A thread for asking useless questions

Posted by: DIL on 04 June 2005

Hi,
Time we had a thread for asking useless questions and, hopefully, getting an answer; or two.

Only rule is no use of Google, search engines, encyclopedia etc. Only what you have stored in the grey stuff.

As a starter.
What does the 'T' stand for in James T Kirk ?

(Before you ask, I don't know the correct answer, the consensus response of all you Naimees out there will have to do.)
Posted on: 13 June 2005 by dsteady
True. True. I read the question too literally. That Ford was unelected even as a V.P. is an old grade-school trick-question here.

I guess it's a matter of perception: we don't anymore elect our V.P's seriously expecting them to succeed as president. Mostly they are there to pander to the alienations of some fringe constituency to whom the presidential nominee doesn't appeal. Edwards was there for Kerry to help win over the southern states, for instance. Of course, he didn't.

To further the interest of transatlantic unity, I concede. Red Face
daniel
Posted on: 14 June 2005 by Tam
You're right, trick question. Sorry. Winker

Having said that, that's surely precisely what you do elect a v.p. for, they have just two constitutional duties: that and the tie-breaking senate vote.

It's true that they're normally picked to appeal to some group the presidential candidate doesn't.


regards,

Tam
Posted on: 14 June 2005 by bhazen
Is there an audible difference between the Scouse accent and the Manchester one? (aside from local terminology, la)

Tone Deaf in Seattle
Posted on: 14 June 2005 by fatcat
Oh gosh, Yes.

The Manchestoor accent is nothing like the scouse accent. It is actually very similar to the cockney accent. Have you never watched Frazier.
Posted on: 15 June 2005 by Deane F
What is the "gap year" that I hear about from time to time - usually referring to what some younger British person (HRH?) is doing in some country other than Britain?
Posted on: 15 June 2005 by DIL
A "gap year" is a year out between leaving school at 18 (with A levels) and entering university; doing something wothwhile / character broadening on the way.

/dl
Posted on: 15 June 2005 by Berlin Fritz
I did kind of wonder how the other day Wills suddenly landed with an MA instead of a BA in such a short time, innit ?



Fritz Von Maybe the examining board spelt it wrong ? & Who actually is this Sylvia ? and isn't a gap year, when one trains for 12 months at Bank Tube Station as a bouncer ? Big Grin
Posted on: 15 June 2005 by Tam
That's down to the slightly different university system up there in Scotland. Courses last 4 years not 3 and you end up with an MA not a BA.
Posted on: 15 June 2005 by Berlin Fritz
Thanks for that, though I thought Our Wills only did his Gap year two years back prancing about in Chile etc ?

Fritz Von Must be a Royal 4 years Big Grin
Posted on: 23 June 2005 by DIL
Another question for you medical types...

Those of you (blokes anyway) who have kids will, I assume, have had that funny 'tightening feeling' in the scrotum when one of your kids is in some kind of 'dangerous' situation. You know the kind of thing, when they are standing on top of a climbing frame or similar and look like they are going to loose balance. Assuming this is not just me, why does this happen ?

/david
Posted on: 23 June 2005 by BigH47
The possibility of your genes not carrying on I would guess.
Almost all of nature is preoccupied in reproduction so a potential failure would "set off" alarm bells.

Howard
Posted on: 23 June 2005 by Malky
The scrotum is loose to keep your testicles outside your body as optimum conditions for sperm reproduction is sub core-body temperature. You will have noticed your scrotum tightens under cold conditions and loosens when its warm.
I would think a tightening when danger is perceived is part of the 'fight or flight' response, i.e. easier to do either when your balls are not hanging loose.
Posted on: 23 June 2005 by Shayman
quote:
The Manchestoor accent is nothing like the scouse accent. It is actually very similar to the cockney accent


Wha'!!!!?!?!?!?!? Shurely shome mishtake?

Jonathan
Posted on: 23 June 2005 by Hammerhead
What is the point of Tim Henman?
Posted on: 23 June 2005 by DIL
Is this a rhetorical question ?
Posted on: 23 June 2005 by MichaelC
What is Tim Henman?
Posted on: 24 June 2005 by Lomo
So thats where hang loose comes from.
Posted on: 24 June 2005 by Berlin Fritz
quote:
Originally posted by Hammerhead:
What is the point of Tim Henman?



Not enough it seems !!! Big Grin
Posted on: 24 June 2005 by Hammerhead
Game, set & match to Mr Fritz. Smile

Steve von rubber racket und snow balls, innit.
Posted on: 24 June 2005 by Nime
quote:
Originally posted by Hammerhead:

Steve von rubber racket und snow balls, innit.


I do hope you weren't being rude? <blush>
Posted on: 24 June 2005 by Berlin Fritz
I prefer Latex balls Roll Eyes
Posted on: 24 June 2005 by Hammerhead
>I do hope you weren't being rude? <blush>

Abso-lutely not, my dear fellow!

Pimms O'clock?
Posted on: 24 June 2005 by Berlin Fritz
After the bandits at one O'clock dear boy, must work up a wee thirst, What !


Fritz Von No.1 Cup innit Big Grin

Ooops I nearly said something I shouldn't have done just then !!!
Posted on: 24 June 2005 by Nime
I couldn't possibly.
Posted on: 24 June 2005 by Shayman
Why do potato peelers always have orange string round the handles? Never any other colour is it. Our new cheapo one has a molded platic string effect handle...but its still orange Confused

Jonathan