# Top **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/top.md?page=1469&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:** 1470 --- ## [the big SELF DETERMINATION thread: Catalonia, Calexit, Brexit, Civil War, & Revolutionary War](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-self-determination-thread-catalonia-calexit-brexit-civil-war-revolutionary-war/797767)
**Author:** [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2017, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-self-determination-thread-catalonia-calexit-brexit-civil-war-revolutionary-war/797767 "2017-10-29T14:22:15Z")
Should “people” (loosely defined by the examples in the title) have the right to self determination / independence? There are other examples I can think of too: Scotland, Quebec, Puerto Rico, etc. The USA is in the wei… --- ## [The worst, most useless, frustrating car you've ever owned.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-worst-most-useless-frustrating-car-youve-ever-owned/842287)
**Author:** [@Lancia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lancia)\ **Replies:** 105\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2020, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-worst-most-useless-frustrating-car-youve-ever-owned/842287 "2020-09-08T23:21:59Z")
Car threads have been popular lately, and one recent thread had people waxing nostalgic about “the one that got away”: the car they most regret getting rid of. I’m curious about cars at the other end of the spectrum: ca… --- ## [Coolest sci-fi weapons?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coolest-sci-fi-weapons/280763)
**Author:** [@Tracy\_Lord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tracy_Lord)\ **Replies:** 119\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2004, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coolest-sci-fi-weapons/280763 "2004-12-26T02:18:35Z")
What are the coolest, flashiest, best-named, most nifty weapons dreamed up by sci-fi writers or prop crews? I mean, you’ve got your classic phaser/blaster/ray gun/1920s-style “death ray,” the lightsaber archetype of “it’… --- ## [Iran threatens a "pre-emptive strike" against Israel](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-threatens-a-pre-emptive-strike-against-israel/469100)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 100\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2008, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-threatens-a-pre-emptive-strike-against-israel/469100 "2008-10-29T23:46:55Z")
Link. Will Israel pre-empt that pre-emption? Should Israel do so? If Israel is hit first what would happen? If Israel hits first, after this statement, what would happen? --- ## [Without looking it up do you know what the term "pass remarkable" means?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-looking-it-up-do-you-know-what-the-term-pass-remarkable-means/547519)
**Author:** [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2010, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-looking-it-up-do-you-know-what-the-term-pass-remarkable-means/547519 "2010-07-23T19:16:05Z")
It seems the term is only used in Ireland and Scotland. I always thought it was more “standard” English. --- ## [An Anecdote that is Supposed to Prove God](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-anecdote-that-is-supposed-to-prove-god/611942)
**Author:** [@GeddyClaypoolBurton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GeddyClaypoolBurton)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [February 7, 2012, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-anecdote-that-is-supposed-to-prove-god/611942 "2012-02-07T00:53:15Z")
I found this little story the other day and was wondering how you would respond to it. A man went to a barbershop to have his hair cut and his beard trimmed. As the barber began to work, they began to have a good conver… --- ## [The song "True" by Spandau Ballet](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-song-true-by-spandau-ballet/689539)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [June 1, 2014, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-song-true-by-spandau-ballet/689539 "2014-06-01T17:35:18Z")
What in the hell is “true”? This much? Of what? What in the hell is true? --- ## [What's the largest city that would survive a nuclear apocalypse?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-largest-city-that-would-survive-a-nuclear-apocalypse/654957)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2013, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-largest-city-that-would-survive-a-nuclear-apocalypse/654957 "2013-04-10T01:40:48Z")
Be it a Cuban Missile Crisis gone wrong, Stanislav Petrov asleep at his post or just some idiot president pressing the button. So, most of the major cities of the world, belonging to nuclear powers - New York, London, P… --- ## [Shakespeare's winter of discontent](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shakespeares-winter-of-discontent/532706)
**Author:** [@Flipshod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flipshod)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [March 20, 2010, 8:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shakespeares-winter-of-discontent/532706 "2010-03-20T08:59:17Z")
Does the line “Now is the winter of my discontent…” mean that the discontent is at it’s lowest or about to end? That’s what would be suggested by the following lines, but the quote is never used to suggest that meaning.… --- ## [Cooking 2 Prime Ribs Together](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cooking-2-prime-ribs-together/708116)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2014, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cooking-2-prime-ribs-together/708116 "2014-12-26T19:14:03Z")
I’ve been given the task of cooking the entree for dinner tomorrow night, but instead of having an 11 lb. prime rib, I have a 4 lb. prime rib and a 7 lb. prime rid (don’t ask). I want them both to be cooked to the same l… --- ## [Mass graves: yet more lies (ho hum)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-graves-yet-more-lies-ho-hum/256321)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 135\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2004, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-graves-yet-more-lies-ho-hum/256321 "2004-07-25T06:48:37Z")
A few months ago, this would have been shocking; now it seems barely newsworthy. But here you go: Bush also repeated this one, with added details: Does this matter? Of course it matters. It matters in two ways: … --- ## [The Bell Curve](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bell-curve/131410)
**Author:** [@Tigers2B1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tigers2B1)\ **Replies:** 97\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2002, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bell-curve/131410 "2002-10-18T22:57:50Z")
I’m about 90% of the way through The Bell Curve, a book by Richard Herrnstein and Charles Murray. At this point I find it quite compelling, yet I see some reviews of the book that say the basic premise has been discredi… --- ## [Question about big crabs and lobsters](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-big-crabs-and-lobsters/692038)
**Author:** [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2014, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-big-crabs-and-lobsters/692038 "2014-07-03T02:59:51Z")
How big would a crab or lobster need to be in order to be a genuine threat to an adult human? Do they ever actually get that size? (I’m doubting it, but I’m willing to be educated otherwise…) --- ## [How does love work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-love-work/812050)
**Author:** [@Machinaforce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machinaforce)\ **Replies:** 116\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2018, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-love-work/812050 "2018-04-26T00:19:51Z")
I know my last one said it was overrated. However the real question on my mind is how does it work exactly. Different branches have a view as to what it is, from what I read: Spirituality: Eastern such as buddhism see… --- ## [Can someone poison you by putting something in your shampoo, conditioner or lotion?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-poison-you-by-putting-something-in-your-shampoo-conditioner-or-lotion/704561)
**Author:** [@CKS846](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CKS846)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2014, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-poison-you-by-putting-something-in-your-shampoo-conditioner-or-lotion/704561 "2014-11-15T16:57:29Z")
I have been feeling exhausted, achy and dizzy for several weeks. It came on all of a sudden. I noticed that my shampoo didn’t seem to lather and the conditioner was leaving my hair with a tacky feel. --- ## [Fred Phelps and Johnny Hildo](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-phelps-and-johnny-hildo/412750)
**Author:** [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2007, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-phelps-and-johnny-hildo/412750 "2007-07-26T17:09:40Z")
There are two people I know of who are celebrating the death of Tammy Faye Messner. One of them is Fred Phelps, patriarch of a lunatic religion cult. As soon as his inbred spawn can finish pecking out the words, Freds’s… --- ## [Raquel Welch is still built like a brick shithouse.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raquel-welch-is-still-built-like-a-brick-shithouse/615520)
**Author:** [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2012, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raquel-welch-is-still-built-like-a-brick-shithouse/615520 "2012-03-13T16:40:56Z")
She is guesting on CSI: Miami tonight, and at age 71, she is still smokin’ hot. If she’s had work done, it is very good. Plays the evil matriarch pretty well, too. --- ## [Rise of the Warrior Cop Is it time to reconsider the militarization of American policing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rise-of-the-warrior-cop-is-it-time-to-reconsider-the-militarization-of-american-policing/664128)
**Author:** [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2013, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rise-of-the-warrior-cop-is-it-time-to-reconsider-the-militarization-of-american-policing/664128 "2013-07-22T19:26:21Z")
This is a very surprising essay in a newspaper like the Wall Street Journal: --- ## [I need to buy a helicopter that can carry a camera](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-buy-a-helicopter-that-can-carry-a-camera/558161)
**Author:** [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2012, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-buy-a-helicopter-that-can-carry-a-camera/558161 "2012-10-10T11:51:46Z")
I need to buy a helicopter that can carry a camera But not a cheap plasticy one like THIS. Does anyone have a source? I’m intending to take pictures, in broad daylight, on public land, with the subjects’ consent, prior… --- ## [Police "Don't Stand So Close To Me" interpretation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-dont-stand-so-close-to-me-interpretation/287882)
**Author:** [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2005, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-dont-stand-so-close-to-me-interpretation/287882 "2005-02-02T07:08:16Z")
Who is saying “Don’t Stand So Close To Me” and in what context? Is it the narrator saying it in disgust at the teacher, as in “Don’'t stand close to me, pervert!” Is it the teacher saying it to the student, as in “Don’… --- ## [What the heck is a "Greek Sandwich?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-a-greek-sandwich/168352)
**Author:** [@preacherswife](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/preacherswife)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2003, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-a-greek-sandwich/168352 "2003-04-14T22:25:56Z")
OK, I would consider myself to be a person who knows a thing or two about sex but I read that term in a book and although I have an idea as to what it is, I am really not sure? We are not talking food here ladies and ge… --- ## [Can I make pulled pork in the oven?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-make-pulled-pork-in-the-oven/510585)
**Author:** [@sandra\_nz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sandra_nz)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2009, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-make-pulled-pork-in-the-oven/510585 "2009-09-19T22:59:35Z")
So my husband has come home from a conference in San Fransisco, raving about the pulled pork sandwiches he ate. My understanding of the pork is that it’s slow cooked and therefore very tender, so I’m assuming I could do … --- ## [Audi commercial with battling Spocks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/audi-commercial-with-battling-spocks/657715)
**Author:** [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2013, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/audi-commercial-with-battling-spocks/657715 "2013-05-12T00:08:32Z")
Much as I dislike being manipulated to spread a commercial message, Star Trek fans have to watch this. --- ## [Has there ever been a successful ransom kidnapping?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-there-ever-been-a-successful-ransom-kidnapping/715382)
**Author:** [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2015, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-there-ever-been-a-successful-ransom-kidnapping/715382 "2015-03-22T11:27:08Z")
I realize this may devolve into an IMHO thread, and if it reaches that point, I leave it to a mod to move it, but I’m putting it here first, because I think my actual question is straightforward: Has anyone ever paid a … --- ## [Some personal takeaways you have as the dust settles on the 2016 election](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-personal-takeaways-you-have-as-the-dust-settles-on-the-2016-election/772299)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2016, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-personal-takeaways-you-have-as-the-dust-settles-on-the-2016-election/772299 "2016-11-21T19:20:00Z")
Here are mine, strictly IMO only - Go ahead and list yours Assuming Trump does not start a nuclear war or crash the economy at this point the most important real world, near term impact on my day to day life will be wh… --- ## [Hard lump on a cat - what could it be?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-lump-on-a-cat-what-could-it-be/398583)
**Author:** [@Barrington](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barrington)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2007, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-lump-on-a-cat-what-could-it-be/398583 "2007-04-06T01:03:34Z")
My neighbour’s 23-year-old(!) moggie, Tom, has recently developed a lump on its shoulder that’s puzzling us. The lump appeared over the course of a few days, and is roughly the shape and size of a large egg, in fact a l… --- ## [Refrigerator thieves at the Office - Why? Whats up with that?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refrigerator-thieves-at-the-office-why-whats-up-with-that/613995)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2014, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refrigerator-thieves-at-the-office-why-whats-up-with-that/613995 "2014-05-02T22:55:40Z")
I’ve never understood the mentality of people that take stuff out of the office fridge. We’ve had minor problems over the years. One time it was a lady in housekeeping and she’d eat right out of the leftover plate. A co… --- ## [Non-religious Bible study guide](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-religious-bible-study-guide/237716)
**Author:** [@C3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C3)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2012, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-religious-bible-study-guide/237716 "2012-06-24T01:30:17Z")
I’m an atheist. I’ve read parts of the Bible before, but I want to tackle the whole thing this summer. Is there a study guide that I could use that discusses the literary, historical, and religious implications of the Bi… --- ## [Kill the Fox NFL robot now!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kill-the-fox-nfl-robot-now/560665)
**Author:** [@Cubsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubsfan)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2010, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kill-the-fox-nfl-robot-now/560665 "2010-11-17T15:59:07Z")
I fucking hate you! Die motherfucker! Die 5 years ago! The taco bell dog is dead. He where’s the beef ladies are dead. Spuds Mckenzie is dead. Why are you still ruining football ever Sunday with your dancing and fucking … --- ## [Songs/albums that needed better production](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-albums-that-needed-better-production/633591)
**Author:** [@installLSC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/installLSC)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2012, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-albums-that-needed-better-production/633591 "2012-09-06T03:55:08Z")
I recently found out about near a capella mixes of Carpenters songs like this on YouTube. When you compare them to the released versions, the simpler versions sound almost always much better. It got me to wondering: ar… --- ## [Wait, if we can force SS (insurance) payments, why is Obamacare unconstitutional?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-if-we-can-force-ss-insurance-payments-why-is-obamacare-unconstitutional/592513)
**Author:** [@FixMyIgnorance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FixMyIgnorance)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2011, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-if-we-can-force-ss-insurance-payments-why-is-obamacare-unconstitutional/592513 "2011-08-22T15:08:40Z")
I understand that the auto insurance analogy sucks. You have to buy liability insurance if you use a car, but you don’t have to use a car in the first place. Same goes for homeowner’s insurance. Those things are privi… --- ## [2021-22 NBA Regular Season Thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2021-22-nba-regular-season-thread/953121)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 185\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2022, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2021-22-nba-regular-season-thread/953121 "2022-04-09T20:10:55Z")
Well, the 2021-22 NBA regular season has begun. My Pacers started out with losses to Charlotte in regulation and Washington in overtime, before winning against Miami in overtime in our home opener thanks to some superb … --- ## [Newsflash: Likening Obama to a monkey makes you look like a racist](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newsflash-likening-obama-to-a-monkey-makes-you-look-like-a-racist/453017)
**Author:** [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2008, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newsflash-likening-obama-to-a-monkey-makes-you-look-like-a-racist/453017 "2008-06-21T22:57:56Z")
I’m talking to the idiots behind this idea. Here’s a picture of the Obama Monkey Doll. Look. I know our educational system sucks. And I know we haven’t been taught history very well. But surely people understand why… --- ## [Is Tiger Woods a fundamentally charmless, unpleasant person or not?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-tiger-woods-a-fundamentally-charmless-unpleasant-person-or-not/745791)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2016, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-tiger-woods-a-fundamentally-charmless-unpleasant-person-or-not/745791 "2016-02-15T20:07:19Z")
I was supervised to hear someone discussing golf on the radio the other day go after Tiger Woods not for his womanizing but just his charmless, unpleasant attitude toward fans and people in general especially in light of… --- ## [Snapping fingers instead of clapping?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snapping-fingers-instead-of-clapping/690816)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2014, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snapping-fingers-instead-of-clapping/690816 "2014-06-17T02:36:56Z")
The last couple days I was at a conference where people snapped their fingers repeatedly and rapidly, rather than clapping. I understood it as a less noisy alternative. There was also clapping, and I think the clapping w… --- ## [How do knives cut on a molecular level?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-knives-cut-on-a-molecular-level/242053)
**Author:** [@Bob55](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bob55)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2004, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-knives-cut-on-a-molecular-level/242053 "2004-10-30T20:40:28Z")
How does a knife cut food? There are metal atoms cutting carbons in some way, but where does the cut occur? Is it ever intramolecular (instinctively I’d say no, but what if it was a very long carbon chain)? On a large… --- ## [Cops Out Lesbian to Air Force](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cops-out-lesbian-to-air-force/532460)
**Author:** [@DanBlather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DanBlather)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2010, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cops-out-lesbian-to-air-force/532460 "2010-03-16T20:41:54Z")
Thishas me puzzled: Can cops really expect you to come home from work to help them in an investigation? Are you under any obligation to say where someone wanted on theft charges might be? Does it matter if they are con… --- ## [Help me understand "Indigenous intellectual property"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-indigenous-intellectual-property/585887)
**Author:** [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2011, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-indigenous-intellectual-property/585887 "2011-06-20T14:58:27Z")
This is not a request for specific legal advice. Reference to Indigenous intellectual property - Wikipedia Now, this seems like a noble idea, in theory. Indigenous groups that have been traditionally downtrodden havin… --- ## [The Future is Now: First operational Naval Laser Weapon](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-future-is-now-first-operational-naval-laser-weapon/707221)
**Author:** [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2014, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-future-is-now-first-operational-naval-laser-weapon/707221 "2014-12-18T01:30:09Z")
I mean a real one that works for more than popping balloons. “Klunder said the laser performed so well that the commander of the Ponce is now authorized to use it in defense of the vessel, according to a report from t… --- ## [Why is the fabric spelled cashmere and not Kashmir?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-fabric-spelled-cashmere-and-not-kashmir/223487)
**Author:** [@Moo\_the\_Magic\_Cow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moo_the_Magic_Cow)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2014, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-fabric-spelled-cashmere-and-not-kashmir/223487 "2014-09-11T06:15:10Z")
From what I’ve found on google, the fabric cashmere comes from a goat called Kashmir found primarily in an area called Kashmir and its surroundings. So why do we spell it cashmere and not kashmir? --- ## [Could I get my ears repierced while taking a blood thinner?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-get-my-ears-repierced-while-taking-a-blood-thinner/621673)
**Author:** [@Becky2844](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Becky2844)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2012, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-get-my-ears-repierced-while-taking-a-blood-thinner/621673 "2012-05-13T12:07:19Z")
I asked one of my doctors about this and he said, “Nobody’s ever asked me that before.” Then he left the room without really answering. I was thinking I could hold ice cubes to my ears beforehand, and take lots of gau… --- ## [Tell us about the books you most often find yourself recommending](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-the-books-you-most-often-find-yourself-recommending/602239)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2011, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-the-books-you-most-often-find-yourself-recommending/602239 "2011-11-24T01:22:45Z")
A few things first: \[ol\] \[li\]I wrote book rather than novel on purpose. Novels are fine of course, but so are collections of short stories and poetry, non-fiction memoirs, pop science: in short, anything basically cons… --- ## [Is Bush or most Americans aware of how hated we are ??](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bush-or-most-americans-aware-of-how-hated-we-are/244165)
**Author:** [@simple\_homer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simple_homer)\ **Replies:** 126\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2004, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bush-or-most-americans-aware-of-how-hated-we-are/244165 "2004-05-15T18:45:00Z")
I am an American, but I have lived abroad for over the past year, and I am constantly meeting people from other countries that have nothing but negative things to say about America. I have been an international travel… --- ## [Noise abatement: basketball and kids screaming](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/noise-abatement-basketball-and-kids-screaming/822631)
**Author:** [@Newtosite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Newtosite)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2024, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/noise-abatement-basketball-and-kids-screaming/822631 "2024-01-04T16:32:12Z")
Does anyone know the best way to block the noise of a basketball bouncing on cement, and kids screaming? My next-door neighbors are very loud outside my bedroom window. My windows are single-pane. At this link, https:… --- ## [Does anyone else find HD, eh, disracting?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-else-find-hd-eh-disracting/686127)
**Author:** [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2014, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-else-find-hd-eh-disracting/686127 "2014-12-29T03:18:19Z")
Seeing as I’m about three years behind, technology wise, I suspect this subject has already been discussed, What can I say, my TV is a 300 lb. crt deal and I still have a flip phone. Anyway, I’ve just returned from vaca… --- ## [What cold cereals do you make sure to always have in your pantry?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-cold-cereals-do-you-make-sure-to-always-have-in-your-pantry/787453)
**Author:** [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [June 10, 2017, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-cold-cereals-do-you-make-sure-to-always-have-in-your-pantry/787453 "2017-06-10T12:18:48Z")
So what do you make sure you always have in your pantry? I’m talking cold cereals here, not your hot cooked oatmeals or malt-o-meals or breakfast grits, etc. Since the kids moved out, our variety has dropped off greatl… --- ## [Should teachers be paid according to how their students test?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-teachers-be-paid-according-to-how-their-students-test/509718)
**Author:** [@Never\_Say\_Dice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Never_Say_Dice)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2009, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-teachers-be-paid-according-to-how-their-students-test/509718 "2009-09-17T15:58:52Z")
The unions say no, that doing so would just make teachers flee poorer schools, where they are needed most. The feds say they want test results as criteria in order to get federal dough. What to do? 12,000 Teacher Repo… --- ## [What does the G in G-string stand for?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-g-in-g-string-stand-for/533869)
**Author:** [@Nature\_s\_Call](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nature_s_Call)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2017, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-g-in-g-string-stand-for/533869 "2017-12-30T12:19:27Z")
(from this classic, referred to in this week’s e-mail) The master concludes that a discriminating reader would dismiss the violin string explanation. It’s the one that makes the most sense to me. The term “G-string” r… --- ## [Ladies, could you be a little bitchier? (Warning: whiney)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-could-you-be-a-little-bitchier-warning-whiney/148215)
**Author:** [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Replies:** 119\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2003, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-could-you-be-a-little-bitchier-warning-whiney/148215 "2003-01-19T00:37:38Z")
It happened again this weekend. I asked a girl I’ve been interested in out on a date, and got the “I don’t think of you that way” spiel. Specifically, the “I think of you like a big brother” turndown, which means I now… --- ## [Stop Eating Tacos You Fat Size 2 Beauty Queen](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-eating-tacos-you-fat-size-2-beauty-queen/571194)
**Author:** [@fumster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fumster)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2011, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-eating-tacos-you-fat-size-2-beauty-queen/571194 "2011-02-18T16:41:15Z")
Video story here. Synopsis: Hispanic beauty queen says pageant told her she was too fat and should “stop eating tacos”. Pageant claims beauty queen was late to appearances and other bad stuff. I don’t care either way, bu… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/top.md?page=1468&per_page=50&period=all&state=muted) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/top.md?page=1470&per_page=50&period=all&state=muted)