# 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:** 8
**Author:** ![Kerrigan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/49beb7/32.png) [@Kerrigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kerrigan)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2001, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877/141 "2001-06-09T06:10:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*\* > > 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’. \*\* FWIW, J.K. Rowling uses the word “ickle” many times for “little” in the Harry Potter books. Reading these, it was the first time I had seen that…spelling of it, even in baby talk. ---
**Author:** ![frock75](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ad7895/32.png) [@frock75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/frock75)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2001, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877/142 "2001-06-09T07:04:36Z")
I am humbled by my mistake. Sorry for posting more than one string with the same question. Didn’t realize it would disrupt the order of the universe. I was curious and I am new to the boards. ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2001, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877/143 "2001-06-09T13:18:54Z")
friend fogglethorpe, > [@](#): > > Why the hell do you people keep electing Ted Kennedy to the Senate? \ > [@](#): > > He was a staunch supporter of the most corrupt president in history. Ted Kennedy was a staunch supporter of Richard Nixon??? Why wasn’t I informed of this?? ---
**Author:** ![Weird\_AL\_Einstein](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c67d28/32.png) [@Weird\_AL\_Einstein](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weird_AL_Einstein)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2001, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877/144 "2001-06-10T07:15:24Z")
1 Is there any reason people say “my ass is grass” other than the fact that it rhymes? Ditto for “soap on a rope”. 2 What is the difference between zero and nothing? 3 Is the Hokey Pokey really what it’s all about? 4 If I said “This is my Japanese lawyer, Mr. Sosume” would it be a bad joke or a very bad joke? ---
**Author:** ![DRY](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a87d85/32.png) [@DRY](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DRY)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2001, 10:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877/145 "2001-06-10T10:48:57Z")
“I Want to Know the truth: Who here at the SDMB likes…” _fleeing_ ---
**Author:** ![imthjckaz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/imthjckaz/32/3223_2.png) [@imthjckaz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/imthjckaz)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2001, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877/146 "2001-06-10T15:56:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by DRY \* > \*\*“I Want to Know the truth: Who here at the SDMB likes…” > > _fleeing_ \*\* **BAAAWAAAHAAAHAAAHAAAHAAAA** :)🙂 Ok **DRY** , now I have a question, how do I get coffee out of my keyboard? ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2001, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877/147 "2001-06-10T17:36:22Z")
> [@](#): > > 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, no one has posted the entire correct answer yet, although it has been pointed out that we are able to “shake it dry” (some dissenting opinions subsequently posted) and a couple of subsequent posters, alluding to those dissenting opinions regarding our ability to do that, pointed out that “no matter how you shake and dance, the last 3 drops go in the pants”. So here’s the straight dope: Our structures differ from yours, Ms. OP. The female urethra, as everyone will recall from threads about UTIs, is a short little tube. After you female folk pee, places were urine exists would be a) bladder (residual). Not important for this discussion. b) urethra. Very little remaining in the 1/2 inch tube. c) vicinity of opening – surface of labia, short n curlies d) toilet, or other intended target. Not important for this discussion. So you take some paper and blot, which addresses location c above. After us male folks pee, places where urine exists would be a) bladder (residual) Not important for this discussion. b) urethra. Maybe more still in the hose for us than spritzed on labial surfaces for you girly folk. A tablespoon or more, perhaps. c) vicinity of opening. very very little. The surrounding surfaces curve AWAY from the urethral opening, and if any remains it remains right smack dab on the tip of the urethra itself. d) toilet, or other intended target. Not importnat for this discussion. OK, so why don’t we take some paper and blot? Because a) By itself it wouldn’t accomplish much. Blot the surface and a tiny amount is absorbed from the tip, not addressing the tablespoon+ that’s in the urethra, waiting to run out into our underwear or down our leg. b) Because the shaking method does so much more. It flings out what’s in the urethra to a substantial extent, and flings it on out and into the toilet. It doesn’t leave behind a puddle on the penis head for reasons discussed above. Yeah, but why does your male lover still come to bed with a wet wick if this shaking thing is so damn effective, you may ask? Well, because that long and elastic urethra still contains some urine that the shaking and dancing doesn’t dislodge. Or, as the poets have said, “No matter how you shake and dance, the last three drops go in your pants”. Or elsewhere. Generally a few seconds later. And blotting with toilet paper wouldn’t have changed that. It’s the downside of having a long urethra. So now you know. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2001, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877/148 "2001-06-10T21:28:30Z")
What’s the deal with “3124” as the sig line that many people see to have? Haj ---
**Author:** ![Rasa](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rasa/32/3578_2.png) [@Rasa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rasa)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2001, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877/149 "2001-06-10T21:45:44Z")
Haj, the 3124 is the number of posts WallyM7, a beloved poster here who died, had at the time of his death. Took me forever to figure that one out too. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2001, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877/150 "2001-06-10T23:10:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Joyfulgirl \* > \*\*And finally, what does [Shibby](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=73069) mean? (C’mon matt, don’t make me beg!) \*\* Hehe…as a fellow devotee of [Boy Meets Boy](http://boymeetsboy.keenspace.com), I can tell you for certain that it means “cool” in varying degrees of coolness. “Shibby” generally covers the whole range from “Oh, that’s cool…” to “Whoa!” Sandra, the creator of the comic, says she stole it from a friend of hers (the lead singer for the punk band Lylah, for those who might know of them) and it also showed up in the movie _Dude, Where’s My Car?_. jayjay ---
**Author:** ![Casey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Casey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2001, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877/151 "2001-06-10T23:15:24Z")
What is a “saxamaphone”? Where did it come from? Why do all the eleven-year olds I know giggle wildly whenever they hear this word? ---
**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 10, 2001, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877/152 "2001-06-10T23:35:54Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Casey \* > \*\*What is a “saxamaphone”? > > Where did it come from? > > Why do all the eleven-year olds I know giggle wildly whenever they hear this word? \*\* It is a _Simpsons_ reference. “Saxamaphone” is the way Homer pronounces saxophone. ---
**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 11, 2001, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877/153 "2001-06-11T01:04:19Z")
Isn’t amazing how big a part of pop culture Simpsons is? ---
**Author:** ![DRY](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a87d85/32.png) [@DRY](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DRY)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2001, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877/154 "2001-06-11T06:49:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by imthjckaz \* > \*\ ***BAAAWAAAHAAAHAAAHAAAHAAAA** :)🙂 > > Ok **DRY** , now I have a question, how do I get coffee out of my keyboard? \*\* I don’t have an answer for you there, sorry. I’d just continue to use the keyboard and blame any typos on the coffee residue therein. As for my previous post, I was torn between that reference and a reference to “All on your base…” ---
**Author:** ![jmonster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/dbc845/32.png) [@jmonster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jmonster)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2001, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877/155 "2001-06-11T16:51:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by mongrel\_8 \* > \*\*I have one that I have wondered about for a long time. > > Who is this Cecil Adams guy that everyone keeps talking about? :rolleyes: \*\* It’s Ed Zotti’s pen name. :ducking: ---
**Author:** ![furryman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/furryman/32/99_2.png) [@furryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furryman)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2001, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877/156 "2001-06-11T22:30:08Z")
Questions, I’ve got questions. 1. What does TMI stand for and why would someone want to post a TMI thread? 2. Let’s say for the sake of argument that UFO abductions actually happen, why would you tell anyone that it happened to you? I sure wouldn’t 3. Why is this :wally called a wally? 4. I know the origin of the silver age bottle city of Kandor, I was wondering what the origin of the current one was. 5. What was the point of the end of the movie Brazil? 6. Can I get a program that would allow me to add smilies to my Microsoft Word documents? 7. Are the words Narcotic and Narcosis related to the plant and or person Narcissis? If so, why? 8. Is there any difference between a message board and a bulletin board? 9. Are there any theories as to why Leprosy virtually vanished several centuries ago? 10. Why wasn’t John Wayne drafted? 11. What does VCR stand for? ---
**Author:** ![Jeannie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e480ec/32.png) [@Jeannie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeannie)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2001, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877/157 "2001-06-12T00:37:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by furryman \* > \*\*Questions, I’ve got questions. > > 1. What does TMI stand for and why would someone want to post a TMI thread?\*\* TMI = Too Much Information. I guess they would post it to share and/or get others to share interesting, if perhaps icky, personal info. \*\* > [@](#): > > 1. Let’s say for the sake of argument that UFO abductions actually happen, why would you tell anyone that it happened to you? I sure wouldn’t\*\* I would probably tell my husband. He’d be the most likely to believe me, and even he would question my sanity. \*\* > [@](#): > > 1. Why is this :wally called a wally?\*\* It’s named after **WallyM7** , a much beloved poster who died almost a year ago (the anniversary is next week, if I have my dates correct). He was famous (actually infamous) for calling people a putz. But only if they deserved it. After he died, it was decided to make the :wally so that he would be remembered (though anyone who knew him could hardly forget), and so that he would always be a part of these boards. \*\* > [@](#): > > 1. Why wasn’t John Wayne drafted?\*\* He got a pass on that. I forget what it’s called, although I’m almost positive Cecil covered it in a column once. IIRC, it had something to do with him being a great moral supporter of the war, due to his patriotic films. Someone else can probably answer that better than I can. \*\* > [@](#): > > 1. What does VCR stand for? \*\* VCR = Video Cassette Recorder As for the rest of your questions, I don’t know. Someone should be along shortly to enlighten us all. (Assuming I haven’t simulposted with someone already). ---
**Author:** ![south333](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5f9b8f/32.png) [@south333](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/south333)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2001, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877/158 "2001-06-12T02:15:32Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ell \* > \*\ ***brewha** : It was from a badly translated (Japanese to English) game. Wing Commander 2 I think. > ummm where is the beef? \*\* LOL haha. It was at my friends house hehe. (My friends kidnapped the cow from the school, and no a cow is not our masscot, and put up that sign for their senior prank, lame but funny) And now to read the rest of this realllllllly long thread ---
**Author:** ![south333](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5f9b8f/32.png) [@south333](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/south333)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2001, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877/159 "2001-06-12T02:42:44Z")
What does IIRC mean?? - man this thread is long!\* ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2001, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877/160 "2001-06-12T02:57:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by south333 \* > \*\*What does IIRC mean?? > > - man this thread is long!\* \*\* It means: If I recall correctly. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-youve-always-been-wanting-to-ask/65877.md?page=9)