# Unimportant questions you really, really want to know **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 17, 2013, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unimportant-questions-you-really-really-want-to-know/666473 "2013-08-17T03:17:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2013, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unimportant-questions-you-really-really-want-to-know/666473/41 "2013-08-18T19:47:53Z")
> [@Sunspace](#): > > But those two are pronounced pretty much the same in many American dialects. American here, and I wholeheartedly agree. US accents tend to have distinctive T and D related practices that distinguish them from other English language accents. One way this shows is that many "T’s end up being pronounced like D’s, like Patty being pronounced like “Paddy”. So if you have an sister named Patricia and a brother named Patrick and your (American) mom calls you to tell you to remember “Patty”'s birthday, you can’t tell which one she meant. Another infamous example of this accent effect is the US-based religion known as the Church of Jesus Christ of “Ladder”-Day Saints. To many Americans, “latter” and “ladder” are homophones. ---
**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2013, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unimportant-questions-you-really-really-want-to-know/666473/42 "2013-08-18T19:58:16Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > Why are nicknames so weird? Let’s start with Patrick: why is it Pat or Paddy? Why not Pad/Paddy or Pat/Patty? Who was the first weisenheimer who came up with Peg for Margaret? Who got Dick out of Richard? > > Why does fridge have a d when refrigerator doesn’t? One of my relatives was formally named Matilda but was typically known as Maud, as typical for a bonnie lassie from Scotland (which she was). There doesn’t seem to be an agreement as to whether the nickname ought to be spelled with an “e” as Maude or not - documents have both. Her US immigration documents specify “Maud” as an alternate name. Apparently “Peg” may have come about via multiple steps - Margaret -\> Meg -\> Peg. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2013, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unimportant-questions-you-really-really-want-to-know/666473/43 "2013-08-18T20:02:28Z")
> [@simster](#): > > what the fuck is a smidge anyway? According to _We’re the Millers_, it’s 1333 kilograms. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2013, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unimportant-questions-you-really-really-want-to-know/666473/44 "2013-08-18T20:47:21Z")
> [@Lsura](#): > > Why wouldn’t they? A handicapped person could be picking someone up or someone could be picking up a handicapped person. In either case, they could need additional maneuvering space for a larger vehicle, such as a van with a lift. People don’t typically get out of their vehicles in cellphone waiting lots at airports. Although, I suppose they might have restrooms available and someone might want to get out for that reason. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2013, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unimportant-questions-you-really-really-want-to-know/666473/45 "2013-08-18T22:12:36Z")
> [@robert\_columbia](#): > > Apparently “Peg” may have come about via multiple steps - Margaret -\> Meg -\> Peg. Sure. But even that makes no sense to me. What about “Meg” sounds like “Margaret”? “Marg” with a hard g, I could grok, but I’ve never heard it. “Mar,” no problem. “Gret,” I’d be down with. But Meg and Peg (and Peggy) make no sense. ---
**Author:** ![slm2955](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c6cbf5/32.png) [@slm2955](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slm2955)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2013, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unimportant-questions-you-really-really-want-to-know/666473/46 "2013-08-18T22:41:26Z")
Why not answer important questions and leave the unimportant unanswered? ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2013, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unimportant-questions-you-really-really-want-to-know/666473/47 "2013-08-18T23:54:25Z")
Do male porn actors take antidepressants to make themselves last longer? ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2013, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unimportant-questions-you-really-really-want-to-know/666473/48 "2013-08-19T00:27:02Z")
> [@robert\_columbia](#): > > Apparently “Peg” may have come about via multiple steps - Margaret -\> Meg -\> Peg. > [@WhyNot](#): > > Sure. But even that makes no sense to me. What about “Meg” sounds like “Margaret”? . Margaret \> Maggie \> Meggie \> Peggy \> Peg ---
**Author:** ![campp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@campp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/campp)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2013, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unimportant-questions-you-really-really-want-to-know/666473/49 "2013-08-19T00:33:05Z")
> [@Lsura](#): > > Why wouldn’t they? A handicapped person could be picking someone up or someone could be picking up a handicapped person. In either case, they could need additional maneuvering space for a larger vehicle, such as a van with a lift. Except… You don’t get out of your vehicle at a cell phone lot. You sit there and wait for a call or whatever. The ones around here sometimes have an attendant that persuades you where to park. I’m sure the real answer is “That’s how we build parking lots in America”, but it still seems weird. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Downtown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Mr\_Downtown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Downtown)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2013, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unimportant-questions-you-really-really-want-to-know/666473/50 "2013-08-19T04:11:11Z")
Well, which is easier? Just designate four handicapped spaces—or try to get an exemption from the regulation? As for hitting the post in Top 40 radio, if the intro time isn’t on the label of the radio release of the single (I don’t suppose they have those any more), the radio station’s music director will have timed the intro and outro and written it with Sharpie on the record label before he ever puts it in the control room. ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2013, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unimportant-questions-you-really-really-want-to-know/666473/51 "2013-08-19T04:24:46Z")
Ok sorry but getting back to modes of travel, how does a jaunt, sojourn, trek and journey differ, exactly? ---
**Author:** ![Renifer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/71c47a/32.png) [@Renifer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renifer)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2013, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unimportant-questions-you-really-really-want-to-know/666473/52 "2013-08-19T05:03:45Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > Margaret \> Maggie \> Meggie \> Peggy \> Peg English speakers like to play with words. That and because there were so many people sharing the same name that it pushed them to come up with different nicknames to distinguish them. Town has five Margarets of approximately the same age, then one would be Meg, one Maggie, etc. ---
**Author:** ![AaronX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7bcc69/32.png) [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2013, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unimportant-questions-you-really-really-want-to-know/666473/53 "2013-08-19T13:59:14Z")
> [@Duckster](#): > > [ul] > [li]Why do they use sterilized needles for death by lethal injection?[/li][/ul] Because pardons can come at the last minute. And doctors want to feel they’re doing a medical procedure, not killing someone. There was a thread like this a few months ago, but I can’t find it now. ---
**Author:** ![Ludy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Ludy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludy)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2013, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unimportant-questions-you-really-really-want-to-know/666473/54 "2013-08-19T15:38:11Z")
> [@simster](#): > > how many pinches in a smidge? > > what the fuck is a smidge anyway? Last Christmas I was given a set of measuring spoons that measured a pinch, dash, and a smidgen. Apparently a dash is the largest, followed by pinch and the smallest is a smidgen. I tried to weigh a smidgen of sugar, bit it was too small for my kitchen scale, so this is the best I could do. There are approximately 1.5 smidgen’s to a pinch and 3 smidgen’s to a dash. And just for reference there are 6 smidgen’s to a 1/4 teaspoon, or 1.25ml. I will leave the rest up to you. Alternatively this conversion website can convert pinches and dashes to whatever cooking measurement you like. Unfortunately they don’t do smidgens. > **[Online Conversion - Cooking Conversions](https://www.onlineconversion.com/cooking_volume.htm)** ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2013, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unimportant-questions-you-really-really-want-to-know/666473/55 "2013-08-19T15:55:38Z")
Ha. I’ve given those measuring spoons as Christmas gifts too! ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2013, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unimportant-questions-you-really-really-want-to-know/666473/56 "2013-08-19T18:31:27Z")
> [@AaronX](#): > > Because pardons can come at the last minute. > And doctors want to feel they’re doing a medical procedure, not killing someone. IIRC, the Hippocratic Oath prevents doctors from participating in legal executions. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2013, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unimportant-questions-you-really-really-want-to-know/666473/57 "2013-08-19T18:36:53Z")
> [@drewtwo99](#): > > Ok sorry but getting back to modes of travel, how does a jaunt, sojourn, trek and journey differ, exactly? Well, in my opinion, a jaunt is a light trip that doesn’t last more than a few hours and is undertaken for fun and probably involves a picnic. A sojourn is a trip with a purpose and definitely requires at least one night’s stay somewhere other than your home. A trek is a sojourn that has become arduous. Journey just means trip, but again the expectation is that you’re spending at least one night away from home. ---
**Author:** ![AaronX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7bcc69/32.png) [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unimportant-questions-you-really-really-want-to-know/666473/58 "2013-08-20T01:53:32Z")
> [@Duckster](#): > > IIRC, the Hippocratic Oath prevents doctors from participating in legal executions. Even if a group of n doctors inject n-1 dummy syringes to execute 1, so that each doctor executes 1/n people? ---
**Author:** ![Patch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a183cd/32.png) [@Patch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patch)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unimportant-questions-you-really-really-want-to-know/666473/59 "2013-08-20T05:10:16Z")
> [@campp](#): > > Except… You don’t get out of your vehicle at a cell phone lot. You sit there and wait for a call or whatever. The ones around here sometimes have an attendant that persuades you where to park. > > I’m sure the real answer is “That’s how we build parking lots in America”, but it still seems weird. Haven’t designed a parking lot for a while, but IIRC federal law requires if you have X number of parking spaces, you have to have Y number of handicap spaces, and Z number of van accessible handicap spaces. I had to put handicap spaces in a parking lot for a military facility once that had no civilian personnel. The Lt. Col. wasn’t happy, as parking wasn’t great to begin with. ---
**Author:** ![AaronX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7bcc69/32.png) [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 8:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unimportant-questions-you-really-really-want-to-know/666473/60 "2013-08-20T08:31:02Z")
Are we subconsciously aware of ingredients in our food? If I dope my cookies, will they sell better without people knowing why? I read somewhere people subconsciously prefer real sugar to low calorie sweeteners. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unimportant-questions-you-really-really-want-to-know/666473.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unimportant-questions-you-really-really-want-to-know/666473.md?page=4)