# Top **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/top.md?page=1008&period=all&state=muted [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1009 --- ## [Is it rude to call an old woman "Young lady"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-rude-to-call-an-old-woman-young-lady/508791)
**Author:** [@Brainiac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brainiac)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2009, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-rude-to-call-an-old-woman-young-lady/508791 "2009-09-17T17:44:24Z")
I know a clerk that does this all the time. She thinks it’s clever. Is it? --- ## [I just saw 'Into the Wild' and all I gotta say is...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-saw-into-the-wild-and-all-i-gotta-say-is/430539)
**Author:** [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Replies:** 113\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2007, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-saw-into-the-wild-and-all-i-gotta-say-is/430539 "2007-12-22T07:26:53Z")
That 22 year old punk needs to get off his hypocritical high horse. You cannot proclaim under disdain for a system, brag about not needing it, and then continually use products of it. If you’re going to talk about not … --- ## [Social Security example - Am I missing something?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/social-security-example-am-i-missing-something/941680)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 149\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2021, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/social-security-example-am-i-missing-something/941680 "2021-09-22T19:03:05Z")
I just started reading a book about planning for retirement. Link Early on, the author explains that it is best to delay taking Social Security as long as possible, even waiting until after you have been retired for a … --- ## [The Office (10/7)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-10-7/556479)
**Author:** [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [October 12, 2010, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-10-7/556479 "2010-10-12T02:21:11Z")
Anyone else like this episode? I’ll bet I’m the only one. It seemed like a lot went into this one. Just hate how Pam and Jim wouldn’t know that Erin was an anticipated guest by Andy. --- ## [Star Trek TOS: Vulcans = traitors?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-tos-vulcans-traitors/598922)
**Author:** [@mlees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mlees)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2011, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-tos-vulcans-traitors/598922 "2011-10-11T16:34:53Z")
In the first season episode “This side of Paradise”, the crew of the Enterprise end up getting sprayed by plant spores that makes them want to abandon their ship and live a simple life on Omicron Ceti III. Kirk finall… --- ## [The return of Law and Order Mothership](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-return-of-law-and-order-mothership/960091)
**Author:** [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Replies:** 209\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2026, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-return-of-law-and-order-mothership/960091 "2026-10-18T18:53:32Z")
Is anyone watching the continuation (season 21) of Classic L&O? What did you think? I think Cosgrove (the new detective) time traveled in from 1940s LAPD. He’s all wrong for the show. And I bet he voted for trump. He pr… --- ## [Things everyone knew but you](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-everyone-knew-but-you/378785)
**Author:** [@Omega\_Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omega_Glory)\ **Replies:** 132\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2006, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-everyone-knew-but-you/378785 "2006-11-06T01:45:48Z")
We had a thread about this a long time ago, if someone wants to dig up a link. I didn’t get the Time flies like an arrow/fruit flies like a banana play on words until it was brought up in a thread recently. I also saw … --- ## [Why are most liquors 80 proof?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-most-liquors-80-proof/622004)
**Author:** [@Killa\_Kam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Killa_Kam)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2012, 10:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-most-liquors-80-proof/622004 "2012-05-18T10:10:31Z")
I was wondering why this became the standard, at least in the U.S. I tried to Google the question but just found a bunch of stuff about why the word proof is used and it being equivalent to half of a percent. The questio… --- ## [It's in peer-reviewed print: no mental illness "chemical imbalance"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-in-peer-reviewed-print-no-mental-illness-chemical-imbalance/330158)
**Author:** [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Replies:** 166\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2005, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-in-peer-reviewed-print-no-mental-illness-chemical-imbalance/330158 "2005-11-17T04:07:27Z")
They’ve said it about schizophrenia, they’ve said it about bipolarity, and they’ve said it about depression. They, of course, being the pharmaceutical industry and the mental health \[strikeout\]industry\[/strikeout\] profe… --- ## [Hey, remember how the blacks were going to riot if Obama lost?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-remember-how-the-blacks-were-going-to-riot-if-obama-lost/640227)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2012, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-remember-how-the-blacks-were-going-to-riot-if-obama-lost/640227 "2012-12-05T22:57:06Z")
Guess what? Sore losers indeed . . . --- ## [And the award for "Most Convincing Argument for the Non-existence of God" goes to....](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-the-award-for-most-convincing-argument-for-the-non-existence-of-god-goes-to/211882)
**Author:** [@godzillatemple](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/godzillatemple)\ **Replies:** 184\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2003, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-the-award-for-most-convincing-argument-for-the-non-existence-of-god-goes-to/211882 "2003-11-15T01:38:27Z")
All right, let me just make clear up front that by “God” I am referring to any of the traditional, scripture-based concepts of God that are actually worshipped by people on this planet, and NOT some theoretical construct… --- ## [What are you playing (now that it's a new year)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-playing-now-that-its-a-new-year/710448)
**Author:** [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2015, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-playing-now-that-its-a-new-year/710448 "2015-03-03T23:57:47Z")
The big Christmas sales were about a month ago now. So what are you all playing at the moment? Anything good? I just finished South Parth: The Stick of Truth, which I loved and thought was very funny. Currently playin… --- ## [Dr Doom's armour vs Iron Man's armor. Which is more formidable?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-dooms-armour-vs-iron-mans-armor-which-is-more-formidable/509800)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2009, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-dooms-armour-vs-iron-mans-armor-which-is-more-formidable/509800 "2009-09-16T03:10:48Z")
Dr Doom’s armorvs Iron Man’s armor- Which is going to kick more ass? --- ## [Can you pass this audio test?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-pass-this-audio-test/640378)
**Author:** [@Sinisterniik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sinisterniik)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2012, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-pass-this-audio-test/640378 "2012-11-13T13:06:52Z")
There’s an epic debate going on in GQ over the authenticity of a viral video. There’s a lot of sub-debates going on within the thread, one of which concerns the perceptibility of sound delay. brazil84 seems to think that… --- ## [Mild Blue-Green Colour blindness?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mild-blue-green-colour-blindness/648755)
**Author:** [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2013, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mild-blue-green-colour-blindness/648755 "2013-02-02T18:24:23Z")
I’ve always assumed I have no problems with my eyesight colour-discrimination wise (short-sighted as a bat until I had lasers fired at my eyes though!) but an event today made me wonder. When I was growing up my mum wou… --- ## [Bush Press Conference: I couldn't take it anymore...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-press-conference-i-couldnt-take-it-anymore/239888)
**Author:** [@pantom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pantom)\ **Replies:** 148\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2004, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-press-conference-i-couldnt-take-it-anymore/239888 "2004-04-17T21:26:43Z")
and as I’m sure you guys know, I’m a junkie when it comes to politics. But the embarassment was too much. I’ve never actually been embarassed for the President of the United States, in the sense of knowing to a dead cer… --- ## [In Norway you can go to the mall naked](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-norway-you-can-go-to-the-mall-naked/502537)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2009, 9:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-norway-you-can-go-to-the-mall-naked/502537 "2009-07-11T09:29:08Z")
This month’s Playboy has been scanned and sent to me. Of course I only read it for the cartoons, but nonetheless, some naked woman on page 138 states (in her own handwriting) “In Norway you can go to the mall naked and n… --- ## [Nudity on Regular television that has or hasn't surprised you.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nudity-on-regular-television-that-has-or-hasnt-surprised-you/337806)
**Author:** [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2006, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nudity-on-regular-television-that-has-or-hasnt-surprised-you/337806 "2006-01-02T07:26:44Z")
Really, just nudity they’ve shown on television at all…that isn’t on one of those premieum stations like HBO or Skinamax or even the IFC. I’m talking about channels you get just with basic cable and public channels. Th… --- ## [why not universal healthcare?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-not-universal-healthcare/389238)
**Author:** [@space\_fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/space_fish)\ **Replies:** 160\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2007, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-not-universal-healthcare/389238 "2007-03-08T20:44:02Z")
Screw health care reform. Socialize it. Seems to work good in other countries. So don’t tell me it don’t work. My girlfriend is English and was completely shocked about the lack of healthcare here. Where as in America o… --- ## [I'm looking for songs like "La Vie En Rose."](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-looking-for-songs-like-la-vie-en-rose/709031)
**Author:** [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2015, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-looking-for-songs-like-la-vie-en-rose/709031 "2015-01-11T02:24:52Z")
Like this version in particular. I love the violin, the French, just the overall sound of it. I also really enjoy this song, even though I don’t know any words. --- ## [Is there anywhere where it's against the law to buy animals from a pet shop for food?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anywhere-where-its-against-the-law-to-buy-animals-from-a-pet-shop-for-food/624602)
**Author:** [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2015, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anywhere-where-its-against-the-law-to-buy-animals-from-a-pet-shop-for-food/624602 "2015-12-19T03:04:05Z")
A conversation with some South American friends turned to the subject of cuy and how it was unavailable in the US. One of the people chimed in that all you had to do was but some guinea pigs from the local pet shop and i… --- ## [A friend disappears](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-friend-disappears/594126)
**Author:** [@Candyman74](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Candyman74)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2011, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-friend-disappears/594126 "2011-09-01T15:44:43Z")
This will probably (hopefully!) amount to nothing. A friend has vanished. He’s a mid-40s guy, single, owns an apartment. Nobody has been able to contact him for a couple of weeks - his phone is turned off, and he does… --- ## [Silver Linings Playbook: Opinions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silver-linings-playbook-opinions/642201)
**Author:** [@jharvey963](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jharvey963)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2013, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silver-linings-playbook-opinions/642201 "2013-05-11T17:46:02Z")
I saw Silver Linings Playbook last night with Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert DeNiro and others. I walked in expecting to really like it, but didn’t walk out feeling that way. I found many parts of the movie … --- ## [Mini-doper rants](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-doper-rants/476010)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 101\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2008, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-doper-rants/476010 "2008-12-18T06:57:07Z")
General, small complaints about doper behaviors. If you want someone to click on your link, say what it’s a link to. If you don’t want someone to click on your link, don’t link to it. When you’re replying to a thr… --- ## [Confusing situation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/confusing-situation/544085)
**Author:** [@alicenchains7](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alicenchains7)\ **Replies:** 106\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2010, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/confusing-situation/544085 "2010-07-12T10:39:28Z")
I’m really confused about this. I met this guy about 4 months ago. He works at a store as a manager. While he was ringing up my order, I felt a little vibe of attraction coming from him. He looked sweet, didn’t even real… --- ## [Why does special relativity predict the future already exists?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-special-relativity-predict-the-future-already-exists/778677)
**Author:** [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [February 7, 2017, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-special-relativity-predict-the-future-already-exists/778677 "2017-02-07T18:39:57Z")
I’ll need this to be explained like I’m five because I’m no physicist. It seems from my reading that most scientists believe special relativity necessarily predicts that the past, present, and future already exist in a … --- ## [How did the Babylonians get curly beards?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-the-babylonians-get-curly-beards/500011)
**Author:** [@No\_Wikipedia\_Cites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/No_Wikipedia_Cites)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [June 18, 2009, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-the-babylonians-get-curly-beards/500011 "2009-06-18T15:11:46Z")
Word on the street is that the Chaldeans and Babylonians have, in their surviving art, portrayed their men as having long beards with curly strings. How did they get beards like that? Was it some genetic unusual strain,… --- ## [Is our kneejerk reaction to paedophilia more harmful than helpful?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-our-kneejerk-reaction-to-paedophilia-more-harmful-than-helpful/487579)
**Author:** [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2009, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-our-kneejerk-reaction-to-paedophilia-more-harmful-than-helpful/487579 "2009-03-01T16:39:32Z")
I’ve been bouncing this around in my head for a while, but I’m not really a debater (at least online) so I’ve somewhat avoided posting this. I get this feeling that we’re doing more harm than good by calling for the deat… --- ## [Could a slave owner in the South kill his slaves with impunity?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-slave-owner-in-the-south-kill-his-slaves-with-impunity/690358)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [June 12, 2014, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-slave-owner-in-the-south-kill-his-slaves-with-impunity/690358 "2014-06-12T19:24:37Z")
I’ve been browsing through William Smith’s Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities and in the article on slavery I noticed this (foot of the 2nd paragraph): Were there similar laws in the US in the slave states? Of c… --- ## [Should Minorities Be Encourage to Assimiliate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-minorities-be-encourage-to-assimiliate/560511)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2010, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-minorities-be-encourage-to-assimiliate/560511 "2010-11-19T18:48:17Z")
Should immigrants from other countries or ethnic groups with distinctinve cultures be encourage to assimilate by speaking standard English, adopting American manners, and largely acting in public same the American middle… --- ## [How did you find the SDMB?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-you-find-the-sdmb/685213)
**Author:** [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Replies:** 111\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2021, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-you-find-the-sdmb/685213 "2021-09-11T18:45:08Z")
Over here, Loach said: I said I thought the number of SDMB folks who joined because of the books is a fraction of those who discovered it the old-fashioned way: via the Internet. Let’s see who’s right! ETA: Lest anyo… --- ## [Time to Pit "Mythbusters".](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-to-pit-mythbusters/605508)
**Author:** [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2011, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-to-pit-mythbusters/605508 "2011-12-10T22:04:34Z")
They really misfired on this one: http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/television/cannonball-mythbusters-show-crashes-calif-home-amp-lands-minivan-article-1.988169 A cannonball decided to go on it’s own adventure. … --- ## [It's nice to visit but I could never live here again](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-nice-to-visit-but-i-could-never-live-here-again/603264)
**Author:** [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2012, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-nice-to-visit-but-i-could-never-live-here-again/603264 "2012-01-06T19:20:53Z")
So I am in Tucson for my mom’s 60th birthday–got in yesterday, leave Sunday. I grew up here. I spent the first 25 years of my life here. And I genuinely enjoy visiting. Mostly for the people I visit and the Mexican food.… --- ## [Are there any advantages to a trackball instead of a mouse?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-advantages-to-a-trackball-instead-of-a-mouse/345146)
**Author:** [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2006, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-advantages-to-a-trackball-instead-of-a-mouse/345146 "2006-02-21T01:08:45Z")
I remember when trackballs were common. Now you hardly ever see them. I think they’re practically useless for click-dragging, since that requires you to simulntaneously hold down a button and move the trackball (whereas … --- ## [Would someone please explain the adult onesie to me?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-someone-please-explain-the-adult-onesie-to-me/707463)
**Author:** [@Small\_Hen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_Hen)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2015, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-someone-please-explain-the-adult-onesie-to-me/707463 "2015-10-24T03:47:29Z")
Apparently today’s thirty year old who wants to dress like a four year old has their choice in one piece footie jammies, complete with animal prints and super hero capes. See here at Target Is there a non-fetish reason… --- ## [Disturbing picture](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disturbing-picture/476030)
**Author:** [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2008, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disturbing-picture/476030 "2008-12-12T15:41:28Z")
I first saw this picture while reading my LiveJournal friends page. I was scrolling down, and as the picture came up-I saw the head first and scrolled down for the rest-my thoughts went “Oh, someone posted a picture of t… --- ## [What do you make of the trend in atheist proselytizing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-make-of-the-trend-in-atheist-proselytizing/402680)
**Author:** [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Replies:** 188\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2007, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-make-of-the-trend-in-atheist-proselytizing/402680 "2007-05-09T23:03:42Z")
I’m curious what people think of the fact that Atheism has gone missionary. What do you make of Dawkins, Dennett, and Hitchens all writing best sellers telling us that we don’t need religion, or that it’s a virus or a d… --- ## [The Most Wrong You've Been For the Longest Time](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-wrong-youve-been-for-the-longest-time/621083)
**Author:** [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2012, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-wrong-youve-been-for-the-longest-time/621083 "2012-05-11T22:11:42Z")
I’ve been wrong about so many things it’s hard to pick one, but I was reminded of this when I saw one of JFK’s bodyguards being interviewed yesterday. As you may recall, when JFK was shot and the motorcade started speed… --- ## [Not having to worry about money...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-having-to-worry-about-money/773878)
**Author:** [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2016, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-having-to-worry-about-money/773878 "2016-12-15T22:27:05Z")
Ivanka and her $10K bangle bracelet keep rattling around in my brain. What is it like to be able to spend that kind of money on a little sparkly?? Heck, what is it like to look at a menu in a restaurant and not care ab… --- ## [Do Lawyers Really Use Those Impressive Collections of Cases Volumes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-lawyers-really-use-those-impressive-collections-of-cases-volumes/559204)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2010, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-lawyers-really-use-those-impressive-collections-of-cases-volumes/559204 "2010-11-18T18:53:26Z")
Those TV ambulance=chaser lawyers usually appear at their desks-bhind them is a wall of impressive, leather bound volumes of case law. In this day of electronic data bases and search engines, are these books now obsolet… --- ## [On tipping and credit/debit cards](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-tipping-and-credit-debit-cards/537385)
**Author:** [@sandra\_nz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sandra_nz)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2010, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-tipping-and-credit-debit-cards/537385 "2010-05-01T19:22:27Z")
I’ve been reading another thread discussing tipping and it’s got me to wondering… How do you manage tipping when paying by credit/debit card? I find that some restaurants we go to, the handset gives you the option to a… --- ## [Foods Named After Dogs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-named-after-dogs/581572)
**Author:** [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2011, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-named-after-dogs/581572 "2011-05-15T18:20:21Z")
All I can come up with are Collie Flower, Chow Chow, and Lassies. Any others? --- ## [How many Americans can only speak "ghetto"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-americans-can-only-speak-ghetto/613725)
**Author:** [@spankthecrumpet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spankthecrumpet)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2012, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-americans-can-only-speak-ghetto/613725 "2012-02-27T20:45:49Z")
That surprised me. In Britain, more or less anyone who spoke “ghetto english” would be able to make themselves understood to normal people if they had to. The only real exception I can think of is Irish Travellers but e… --- ## [Was the '22 SNL season opener as awful as it appeared?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-22-snl-season-opener-as-awful-as-it-appeared/972590)
**Author:** [@2\_More\_Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2_More_Bits)\ **Replies:** 144\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2022, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-22-snl-season-opener-as-awful-as-it-appeared/972590 "2022-11-09T15:23:43Z")
I don’t watch Saturday Night Live anymore (can’t stay up that late) but generally watch the selected clips that (for some reason) the New York Times always runs online on Sunday. Oh, my… last night was painfully bad. --- ## ["Do or Do not: There is no Try..."](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-or-do-not-there-is-no-try/534637)
**Author:** [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2010, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-or-do-not-there-is-no-try/534637 "2010-04-04T16:29:21Z")
…In the words of Yoda, I actually think that puppet is on to something. Is “trying” an illusion? Can’t you only “Do”, then succeed or fail at it, or “Don’t Do” at all? I understand that “trying” is sometimes interpret… --- ## [The Amazing Race May 6th, The Finale!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-may-6th-the-finale/621115)
**Author:** [@Edward\_The\_Head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edward_The_Head)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2012, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-may-6th-the-finale/621115 "2012-05-09T15:15:24Z")
This is it, the last two legs of the season. We’re already close to an hour in to the two hour final. Don’t forget to set your DVR for the full two hours. I’m not going to say anything to keep the spoilers out of the mou… --- ## [Can we induce morality in sea monkeys?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-induce-morality-in-sea-monkeys/59604)
**Author:** [@Wabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wabbit)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2024, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-induce-morality-in-sea-monkeys/59604 "2024-04-17T16:33:06Z")
The question of whether or not morality can be induced in another species has troubled me for some time. In an attempt to answer this question, I performed an experiment on some sea monkey’s I happened to aquire (note: I… --- ## [How often are fully automatic weapons used in crimes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-are-fully-automatic-weapons-used-in-crimes/665963)
**Author:** [@Keyzer\_Soza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keyzer_Soza)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2013, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-are-fully-automatic-weapons-used-in-crimes/665963 "2013-08-13T19:24:17Z")
In every hollywood action movie it seems the bad guys in any urban area seem to have access to unlimited fully automatic Ak-47’s and the likes. However from what I understand fully-automatic weapons are actually pretty h… --- ## [Who Wants To Be A Phaedrusaire?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-wants-to-be-a-phaedrusaire/4305)
**Author:** [@manhattan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manhattan)\ **Replies:** 146\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2000, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-wants-to-be-a-phaedrusaire/4305 "2000-06-07T18:12:45Z")
On the third page of Can psychosis be diagnosed from BB posts? , I successfully answered Phaedrus’ challenge to find a certain two members simulposting, thus winning $10,000. Along with the solution to his challenge, I m… --- ## [people who believe in ghosts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-believe-in-ghosts/231885)
**Author:** [@Never\_Have\_I\_Because\_I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Never_Have_I_Because_I)\ **Replies:** 155\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2004, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-believe-in-ghosts/231885 "2004-03-04T04:03:33Z")
these people make me roll my eyes. :rolleyes: \<- like that. ghosts don’t exist. they’re all in your head. you choose to impose the idea that something special will happen into your mind, and then you superimpose those … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/top.md?page=1007&per_page=50&period=all&state=muted) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/top.md?page=1009&per_page=50&period=all&state=muted)