# Top **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/top.md?page=1478&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:** 1479 --- ## [Dog toys for strong jaws](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-toys-for-strong-jaws/345868)
**Author:** [@Jake4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jake4)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2006, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-toys-for-strong-jaws/345868 "2006-02-26T22:06:28Z")
Hello to all you puppy-loving SDMBers out there. I’ve got a 65-lb black lab/pit bull?/whippet? mix that loves to destroy weak toys. Nothing soft & fluffy for Herbie, he likes to tear 'em apart. Luckily enough for us w… --- ## [John William's film Scores: did He "Borrow"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-williams-film-scores-did-he-borrow/470581)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2008, 8:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-williams-film-scores-did-he-borrow/470581 "2008-11-04T08:16:57Z")
I just picjked up a great CD -“THE SEA HAWK”-the film scores of E.W. Korngold. This is a great disc-it contains a lot of Korngold’s scores, for movies from the 1930’s and 40’s (The Sea Hawk, Juarez, Anthony Adverse. Grea… --- ## [How many princesses are there?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-princesses-are-there/501820)
**Author:** [@ianjohnson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ianjohnson)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2009, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-princesses-are-there/501820 "2009-07-06T18:56:09Z")
Having two young girls, this is a subject that comes up. How many princesses are there in the world today? Are any of them under 30? William and Phillip certainly fit the Prince Charming archetype, do they have any fe… --- ## [\[Poll\] It's Inauguration Day, what will you be doing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-its-inauguration-day-what-will-you-be-doing/777631)
**Author:** [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2017, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-its-inauguration-day-what-will-you-be-doing/777631 "2017-01-23T04:26:18Z")
Anything special you’ll do today as a consequence of the day’s events in Washington? --- ## [Hezbollah not hiding among civilians: any impartial confirmation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hezbollah-not-hiding-among-civilians-any-impartial-confirmation/366538)
**Author:** [@11811](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/11811)\ **Replies:** 115\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2006, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hezbollah-not-hiding-among-civilians-any-impartial-confirmation/366538 "2006-08-14T05:27:25Z")
This item in Salon http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2006/07/28/hezbollah/ (you must watch \[i.e., click through\] an ad to read) says “Israel claims it’s justified in bombing civilians because Hezbollah mingles with them.… --- ## [Friend stopped taking Pristiq (sp) abruptly and I'm not sure if this is a good idea](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friend-stopped-taking-pristiq-sp-abruptly-and-im-not-sure-if-this-is-a-good-idea/629172)
**Author:** [@LurkerInNJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkerInNJ)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2012, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friend-stopped-taking-pristiq-sp-abruptly-and-im-not-sure-if-this-is-a-good-idea/629172 "2012-08-10T00:06:25Z")
She seems fine, but I can’t help but think this isn’t the best idea she has had in her life. Some background: Beautiful person, depressed on and off (part genetic, part life events), very proactive in trying to help her… --- ## [Could I get a tax write off for all my groceries if I started a "Youtube cooking channel"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-get-a-tax-write-off-for-all-my-groceries-if-i-started-a-youtube-cooking-channel/951770)
**Author:** [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2021, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-get-a-tax-write-off-for-all-my-groceries-if-i-started-a-youtube-cooking-channel/951770 "2021-11-02T19:54:27Z")
Let’s say I was the tax accountant for a professional TV cooking show like Rachel Ray. All of the ingredients that she uses on camera to prepare the dish of the day are unambiguously considered work related expenses and … --- ## [Fish Oil Gel Capsules](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fish-oil-gel-capsules/623165)
**Author:** [@Radman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Radman)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2012, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fish-oil-gel-capsules/623165 "2012-05-27T11:47:30Z")
Hi All … Have any of you noticed that your fish oil gel capsules may not be dissolving and dispencing the fish oil before they pass from your body? :eek: Well, ur, ah … I have noticed this for quite some time that a… --- ## [Legal options for dealing with wandering cats killing goldfish on your property.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-options-for-dealing-with-wandering-cats-killing-goldfish-on-your-property/576294)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2011, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-options-for-dealing-with-wandering-cats-killing-goldfish-on-your-property/576294 "2011-03-31T01:35:34Z")
If a cat is caught in the act of killing goldfish in a your koi pond what are your legal options in most cases. Can you kill a cat caught predating your fish (or other animals) or are you legally limited to trapping them… --- ## [Things it took you a long time to realise about favourite movies.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-it-took-you-a-long-time-to-realise-about-favourite-movies/472803)
**Author:** [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2008, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-it-took-you-a-long-time-to-realise-about-favourite-movies/472803 "2008-11-18T13:30:46Z")
The alternate 1985 in \*Back To The Future II \*was a reference/tribute to It’s a Wonderful Life. --- ## [Cleveland radio station bans Christmas song](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-radio-station-bans-christmas-song/825465)
**Author:** [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Replies:** 109\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2018, 8:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-radio-station-bans-christmas-song/825465 "2018-12-15T08:06:26Z")
I admit when I saw the headline, I was fervently hoping it was “Gramma Got Ron Over by a Reindeer” or “Christmas Shoes.” This one never occurred to me. Interesting, especially the comment by the woman who apparently thi… --- ## [I saw Terminator Salvation. Come with me if you want to live \[with spoilers\]...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-saw-terminator-salvation-come-with-me-if-you-want-to-live-with-spoilers/497349)
**Author:** [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2009, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-saw-terminator-salvation-come-with-me-if-you-want-to-live-with-spoilers/497349 "2009-05-27T17:52:54Z")
Just saw Terminator Salvation this afternoon. --- ## [Movies where someone brushes their teeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-where-someone-brushes-their-teeth/482581)
**Author:** [@Danger\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danger_Man)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2009, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-where-someone-brushes-their-teeth/482581 "2009-01-25T03:22:27Z")
Pulp Fiction --- ## [Does anybody make money by writing books anymore](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anybody-make-money-by-writing-books-anymore/770590)
**Author:** [@ssgenius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ssgenius)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2020, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anybody-make-money-by-writing-books-anymore/770590 "2020-04-08T00:20:04Z")
Curious question Does anyone make any money by writing and publishing a book anymore Or with today’s soundbite and short attention span (myself included) is publishing a book not really feasible unless you are a well … --- ## [Why don't people do crazy things?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-people-do-crazy-things/564969)
**Author:** [@onecakenine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/onecakenine)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2010, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-people-do-crazy-things/564969 "2010-12-31T03:23:25Z")
It seems like people nowadays are stuck in a daily routine of school or work. They are so terrified to break the norm and do something crazy. Terrified that if they do something different that the security of their no… --- ## [Help me buy a knife set](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-buy-a-knife-set/630133)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2012, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-buy-a-knife-set/630133 "2012-08-03T21:48:00Z")
I’ve gotten to the point where I need a semi to professional knife set. I know that I will be spending $100-$200 per knife and that feel is as important as quality. With that in mind: What knives do I need in a set? W… --- ## [First 10 Random Songs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-10-random-songs/498072)
**Author:** [@TheMerchandise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheMerchandise)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2009, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-10-random-songs/498072 "2009-06-04T14:44:57Z")
This has been done before, many many times, but it’s fun. Place your iPod, iTunes, what-have-you on shuffle and list the first ten songs that play. Explain if you must, but don’t try to hide anything shameful! Shadows… --- ## [Water well pressure switches](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-well-pressure-switches/385829)
**Author:** [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2006, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-well-pressure-switches/385829 "2006-12-29T22:48:10Z")
I just replaced the pressure switch again due to burned contacts. Placing a capacitor across the terminals of some switches reduces arcing and prolongs the life of the switch. Why aren’t pressure switches protected lik… --- ## [Astral travel? Is it real?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/astral-travel-is-it-real/668565)
**Author:** [@harryferrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harryferrel)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2013, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/astral-travel-is-it-real/668565 "2013-09-12T04:11:47Z")
So I’ve been reading some astral travel stories lately. I don’t know if it’s real since I never experienced. But I have to admit I was terrified of going to sleep because of this. Anyone has experience? What triggered… --- ## [Covering the taste of rotten meat with pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covering-the-taste-of-rotten-meat-with-pepper/557996)
**Author:** [@Nick\_Pappas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nick_Pappas)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2010, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covering-the-taste-of-rotten-meat-with-pepper/557996 "2010-11-01T23:28:37Z")
Dear Cecil, In writing about salt and pepper you attributed the popularity of pepper to its use in masking the taste of rotten meat. I realize you are re-running an old column, but I believe this is now a discredited t… --- ## [Beats by Dr. Dre](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beats-by-dr-dre/607405)
**Author:** [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2012, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beats-by-dr-dre/607405 "2012-01-21T14:14:44Z")
Does anyone own/have experience with these? I’ve had like 3 or more sets of headphones completely crap out on me this year. I live in an apartment building and am the CONSIDERATE neighbor that knows the other neighbors… --- ## [Racial/Ethnic Slurs and Physical Violence](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/racial-ethnic-slurs-and-physical-violence/357817)
**Author:** [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Replies:** 103\ **Last updated:** [May 28, 2006, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/racial-ethnic-slurs-and-physical-violence/357817 "2006-05-28T16:03:48Z")
I recently overheard a conversation in a restaurant (a Hooters in Nashville, TN) that intrigued me enough to post here at the SDMB. It went something like this: Two black guys and one white guy (all were about college-a… --- ## [The Clinton - Trump Debates: how will this go down?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-clinton-trump-debates-how-will-this-go-down/760499)
**Author:** [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2016, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-clinton-trump-debates-how-will-this-go-down/760499 "2016-07-26T22:37:59Z")
Up until now I figured Hillary was a skilled enough debater that she’d be able to keep him on the defensive, tangle him up in his web of lies, and ultimately take him down. But I can see it happening the other way as wel… --- ## [My "Fuck You Delta Baggage Handler" letter](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-fuck-you-delta-baggage-handler-letter/370626)
**Author:** [@Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moe)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [September 5, 2006, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-fuck-you-delta-baggage-handler-letter/370626 "2006-09-05T02:26:27Z")
An otherwise perfect weekend vacation has been ruined by the fuckhead who stole a $500-plus camera out of my bag Friday, and I’m 99% sure it has to be a Delta baggage handler. I flew to Cleveland on fairly short notice … --- ## [Gravlax](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gravlax/507959)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [September 27, 2009, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gravlax/507959 "2009-09-27T11:56:57Z")
I’m still looking for Scandinavian fish recipes, and I didn’t want to derail it for a specific recipe. I’ve looked up a few gravlax recipes online. Some say that proper gravlax should conprise only four ingredients: Sa… --- ## [Why such hatred of "zombie threads"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-such-hatred-of-zombie-threads/687063)
**Author:** [@vontsira](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vontsira)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2014, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-such-hatred-of-zombie-threads/687063 "2014-05-08T22:13:28Z")
Mods, please move this, if initially posted in inappropriate forum. I think I’ve mentioned this previously on TSD, but couldn’t find the thread: tried a search for it, keyword “zombie”, but no luck – said keyword led to… --- ## [Which animals are evil, which animals are good?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-animals-are-evil-which-animals-are-good/308230)
**Author:** [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Replies:** 122\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2005, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-animals-are-evil-which-animals-are-good/308230 "2005-06-24T17:29:51Z")
Everyone knows that some kinds of animals are evil, while other kinds of animals are good. For instance, mice are good, but rats are evil. All mice. All rats. No exceptions. EVIL: Weasels Crows Rats Jackals Hye… --- ## [Why are "callbacks" funny?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-callbacks-funny/567688)
**Author:** [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2011, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-callbacks-funny/567688 "2011-01-16T23:50:52Z")
I’ve been re-watching the wonderful Arrested Development series. That show used a lot of interesting comic techniques, and one of the most prevalent was the callback. That is, referencing the same joke multiple times aft… --- ## [Coulter Doesn't belive in Evolution](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coulter-doesnt-belive-in-evolution/430680)
**Author:** [@DanBlather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DanBlather)\ **Replies:** 100\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2007, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coulter-doesnt-belive-in-evolution/430680 "2007-12-22T21:09:11Z")
I just thought Ann Coulter was a vicious cunt, I didn’t realize she was a complete whack job. But here she says: --- ## [Songs in which the singer purposely alters his voice (more explanation follows)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-in-which-the-singer-purposely-alters-his-voice-more-explanation-follows/635847)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2012, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-in-which-the-singer-purposely-alters-his-voice-more-explanation-follows/635847 "2012-10-03T17:26:07Z")
This may be difficult to explain well. I am referring to songs in which the singer seems to adopt a different personality or emotion as evidenced by a change in the “tone” of his or her voice. I have two examples: In S… --- ## [Defend Senate Republicans denying 1st responders for the rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defend-senate-republicans-denying-1st-responders-for-the-rich/564489)
**Author:** [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2010, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defend-senate-republicans-denying-1st-responders-for-the-rich/564489 "2010-12-22T20:48:41Z")
Last straw. Last chance. All pretense to good faith, legitimate intention, sincere desire to serve the public good - gone. There is simply no excuse. I could spew all the things about the Senate Republicans that make t… --- ## [Organ donation PSA](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/organ-donation-psa/744206)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2016, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/organ-donation-psa/744206 "2016-02-06T02:11:27Z")
I challenge you to watch this ad promoting organ donation without crying. --- ## [Dating if you're wealthy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dating-if-youre-wealthy/704637)
**Author:** [@Whitney\_Harper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whitney_Harper)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2014, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dating-if-youre-wealthy/704637 "2014-11-17T18:05:45Z")
I read an article recently about a single woman about age 30 that had inherited about 5 million dollars from her deceased parents. The article stated that when she went out on dates, she did not mention her wealth, and … --- ## [Why are some medical bills so high?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-some-medical-bills-so-high/699091)
**Author:** [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2014, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-some-medical-bills-so-high/699091 "2014-10-04T15:50:47Z")
Mine is really straightforward questions, rather than Pitting. But I find some medical fees so outrageous I’d like to cuss, and give other Dopers the opportunity to do so. I just read this article about a doctor’s bill.… --- ## [Poll: Do guys eat yogurt?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-guys-eat-yogurt/493270)
**Author:** [@jellyblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jellyblue)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2009, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-guys-eat-yogurt/493270 "2009-04-18T17:09:06Z")
Okay, the epitome of pointless, I know, but it occurred to me the other day that I have never seen a commercial for a yogurt product of any kind that featured, or even included, a man. I mean, it seems like you’d be mor… --- ## [Give Me An Example Of Sarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-me-an-example-of-sarcasm/645033)
**Author:** [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2012, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-me-an-example-of-sarcasm/645033 "2012-12-29T18:45:33Z")
No hurry - I can wait while you Google the definition of the word. Oh, and if there are any big words in the definition that you don’t understand, let me know. --- ## [How is Obamacare going to work for families that have expensive workplace health insurance?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-obamacare-going-to-work-for-families-that-have-expensive-workplace-health-insurance/648737)
**Author:** [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2013, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-obamacare-going-to-work-for-families-that-have-expensive-workplace-health-insurance/648737 "2013-02-04T23:11:58Z")
I have googled and googled, and I think I understand what is going to happen next January for people around the poverty line or a little higher, and for people who are multiples of the poverty line and do not have any ac… --- ## [Since when is "Mc" pronounced "Mac"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-mc-pronounced-mac/441241)
**Author:** [@Flander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flander)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2008, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-mc-pronounced-mac/441241 "2008-04-20T21:25:35Z")
Phone call just now at work: Caller - “Hello I need tech support.” Me - “OK, what’s your name?” Caller - “Cathy Mackie. M.C.K.I.E…Mackie.” WTF? M.C.K.I.E. does NOT spell “mac-kee”, it spells “mi-KEE” like McDonalds… --- ## [Are there majority-black societies that are decent places to live?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-majority-black-societies-that-are-decent-places-to-live/777241)
**Author:** [@TGWATY](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TGWATY)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2017, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-majority-black-societies-that-are-decent-places-to-live/777241 "2017-01-17T05:00:39Z")
In this post I will refer to descendants of sub-saharan Africans, i.e., black people, as African. By African I don’t mean Egyptians, Algerians or South Africans of European descent. But I do mean Jamaicans and most of … --- ## [Explain how cutting calories (no beer!) wouldn't result in weight loss...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-how-cutting-calories-no-beer-wouldnt-result-in-weight-loss/622051)
**Author:** [@ecoaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ecoaster)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2012, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-how-cutting-calories-no-beer-wouldnt-result-in-weight-loss/622051 "2012-05-16T14:12:36Z")
Basically I have decided to go alcohol free for a month to see how it feels. If the average beer has 150 calories and I drink 10 a week, I’m cutting out 1500 calories a week, 6000 for the entire month. But here’s the th… --- ## [Did The Avengers rip off The Avengers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-avengers-rip-off-the-avengers/662401)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2019, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-avengers-rip-off-the-avengers/662401 "2019-07-22T14:43:52Z")
Somebody mentioned in passing in another thread that The Avengers (the American superhero group) ripped off the name of The Avengers (the British television series). Is this true? Or, if not provably true, is it a long-s… --- ## [How Exactly Do Ghosts Harm People?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-exactly-do-ghosts-harm-people/525493)
**Author:** [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2010, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-exactly-do-ghosts-harm-people/525493 "2010-01-22T20:56:50Z")
OK assuming ghosts exist, we all know from watching “Caspar” cartoons, people are afraid of them, but why? What does a ghost do to instill such fear in a person? Do they throw stuff at them? It seem like ghosts don’t hav… --- ## [School forces 7 year old boy to shave his head!!??!!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/school-forces-7-year-old-boy-to-shave-his-head/716144)
**Author:** [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2015, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/school-forces-7-year-old-boy-to-shave-his-head/716144 "2015-03-31T04:52:16Z")
http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/news/national/shave-or-suspension-school-punishes-child-sporting/nkggF/ This is just political correctness going overboard. Granted I was 7 years old in the early 1970’s but at that… --- ## [The Devil's Grape Juice: A Tale Of Religion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-devils-grape-juice-a-tale-of-religion/714494)
**Author:** [@Master\_Wang-Ka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Master_Wang-Ka)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2023, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-devils-grape-juice-a-tale-of-religion/714494 "2023-04-14T13:40:08Z")
aldiboronti’s thread about Shirley MacLaine and the Holocaust, over in the BBQ Pit, got me to thinking about the nature of belief… and how it can very much affect how you interact with your fellow humans. And it also bro… --- ## [My postman is a barbarian.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-postman-is-a-barbarian/500780)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2009, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-postman-is-a-barbarian/500780 "2009-07-01T20:46:55Z")
I live in an apartment complex. Packages are supposed to be taken to the complex office. He likes to cram my packages into the teeny-weeny letterbox. MY HANNES BOK ART BOOK! MY 1950S VINTAGE DETECTIVE PAPERBACK! The… --- ## [Were there gay orcs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-there-gay-orcs/553743)
**Author:** [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2013, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-there-gay-orcs/553743 "2013-03-27T22:06:07Z")
A friend of mine just asked me this, and it got me thinking. Obviously, there’s not going to be a canonical answer, as I don’t think Tolkien mentions sex at all. However, I suspect he would have considered homosexuality … --- ## [Is Ryan Reynolds an A-list star? If so, WHY?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-ryan-reynolds-an-a-list-star-if-so-why/609773)
**Author:** [@RogerDalien](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RogerDalien)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2012, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-ryan-reynolds-an-a-list-star-if-so-why/609773 "2012-01-26T17:27:48Z")
He strikes me as incredibly dull (though, handsome) as a leading man, but he was decent in certain small parts (Harold N Kumar, Adventureland, etc.) I guess women like him, they like dull good-looking guys. --- ## [What do YOU think Excel is for?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-excel-is-for/942092)
**Author:** [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Replies:** 107\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2021, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-excel-is-for/942092 "2021-10-13T19:47:35Z")
Continuing the discussion from Things you've been surprised you've had to explain at work: The first company I worked for after college had a company wide policy to write every text document in fucking Page Maker. No, … --- ## [Translation of Latin Lyrics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/translation-of-latin-lyrics/181263)
**Author:** [@ricksummon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ricksummon)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [June 12, 2003, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/translation-of-latin-lyrics/181263 "2003-06-12T13:54:00Z")
The song “Happy Nation” by Ace of Base starts out with the following Latin lyrics: What does this mean in English? --- ## [Can you tell if someone is a jerk just by looks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-tell-if-someone-is-a-jerk-just-by-looks/664871)
**Author:** [@amaguri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amaguri)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2013, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-tell-if-someone-is-a-jerk-just-by-looks/664871 "2013-08-01T07:10:27Z")
I think some people have a facial structure that makes them look… not evil, exactly, but definitely not good. I remember when Bob Filner was running for mayor of San Diego and remarking that I thought he looked like a m… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/top.md?page=1477&per_page=50&period=all&state=muted) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/top.md?page=1479&per_page=50&period=all&state=muted)