# Twenty Questions **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 30, 2000, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twenty-questions/35128 "2000-09-30T08:14:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Chief\_Crunch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e8c25b/32.png) [@Chief\_Crunch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chief_Crunch)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2000, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twenty-questions/35128/1 "2000-09-30T08:14:26Z")
Has anyone been to this website? [http://www.20q.net](http://www.20q.net) It’s pretty interesting. Basically, you think of an object and the site asks you questions about it starting with “Animal, Vegetable, Mineral…”. It can be surprisingly accurate. Out of the 30 items I’ve tried so far, it correctly guessed almost half. Among the correctly guessed things were a wedding ring, a CD, cocaine, the bible, beer, a car alternator, a cat, a house key, a condom, the human mind, love and (heh) a dildo. It uses AI and records answers to reflect popular opinion on an item. Even if it doesn’t guess correctly, a lot of times you’ll see the answer contained in the “probable objects” list at the bottom of the screen. It’s kind of funny when you think you’re picking something pretty obscure (i.e., a dildo, a car alternator) and it actually wins. ---
**Author:** ![Baglady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/cab0a1/32.png) [@Baglady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baglady)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2000, 8:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twenty-questions/35128/2 "2000-09-30T08:50:19Z")
Oh, pretty neat! I tried a window screen and won, but mostly because I contradicted some of the data it had. I think a window screen CAN affect you (it provides partial shade so you don’t sweat as much. It keeps mosquitoes out so you don’t scratch so much from bites, etc.). Thanks for the URL! ---
**Author:** ![White\_Lightning](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@White\_Lightning](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/White_Lightning)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2000, 9:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twenty-questions/35128/3 "2000-09-30T09:15:19Z")
my original “object” was “your mom” but as the game went on i decided that was too cute and that i would settle for “a wife,” or even a woman of some sort. at different points in the game, it offered “woman,” “wife,” and “girlfriend” as “probable objects.” but this is hilarious: question 26 is “is it a type of human being?” to which i answered yes. the game follows with the obvious “can it be used by a cowboy?” ---
**Author:** ![Fretful\_Porpentine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fretful_porpentine/32/2873_2.png) [@Fretful\_Porpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fretful_Porpentine)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2000, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twenty-questions/35128/4 "2000-09-30T14:55:54Z")
Heh. My object wasn’t in the database, so it asked me to clarify: > [@](#): > > Is Great Britain the same as… > a garter belt > a record player > a septic tank > refried beans > a set of china > a green tomato > a garlic press > a street sweeper > a brake pedal > a meat grinder > a meter reader > a lint filter ROFL! ---
**Author:** ![The\_Mermaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a183cd/32.png) [@The\_Mermaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Mermaid)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2000, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twenty-questions/35128/5 "2000-09-30T15:06:04Z")
Object Lemonade Question Does it have a siren? and it guessed correctly!!! It also got Brittany dog, bran muffin, and id badge Stumped it on tanning bed, syringe, ---
**Author:** ![Drain\_Bead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47774/32.png) [@Drain\_Bead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drain_Bead)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2000, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twenty-questions/35128/6 "2000-09-30T16:26:23Z")
Damn. So far I stumped it on screen saver (although it asked me a lot of irrelevant questions), clydesdale, and vibrator (which wasn’t even on their list). And I just stumped it with mixed drink, which also wasn’t on the list (although it came close by guessing a margarita). And now Satan wasn’t on the list either. Neither was a colostomy bag. Or a tampon. There, it finally got one! > [@](#): > > Things I didn’t know > A paycheck is not a medical instrument > You can touch a paycheck > You can make money by selling a paycheck > You would be lost without a paycheck > You would not normally use a paycheck with a saddle ---
**Author:** ![Chief\_Crunch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e8c25b/32.png) [@Chief\_Crunch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chief_Crunch)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2000, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twenty-questions/35128/7 "2000-09-30T16:49:23Z")
One of the cool things about it was that only two years ago, its success rate was around 4.9%. Now since more people have been playing, it’s up to 35.89%. I love the “spontaneous knowledge” it comes up with. The object was a contact lens. It guessed correctly and then ‘realized’ the following: > [@](#): > > A lens is probably not heavy > A lens probably does come in many varieties > A lens might not become moldy > A lens probably doesn’t increase when used > A lens is probably not poisonous > A lens probably doesn’t bounce > A lens might not be able to kill you > A lens probably doesn’t taste good > A lens is probably not alive > A lens might not be erect > A lens probably doesn’t vibrate > A lens might not be given in proposal for marriage > You might not write on a lens > A lens is probably not a food > A lens is probably not a bulb > A lens might not blink > A lens might not be used to write > A lens probably doesn’t hang on a wall > A lens is probably not a geological feature > A lens is probably not obsolete > You might not use a lens in cooking > A lens is probably not used to hold things down > A lens probably doesn’t have a horn > A lens is probably not a type of insect > A lens probably doesn’t tell the future > A lens is probably not found in salad bars > A lens is probably not normally planted in gardens > A lens is probably not a musical instrument > A lens is probably not used to record an event > A lens probably doesn’t communicate > A lens probably doesn’t have to be cooked to be what it is > A lens probably doesn’t make smoke ---
**Author:** ![TheNerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/858c86/32.png) [@TheNerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheNerd)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2000, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twenty-questions/35128/8 "2000-09-30T17:23:54Z")
Things it didn’t know: Silk does not eat shellfish. ---
**Author:** ![Whammo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8dc957/32.png) [@Whammo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whammo)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2000, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twenty-questions/35128/9 "2000-09-30T17:26:48Z")
It guessed earthworm in 15 guesses! I picked that because I thought It probably couldn’t guess it. oh yeah… things it didn’t know… An earthworm is not a type of dog. An earthworm does not eat birds. ---
**Author:** ![Palmyra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/57b2e6/32.png) [@Palmyra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palmyra)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2000, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twenty-questions/35128/10 "2000-09-30T17:38:28Z")
i stumped it with tracing paper, though it got close with blueprints… eventually it gave up. tracing paper is not a pest [though that is matter of personal opinion] wayne greztky could [probably doesn’t] use it and i forgot the rest… ---
**Author:** ![Drain\_Bead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47774/32.png) [@Drain\_Bead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drain_Bead)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2000, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twenty-questions/35128/11 "2000-09-30T17:40:15Z")
It got a lot of spontaneous knowledge about abortion, which I might consider using as found poetry… > [@](#): > > Spontaneous Knowledge > You might not be able to use an abortion daily > You might not use an abortion at school > An abortion probably doesn’t come in different colors > An abortion is probably not an astronomical body > An abortion is probably not a state of mind > An abortion is probably not a type of volcanic rock > An abortion probably doesn’t come from an animal > An abortion might not be placed on your head > An abortion probably doesn’t spin > An abortion is probably not a female body part > You might not throw an abortion > You might not find an abortion in the sky > An abortion probably doesn’t have four legs > You might not sometimes pierce an abortion > An abortion probably doesn’t have a bushy tail > An abortion probably doesn’t have legs > An abortion is probably not body jewelry > You might not need a key to use an abortion > An abortion probably doesn’t have short fur > An abortion is probably not black and white > An abortion is probably not an aquatic plant > An abortion is probably not a silicate > An abortion is probably not string like > An abortion is probably not gregarious > An abortion is probably not an item of fashion > There is probably not a swimming stroke named after an abortion > An abortion is probably not cold > An abortion probably doesn’t have a flat tail > An abortion is probably not part of a shirt > An abortion probably doesn’t live in a burrow > An abortion is probably not specifically young > You might not wear an abortion around your neck ---
**Author:** ![August\_West](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/august_west/32/18069_2.png) [@August\_West](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/August_West)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2000, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twenty-questions/35128/12 "2000-09-30T18:02:05Z")
I picked “a fuse”, as in an electrical fuse, 8 times in a row and it couldn’t figure it out. Also beat it with “antler” and many others. The only thing it guessed in 20 was “a moose” and I got these contradictions: > [@](#): > > A moose does not have monetary value > You can drive a moose > A moose does not contain a liquid ---
**Author:** ![Fretful\_Porpentine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fretful_porpentine/32/2873_2.png) [@Fretful\_Porpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fretful_Porpentine)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2000, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twenty-questions/35128/13 "2000-09-30T18:10:14Z")
It seems I’ve stumped it again: > [@](#): > > Is roadkill the same as… > an ocelot > a blue spruce > Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer > a roulette wheel > heartache > a garotte > a roommate > a toothache > a protein > a butcher > a dreidel > a little brother Rather poetic, in a weird sort of way. ---
**Author:** ![August\_West](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/august_west/32/18069_2.png) [@August\_West](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/August_West)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2000, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twenty-questions/35128/14 "2000-09-30T18:21:41Z")
I was just playing again and my object was " a penis". The 10th question? “does it come in a box?” 🙂 How should I answer? ---
**Author:** ![racinchikki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eada6e/32.png) [@racinchikki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racinchikki)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2000, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twenty-questions/35128/15 "2000-09-30T19:39:53Z")
My object? (surprise) A race car CONTRADICTIONS: You do know any songs about a race car. (How do you know whether or not I know something? You’re just AI, not psychic.) THINGS IT DIDN"T KNOW: A race car is not a type of fungus. (Oh, you didn’t know? Your ass better call somebody!!!) ---
**Author:** ![August\_West](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/august_west/32/18069_2.png) [@August\_West](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/August_West)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2000, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twenty-questions/35128/16 "2000-09-30T19:44:30Z")
LOL I got that, too. I tried “lemonade” like **mojo** did and one of the contradictions was “You do love lemonade.” How does it know? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Kat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b19c9b/32.png) [@Kat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kat)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2000, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twenty-questions/35128/17 "2000-10-01T01:00:54Z")
Contradictions You would not find a pizza on a farm _Really? We had pizza at my grandparents’ farm more than once._ A pizza cannot be used by a cowboy Things I didn’t know A pizza does not bounce A pizza is made of multiple parts ---
**Author:** ![Kat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b19c9b/32.png) [@Kat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kat)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2000, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twenty-questions/35128/18 "2000-10-01T01:25:59Z")
Contradictions Peanut butter is probably not something you bring along Peanut butter cannot be used for recreation You don’t use peanut butter at work Things I didn’t know Peanut butter could be found in a classroom Men might not find peanut butter erotic Peanut butter cannot protect your eyes 😕 But…if they thought all men find peanut butter erotic, how can they think it can’t be used for recreation? ---
**Author:** ![Gunslinger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4491bb/32.png) [@Gunslinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gunslinger)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2000, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twenty-questions/35128/19 "2000-10-01T01:31:34Z")
I can’t play…it keeps saying “no such address” ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2000, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twenty-questions/35128/20 "2000-10-01T01:35:33Z")
I’m sure there’s people deliberately feeding the database false information. Anyway, I got my current .sig line on the snopes MB from [20q.net](http://20q.net): (It was a things I didn’t know) A human corpse does not eat bananas. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twenty-questions/35128.md?page=2)