# Top **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/top.md?page=1042&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:** 1043 --- ## [Gay marriage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gay-marriage/621622)
**Author:** [@sparky\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sparky_1)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2012, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gay-marriage/621622 "2012-05-22T23:28:09Z")
Let’s put this damn issue to rest already. Let anyone marry anyone or anything. Mkay? All the issues we face in this world, and this stupid issue is still beaten to death. So, here’s a poll. Who’s for it and who’s a… --- ## [Are Women Attracted To Men With Accents?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-women-attracted-to-men-with-accents/99770)
**Author:** [@Surreal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surreal)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2002, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-women-attracted-to-men-with-accents/99770 "2002-03-26T15:18:58Z")
Are women attracted to men who have foreign accents? Is this generally true, or is it just another stereotype?? Which types of accents do they find attractive and why??? And do women outside of the US like the American … --- ## [Gah! Why is it so hard to find a desk without a freakin' keyboard tray?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gah-why-is-it-so-hard-to-find-a-desk-without-a-freakin-keyboard-tray/581654)
**Author:** [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2011, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gah-why-is-it-so-hard-to-find-a-desk-without-a-freakin-keyboard-tray/581654 "2011-05-13T21:24:28Z")
I hate them so much! Does anyone actually like them, or is it one of those things manufacturer’s just foist upon us because they assume we all want them? They are never sturdy enough, so the keyboard wobbles…I have to p… --- ## ["Au Jus" as a noun](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/au-jus-as-a-noun/344945)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 105\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2017, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/au-jus-as-a-noun/344945 "2017-11-20T21:51:58Z")
I see a Quiznos commercial where it is stated that one of their sandwiches is “served with au jus.” At the grocery store, I see a packet of “au jus mix.” Do I understand correctly that these usages are incorrect? “Au … --- ## [The TV Show Opening Credits Hall of Fame and Shame](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tv-show-opening-credits-hall-of-fame-and-shame/397133)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_Hildo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Hildo)\ **Replies:** 104\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2007, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tv-show-opening-credits-hall-of-fame-and-shame/397133 "2007-04-02T06:04:57Z")
Fame: I always liked this credit sequence of The Twilight Zone. Shame: I will eat a big plate of fuckin bugs if you can find a worse opening credits sequence than the one that was used for The Ropers. Holy fuck, uninspi… --- ## ["Person with disabilities" vs "Disabled person", etc.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/person-with-disabilities-vs-disabled-person-etc/726356)
**Author:** [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2015, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/person-with-disabilities-vs-disabled-person-etc/726356 "2015-08-21T02:46:27Z")
Over in this pit thread about political correctness a poster named Jack of Words made some comments about the language used to describe the group that I would previously have referred to as “disabled people” that I found… --- ## [New puppy: Tell me it gets better?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-puppy-tell-me-it-gets-better/469623)
**Author:** [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2008, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-puppy-tell-me-it-gets-better/469623 "2008-11-10T22:02:42Z")
First, the happy: this is Bailey, a 3-month-old female Beagle mix who I just adopted yesterday. :slight\_smile: Now, the neuroses: I think I’m training her wrong already. :frowning: It started when we brought her home: … --- ## [What unusual animals have been (or could be) domesticated?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unusual-animals-have-been-or-could-be-domesticated/633993)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2012, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unusual-animals-have-been-or-could-be-domesticated/633993 "2012-09-09T03:40:10Z")
Reading about the experiments that resulted in the tame silver foxgot me thinking- what other animals have been or could be domesticated? With a similar experimental framework, could black bears be domesticated? Hyaena… --- ## [Did anything good come out of World War I?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-anything-good-come-out-of-world-war-i/721056)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2015, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-anything-good-come-out-of-world-war-i/721056 "2015-07-16T16:22:35Z")
One I’ve been wondering about for a while, comparing WWII to its prequel in what benefits humanity got out of it, despite all the death and destruction that war entails. With WWII, you get the definite plus points of Naz… --- ## [When was the last time you laughed uncontrollably?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-laughed-uncontrollably/547222)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2010, 8:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-laughed-uncontrollably/547222 "2010-08-07T08:04:22Z")
We all have our ROTFL moments. But it occurred to me that I must be getting more serious as I get older, because it’s been years since I had a laughfest where I literally couldn’t control myself, where I found myself la… --- ## [What's wrong with my gas fireplace?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-my-gas-fireplace/387863)
**Author:** [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2007, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-my-gas-fireplace/387863 "2007-01-14T17:55:41Z")
It’s finally gotten cold up here in the (un)Frozen North, and we’ve been using our gas fireplace more. It’s one of those Heat-n-Glo brands, with the glass in front and fake logs and all that. Yeah, a real fireplace is ni… --- ## [What could the Harris campaign have done differently?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-the-harris-campaign-have-done-differently/1009798)
**Author:** [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Replies:** 428\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2024, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-the-harris-campaign-have-done-differently/1009798 "2024-12-09T15:17:28Z")
All things considered, I think Harris actually ran a good campaign, especially given that she only had a few months to throw it together. She was positive, but also unafraid of dealing pointed jabs to Trump and his enabl… --- ## [Paul Ryan, Mitch McConnell, Jason Chaffetz etc SHOWING DISRESPECT: Avoiding Saying "Trump"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-ryan-mitch-mcconnell-jason-chaffetz-etc-showing-disrespect-avoiding-saying-trump/779863)
**Author:** [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2017, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-ryan-mitch-mcconnell-jason-chaffetz-etc-showing-disrespect-avoiding-saying-trump/779863 "2017-02-22T23:29:48Z")
Sure, they all say “the President”-----but they won’t say “President Trump.” Why not? Doesn’t he deserve to have his name spoken? This appears to be true for all the most prominent Republicans who are, supposedly, worki… --- ## [Are we in The Matrix?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-in-the-matrix/637059)
**Author:** [@al27052](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/al27052)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2012, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-in-the-matrix/637059 "2012-11-02T22:11:50Z")
I offer two bits of evidence: Quantum mechanics, specifically, the role of the observer in controlling the behavior of particles. What is that? How would any non-living system have the slightest idea whether or not… --- ## [Topics you KNOW the mods will shut down fast.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/topics-you-know-the-mods-will-shut-down-fast/255754)
**Author:** [@wolf\_meister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolf_meister)\ **Replies:** 115\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2004, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/topics-you-know-the-mods-will-shut-down-fast/255754 "2004-09-28T14:39:38Z")
For some reason, lately there seems to have been a number of threads (particularly in GQ) that have been shut down very quickly. So I was wondering about starting a thread to invent topics you know would be like a red f… --- ## [Your best and/or most horrible/embarassing fart.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-best-and-or-most-horrible-embarassing-fart/246326)
**Author:** [@Satyricon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Satyricon)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2004, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-best-and-or-most-horrible-embarassing-fart/246326 "2004-05-22T05:32:59Z")
I was working in the storage room at work today - good thing too, because I was totally gassy. I was letting little successions of machine-gun farts out all over the place. When I came out for lunch I saw my boss working… --- ## [Is it just me or is this site kind of soft?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-just-me-or-is-this-site-kind-of-soft/306509)
**Author:** [@hauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hauss)\ **Replies:** 113\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2005, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-just-me-or-is-this-site-kind-of-soft/306509 "2005-06-05T23:44:52Z")
It seems like over the past several years, “General Questions” is almost 100% occupied by people who just want to be entertained by talking about weird, inconsequential stuff, people who want to tell other people “how it… --- ## [You know you're getting old(er) when](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-youre-getting-old-er-when/963091)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 156\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2023, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-youre-getting-old-er-when/963091 "2023-11-21T01:33:17Z")
In my case, you find out that 80s teen star Debbie Gibson is affiliated with AARP. --- ## [Do non-American women fantasize about American men?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-non-american-women-fantasize-about-american-men/562267)
**Author:** [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2010, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-non-american-women-fantasize-about-american-men/562267 "2010-12-01T20:17:52Z")
And if so, what’s their ideal American guy? Plenty of American women fantasize about foreign guys. The Italian guy who’ll serenade you, the French guy who will woo you in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower, the endearingly … --- ## [Is organic food a 'scam'?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-organic-food-a-scam/520779)
**Author:** [@Palo\_Verde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palo_Verde)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2009, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-organic-food-a-scam/520779 "2009-12-11T18:31:28Z")
In a recent thread in GQ, several poster called organic food ‘a scam’ http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=11873612#post11873612 One poster then chimed in saying organic food has a real benefit to the e… --- ## [So, which computer brands should I avoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-which-computer-brands-should-i-avoid/527032)
**Author:** [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2010, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-which-computer-brands-should-i-avoid/527032 "2010-02-06T07:41:48Z")
In my thus-far fruitless quest to find a good computer deal, I do keep seeing E-machines boxes. They make me… curious and anxious. I bought an E-Machines box. I actually got three of them before finding one which didn’t… --- ## [Grocery Store Express Lane Proposal](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grocery-store-express-lane-proposal/711496)
**Author:** [@opossum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/opossum)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2015, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grocery-store-express-lane-proposal/711496 "2015-02-08T18:37:05Z")
I was in an “express lane” at a grocery store tonight and the two customers ahead of me each had way over the advertised “12 items or less.” (I had seven items, they had full grocery carts with probably 20-30 each). I … --- ## [Movies banned in the USA](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-banned-in-the-usa/181355)
**Author:** [@ElectroSunDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElectroSunDog)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2003, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-banned-in-the-usa/181355 "2003-06-17T03:04:27Z")
Al hype aside, are there any movies that, legally, absolutely CANNOT be shown in the US? --- ## [The Avengers (movie) - Aliens vs. US Military \*open spoilers\*](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-avengers-movie-aliens-vs-us-military-open-spoilers/637812)
**Author:** [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2012, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-avengers-movie-aliens-vs-us-military-open-spoilers/637812 "2012-10-22T02:39:43Z")
I re-watched The Avengers last weekend and one of my complaints about this otherwise excellent movie is that the alien army seems rather toothless. Sure the dudes are big and scary looking, and they have some kind of en… --- ## [What is the worst sports governing body in the world?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-sports-governing-body-in-the-world/704612)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2014, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-sports-governing-body-in-the-world/704612 "2014-11-24T01:55:04Z")
The NFL? The IOC? FIFA? Someone outside the usual suspects? The bump to the Qatar World Cup rumblings inspired this question. --- ## [CNN article describing how quickly guns can be taken away.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cnn-article-describing-how-quickly-guns-can-be-taken-away/644362)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2012, 9:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cnn-article-describing-how-quickly-guns-can-be-taken-away/644362 "2012-12-22T09:05:30Z")
I’m posting this primarily because CNN is generally considered reasonably unbiased. There is already a gun debate in great debates. I’m just providing information here. Please don’t shoot the messenger. … --- ## [POW's like Stockdale and McCain caused themselves harm for no good reason](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pows-like-stockdale-and-mccain-caused-themselves-harm-for-no-good-reason/449464)
**Author:** [@Wee\_Bairn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wee_Bairn)\ **Replies:** 151\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2008, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pows-like-stockdale-and-mccain-caused-themselves-harm-for-no-good-reason/449464 "2008-05-16T22:39:53Z")
I just got through reading the Wikipedia bios of Stockdale and McCain and while most think “what brave heroes”, my reaction is “what odd people”. You have a choice between complying with the requests of your captors and … --- ## [Self employment tax on someone who falls below the poverty line - can this be right?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/self-employment-tax-on-someone-who-falls-below-the-poverty-line-can-this-be-right/717152)
**Author:** [@misterW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/misterW)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2019, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/self-employment-tax-on-someone-who-falls-below-the-poverty-line-can-this-be-right/717152 "2019-05-12T19:56:26Z")
Let’s say a self employed person manages to scrape up $7000 in a year. They are then expected to pay back approximately 15% of it in taxes? Is this correct in that there is no sliding scale for self employment income? … --- ## [Greatest prank ever (area 51)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-prank-ever-area-51/542339)
**Author:** [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2011, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-prank-ever-area-51/542339 "2011-11-26T21:53:05Z")
A few months back the people who used to be employed at area 51 were cleared to talk about it by the government. They couldn’t discuss everything, there were still actual valuable military secrets to be kept, but in gene… --- ## [Is the USA a "welfare state" like the right claims?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-usa-a-welfare-state-like-the-right-claims/619764)
**Author:** [@Linden\_Arden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Linden_Arden)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2012, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-usa-a-welfare-state-like-the-right-claims/619764 "2012-05-01T16:40:49Z")
Or are we a Social Security/Medicare state? I maintain the latter. From my perspective about 85% of all social spending are for elderly entitlements. It seems the right wants to combine SS with “welfare” in order to d… --- ## [Half of Trump's voters believe in pizzagate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/half-of-trumps-voters-believe-in-pizzagate/775777)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 90\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2017, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/half-of-trumps-voters-believe-in-pizzagate/775777 "2017-01-06T15:13:03Z")
Neat. Pizzagate is the theory that Hillary Clinton is involved in a satanic pedophile ring operating out of a pizza parlor. A Right wing extremist went there with an assault rifle to ‘investigate’ recently. I was rea… --- ## [How do you carry your keys?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-carry-your-keys/646171)
**Author:** [@steviep24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steviep24)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2013, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-carry-your-keys/646171 "2013-01-08T22:41:59Z")
I usually have mine on a carabiner on a belt loop. --- ## [Pittsburgh Left](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pittsburgh-left/588816)
**Author:** [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2012, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pittsburgh-left/588816 "2012-09-28T03:14:26Z")
The traffice maneuver whereby the first car in the left turn lane makes his turn as soon as the light turns green rather than wait for the oncoming traffic to start up and clear. I had seen it practised in Pitsburgh and… --- ## [Who represents Billy Joel?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-represents-billy-joel/673093)
**Author:** [@MannyL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MannyL)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2013, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-represents-billy-joel/673093 "2013-11-06T19:57:37Z")
I want to write a letter to Mr. Joel’s agent. My Google-fu is coming up lacking any results. --- ## [67th Golden Globe Awards (2010)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/67th-golden-globe-awards-2010/525373)
**Author:** [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2010, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/67th-golden-globe-awards-2010/525373 "2010-01-19T06:00:45Z")
The Golden Globes are always fun. Ricky Gervais is hosting and he’s a riot. Should be a good show. I’ll be rooting for my faves, especially television shows (like Glee). Anyone watching the red carpet pre-show? It’s… --- ## [Uploading audio files so that students can play them over the internet](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uploading-audio-files-so-that-students-can-play-them-over-the-internet/550666)
**Author:** [@aaelghat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aaelghat)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2010, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uploading-audio-files-so-that-students-can-play-them-over-the-internet/550666 "2010-08-19T14:39:17Z")
Let’s say that a technically savvy educator wanted to record his lectures and class discussions as MP3 files using a digital voice recorder. He then wanted to upload those files to a place where students (using only a b… --- ## ["Catfish" (MTV series)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catfish-mtv-series/665605)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2017, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catfish-mtv-series/665605 "2017-05-18T18:04:47Z")
This is a TV series based on the documentary of the same name. It’s about people who have online relationships with people who turn out to have profiles that are phony on some level. Does anyone else watch this? IMHO:… --- ## [Whatever happened to Bernhard Goetz?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatever-happened-to-bernhard-goetz/115501)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2013, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatever-happened-to-bernhard-goetz/115501 "2013-11-08T21:09:59Z")
Did he ever spend a day in jail for the infamous subway shootings in New York? --- ## [For a week I want to eat a 'common man' diet from any place and era...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-a-week-i-want-to-eat-a-common-man-diet-from-any-place-and-era/571088)
**Author:** [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2011, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-a-week-i-want-to-eat-a-common-man-diet-from-any-place-and-era/571088 "2011-02-18T11:56:42Z")
I mean diet as in “The usual food and drink of a person or animal” NOT “A regulated selection of foods for cosmetic weight loss.” Quite awhile ago I was interested in survival foods and what it took to keep someone aliv… --- ## [Kopbusters has it's first sting](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kopbusters-has-its-first-sting/476189)
**Author:** [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2008, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kopbusters-has-its-first-sting/476189 "2008-12-11T20:13:56Z")
http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Raw\_footage\_from\_KopBusters\_first\_sting\_1207.html Kopbusters is an attempt to duplicate the “Catch a Predator” type show by catching cops who break the rules.They set them up and wait for c… --- ## [Why was a Centurion in charge of just 80 men?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-a-centurion-in-charge-of-just-80-men/191686)
**Author:** [@G.Cornelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/G.Cornelius)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2017, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-a-centurion-in-charge-of-just-80-men/191686 "2017-12-10T12:18:55Z")
In the Imperial Roman army, a century in fact consisted of just 80 legionaries. Why not 100? --- ## [Weakest Characters in your favorite shows](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weakest-characters-in-your-favorite-shows/468206)
**Author:** [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Replies:** 93\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2008, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weakest-characters-in-your-favorite-shows/468206 "2008-10-22T21:10:48Z")
In many of my favorite shows there may be one or two characters that lessen the experience for me. Paul from Spin City sets my teeth on edge. Although James was a close second. Diane on Cheers. Bull on Night Court. W… --- ## ["Everybody Hates Chris" questions & thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everybody-hates-chris-questions-thread/582862)
**Author:** [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2011, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everybody-hates-chris-questions-thread/582862 "2011-05-24T04:25:29Z")
I never watched Everybody Hates Chris in first-run but on Nick and other channels where it’s in syndication I was really impressed. It’s funny, intelligent, has great characters, gave work to a lot of '70s & 80s stars (… --- ## [Re: Can camels swim?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-can-camels-swim/36473)
**Author:** [@Speaker\_for\_the\_Dead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Speaker_for_the_Dead)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2001, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-can-camels-swim/36473 "2001-02-16T23:25:58Z")
Sloths (to my knowledge) can swim. But I was wondering, what about birds? They’re animals, and I doubt a sparrow (example) could do a breast stroke really well. Prove me right/wrong! Edit by CKDextHavn: Link to the Ma… --- ## [Pre-civil-war legal questions about slavery](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pre-civil-war-legal-questions-about-slavery/675716)
**Author:** [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2013, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pre-civil-war-legal-questions-about-slavery/675716 "2013-12-10T22:23:45Z")
I have some kind of morbid questions about the legalities of slavery in pre-civil-war America, say, 1850. (1) Was it legal for people other than “blacks” to be enslaved? Could you have slaves whose appearance to the mod… --- ## [Can we Define "Spoiler" Please?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-define-spoiler-please/619820)
**Author:** [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2012, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-define-spoiler-please/619820 "2012-05-04T01:59:59Z")
In this week’s “House” thread there is a poster complaining about being “Spoiled” because somebody mentions what was shown in the preview for next week. The publicly shown on television, planned and approved by the dire… --- ## [If someone is a mostly lazy slacker into their 20's will they ever really change?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-someone-is-a-mostly-lazy-slacker-into-their-20s-will-they-ever-really-change/524296)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2010, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-someone-is-a-mostly-lazy-slacker-into-their-20s-will-they-ever-really-change/524296 "2010-01-11T15:06:45Z")
If an otherwise pleasant and reasonably intelligent 19 to 23 year old young adult has shown very little inclination in their teen years to be an achiever or go getter socially, financially, or academically, and is mostly… --- ## [Why so many French words in aircraft nomenclature?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-so-many-french-words-in-aircraft-nomenclature/713557)
**Author:** [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2016, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-so-many-french-words-in-aircraft-nomenclature/713557 "2016-08-10T13:13:16Z")
I’m curious why there are so many French words describing aircraft parts? Fuselage, empennage, aileron and pitot to name a few. Yet other words, rudder, elevator, stabilizer, and wing are common English words. W… --- ## [How to make a homemade time keeping device?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-make-a-homemade-time-keeping-device/66847)
**Author:** [@galyean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galyean)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [May 31, 2001, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-make-a-homemade-time-keeping-device/66847 "2001-05-31T12:14:43Z")
While reflecting on high school experiences this evening, I recalled a project given to us by our physical science teacher. His instructions were to build a device to measure time excluding sundials. Most students broug… --- ## [Behind every fortune is a crime, claimed Balzac. Are there exceptions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/behind-every-fortune-is-a-crime-claimed-balzac-are-there-exceptions/218330)
**Author:** [@marky33](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marky33)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [June 10, 2011, 10:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/behind-every-fortune-is-a-crime-claimed-balzac-are-there-exceptions/218330 "2011-06-10T10:41:44Z")
Many may consider the possession of a fortune by one person while others starve a crime, but I assume Balzac was referring to the collection of wealth rather than its possession. I may be wrong, but Bill Gates seems rel… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/top.md?page=1041&per_page=50&period=all&state=muted) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/top.md?page=1043&per_page=50&period=all&state=muted)