# Top **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/top.md?page=1282&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:** 1283 --- ## ["Family Circus" is actually kind of funny today!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-circus-is-actually-kind-of-funny-today/480904)
**Author:** [@Baldwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baldwin)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2009, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-circus-is-actually-kind-of-funny-today/480904 "2009-01-14T19:42:28Z")
For years, I’ve been avoiding reading “Family Circus”. However, they just rearranged the comics page in my paper, and I read it by accident. And today’s panel (01/12/09) is actually kind of funny. It’s something a kid… --- ## [How much does it cost to hire a private investigator?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-it-cost-to-hire-a-private-investigator/683278)
**Author:** [@buddha\_david](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buddha_david)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2014, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-it-cost-to-hire-a-private-investigator/683278 "2014-10-23T19:05:18Z")
Last month I was looking through yearbook photos, and came across a former friend who I hadn’t thought about in nearly 20 years. Since we shared a certain history together, I tried to look him up on the Internet – but I… --- ## [Do you know what "terpsichorean" means without looking it up?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-what-terpsichorean-means-without-looking-it-up/472664)
**Author:** [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2008, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-what-terpsichorean-means-without-looking-it-up/472664 "2008-11-18T16:26:52Z")
I can’t ever remember coming across this word before today, and I am pretty well read. If you guess turtles or terrapins, you are wrong. Damn New York Times articles, always trying to outsmart me. --- ## [Robocop (2014) \*SPOILERS\*](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robocop-2014-spoilers/680626)
**Author:** [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2014, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robocop-2014-spoilers/680626 "2014-03-01T13:07:28Z")
No, I haven’t seen it, I don’t know if I even will see it, but the commercials are now on all over the place so the release must be eminent. Seems he starts out looking like Robocop Classic, then for some lame reason th… --- ## [Any desk chair suggestions for a fat ass?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-desk-chair-suggestions-for-a-fat-ass/525409)
**Author:** [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2019, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-desk-chair-suggestions-for-a-fat-ass/525409 "2019-08-06T21:16:01Z")
So my back and shoulders hurt. I know why this is, my desk in which I sit chair sucks. It is a hard dinner table chair. I would like to get a real lumbar support desk chair. The issue is my ass after the squishing of sit… --- ## [Best #1 single of the year retrospective: 1983](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-1-single-of-the-year-retrospective-1983/701316)
**Author:** [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2014, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-1-single-of-the-year-retrospective-1983/701316 "2014-10-20T12:27:21Z")
Our survey brings us now to 1983. Tensions between the US and Russia are at their highest point in decades, I’m just a wee little baby, and Michael Jackson’s Thriller has cemented his position as the King of Pop. We’re n… --- ## [What are you? (Ethnicity...)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-ethnicity/455152)
**Author:** [@sangfroid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sangfroid)\ **Replies:** 154\ **Last updated:** [July 10, 2008, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-ethnicity/455152 "2008-07-10T19:53:32Z")
Well… …what the title says, I guess. I don’t recall seeing this here before, so I thought I’d ask the S/D crew just what version of human you are. If there is an earlier thread I missed on this subject, please link to i… --- ## [Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. Should he be treated as an enemy combatant or not?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dzhokhar-tsarnaev-should-he-be-treated-as-an-enemy-combatant-or-not/656349)
**Author:** [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2013, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dzhokhar-tsarnaev-should-he-be-treated-as-an-enemy-combatant-or-not/656349 "2013-04-27T21:20:48Z")
Some are pushing for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev to be tried as an “enemy combatant,” i.e. no Miranda rights, etc. Good idea or no? --- ## [Gender Pronouns (original title: Should we have gender-identifiers on the SDMB?)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gender-pronouns-original-title-should-we-have-gender-identifiers-on-the-sdmb/953846)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 141\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2021, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gender-pronouns-original-title-should-we-have-gender-identifiers-on-the-sdmb/953846 "2021-12-08T21:02:41Z")
When referring to another poster whose sex I don’t know, I generally revert to “he” unless corrected, but I know there are many women on the board. On one message board I go to, men’s names are in blue, women’s names ar… --- ## [Untruths you believe](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/untruths-you-believe/550464)
**Author:** [@Taenia\_spp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taenia_spp)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2010, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/untruths-you-believe/550464 "2010-08-20T19:17:11Z")
Mine? Human females do not poop. Alright, I don’t have any reason to believe they don’t and rationally I know they must, but I’ve never made any direct observations regarding this biological function. I’ve been in man… --- ## [Taking Tolerance Too Far -- Enabling?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-tolerance-too-far-enabling/55640)
**Author:** [@Snark\_Hunter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snark_Hunter)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2001, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-tolerance-too-far-enabling/55640 "2001-02-25T19:34:43Z")
Let’s say I and a friend decide to go skiing over the weekend, and my friend chooses a particularly treacherous area in which to ski. Not wanting to offend my friend by telling him it’s a dangerous area, I pat him on the… --- ## [Best and Worst Episodes From Your Favorite TV Show(s)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-episodes-from-your-favorite-tv-show-s/632220)
**Author:** [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2015, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-episodes-from-your-favorite-tv-show-s/632220 "2015-09-10T14:30:12Z")
Just a fun little thread inspired by this one. The challenge is simple; for a TV show you enjoy, list your single favorite episode and your single least favorite episode, and provide a one-sentence summary of what episod… --- ## [Oprah Appreciation Thread (or "Hiii Oprah Haters")](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oprah-appreciation-thread-or-hiii-oprah-haters/498433)
**Author:** [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Replies:** 107\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2009, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oprah-appreciation-thread-or-hiii-oprah-haters/498433 "2009-06-06T11:45:08Z")
I love Oprah. So freakin’ much, you have no idea. I dig her style. Just her overall ‘steeze’ of being a powerful energy in the damn room! Love that. I like her gutsy climb to the top, and I love her work in South Af… --- ## [Things to do in California all alone and nervous](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-in-california-all-alone-and-nervous/338494)
**Author:** [@pokey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pokey)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2006, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-in-california-all-alone-and-nervous/338494 "2006-01-11T19:01:09Z")
I have to go to California for business for 2 weeks and I really need advice on what to do there. I have a whole weekend where I have to find things to do all by myself. I don’t know anyone there. I have a little bit of … --- ## [What is with the euphemism IED?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-with-the-euphemism-ied/691966)
**Author:** [@Pasture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pasture)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2014, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-with-the-euphemism-ied/691966 "2014-07-02T20:04:41Z")
We see in the news from time to time reference to “our guys” – whatever country they are from so long as they are on the right side – having to cope with the horrors of IEDs – i.e. Improvised Explosive Devices – produce… --- ## [American Dopers: Would You Support A New Constitution?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-dopers-would-you-support-a-new-constitution/836043)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2019, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-dopers-would-you-support-a-new-constitution/836043 "2019-07-30T15:58:53Z")
The Constitution is at once sacrosanct, and deeply flawed. Much of it is vague, ambiguous, or outdated. What’s more, the system of government that we have stands in sharp contrast to the parliamentary system employed by … --- ## [Legalized Marijuana cost Republicans the election. Discuss](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legalized-marijuana-cost-republicans-the-election-discuss/642804)
**Author:** [@aNewLeaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aNewLeaf)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2013, 8:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legalized-marijuana-cost-republicans-the-election-discuss/642804 "2013-04-16T08:46:31Z")
Hi guys- new member, long time reader. Loooong time, pre-Internet. So here’s the thing- Republicans could have won and threw the election away. It’s not that Obama voters are pot smokers (almost said “dopers”), though … --- ## [Why do gay guys speak with a lisp??](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-gay-guys-speak-with-a-lisp/213501)
**Author:** [@InLikeFlynn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InLikeFlynn)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2003, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-gay-guys-speak-with-a-lisp/213501 "2003-11-17T05:11:28Z")
I don’t get it. What does the lisp signify?? Do they do it on purpose? Is it a signal to announce their presence to other fags in their audible vicinity? Do gays who recently came out of the closet suddenly wake up usi… --- ## [Tramadol side effects](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tramadol-side-effects/663297)
**Author:** [@Grateful-UnDead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grateful-UnDead)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2013, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tramadol-side-effects/663297 "2013-07-14T01:39:28Z")
I am not seeking medical advice, you are not my doctor, yadda, yadda, yadda… For the past couple of months, as a consequence of old injuries and wounds received in a previous career coming back to haunt me, I am taking … --- ## [Tipping for Take Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-for-take-out/604515)
**Author:** [@tomcar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomcar)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2011, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-for-take-out/604515 "2011-12-11T18:38:05Z")
Do you tip for take out? Why do I feel like I am supposed to? Any insiders or restaurant workers want to give some input on this matter? My head says no…but I feel guilty if I don’t. --- ## [Crop circles: how do those guys make such intricate patterns?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crop-circles-how-do-those-guys-make-such-intricate-patterns/681894)
**Author:** [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2014, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crop-circles-how-do-those-guys-make-such-intricate-patterns/681894 "2014-03-01T12:51:21Z")
Note that I am not suggesting that crop circles are in any way paranormal. I know they are done by people flattening down crops, but I would love to know how they do it. Back in the old days when they were simple swirle… --- ## [how does a computer understand a language?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-computer-understand-a-language/50695)
**Author:** [@smoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smoke)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2001, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-computer-understand-a-language/50695 "2001-01-19T16:48:15Z")
I’ve just begun to teach myself Java and C++ (well, it’s actually the books doing the teaching, not me) and a question occurred to me last night: (I may have difficulty wording it, so bear w/me) Any given language has … --- ## [The How I Met Your Mother end of season 9 thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-how-i-met-your-mother-end-of-season-9-thread/679444)
**Author:** [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2014, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-how-i-met-your-mother-end-of-season-9-thread/679444 "2014-02-06T14:50:30Z")
There are plenty of HIMYM threads, but none seemed appropriate. I don’t think it is worth having one thread per episode, but I figured we could have a thread for the rest of the season. Here is an episode list for seas… --- ## [French speakers: Why accent grave in "très"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/french-speakers-why-accent-grave-in-tres/596900)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2011, 10:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/french-speakers-why-accent-grave-in-tres/596900 "2011-09-25T10:20:32Z")
I studied French for years in high school and never thought about this until I was helping my 13-year-old with his homework last night. The “e” in “très” is pronounced eɪ so I would have thought it would be spelled “trés… --- ## [How do morbidly obese people reproduce?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-morbidly-obese-people-reproduce/464829)
**Author:** [@Uncommon\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncommon_Sense)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2008, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-morbidly-obese-people-reproduce/464829 "2008-09-25T16:49:12Z")
From another thread in GQ about abortion. Fair enough, since I’ve often wondered how the morbidly obese do just about any normal activities, including reproducing. On occasion I’ll see a very large couple who’ve either… --- ## [Is incest legal in Sweden?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-incest-legal-in-sweden/266342)
**Author:** [@rhettbutler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rhettbutler)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2004, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-incest-legal-in-sweden/266342 "2004-10-05T05:07:24Z")
While working on an anthropology paper, I read an essay by Yehudi Cohen, reprinted from the July 1978 issue of Human Nature, called “The Disappearance of the Incest Taboo.” He relates the tale of a brother and sister wh… --- ## [Why SNOW at Christmas?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-snow-at-christmas/677350)
**Author:** [@Riga\_Marole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riga_Marole)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2014, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-snow-at-christmas/677350 "2014-01-07T13:12:30Z")
I lived in Rhodesia during the mid-late 1970’s. Every year at Christmas time the city of Salisbury would erect plyboard cut-out Christmas trees in the park, sprayed with white on the tips to signify snow. Gee, that was n… --- ## [Obamacare: why aren't people with pre-existing conditions signing up ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamacare-why-arent-people-with-pre-existing-conditions-signing-up/674067)
**Author:** [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2013, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamacare-why-arent-people-with-pre-existing-conditions-signing-up/674067 "2013-11-20T14:57:08Z")
I had thought that one of the great improvements of Obamacare was that it will let every single person buy insurance, even if the insurance companies til now refused to cover him because of pre-existing conditions. And I… --- ## [Hypothetical alien assistance, leading to probable human extinction](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-alien-assistance-leading-to-probable-human-extinction/706557)
**Author:** [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2014, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-alien-assistance-leading-to-probable-human-extinction/706557 "2014-12-12T18:45:52Z")
Here’s the hypothetical (don’t fight it): Aliens arrive in orbit around Earth and after a brief spell of panic, it turns out they’re genuinely peaceful and benevolent - and they manage to convince most people that this … --- ## [Obama v. McCain: Start your engines!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-v-mccain-start-your-engines/451701)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 126\ **Last updated:** [June 8, 2008, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-v-mccain-start-your-engines/451701 "2008-06-08T18:50:27Z")
Obama’s nomination seems all but certain at this point, so it’s time to start the real campaign season (i.e., that in the GD Forum of the SDMB; I understand there might also be a public election or something to ratify th… --- ## [Movies with pregnant women who don't give birth...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-with-pregnant-women-who-dont-give-birth/672068)
**Author:** [@Jadis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jadis)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2013, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-with-pregnant-women-who-dont-give-birth/672068 "2013-11-02T15:31:45Z")
I was having a conversation with a guy I just met, and he mentioned that one of the things he liked about Fargo was that while Marge’s pregnancy was relevant to her character, the movie’s focus didn’t revolve around the … --- ## ["In Mali, no babies have colic" -- Accurate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-mali-no-babies-have-colic-accurate/527114)
**Author:** [@Ruffian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruffian)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2010, 7:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-mali-no-babies-have-colic-accurate/527114 "2010-02-03T07:57:31Z")
So, this sleep-deprived parent of a 7-week-old nightly screamer has repeatedly read in various baby publications that babies in Other Countries (Mali is commonly quoted) do not get colic. Here’s one website with just th… --- ## [considering NOT getting garbage pick up](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/considering-not-getting-garbage-pick-up/702205)
**Author:** [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2014, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/considering-not-getting-garbage-pick-up/702205 "2014-10-30T00:20:11Z")
I just called the local company that picks up the garbage and was not impressed. the employee really wanted a bunch of info when I thought we could just talk price and\* then\* I’d give them my info. I told her I had very … --- ## [Where do people download music (legit) these days?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-people-download-music-legit-these-days/618832)
**Author:** [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [June 12, 2014, 10:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-people-download-music-legit-these-days/618832 "2014-06-12T10:14:31Z")
Basically, what the title asks. What sites do people recommend for legitimate music downloading. I used to like Napster’s subscription service until they were acquired by Rhapsody. I find Rhapsody’s selection, interfa… --- ## [Most disturbing PSA ever?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-disturbing-psa-ever/526198)
**Author:** [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2010, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-disturbing-psa-ever/526198 "2010-01-26T20:13:20Z")
Ever \*ever \*ever? --- ## [Should I buy a Tesla S?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-buy-a-tesla-s/667900)
**Author:** [@daisy101](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/daisy101)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2013, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-buy-a-tesla-s/667900 "2013-09-19T19:15:34Z")
I’m in love with this car. Faster than a porsche 911, lower center of gravity than a vette, safest car in history! I live in Toronto so there’s no charging stations so that could be a down side. Anybody know anything abo… --- ## [Baby/Toddler gets hurt. What/why is the pause before the scream?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baby-toddler-gets-hurt-what-why-is-the-pause-before-the-scream/746993)
**Author:** [@Hermitian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hermitian)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [February 29, 2016, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baby-toddler-gets-hurt-what-why-is-the-pause-before-the-scream/746993 "2016-02-29T23:11:42Z")
So I have had two kids. One in particular fell down a lot and seemed to like to use his face to break his fall. It usually goes like this: Small child gets hurt (somehow). Then there is that dreadful eerie silence. I… --- ## [God Spoke to Me: Why is this Good?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-spoke-to-me-why-is-this-good/514821)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2009, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-spoke-to-me-why-is-this-good/514821 "2009-11-16T04:13:35Z")
Going through Google, I have identified the following unique cases from the first five pages of results returned: “God told me to kill” - 1999, 2000 2003 2004 2004 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2009 On the other hand,… --- ## [Who has embarrassed your state the most?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-embarrassed-your-state-the-most/417417)
**Author:** [@dwc1970](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dwc1970)\ **Replies:** 143\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2007, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-embarrassed-your-state-the-most/417417 "2007-09-10T12:44:21Z")
I’m in Idaho. We all know of Senator Larry Craig’s recently reported restroom incident. We’d had a few other interesting characters in our history to garner national attention (David Butler, Randy Weaver), but I’m hard-p… --- ## [Soccer, is It Catching on with the Young Americans?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-is-it-catching-on-with-the-young-americans/755910)
**Author:** [@Two\_Many\_Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [June 8, 2016, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-is-it-catching-on-with-the-young-americans/755910 "2016-06-08T12:32:25Z")
I can remember back in the '70’s when Chicago got its first pro soccer team, the Sting. (Named after the movie, that’s how far back this was.). Anyway, there was the usual public wonderment about why Americans don’t lik… --- ## [Charging a teenager as an adult - when is it appropriate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charging-a-teenager-as-an-adult-when-is-it-appropriate/726585)
**Author:** [@Maggie\_the\_Ocelot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maggie_the_Ocelot)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2015, 10:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charging-a-teenager-as-an-adult-when-is-it-appropriate/726585 "2015-08-03T10:53:38Z")
So here in California, a 15-year old neighbor boy has been charged with the rape and murder of 8-year old Madyson Middleton. He’s being charged as an adult, which means he’s eligible for life in prison without parole. A… --- ## [my racist rant of the day](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-racist-rant-of-the-day/553334)
**Author:** [@scamartistry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scamartistry)\ **Replies:** 87\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2010, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-racist-rant-of-the-day/553334 "2010-09-14T04:22:09Z")
some of my impressions of the ethnicities/cultures of the world (speaking of the collective, never individuals): anglo-americans: very open and friendly people mexicans: hard, reliable workers jews: amazing academics … --- ## [Can we please close this thread?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-close-this-thread/574755)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2011, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-close-this-thread/574755 "2011-03-27T23:19:38Z")
Most Americans oppose offshoring. We need to take action. It’s over 800 posts now. And it’s just Le Jacquelope crowing over how he’s driven everyone else out of the thread. But he won’t stop adding new posts to keep it o… --- ## [Why is 42 the answer to life?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-42-the-answer-to-life/690243)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [June 11, 2014, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-42-the-answer-to-life/690243 "2014-06-11T13:14:11Z")
Here is a list of Theories I have heard: Tribute to Jackie Robinson Double blackjack(2x21) Number of lines on a page Tribute to Lewis Carrol Does anybody know the the true reason why Douglas Adams picked this number… --- ## [Male athletes with female first names](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-athletes-with-female-first-names/521402)
**Author:** [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2009, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-athletes-with-female-first-names/521402 "2009-12-25T15:55:40Z")
My friends and I noticed that many professional male athletes have traditionally female first names. Here are some examples (not including spelling variants): Ashley, Shannon, Courtney, Kelly, Dominique, Jamie, Torry, … --- ## [Futuristic Sci-Fi Movies Set in a Year That Has Come to Pass](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/futuristic-sci-fi-movies-set-in-a-year-that-has-come-to-pass/339223)
**Author:** [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2006, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/futuristic-sci-fi-movies-set-in-a-year-that-has-come-to-pass/339223 "2006-01-20T23:00:12Z")
The two most obvious for these are 2001: A Space Odyssey, in which we have manned flights to Jupiter and pictophones 4 years ago, and the movie adaptation of 1984, which came to pass except for most of it. (There was … --- ## [Is my father in thrall of a bogus solar power rumor?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-father-in-thrall-of-a-bogus-solar-power-rumor/572243)
**Author:** [@Geekboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geekboy)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2011, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-father-in-thrall-of-a-bogus-solar-power-rumor/572243 "2011-03-01T07:33:38Z")
Okay - background: My father is a sucker for EVERY urban legend / stupid rumour that comes down the pike. He is also of a certain generation that has a knee-jerk denial to any and all environmental concerns. So I am p… --- ## [How to deal with a nuclear North Korea?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-deal-with-a-nuclear-north-korea/654815)
**Author:** [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2013, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-deal-with-a-nuclear-north-korea/654815 "2013-04-12T07:44:38Z")
Yes, there have been a number of threads here recently regarding North Korea, its threats, and its posturing. Some of them have even touched on the question of how the US and the rest of the world should deal with a nucl… --- ## [Share Your Xmas Tree!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/share-your-xmas-tree/476445)
**Author:** [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2008, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/share-your-xmas-tree/476445 "2008-12-22T15:28:11Z")
After buying our house this year, we’re in extremely dire financial circumstances which preclude us from decorating for the holidays. So knowing that Dopers are a happy and obliging bunch to share pictures, I thought pe… --- ## [How do I keep IE from automatically chenging the text size?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-keep-ie-from-automatically-chenging-the-text-size/143703)
**Author:** [@Cleverman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cleverman)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2010, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-keep-ie-from-automatically-chenging-the-text-size/143703 "2010-11-16T23:20:37Z")
I hate it that in IE suddenly the page will update and give me text larger than I want. Is there any way to stop that? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/top.md?page=1281&per_page=50&period=all&state=muted) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/top.md?page=1283&per_page=50&period=all&state=muted)