# Top **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/top.md?page=1497&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:** 1498 --- ## [What physical phenomena can science not explain?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-physical-phenomena-can-science-not-explain/381055)
**Author:** [@cranston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cranston)\ **Replies:** 107\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2006, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-physical-phenomena-can-science-not-explain/381055 "2006-11-23T00:12:23Z")
The question is in the title. What physical phenomena can science not explain? (Yet? - I should add optimistically). Standard of proof for this thread: sufficient to satisfy me. I am not a scientist though I am reasonab… --- ## [Could/should/will Obama replace Joe Biden as his VP for 2012? If so, who?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-should-will-obama-replace-joe-biden-as-his-vp-for-2012-if-so-who/596499)
**Author:** [@voltaire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voltaire)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2011, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-should-will-obama-replace-joe-biden-as-his-vp-for-2012-if-so-who/596499 "2011-09-21T20:57:15Z")
I’m just interested to hear people’s opinions on this. It seems to me that Obama might need to inject something new into his reelection campaign. Replacing boring, old Joe Biden (while coming up with some convenient ex… --- ## [Dear Euro-turds](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-euro-turds/88815)
**Author:** [@furt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furt)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2001, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-euro-turds/88815 "2001-10-24T16:03:55Z")
Die, you arrogant bastards. Die screaming for mercy. Die slowly, baked alive in a flaming pie of dog excrement. May you live only long enough to see everyone you have ever loved dragged by their feet through the streets … --- ## [When was "World War 2" First Used?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-world-war-2-first-used/393409)
**Author:** [@gregzsidisin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gregzsidisin)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2011, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-world-war-2-first-used/393409 "2011-05-14T14:31:41Z")
When did the phrase “World War II” first become applied to that war? Was it shortly after Poland was invaded that people realized we were in the midst of a world-wide conflict? Or did the phrase come into being later? … --- ## [Umm... What!? Clear Knee Mom jeans](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/umm-what-clear-knee-mom-jeans/782954)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2017, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/umm-what-clear-knee-mom-jeans/782954 "2017-03-29T23:10:29Z")
Can someone explain this weird concept to me? Attempt at mom sexy? http://m.shop.nordstrom.com/s/topshop-clear-knee-mom-jeans/4619337?cm\_mmc=google-\_-productads-\_-Women%3ABottoms%3APant-\_-5360310&rkg\_id=h-d1bd5816eef52e… --- ## [Are Off-Shore Windmills An Economic Disaster?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-off-shore-windmills-an-economic-disaster/539168)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [May 25, 2010, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-off-shore-windmills-an-economic-disaster/539168 "2010-05-25T01:48:42Z")
Taken from the USDOE: Federal subsidies and support for wind power in 2007 was $23.37 per megawatthour produced. The average subsidies and support for all electricity in the US that year was $1.65 per megawatthour produ… --- ## [I got a red light ticket :-(](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-a-red-light-ticket/637466)
**Author:** [@MannyL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MannyL)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2012, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-a-red-light-ticket/637466 "2012-10-14T04:39:11Z")
It’s funny how our senses are different than reality. A few weeks ago I was in Brick NJ, coming up to an intersection that I knew had red light cameras The light was green but as I neared the intersection I saw it turn … --- ## [Sandwiches: how should they be cut?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandwiches-how-should-they-be-cut/541102)
**Author:** [@NinjaChick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinjaChick)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2010, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandwiches-how-should-they-be-cut/541102 "2010-06-02T02:09:59Z")
For the sake of this question, imagine you wander into the kitchen and make yourself a sandwich. You’ve got your rather dull loaf of store-bought bread. Maybe it’s PB&J on white bread, or you’re getting in touch with you… --- ## [The best quarterback ever.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-quarterback-ever/647849)
**Author:** [@WyomingWillie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WyomingWillie)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2013, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-quarterback-ever/647849 "2013-01-25T13:15:00Z")
I just heard Boomer Esaison claim Tom Brady. I agree, with Joe Montana a close second. --- ## [How do unprofitable businesses stay in business?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-unprofitable-businesses-stay-in-business/340854)
**Author:** [@brickbacon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brickbacon)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2006, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-unprofitable-businesses-stay-in-business/340854 "2006-01-23T21:09:18Z")
Or, how to big companies leverage debt, and/or manage operating losses? Is this just a matter of creative accounting, or do companies actually lose huge sums of money. Take the following examples into consideration: \*\*T… --- ## [Jacques Cousteau and French Kill Ocean, Destroy World](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jacques-cousteau-and-french-kill-ocean-destroy-world/279909)
**Author:** [@Scylla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scylla)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2004, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jacques-cousteau-and-french-kill-ocean-destroy-world/279909 "2004-12-17T20:24:43Z")
Our story begins in an aquarium supply store in Stuttgart known as the Willhemina Zoo. They are looking for a hearty aquarium plant to decorate tanks with. Most marine plants don’t do well in an artificial environmen… --- ## [What pop culture items would you add to the Smithsonian?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-pop-culture-items-would-you-add-to-the-smithsonian/661363)
**Author:** [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2013, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-pop-culture-items-would-you-add-to-the-smithsonian/661363 "2013-06-23T23:47:26Z")
I went to the Smithsonian Museum of American History last week and was disappointing at how few pop-culture icons are on display. They still have Archie Bunker’s chair (a standard), an original Kermit the Frog, a pair o… --- ## [People who aren't vaccinated - what should they be called?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-arent-vaccinated-what-should-they-be-called/941314)
**Author:** [@Heffalump\_and\_Roo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heffalump_and_Roo)\ **Replies:** 131\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2021, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-arent-vaccinated-what-should-they-be-called/941314 "2021-08-12T04:46:11Z")
Continuing the discussion from Coronavirus COVID-19 (2019-nCoV) Thread - 2021 Breaking News: That wouldn’t be accurate though. It may not be that they’re unwilling, it may be that people can’t take the time off fr… --- ## [Do you confront line-skippers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-confront-line-skippers/809032)
**Author:** [@Roy\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roy_Batty)\ **Replies:** 93\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2018, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-confront-line-skippers/809032 "2018-02-23T00:23:27Z")
I thought starting a thread like this would be interesting - it’s something I’m genuinely curious about - i.e., whether or not people confront line-skippers. This used to happen to me more when I was younger - when it d… --- ## [Sammy Hagar memoir: "Red" - some nasty stuff about Van Halen](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sammy-hagar-memoir-red-some-nasty-stuff-about-van-halen/579498)
**Author:** [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [April 30, 2011, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sammy-hagar-memoir-red-some-nasty-stuff-about-van-halen/579498 "2011-04-30T18:03:55Z")
I just got done reading Sammy Hagar’s tell-all memoir, Red. I’m not particularly fascinated by Hagar himself, but I admit I read it for the Van Halen material. The book is largely what you would expect. Hagar being Hagar… --- ## [C++ Question: ignore(100,'/n');](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c-question-ignore-100-n/519139)
**Author:** [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2009, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c-question-ignore-100-n/519139 "2009-11-30T12:29:04Z")
Here is my question: The ignore function given in title should be to ignore the first 100 characters, which will in fact, be consumed, after they are entered. The /n will also be consumed, and a new line will commence. S… --- ## [Drug Price Reduction Plan](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drug-price-reduction-plan/814039)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2018, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drug-price-reduction-plan/814039 "2018-05-17T17:48:15Z")
Secretary Of Health And Human Services Alex Azar has released a plan for reducing the cost of pharmaceuticals in the US (at the moment they are about double the cost as in other OECD nations). Here it is: The document… --- ## [Google Wave looks brilliant!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-wave-looks-brilliant/498417)
**Author:** [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [June 8, 2009, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-wave-looks-brilliant/498417 "2009-06-08T21:13:02Z")
Have the follow SDMB geeks taken a gander at Google Wave yet? It looks really amazing to me, a total reconcepting of communication on the web. I see it being broadly adopted in businesses and might even be a Twitter, Fac… --- ## [Does it annoy you when people just say "Saudi" to refer to the country?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-it-annoy-you-when-people-just-say-saudi-to-refer-to-the-country/647204)
**Author:** [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2013, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-it-annoy-you-when-people-just-say-saudi-to-refer-to-the-country/647204 "2013-01-26T14:25:48Z")
Is it reasonable that it grates my nerves something fierce when people refer to Saudi Arabia as “Saudi?” The “Saudi” is a freakin…ummrm…grammar…uh…adjective or something. Using just that portion is like referring to th… --- ## [Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilmore-girls-a-year-in-the-life/772864)
**Author:** [@DaphneBlack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaphneBlack)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [December 3, 2016, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilmore-girls-a-year-in-the-life/772864 "2016-12-03T01:50:47Z")
I couldn’t find a thread for this, somewhat surprised. But perhaps the male-skewing demographic means that there aren’t that many fans of the show around. Personally, I think the original series is a perfect jewel and an… --- ## [My car won't start - help!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-car-wont-start-help/525557)
**Author:** [@Snickers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snickers)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2010, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-car-wont-start-help/525557 "2010-01-20T04:09:13Z")
Please, automotive gods, smile down upon me. Oy. So, the car won’t start. I have a 2002 Mazda Protege5, 5 speed, 106K miles. The battery’s good - I’ve got all my lights, radio, all that jazz. When I turn the key, I hear… --- ## [Where the fuck is the Nyquil?!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-the-fuck-is-the-nyquil/308517)
**Author:** [@Mac\_Guffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mac_Guffin)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2005, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-the-fuck-is-the-nyquil/308517 "2005-06-22T00:14:13Z")
So. I have a head cold. Life sucks, my nose won’t stop fucking dripping and it’s moving into my chest. When I lay down, I start coughing. In hopes of aleviating some of my symptoms, I made my way to the local SprallMar… --- ## [I can't join a gym because people suck (long)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-join-a-gym-because-people-suck-long/541099)
**Author:** [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [May 29, 2010, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-join-a-gym-because-people-suck-long/541099 "2010-05-29T19:21:40Z")
Okay, I’ll take some blame too- I have slight anger issues and high expectations (so I’m told). So, I haven’t belonged to a gym in probably over five years and have been working out on and off in my basement. The past th… --- ## [Fate of 'In God We Trust'.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fate-of-in-god-we-trust/563507)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2010, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fate-of-in-god-we-trust/563507 "2010-12-30T05:53:43Z")
This is something I have often wondered about: why didn’t the US Supreme Court ever take “In God We Trust” off the money (in the USA, Re: “Establishment Clause”)? Oh, I certainly know why they don’t do it now. The Suprem… --- ## [Whedon idolatry is scaring me](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whedon-idolatry-is-scaring-me/324865)
**Author:** [@Fortean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fortean)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2005, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whedon-idolatry-is-scaring-me/324865 "2005-10-10T01:04:10Z")
God knows, fans are fucking scary. And lots of film reviewers have been bombarded with stupid hatemail from idiotic LOTR and Harry Potter fans when they write a bad review. But this guy’s experience of Joss Whedon fans t… --- ## [Germany in 1944](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/germany-in-1944/742104)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2016, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/germany-in-1944/742104 "2016-01-07T14:30:48Z")
By 1944 Germany was being regularly bombed by the Allies, and the life of your average German citizen had degraded significantly. Certainly by this time the German military knew they were losing the war and the Russians … --- ## [What does (!) mean? Anything?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-mean-anything/591966)
**Author:** [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2011, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-mean-anything/591966 "2011-08-09T16:08:42Z")
I know someone who frequently puts an exclamation point inside of parenthesis in emails, apparently to indicate an emotion something like “oh gosh!” or “eek” or “wow.” I can’t say for sure, since it’s not a standard form… --- ## [Ramadan in the North Pole](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramadan-in-the-north-pole/549894)
**Author:** [@Laudenum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laudenum)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2010, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramadan-in-the-north-pole/549894 "2010-08-15T03:12:47Z")
Ramadan lasts from sunset to sunrise (or vice-versa). Obviously this can’t work in the North Pole, or any Arctic area - they would all starve to death. When does an arctic Muslim fast? --- ## [How Do You Pronounce Przybysz?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pronounce-przybysz/445131)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2008, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pronounce-przybysz/445131 "2008-04-16T00:39:57Z")
Boy, this is weird, coming across this post. One of the posters mentions a person named Przybysz. My mother’s grandmother was named Przybysz. And my mother, a typical Pole, pronounced this name (which was apparently Aust… --- ## [Does it harm a USB flash drive to leave it plugged in all the time?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-it-harm-a-usb-flash-drive-to-leave-it-plugged-in-all-the-time/634069)
**Author:** [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2012, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-it-harm-a-usb-flash-drive-to-leave-it-plugged-in-all-the-time/634069 "2012-09-10T20:20:30Z")
Plugged into the computer that is, with its little light on, even if you do not actually read from it or write to it very much. Will it fail more quickly if kept plugged in as opposed to being plugged and unplugged every… --- ## [Extra napkins in the MMP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extra-napkins-in-the-mmp/821475)
**Author:** [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Replies:** 217\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2018, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extra-napkins-in-the-mmp/821475 "2018-09-24T01:29:32Z")
I hate waste, so when we’re given a pile of extra napkins in a restaurant, I’ll take the ones we don’t use and shove them in my purse. They end up in my desk drawer at work and I don’t have to use the nasty tri-fold bro… --- ## [Cat Poisoning and a Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-poisoning-and-a-question/309763)
**Author:** [@OtakuLoki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OtakuLoki)\ **Replies:** 128\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2005, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-poisoning-and-a-question/309763 "2005-06-29T13:00:58Z")
Okay, this cute little old lady has just killed her neighbor’s two cats because they were eating the songbirds in her backyard. I really don’t understand that reasoning, myself, since it’s not like they little flying vo… --- ## [Who have you outlived?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-have-you-outlived/595739)
**Author:** [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2011, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-have-you-outlived/595739 "2011-09-14T13:34:39Z")
Fun site. Other than my twin, Baker, I assume that most of you will want to plug in your own birthdays. Not sure you can beat Douglas Fairbanks, though. wanders off to find a buckle to swash --- ## [The Titanic Disaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-titanic-disaster/499714)
**Author:** [@Imasquare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Imasquare)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [June 18, 2009, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-titanic-disaster/499714 "2009-06-18T03:40:34Z")
When the Titanic sank 1,517 people died. There was a ship called The Californian visible about 3 miles in the distance. If they had been able to get the Californian to come to their aid some if not all of the deaths cou… --- ## [Should Staff Sgt. Robert Bales be put to death for his crimes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-staff-sgt-robert-bales-be-put-to-death-for-his-crimes/659700)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2013, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-staff-sgt-robert-bales-be-put-to-death-for-his-crimes/659700 "2013-06-07T13:50:15Z")
Staff Sgt. Robert Bales guilt was never really in doubt, but developments in his trial now include a deal for him to confess while taking the death penalty off the table. \[ \](http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US\_… --- ## [Menstruation and the Moon](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstruation-and-the-moon/345021)
**Author:** [@smartie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smartie)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2006, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstruation-and-the-moon/345021 "2006-03-05T00:18:13Z")
I’d like a straight answer on the connection between menstruation and the moon. There IS a connection. Without trying and without thinking about it, my monthly menstrual cycle begins on the full moon nearly every month. … --- ## [REM video "Losing My Religion"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rem-video-losing-my-religion/486505)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2009, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rem-video-losing-my-religion/486505 "2009-02-20T13:40:55Z")
Looking for an answer to another thread, I happened across the REM video “Losing My Religion”. You know how they say “someday you’ll look back on this and laugh”? Well, for this video that day is today. It’s so over-the… --- ## [No Smoking Prison](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-smoking-prison/546295)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2010, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-smoking-prison/546295 "2010-07-12T11:31:26Z")
While cruising the Intertubes, I came across a story decrying Lindsey Lohan’s sentence to prison. The poster noted LiLo smokes like a chimney, lights one up when she wakes up and goes through two packs a day. The poster… --- ## ["Band name" "Jump the shark" And other moronic cliches](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/band-name-jump-the-shark-and-other-moronic-cliches/137523)
**Author:** [@elf6c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elf6c)\ **Replies:** 119\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2002, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/band-name-jump-the-shark-and-other-moronic-cliches/137523 "2002-11-26T04:20:15Z")
For the love of small furry puppies-- enough already with these stupid catch phrases you clueless half-wits. They are just as stupid as “don’t go there” “talk to the hand” and “dude, where’s my car”. Stealing Dave Ber… --- ## [Anyone else doing National Novel Writing Month 2015?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-doing-national-novel-writing-month-2015/735671)
**Author:** [@mage-girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mage-girl)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2015, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-doing-national-novel-writing-month-2015/735671 "2015-11-26T03:05:42Z")
(I looked, but didn’t see an active thread.) I’ve been a multiple-time participant, but zero-time finisher. Crossing my fingers! :smiley: --- ## [Why not just invent a new term \[for gay marriage\]?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-not-just-invent-a-new-term-for-gay-marriage/198997)
**Author:** [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Replies:** 143\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2003, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-not-just-invent-a-new-term-for-gay-marriage/198997 "2003-09-19T21:16:35Z")
Women as priests?, Gay marriages? and I’m sure you can think of many more. But to many such terms are oxymoron. Marriage has always been a union between a man and a woman, why do so many want to change the definition?… --- ## [I pit Lowe's delivery](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-lowes-delivery/521655)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2010, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-lowes-delivery/521655 "2010-01-02T14:33:16Z")
Lowe’s commercials promise one day delivery. I guess they mean your order will be delivered one day if you wait long enough. I bought three appliances over six weeks ago. I’m sitting here waiting for them to be delivere… --- ## [Regarding our impending heart attacks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regarding-our-impending-heart-attacks/722054)
**Author:** [@Dibbs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dibbs)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2015, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regarding-our-impending-heart-attacks/722054 "2015-06-24T19:53:44Z")
I’m now at the age when I could very well have one of these most unbelievably awful things, 60. And now-a-days hardly a week passes when I don’t hear about someone in the news dying of one, and many are even younger than… --- ## [Brittney Griner released in prisoner swap](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brittney-griner-released-in-prisoner-swap/976202)
**Author:** [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Replies:** 175\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2022, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brittney-griner-released-in-prisoner-swap/976202 "2022-12-13T17:13:54Z")
Don’t know where this belongs. Mods, feel free to move it. --- ## [Why do some places on the internet replace apostrophes with odd characters?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-places-on-the-internet-replace-apostrophes-with-odd-characters/720889)
**Author:** [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [May 29, 2015, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-places-on-the-internet-replace-apostrophes-with-odd-characters/720889 "2015-05-29T01:31:44Z")
I have seen this on and off, but I’m not sure what is going on. Someone will attempt to post a word such as “railroad’s” and it comes out “railroad’s”, consistently replacing the apostrophe with “’”. What causes th… --- ## [Help me spice up my omelettes!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-spice-up-my-omelettes/469284)
**Author:** [@Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2008, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-spice-up-my-omelettes/469284 "2008-10-31T15:47:03Z")
I’ve started making omelettes as a quick post-workout meal. I’m used to making scrambled eggs and throwing in large amounts of cheese, ham, sausage, etc, which would kind of defeat the point of being at the gym. I’m not… --- ## [I pit whoever convinced our president to prolong the war in Afghanistan](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-whoever-convinced-our-president-to-prolong-the-war-in-afghanistan/519711)
**Author:** [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2009, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-whoever-convinced-our-president-to-prolong-the-war-in-afghanistan/519711 "2009-12-04T15:26:02Z")
People are dying on all sides. Nothing good is happening there. We can’t afford it anyhow. What kind of stupidity is this? FUCK YOU, you GREEDY MORONS for enriching your fucking military-industrial complex, destroyin… --- ## [When time and history change the meaning of a joke in pop culture.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-time-and-history-change-the-meaning-of-a-joke-in-pop-culture/418463)
**Author:** [@middleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/middleman)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2007, 8:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-time-and-history-change-the-meaning-of-a-joke-in-pop-culture/418463 "2007-09-12T08:52:56Z")
I was watching a late 90s episode of Friends this week on TNT. It is the episode where Chandler and Monica are dating on the sly and they go to dinner at Chander’s boss’s apartment. Monica is put off because Chandler h… --- ## [Whats up with child rearing today?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-child-rearing-today/550757)
**Author:** [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2010, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-child-rearing-today/550757 "2010-08-26T12:27:17Z")
I went to work out at the YMCA yesterday and brought along my daughters, ages 7 and 9. Kids are allowed to use a couple of low impact pieces of equipment in the gym as long as they go through an orientation with one of t… --- ## [BBQ Pit=Bad Idea](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bbq-pit-bad-idea/36749)
**Author:** [@Bucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bucky)\ **Replies:** 109\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2001, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bbq-pit-bad-idea/36749 "2001-10-11T05:48:55Z")
In theory, people contribute here because they enjoy The Straight Dope, are intelligent, are reasonable, etc. Why, then, should we have a forum for people to use ad hominems that in non-cyber space would either get them… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/top.md?page=1496&per_page=50&period=all&state=muted) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/top.md?page=1498&per_page=50&period=all&state=muted)