# Straight dope? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 12, 2026, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope/1033768 "2026-10-12T04:59:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Stassi20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@Stassi20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stassi20)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2026, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope/1033768/1 "2026-10-12T04:59:42Z")
Brand new to this platform, and I’m curious to know if anyone knows what the true meaning of the word “dope” actually is? Probably not what you think.. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2026, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope/1033768/2 "2026-10-12T05:08:16Z")
Welcome. The term “Straight Dope” has nothing to do with drugs- > **[straight dope - Wiktionary, the free dictionary](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/straight_dope)** > ### **Noun** > > **[straight](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/straight#English "straight") [dope](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/dope#English "dope")** (_[uncountable](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Appendix:Glossary#uncountable "Appendix:Glossary")_) > > 1. (_[slang](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Appendix:Glossary#slang "Appendix:Glossary")_) The true [information](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/information#English "information"); the [whole story](https://en.wiktionary.org/w/index.php?title=whole_story&action=edit&redlink=1 "whole story (page does not exist)") ---
**Author:** ![GreysonCarlisle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a87d85/32.png) [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2026, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope/1033768/3 "2026-10-12T05:29:58Z")
Hiya and welcome! If you’re interested in words and their origins, you’ll find many wordsmiths and linguists of varying stripes here. Enjoy! ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2026, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope/1033768/4 "2026-10-12T05:51:00Z")
The true meaning of the word “dope” in this context is “information”. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2026, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope/1033768/5 "2026-10-12T08:14:31Z")
The idea that words have one true meaning is a nonsense. A few words, usually specialized vocabulary, have one narrow agreed meaning. The vast majority of words, or at least English words such as “dope” are meaning mongrels, and trying to elevate one meaning as strictly more legitimate as the others is just silly. Bu welcome to our silly club. We hope you’ll hang out a bit and enjoy the conversation. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2026, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope/1033768/6 "2026-10-12T08:23:32Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Bu welcome to our silly club. We hope you’ll hang out a bit and enjoy the conversation. “Silly club” sums this place up well. We can get deadly serious at times, but we can also laugh with each other, commiserate with each other, prop each other up if necessary, and otherwise have a good time here. We all have varying backgrounds and expertise, so if you’ve got a question about pretty much anything, ask away. Likely that one or more of us can answer it … err, that is, give you the Straight Dope on it. 😉 Welcome! ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2026, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope/1033768/7 "2026-10-12T12:51:17Z")
Be sure to check out our sister publication — it’s all about plumbing — called **The Pipe Dope**. 🤪 ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2026, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope/1033768/8 "2026-10-12T13:02:10Z")
Not to be confused with **The Dope Pipe**. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2026, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope/1033768/9 "2026-10-12T13:03:47Z")
Dave’s not here, maaaaan! 😁 ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2026, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope/1033768/10 "2026-10-12T16:51:54Z")
> [@Stassi20](#): > > …if anyone knows what the true meaning of the word “dope” actually is? _Probably not what you think_ Answered in 1. So, just curious, what did YOU think we thought it meant? ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2026, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope/1033768/11 "2026-10-12T17:11:13Z")
I know a use for “dope”. I live with a couple of them. ☺ ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2026, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope/1033768/12 "2026-10-12T17:14:24Z")
The real question is the meaning of “straight”. Is this message board the heterosexual moron? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2026, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope/1033768/13 "2026-10-12T17:16:27Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > Be sure to check out our sister publication — it’s all about plumbing — called **The Pipe Dope**. 🤪 > [@Gyrate](#): > > Not to be confused with **The Dope Pipe**. Or talk gravity sports at **The Half Pipe**. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2026, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope/1033768/14 "2026-10-12T17:19:49Z")
We are the “smartest and hippest” So we are “Dope” you might say. (Except the dipsticks) ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2026, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope/1033768/15 "2026-10-12T17:32:49Z")
Beware of **Take 5 Oil Change**! They busted off the dipstick in the tube and then wouldn’t replace it without “persuasion.” ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2026, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope/1033768/16 "2026-10-12T17:37:38Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > The real question is the meaning of “straight”. Is this message board the heterosexual moron? No, ‘straight’ in this context means that the dope is pure and uncut. Uncut truth, untainted with any falsehood filler, that is. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2026, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope/1033768/17 "2026-10-12T17:44:10Z")
Our newfound friend showed up around midnight Eastern. I wonder if / when they will return? ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2026, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope/1033768/18 "2026-10-12T17:44:50Z")
… And if substances were involved ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2026, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope/1033768/19 "2026-10-12T17:47:50Z")
Eh. If we had a magic substance impairment detector and magicked away every Dope post ever made while non-sober, I bet this place would look very different. Kinda like somebody took a shotgun to each thread. And double-barrelled the fun ones. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2026, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope/1033768/20 "2026-10-12T17:52:10Z")
I think a slightly more current word meaning approximately the same thing would be "tea’. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope/1033768.md?page=2)