Straight Dope Archive

Could we have saved money by buying out slave owners rather than fighting the Civil War?
By Cecil Adams
May 13, 2011
Are bananas about to become extinct?
By Cecil Adams
May 6, 2011
Is there a Planet X after all?
By Cecil Adams
April 29, 2011
If somebody ignores my "no trespassing" signs, can I make a citizen's arrest?
A Straight Dope Staff Report by Gfactor and guest contributor pravnik
April 26, 2011
Did the middle ages not really happen?
By Cecil Adams
April 22, 2011
Will hookworms relieve my asthma?
By Cecil Adams
April 15, 2011
Can I legally get myself tattooed with a pro sports team's logo?
By Cecil Adams
April 8, 2011
Is nuclear power safe?
By Cecil Adams
April 1, 2011
Do shadows weigh anything?
By Cecil Adams
March 25, 2011
Was Monopoly originally meant to teach people about the evils of capitalism?
By Cecil Adams
March 18, 2011
Has Viagra helped endangered species by reducing demand for rhino horn, etc?
By Cecil Adams
March 11, 2011
Will wind power change the weather?
By Cecil Adams
March 4, 2011
Is it possible to freeze your cojones off?
By Cecil Adams
February 25, 2011
If I were an evil genius, how could I go about melting the ice caps?
By Cecil Adams
February 18, 2011
How come pet food never contains pork?
By Cecil Adams
February 11, 2011
What is the Eiffel Tower, actually?
By Cecil Adams
February 4, 2011
Are brown bottles better for beer?
By Cecil Adams
January 28, 2011
Can liquor be used as an emergency antiseptic?
By Cecil Adams
January 21, 2011
Do I sweat a liter every night?
By Cecil Adams
January 14, 2011
Who's America’s top judge?
A Straight Dope Staff Report by SDSTAFF Elendil's Heir
January 11, 2011
Can gophers be trained to find gold?
By Cecil Adams
January 7, 2011
Why can't they make highways last forever?
By Cecil Adams
December 31, 2010
Are more male babies born after wars?
By Cecil Adams
December 24, 2010
Was the "Battle of the Sexes" tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs fixed?
By Cecil Adams
December 17, 2010
Is steel from scuttled German warships valuable because it isn’t contaminated with radioactivity?
By Cecil Adams
December 10, 2010
Does turning down the thermostat at night save energy?
By Cecil Adams
December 3, 2010
Is semen an antidepressant?
By Cecil Adams
November 26, 2010
What's the deal with Japanese tentacle porn?
By Cecil Adams
November 19, 2010
Does using a gasoline-powered lawn mower produce as much pollution as driving an SUV 300 miles?
By Cecil Adams
November 12, 2010
Is radiation from the new airport security scanners endangering my health?
By Cecil Adams
November 5, 2010
Do pink ribbon campaigns against breast cancer do any good?
By Cecil Adams
October 29, 2010
In 1776, why didn't soldiers use bows and arrows instead of muskets?
By Cecil Adams
October 22, 2010
Can storm glasses predict the weather?
By Cecil Adams
October 15, 2010
Did loose lips actually sink any ships?
By Cecil Adams
October 8, 2010
Has auto AC been improved so much it’s no longer an energy sink?
By Cecil Adams
October 1, 2010
Is grass-fed beef better for you than grain-fed beef?
By Cecil Adams
September 24, 2010
What's up with these pairs of ticks I keep finding? And how do I get rid of them?
A Straight Dope Staff Report by SDSTAFF Doug
September 21, 2010
Do fat people get that way because of a hormone condition?
By Cecil Adams
September 17, 2010
Are androids possible?
By Cecil Adams
September 10, 2010
Why do you soon feel hungry again after eating Chinese food? Or do you?
By Cecil Adams
September 3, 2010
Can a nuclear plant withstand a direct hit by a tornado?
By Cecil Adams
August 27, 2010
Will alcohol in cupcakes make you drunk?
By Cecil Adams
August 20, 2010
Did the railroads leave Oklahoma because it wouldn't allow liquor sales on trains?
By Cecil Adams
August 13, 2010
Why must you alternate plus and minus when inserting batteries?
A Straight Dope Staff Report by Rico
August 10, 2010
Did the Australian army once wage war on emus?
By Cecil Adams
August 6, 2010
What's the origin of nautical terms like "jibe," "tack," etc.?
A Straight Dope Staff Report by Matt Craver
August 3, 2010
Can binaural beats improve your mood?
By Cecil Adams
July 30, 2010
Is it possible to land a punch at 2,000 pounds per square inch?
By Cecil Adams
July 23, 2010
Do microwave ovens kill bacteria?
By Cecil Adams
July 16, 2010
Is "clean coal" really clean?
By Cecil Adams
July 9, 2010
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