# There's clueless, then there's "how do you remember how to breathe" clueless **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 28, 2024, 8:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-clueless-then-theres-how-do-you-remember-how-to-breathe-clueless/1007938 "2024-09-28T08:44:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2024, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-clueless-then-theres-how-do-you-remember-how-to-breathe-clueless/1007938/161 "2024-10-03T23:57:13Z")
> [@Lucas\_Jackson](#): > > I’m 69 and have used a lot of public toilets Testify, brother! ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2024, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-clueless-then-theres-how-do-you-remember-how-to-breathe-clueless/1007938/162 "2024-10-04T00:22:14Z")
> [@bob\_2](#): > > I am on floor six waiting to go down on one of the two elevators, having pressed the down button, and someone comes and presses it again. _Do they assume I am too stupid to do it myself?_ To be fair, given people in general, that’s a pretty safe assumption. > [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > You shoulda told him it’s 87.9 billion smoots. No, no, no, it needs to be a metric measurement. So 87.9 gigasmoots. > [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > What drives a mathematician to turn moving furniture into a formal paper? Probably inspired by Douglas Adams. > [@thorny\_locust](#): > > “A pint’s a pound > The world around.” > > (Old saying. Works mostly for approximations of things made mostly of water.) And for approximations of “the world” meaning “just the US”. In the UK, a pint of clear water weighs a pound and a quarter. ---
**Author:** ![Tatterdemalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/43a26b/32.png) [@Tatterdemalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tatterdemalion)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2024, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-clueless-then-theres-how-do-you-remember-how-to-breathe-clueless/1007938/163 "2024-10-04T00:24:26Z")
> [@Slithy\_Tove](#): > > Like when they have yaws? \ What’s Yaws? \ ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2024, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-clueless-then-theres-how-do-you-remember-how-to-breathe-clueless/1007938/164 "2024-10-04T00:33:57Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > And for approximations of “the world” meaning “just the US”. In the UK, a pint of clear water weighs a pound and a quarter. You’ve got me there. I entirely forgot that there’s more than one size of pint. ---
**Author:** ![Kropotkin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kropotkin/32/18045_2.png) [@Kropotkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kropotkin)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2024, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-clueless-then-theres-how-do-you-remember-how-to-breathe-clueless/1007938/165 "2024-10-04T00:35:30Z")
Depends. Are you using troy ounces to convert? ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2024, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-clueless-then-theres-how-do-you-remember-how-to-breathe-clueless/1007938/166 "2024-10-04T01:11:33Z")
> [@abcdefghij](#): > > Sometimes they’re upside-down That makes sense. Thanks. Port and starboard are a 2-D thing. While aviation (except for really old video games) only comes in 3-D. I kneecapped myself by initially only thinking of commercial aviation which is never supposed to be upside-down,\* while other aircraft roll around as part of a normal day at the office. \*But ya never know. I’m sure it wouldn’t take long to learn from Uncle Google about wacky inverted airliner antics. ---
**Author:** ![abcdefghij](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/43a26b/32.png) [@abcdefghij](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/abcdefghij)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2024, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-clueless-then-theres-how-do-you-remember-how-to-breathe-clueless/1007938/167 "2024-10-04T01:24:36Z")
I didn’t actually intend that to e taken seriously. From the pilot’s perspective, the port wing is still the port wing and the starboard wing is still the starboard wing, no matter how sick and terrified the folks are back in steerage. I don’t know why aviators don’t use post and starboard. Probably too many Air Force pilots were allowed to vote. ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2024, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-clueless-then-theres-how-do-you-remember-how-to-breathe-clueless/1007938/168 "2024-10-04T01:46:28Z")
> [@Tatterdemalion](#): > > What’s Yaws? \ “Why, thanks! I’ll have a beer.” ---
**Author:** ![Tatterdemalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/43a26b/32.png) [@Tatterdemalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tatterdemalion)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2024, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-clueless-then-theres-how-do-you-remember-how-to-breathe-clueless/1007938/169 "2024-10-04T02:06:55Z")
You’re welcome. I can’t ever pass up a good straight line. ---
**Author:** ![Briny\_Deep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/briny_deep/32/17188_2.png) [@Briny\_Deep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Briny_Deep)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2024, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-clueless-then-theres-how-do-you-remember-how-to-breathe-clueless/1007938/170 "2024-10-04T02:34:40Z")
What an image. I’ll take Flights You Do Not Want To Be On for $1,000, Alex. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2024, 10:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-clueless-then-theres-how-do-you-remember-how-to-breathe-clueless/1007938/171 "2024-10-04T10:54:33Z")
> [@Kropotkin](#): > > Depends. Are you using troy ounces to convert? I’m using avoirdupois meters. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2024, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-clueless-then-theres-how-do-you-remember-how-to-breathe-clueless/1007938/172 "2024-10-04T13:42:42Z")
> [@Briny\_Deep](#): > > What an image. I’ll take Flights You Do Not Want To Be On for $1,000, Alex. Heh, that brings back memories. My dad and I did a spin like that (intentionally) once in our old Fairchild PT-26. That was a hell of an adventure. What a ride it was!! ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2024, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-clueless-then-theres-how-do-you-remember-how-to-breathe-clueless/1007938/173 "2024-10-04T13:50:57Z")
> [@abcdefghij](#): > > I don’t know why aviators don’t use post and starboard. Probably too many Air Force pilots were allowed to vote. [Starboard](https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=36a5aede6ef96498&rlz=1C1SQJL_enTW869TW869&sxsrf=ADLYWIIOEaHGIr806khkItt2dbrmToLo1Q:1728049318708&q=starboard&si=ACC90nytWkp8tIhRuqKAL6XWXX-NBR-G23g7F8GKQNULaiwBL7yGvWG3wW3lj0plrEyGkzeefZ7mePOqXLxRWUGbipHVKhxEAsLHhnyaIJwMX_Oce_mgFCY%3D&expnd=1&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiZy66u7fSIAxXUia8BHaB2G2oQ2v4IegQIEhAV&biw=1151&bih=533&dpr=1.65) comes from: > [@](#): > > Old English _stēorbord_ ‘rudder side’ (see [steer](https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=36a5aede6ef96498&rlz=1C1SQJL_enTW869TW869&sxsrf=ADLYWIIOEaHGIr806khkItt2dbrmToLo1Q:1728049318708&q=steer&si=ACC90nwXlEU2j3qee_ajN1FbIPWBnxDd9UkfQK3DciQXKuxxqobdexlkAUA2cPLuZmllYutmj36fw3T6ynxhjVA7M3vWogC2xQ%3D%3D&expnd=1&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiZy66u7fSIAxXUia8BHaB2G2oQgCt6BAgSEA8)1, [board](https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=36a5aede6ef96498&rlz=1C1SQJL_enTW869TW869&sxsrf=ADLYWIIOEaHGIr806khkItt2dbrmToLo1Q:1728049318708&q=board&si=ACC90nwXlEU2j3qee_ajN1FbIPWBfAqCCU1j7DxCoykyXQqFsiO72fwxPV6YDRgK1bXoeyo--VELyM9Xk8hGYXKDGq_o_mqwYw%3D%3D&expnd=1&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiZy66u7fSIAxXUia8BHaB2G2oQgCt6BAgSEBA)), because early Teutonic sailing vessels were steered with a paddle over the right side. Planes don’t require paddles over the right side, hence right and left. Other than that, I got nothing. ---
**Author:** ![abcdefghij](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/43a26b/32.png) [@abcdefghij](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/abcdefghij)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2024, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-clueless-then-theres-how-do-you-remember-how-to-breathe-clueless/1007938/174 "2024-10-04T14:04:25Z")
> [@TokyoBayer](#): > > Planes don’t require paddles over the right side, hence right and left. In my time in the submarine service, it was quite rare for us to stick a paddle over the side ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2024, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-clueless-then-theres-how-do-you-remember-how-to-breathe-clueless/1007938/175 "2024-10-04T17:58:17Z")
I’m sure it was true of Anglo-Saxon submarines. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.winston_oboogie/32/2945_2.png) [@Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Winston_OBoogie)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2024, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-clueless-then-theres-how-do-you-remember-how-to-breathe-clueless/1007938/176 "2024-10-04T18:10:04Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > > [@Chronos](#): > > > > And for approximations of “the world” meaning “just the US”. In the UK, a pint of clear water weighs a pound and a quarter. > > You’ve got me there. I entirely forgot that there’s more than one size of pint. I believe it all stems from there’s 16 oz in a pound and 16 fluid ounces in a pint (standard for liquid measurement, especially in household uses), as opposed to meaning 16 fluid ounces of … whatever weighs one pound. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2024, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-clueless-then-theres-how-do-you-remember-how-to-breathe-clueless/1007938/177 "2024-10-04T18:33:06Z")
It used to be a 16 oz. of water that weighed a pound but then someone changed it without telling me. Don’t know where they got a 20 oz. pint from but I’m guessing it was related to that stuff they drink that is similar to warm beer. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2024, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-clueless-then-theres-how-do-you-remember-how-to-breathe-clueless/1007938/178 "2024-10-04T21:23:12Z")
I belong to a brewery mug club. My pint is 20 ounces. I also can drink Saturday new releases on Friday night! ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2024, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-clueless-then-theres-how-do-you-remember-how-to-breathe-clueless/1007938/179 "2024-10-05T11:04:06Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > And for approximations of “the world” meaning “just the US”. In the UK, a pint of clear water weighs a pound and a quarter. But how many pounds does it cost? ---
**Author:** ![abcdefghij](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/43a26b/32.png) [@abcdefghij](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/abcdefghij)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2024, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-clueless-then-theres-how-do-you-remember-how-to-breathe-clueless/1007938/180 "2024-10-05T11:06:52Z")
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