# Things you are shocked people don't know **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 19, 2016, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-are-shocked-people-dont-know/766348 "2016-09-19T14:50:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-are-shocked-people-dont-know/766348/81 "2016-09-20T13:44:59Z")
Chalk me up to the “I never knew why things weren’t dishwasher safe and assumed it was the heat” too. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-are-shocked-people-dont-know/766348/82 "2016-09-20T13:59:24Z")
I ran into a Sears sales clerk years ago who had no idea what Velcro was. Not only did she not know what it was by the brand name, she still had no idea what it was after I explained it at length, giving several examples of how it’s used and an audio demonstration of the noise it makes. I was nearly apoplectic by the conversation’s end. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-are-shocked-people-dont-know/766348/83 "2016-09-20T14:53:43Z")
I haven’t read this whole thread, so forgive me if this has been pointed out at any length You CAN put metal in the microwave. It won’t necessarily blow up, or something. Many microwavable foods come with a metal ring or metal element that goes into the oven. People microwave spoons (left in cups by mistake) all the time. At my first job, there was a sign on the micreowave in the lunch room warning against putting metal in it. One of the scientist put a note on it, proclaiming this a myth. Have a look here for More Than You Wanted To Know about it: > **[What’s Up With That: Metal in the Microwave Explodes—Or Does It?](https://www.wired.com/2014/05/wuwt-microwave-metal/)** > > Your microwave: It heats up your leftovers, pops your popcorn, and makes your old coffee slightly less awful. Chances are, you’re not using it as much as you used to. But if there’s one thing we all know it’s that you should never, ever put metal in... The bottom line: > [@](#): > > So, as long as the metal you put in the microwave is thick, smooth, not near anything flammable and preferably buried in food (but not grapes), everything will probably be fine. But really, the best idea is still to never put metal in the microwave. Spoons aren’t bad. Foil and forks and twist ties are awful for microwaves. But there is one non-metallic thing you definitely should put in the microwave: An unbroken egg. It’ll explode. At one of my jobs a few years ago, the boss decided he was going to microwave an egg, but he was going to avoid the explosion. He put the egg in a cup full of water. The idea was that the microwaves would heat the water, which would then cook the egg. It didn’t work. The water didn’t absorb all the microwaves. The interior of the egg heated up, and it still exploded. IT BLEW THE DOOR OFF THE MICROWAVE. Scattered bits of partially-cooked egg everywhere, too. Smelled awful. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-are-shocked-people-dont-know/766348/84 "2016-09-20T15:16:46Z")
Guess nobody told your manager eggs are full of water. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-are-shocked-people-dont-know/766348/85 "2016-09-20T15:33:19Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > \*How to merge on a damn freeway from an acceleration ramp. Folks, people already on the highway have the right a way and should not have to speed up, slow down, or change lanes to adjust for you. However, it is common knowledge that it is polite to move over if there is no other car on the road and someone is merging on. YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-are-shocked-people-dont-know/766348/86 "2016-09-20T15:36:21Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > I am amazed at how many people don’t know it’s illegal to set a lower limit on a credit card in New Jersey. I tell a random customer ever day that “No we don’t have a limit on the card because that’s illegal.” Do you mean a minimum purchase to use a credit card at the store? Because those are legal, up to $10. > **[New Rules on Electronic Payments Lower Costs for Retailers](https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/new-rules-electronic-payments-lower-costs-retailers)** > > This guidance document also is available in Korean, Vietnamese, and Chinese. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-are-shocked-people-dont-know/766348/87 "2016-09-20T16:53:02Z")
> [@PrimalEnvy](#): > > That certain Newfoundlanders can’t name the capital of Labrador when asked. Funny in a sad way. Given that Labrador does not technically have a “capital,” it’s an understandable matter of confusion. ---
**Author:** ![Nawth\_Chucka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nawth\_Chucka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nawth_Chucka)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-are-shocked-people-dont-know/766348/88 "2016-09-20T16:56:53Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > Do you mean a minimum purchase to use a credit card at the store? Because those are legal, up to $10. > > [https://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/business-center/guidance/new-rules-electronic-payments-lower-costs-retailers](https://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/business-center/guidance/new-rules-electronic-payments-lower-costs-retailers) New Jersey may have a state law that supersedes this guide from the FTC. New Jersey has…interesting…laws. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-are-shocked-people-dont-know/766348/89 "2016-09-20T17:05:07Z")
> [@Nawth\_Chucka](#): > > New Jersey may have a state law that supersedes this guide from the FTC. New Jersey has…interesting…laws. Doesn’t federal law supersede state law? It’s not just a “guide” from the FTC, it was passed as part of Dodd-Frank in 2010. ---
**Author:** ![Pantastic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3bc359/32.png) [@Pantastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pantastic)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-are-shocked-people-dont-know/766348/90 "2016-09-20T17:29:56Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > You should have asked her why she had so many pairs of shoes. I tried analogy, but it just wouldn’t sink in. I really have no idea why this was such a hard thing for her, but it was. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-are-shocked-people-dont-know/766348/91 "2016-09-20T17:34:06Z")
An acquaintance of mine (a New York woman in her 40s or 50s) thought that the US population was 1 billion, and that 100 million houses had or were being foreclosed or in risk of being foreclosed. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-are-shocked-people-dont-know/766348/92 "2016-09-20T17:36:41Z")
> [@Why\_Child](#): > > If you cook a pound of hamburger, you’ll get about 5 ounces of grease. You’re supposed to drain that off. I think that’s what **Buttercup Smith** meant was the problem. 😕 Oh, I guess if it’s particularly fatty, sure. That’d be like 70-30 meat to get that amount of grease. There’s a good number of dishes I do that don’t have the browning step, like Cincinnati chili, for example. You just dump the meat into the sauce. I do the same for bolognese to maintain the soft texture. But even if I brown, I usually don’t drain the fat for my sloppy joes. I like my fat. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-are-shocked-people-dont-know/766348/93 "2016-09-20T17:45:15Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > I prefer both, if available. Nothing like hands on with someone who knows the tool. Yeah, I just don’t trust myself learning a potentially dangerous tool from instructions. _Maybe_ from a video (or several), but definitely with someone who knows their stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-are-shocked-people-dont-know/766348/94 "2016-09-20T17:48:04Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > \*How to merge on a damn freeway from an acceleration ramp. Folks, people already on the highway have the right a way and should not have to speed up, slow down, or change lanes to adjust for you. How to drive in the right line of the freeway, realizing that folk will be merging onto the highway, and acknowledging just because you merged on one exit back, you don’t own the fucking road. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-are-shocked-people-dont-know/766348/95 "2016-09-20T17:54:26Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > But there is one non-metallic thing you definitely should put in the microwave: > An unbroken egg. > > It’ll explode. > **[Amazon.com: Nordic Ware Kitchen & Dining Microwave Egg Boiler, 4 Capacity,...](https://www.amazon.com/Nordic-Ware-Microwave-Egg-Boiler/dp/B0007M2BN0)** > > Amazon.com: Nordic Ware Kitchen & Dining Microwave Egg Boiler, 4 Capacity, White: Egg Cookers: Home & Kitchen Naturally, I wouldn’t put an egg in the microwave otherwise, but the top of this is lined with metal that blocks the microwaves from hitting the eggs directly. They heat the water in the bottom half, which steams the eggs. I have one of these, and it makes perfect hard boiled eggs. ---
**Author:** ![Sario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sario/32/18580_2.png) [@Sario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sario)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-are-shocked-people-dont-know/766348/96 "2016-09-20T18:03:03Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > Doesn’t federal law supersede state law? It’s not just a “guide” from the FTC, it was passed as part of Dodd-Frank in 2010. Federal law is considered the higher law, but often states will pass laws that are stricter than the corresponding federal law. In those cases the stricter law will carry despite it being the lower law. ---
**Author:** ![Elemenopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b5e925/32.png) [@Elemenopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elemenopy)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-are-shocked-people-dont-know/766348/97 "2016-09-20T18:13:18Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > _teachers_… > “Johnny didn’t get all of his lunch ate, because he chose to spend time laying in the quiet area at the start of lunch time.” I swear I got that in a note the other day. I can’t think of a real-life subjunctive mistake, but I get them pretty regularly. Also, I get stuff like “Not getting their clean-up done on time, Johnny was one of several students who missed part of recess.” Bless your heart! (I mean that in the nicest way.) Aren’t you living in Indiana (as I am)? This is par for the course. This year, during kindergarten orientation, we had several parents asking for help filling out paperwork because they simply couldn’t read the very basic forms. The teachers aren’t pulled from a different stock. For a state that has such a plethora of high-ranking universities, it is amazing what passes for “educated” here. I do not count myself amongst the educated, just so you know. Nevertheless, if a primary school teacher can, at least, make herself/himself _understood_ by the average parent in these parts, I count that as a resounding win. I am not very prescriptivist, myself, so what you are describing sounds…not too bad. Your second example is grammatically incorrect, but in these parts that would be considered more “stilted” diction as opposed to flat-out “wrong.” In other words, the teacher was “trying,” so her construction had a decent chance to be passed as correct when she was in school herself. I’m not kidding in the slightest. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-are-shocked-people-dont-know/766348/98 "2016-09-20T18:18:44Z")
What stars are… ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-are-shocked-people-dont-know/766348/99 "2016-09-20T18:21:07Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > I can deal with regular people not knowing this, but I have conniptions when _teachers_ do not know the difference between lay and lie, or how to use the pluperfect, or the subjunctive. I get notes from my son’s current classroom teacher riddled with these mistakes. His teacher last year would not have done this. I miss her. The thing I’m surprised more people don’t know is that different dialects of English are not incorrect, and claiming they are is very close to racist, or at least classist, most of the time. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-are-shocked-people-dont-know/766348/100 "2016-09-20T19:27:19Z")
You don’t mow the yard in flip flops. I see this occasionally when I’m driving home. Two reasons. 1. No traction. You can easily fall. You better hope the safety kill switch stops the blade in time. 2. No protection for your feet. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-are-shocked-people-dont-know/766348.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-are-shocked-people-dont-know/766348.md?page=6)