7ba0ec/32.png) [@GrizzRich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrizzRich)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2001, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877/124 "2001-06-07T16:54:54Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by honkytonkwillie \* > \*\*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? \*\* Or, they could be dyslexic. Colored lenses, to some suffering from dyslexia, help to alleviate to symptoms that they have. It doesn’t work for all of those who have it. And patients differ as to the color with which they respond best. ---
**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:** [June 7, 2001, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877/125 "2001-06-07T18:23:14Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by lurkernomore \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by Biggirl \* > > \*\*Well, which part is the panhandle? \*\* > > The skinny western part, as opposed to the peninsula. The part that looks like it could be a handle. \*\* More specifically, if you look at a map with cities, it’s the part that runs roughly from Tallahassee to Pensacola. ---
**Author:** ![mongrel\_8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@mongrel\_8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mongrel_8)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2001, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877/126 "2001-06-08T01:58:45Z")
The panhandle is the part that as you so eloquently put it is the part that “is under Texas” or Alabama if you want to resort to the real name of the state. Now is anybody gonna answer my Cecil question? ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2001, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877/127 "2001-06-08T03:07:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by lurkernomore \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by Biggirl \* > > \*\*Well, which part is the panhandle? \*\* > > The skinny western part, as opposed to the peninsula. The part that looks like it could be a handle. \*\* Hrm…In this age of ergonomics, I would say that the peninsula part actually looks more like a handle. Yeah, yeah, I know. Ix-nay on the itpick-nay. 😛 I believe that _deus ex machina_ means “hand of god.” As mentioned before, it refers to an event (or turn of events) in a story that is so improbable that it can only be explained as divine intervention. Stephen King’s _The Stand_ contains a rather literal example of this. Trashcan Man brings Flagg a nuclear warhead–it is a hand-shaped bolt of lightning that detonates the weapon. (At least it was hand-shaped in the wretched mini-series…I’ve read the unexpurgated book several times, but I don’t remember exactly.) ---
**Author:** ![Joyfulgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f04885/32.png) [@Joyfulgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joyfulgirl)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2001, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877/128 "2001-06-08T03:49:45Z")
Hopefully none of these are offensive, but… What does **Uber** mean? What does **w00t** mean? What does **Feeb** mean (Please please please don’t let that one be offensive.) And finally, what does [Shibby](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=73069) mean? (C’mon **matt** , don’t make me beg!) ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Lao](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/2bfe46/32.png) [@Dr.Lao](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Lao)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2001, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877/129 "2001-06-08T04:27:14Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Joyfulgirl \* > **What does Uber mean?** Über is German and it most often translates to super in English. It means super in the sense of “greater than” and “above and beyond.” > [@](#): > > **What does w00t mean?** I have no idea where it comes from, but generally means an expression of joy and excitement. Synonymous with “yay!” or “hooray!” > [@](#): > > **What does Feeb mean (Please please please don’t let that one be offensive.)** I believe that this is short for “feeble” or “feeble minded.” I’m not sure how offensive it is. It basically means “stupid” but it implies that a person is metally ill as well. Probably wise to steer clear of it. ---
**Author:** ![Joyfulgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f04885/32.png) [@Joyfulgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joyfulgirl)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2001, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877/130 "2001-06-08T04:46:20Z")
**Dr. Lao** , thanks. Now I can use those terms with reckless abandon (with the exception of “feeb”. Doesn’t really seem like my style). I wonder if _anybody_ knows what **Shibby** means. I think it means “cool”, but I’d like to be a little more certain before I use it and am told it actually means “native of Idaho” or something equally embarrassing. ---
**Author:** ![Chef\_Troy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/85f322/32.png) [@Chef\_Troy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chef_Troy)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2001, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877/131 "2001-06-08T12:20:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Green Bean \* > I believe that _deus ex machina_ means “hand of god.” As mentioned before, it refers to an event (or turn of events) in a story that is so improbable that it can only be explained as divine intervention. > > Stephen King’s _The Stand_ contains a rather literal example of this. Trashcan Man brings Flagg a nuclear warhead–it is a hand-shaped bolt of lightning that detonates the weapon. (At least it was hand-shaped in the wretched mini-series…I’ve read the unexpurgated book several times, but I don’t remember exactly.) \*\* The literal translation of _deus ex machina_ is "god out of (or “from”) the machine. “Hand of God” would be _Manus Dei_ (check me on that, Latin scholars). ---
**Author:** ![Skerri](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f04885/32.png) [@Skerri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skerri)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2001, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877/132 "2001-06-08T13:11:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by don Jaime \* > **Nobody wants to touch Kennedy/Thurmond?** Well, I wouldn’t want to touch them… Speaking as a South Carolinian, I have to say the only reason good ol’ Strom was never booted out was because he’s kind of like a historical figure. Hey, we’re all about preserving things here. You can’t paint your house downtown unless you paint it the same color it’s always been. I do have to say that Strom has been lucky to have aides (who we all know do the real work) and I for one thank God that he is not running for re-election. (Can you imagine him having his 100th birthday party while at work?) We do realize that he is an old codger that probably should have left a long time ago. Whenever there is a question on Jeopardy about the Civil War, my father invariably answers “STROM THURMOND!” Also, the local paper had people guess what was going to be found inside the Hunley submarine when it was raised. The number one answer? A bumper sticker that said “Don’t blame me, I voted for Strom Thurmond.” I can’t think of any questions I must have answered, so I may post later… ---
**Author:** ![Tygr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/df788c/32.png) [@Tygr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tygr)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2001, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877/133 "2001-06-08T13:47:15Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Green Bean \* > **Hrm…In this age of ergonomics, I would say that the peninsula part actually looks more like a handle.** Well I can’t walk away from this without quoting the only thing I ever heard Gallagher say that was funny: > [@](#): > > I’ve always liked the shape of the state of Florida, 'cause it looks like we’re pissing on Cuba. I like that! Change the state motto from “Florida: America’s Vacation Spot” to “Florida: America’s Dangly Bits”. 🙂 But which section is the panhandle of Texas? ---
**Author:** ![Starbury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f04885/32.png) [@Starbury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starbury)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2001, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877/134 "2001-06-08T14:32:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by dlgirl \* > \*\*I saw this on another [board](http://www.placeboforum.com/vb/search.php?s=&action=showresults&searchid=14972&sortby=lastpost&sortorder=descending)(sorry if you find anything offensive, it is not my fault). What exactly does the word “ickle” mean? Have I been living under a rock all this time? I can only guess that it means “little”.😕 > > \*\* Yeah, it does mean “little.” Seems to be used mostly when adults are talking to infants, though I see it used a lot in flamewars on various newsgroups. Not really sure of the origin, but I suspect it comes from the Jamaican pronunciation of ‘little’ as ‘likkle’. ---
**Author:** ![AwSnappity](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a3d4f5/32.png) [@AwSnappity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AwSnappity)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2001, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877/135 "2001-06-08T16:22:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Tygr \* > **Change the state motto from “Florida: America’s Vacation Spot” to “Florida: America’s Dangly Bits”. 🙂** Homer: Florida?! That’s America’s whang! Psychiatrist: They prefer to be called “The Sunshine State.” -_The Simpsons_ ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2001, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877/136 "2001-06-08T21:20:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by racinchikki \* > \*\*My automatic transmission has the following gears: > > P R N D 2 1 > > I know the first four, but what the hell are 2 and 1, and when should I be using them? > \*\* The answers to this thus far have been rather incomplete. You can search the web for an in-depth answer, or simply read your owner’s manual for your car. Funny how few people think of things like that. RTFM! Anyway, an automatic transmission has gears just like a manual tranmission, but there’s a complicated mechanism that shifts for you. Your automatic transmission appears to be a 3-speed, that is, there are three gears. It shifts from one to the next as you accelerate, with the third gear being the “tallest” gear, i.e. the one you need on the highway. The 2 and 1 positions _limit_ the transmission to those respective gears, preventing the transmission from shifting to the next higher gear. Why would you use these? Sadly, few drivers who don’t know how to drive a manual transmission car understand this. There are a number of scenarios, among them: 1. Driving down a long descent, thus using the engine to help slow the car (known as “engine braking”) and avoiding overheating the brakes. 2. Driving up a steep hill, to avoid straining the engine in low RPM. 3. When towing something, which causes the above conditions to be potentially more serious. Some misguided folks who drive automatics seem to think that these positions should never be used. Not so! Consult your car’s manual. Hope this helps. ---
**Author:** ![Gregor\_Samsa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a6a055/32.png) [@Gregor\_Samsa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gregor_Samsa)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2001, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877/137 "2001-06-08T22:02:57Z")
Can you really take a cab from Manhattan to Connecticut? I saw this on a re-run of _Sex and the City_ and thought, “No, there’s no way. That would be prohibitively expensive.” But, is it? Do people do this on a regular basis? ---
**Author:** ![VitrolicBump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a587f6/32.png) [@VitrolicBump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VitrolicBump)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2001, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877/138 "2001-06-09T01:00:31Z")
**Starbury** , thank you for your answer. It’s not like I have been up all night thinking about this, but when I’m reading something I would like to know what words mean. I can now go back to reading that particular board (although not as much as this lovely board!). ---
**Author:** ![Sparteye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Sparteye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparteye)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2001, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877/139 "2001-06-09T02:05:01Z")
> [@](#): > > _originally posted by joyfulgirl_ > > it actually means “native of Idaho” or something equally embarrassing Have a lot of friends from Idaho, do ya, joyfulgirl? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Joyfulgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f04885/32.png) [@Joyfulgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joyfulgirl)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2001, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877/140 "2001-06-09T04:19:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Sparteye \* > \*\* Have a lot of friends from Idaho, do ya, joyfulgirl? 🙂 \*\* Ahem. Perhaps I should clarify. Not only do I have friends from Idaho, but family. People from Idaho are WONDERFUL! They are some of the best people in the _world_! They are smart, funny, and kind. They are better people than I could ever _dream_ of being. I love them! They rock! [sub]Ok grandma, can you put the gun away now? Haha. Please?[/sub] That said, I still wouldn’t want to have something like this happen - Me: “You know, you’re pretty **Shibby**.” Good looking person I’m talking to: “No, I’m from Chicago, you dork.” Me, trying to play it cool: “Yeah, well, that’s what I meant. Heh” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877.md?page=8)