# 'Twere the Rants Before Christmas (December Mini-Rants) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Tags:** monthly-mini-rant\ **Created:** [December 1, 2025, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twere-the-rants-before-christmas-december-mini-rants/1025280 "2025-12-01T05:04:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 13
**Author:** ![scudsucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scudsucker/32/14101_2.png) [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2025, 9:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twere-the-rants-before-christmas-december-mini-rants/1025280/241 "2025-12-19T09:28:14Z")
I was not sure where to put this, but it is Christmas time, and I could rant a bit. Satire from Spitting Image, https: // [youtube.com/shorts/wZw8s8SaQco?si=rXW04Nw5oNbPifp8](http://youtube.com/shorts/wZw8s8SaQco?si=rXW04Nw5oNbPifp8) Broken link due to Discourse being a dick. Remove spaces surrounding the “//” ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2025, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twere-the-rants-before-christmas-december-mini-rants/1025280/242 "2025-12-19T13:19:40Z")
I’m not saying you have any ill will towards Japanese people or that you intended to be offensive. But those excuses wouldn’t fly if you casually used the n-word, and I’m saying that IME “Jap” approaches that level of offensiveness. Maybe that’s not as true in Canada as the US, but my advice stands. I’ll check in with a mod to see if the board has an official position. (FYI, I also advise against using the term as shorthand for Jewish American Princess, which is almost as offensive as the other two cases.) ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2025, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twere-the-rants-before-christmas-december-mini-rants/1025280/243 "2025-12-19T13:48:47Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > > [@commasense](#): > > > > > [@wolfpup](#): > > > > > > But the Japs who designed it… > > > > I suggest you refrain from using this term. Its racist use in the US during WWII was, and I believe still is, considered highly offensive. > > Inasmuch as Japanese cars in general – and Toyotas in particular – are renowned for their build quality, it should be obvious that I’m not trying to be offensive. And anyway, it’s just a contraction of “Japanese”, unlike far worst racist slurs going around for various ethnicities that have offensive connotations. Also, I love sushi! 🙂 Dude, it is offensive and derogatory, and has been since the Pearl Harbor bombing. Spiro Agnew was widely criticized for using the word in _ **1968** _. Fun fact: Jay’s Foods, makers of Jay’s potato chips, changed their name from Japps Foods shortly after Pearl Harbor. Because Japps is offensive. And “Japps” is the name of the founder of the company. mmm ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2025, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twere-the-rants-before-christmas-december-mini-rants/1025280/244 "2025-12-19T14:40:14Z")
> [@commasense](#): > > those excuses wouldn’t fly if you casually used the n-word, and I’m saying that IME “Jap” approaches that level of offensiveness. Maybe that’s not as true in Canada as the US, but my advice stands. I heartily agree with this. I was too splutteringly angry to compose it so I’m glad @commasense and Mean Mr Mustard did. ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2025, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twere-the-rants-before-christmas-december-mini-rants/1025280/245 "2025-12-19T14:42:31Z")
I started wearing socks to bed years ago because I found that doing so helped a mild case of diabetic neuropathy I was having at the time. I wore ankle socks because they were easiest to deal with. Now I wear compression socks during the day, and change to the ankle socks when I go to bed. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2025, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twere-the-rants-before-christmas-december-mini-rants/1025280/246 "2025-12-19T17:57:14Z")
The first pair of compression socks I got were painfully tight (and impossible to get on and off), and for some godforsaken reason had a hole right under the ball of the foot. Uncomfortable as hell. Then I pulled out an old pair of [Smartwool ski socks](https://www.smartwool.com/en-us/men/socks/ski). Tight (especially if I wash them in warm water) and cozy. And the mostly-wool blend is toasty in the winter, but wicks away moisture and isn’t hot in the summer. I now own four pairs, and if i get myself more for Christmas, I can do my laundry less often. ---
**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:** [December 19, 2025, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twere-the-rants-before-christmas-december-mini-rants/1025280/247 "2025-12-19T18:06:26Z")
> [@digs](#): > > And the mostly-wool blend is toasty in the winter, but wicks away moisture and isn’t hot in the summer. In college I took a backpacking and survival course. One thing they taught us is that wool is king. It gets you warm but doesn’t absorb moisture like some materials (like cotton) will, so it won’t absorb your sweat as much or water (rain, creeks) if you get wet. In particular, you absolutely want wool socks if you are going to be outdoors doing a lot of walking in adverse conditions. I always have some wool socks ever since then. I don’t wear them regularly, but I always have a few pairs in my drawer, and every time I travel I take at least one pair with me to just have them available. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2025, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twere-the-rants-before-christmas-december-mini-rants/1025280/248 "2025-12-19T18:15:55Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > But the Japs who designed it apparently have superhuman vision and assume that everyone else does, too. Well, they don’t. [Moderating] “Jap” is a racist term. Please avoid using this on the boards. No warning, since you clearly were unaware of its connotations. [/Moderating] ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2025, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twere-the-rants-before-christmas-december-mini-rants/1025280/249 "2025-12-20T03:26:22Z")
I have tens of rants at this time of year. We’ll get to the shortest one first: Why the fuck do we have to sift flour for cookies? Sift the shit ahead of time! Oh, flour settles! Needs to be re-sifted by re-sifting it all over the place! Sounds like a trip to the fucking mechanic. : ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2025, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twere-the-rants-before-christmas-december-mini-rants/1025280/250 "2025-12-20T05:02:52Z")
Had some dermatology surgery this week removing a few suspicious areas of concern. One was on my back. Discharge instructions require putting antibiotic cream and bandaids for three days.No idea how to manage the back area. Was able to get some cream on but no way to install a bandaid. ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2025, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twere-the-rants-before-christmas-december-mini-rants/1025280/251 "2025-12-20T05:09:17Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > I’ve been assured immigration isn’t coming back to me, but personnel changes necessitate me doing this to ensure a smooth transition. > [@Odesio](#): > > On top of it all, I’m supposed to go on vacation soon. Easy to say as an old retired fart, but don’t cancel your vacation for some problem that isn’t actually yours. Especially if the two soon-to-be-gone folks will still be on the job. ---
**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:** [December 20, 2025, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twere-the-rants-before-christmas-december-mini-rants/1025280/252 "2025-12-20T05:40:56Z")
> [@Ellecram](#): > > Was able to get some cream on but no way to install a bandaid. If you can reach well enough to get cream on, would something like this work? [![](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81FVYAm2jpL._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg) ](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81FVYAm2jpL._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg) With adhesive on 4 sides, you just have to slap it on with the padding over the wound. You should be able to do it one-handed, unlike a regular strip. That’s what I would try to do. That particular bandage in the picture is really big but they come much smaller too. ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2025, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twere-the-rants-before-christmas-december-mini-rants/1025280/253 "2025-12-20T05:54:00Z")
Maybe that could work. I’ll get some tomorrow. ---
**Author:** ![scudsucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scudsucker/32/14101_2.png) [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2025, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twere-the-rants-before-christmas-december-mini-rants/1025280/254 "2025-12-20T07:33:22Z")
I’m sorry. Socks in bed == no sex. Stockings in bed… however… (Depending on your gender preferences, I suppose) ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2025, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twere-the-rants-before-christmas-december-mini-rants/1025280/255 "2025-12-20T08:23:24Z")
> [@commasense](#): > > I’m not saying you have any ill will towards Japanese people or that you intended to be offensive. But those excuses wouldn’t fly if you casually used the n-word, and I’m saying that IME “Jap” approaches that level of offensiveness. Maybe that’s not as true in Canada as the US, but my advice stands. > > I’ll check in with a mod to see if the board has an official position. I feel I should offer some sort of response, first and foremost an apology to those who were offended. Your first sentence is correct – there was never any ill will or offense intended; I used the term in a spirit of levity that apparently not everyone shared. I was frankly surprised at the minor firestorm that it unleashed, but if some posters took offense, again, I’m sorry I used the term. ---
**Author:** ![WolfpackJeep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpackjeep/32/2921_2.png) [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2025, 10:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twere-the-rants-before-christmas-december-mini-rants/1025280/256 "2025-12-20T10:14:48Z")
> [@Locrian](#): > > Why the fuck do we have to sift flour for cookies? So messy and time consuming! It really does make a difference in the texture though. This was one instance when I caved and bought a “uni-tasker”…I have the sifting attachment for my stand mixer, and I love it. > [@Atamasama](#): > > One thing they taught us is that wool is king. My mom and I both love our wool socks. She’s been trying to convince a friend of hers who lives in a drafty house and is always cold that she needs to give wool a try. > [@digs](#): > > Uncomfortable as hell. Mom was recently prescribed compression socks for varicose veins, and her main complaint about them is that they’re not warm! Her other socks are just thick enough that she can’t layer them. ---
**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:** [December 20, 2025, 10:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twere-the-rants-before-christmas-december-mini-rants/1025280/257 "2025-12-20T10:53:04Z")
Nothing wrong with socks in bed. Hell, I’ve worn socks in bed the last few nights. My furnace works just fine, but that bed can still be cold when I get in. Socks keep my feet warm when the bed is not. ---
**Author:** ![scudsucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scudsucker/32/14101_2.png) [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2025, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twere-the-rants-before-christmas-december-mini-rants/1025280/258 "2025-12-20T10:59:12Z")
I sleep naked, so I’d feel fairly awkward with just socks on. I mean, I am not an '80’s German pornstar. I did once hook-up with a young lady who kept her socks on throughout, but I have an incredibly sexist theory about how women and men differ in this regard… which I will not share ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2025, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twere-the-rants-before-christmas-december-mini-rants/1025280/259 "2025-12-20T12:03:40Z")
Just got an email from Medicare - “Stay Healthy with Dr Oz”. This was basic “try and eat some healthy stuff even during the holidays and take a walk”, but I’m assuming it will eventual tilt into Oz-woo at some point. On a side note, I assume he’s going to get fired for being woke - “holiday” is used five times, and “Christmas” not once. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2025, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twere-the-rants-before-christmas-december-mini-rants/1025280/260 "2025-12-20T14:12:13Z")
Hell, sometimes I sleep with shoes on. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twere-the-rants-before-christmas-december-mini-rants/1025280.md?page=12) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twere-the-rants-before-christmas-december-mini-rants/1025280.md?page=14)