Why are Chinese spoons shaped like that?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by danceswithlight at 7:54 AM on June 13, 2010 (18 comments)

10/02/2001. Is today the first palandrome since December 31, 1321? What is your favorite palandrome?
posted to MetaFilter by Umpqua at 9:15 AM on October 2, 2001 (73 comments)

my fiance has repeatedly forgotten my middle name and didn't remember my birthday this year. should i be pissed or let it go?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by crystalsparks at 3:48 PM on June 12, 2010 (60 comments)

The phrases "Don't Drink the Kool Aid" or "Drinking the Kool Aid" are references to the 1978 cult mass-suicide in Jonestown, Guyana. Though the origin of the saying is awful and unfortunate, sometimes the current phrase as it is used now just fits the situation. What are some other widely used phrases in American culture that have their origin in an unfortunate historical event?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by angiewriter at 9:46 AM on June 12, 2010 (101 comments)

Update on K & S (and the effects of your support).
posted to MetaTalk by fake at 4:35 PM on June 11, 2010 (244 comments)

Is there a relatively painless way to export or scrape my Facebook data?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by mecran01 at 6:30 PM on June 10, 2010 (15 comments)

"Best" and "worst" experiences involving grammar and learning grammar? I think we were asked to write this to increase empathy, but I can't think of anything with any emotional weight, so I thought I'd ask for your experiences. Please answer especially if you had a difficult time with grammar.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by amtho at 8:42 AM on June 8, 2010 (30 comments)

How do I apply for jobs I'm probably qualified for but fear that I'm not?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by Anonymous at 8:08 AM on June 8, 2010 (22 comments)

What is "normal," in a psychological/cultural/personality sense? How common is it? And what does it feel like? Any studies, stats, anecdotes?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by Metroid Baby at 12:20 PM on June 7, 2010 (17 comments)

Should vegetarians eat fish? How about shrimp? Mollusks?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by jpg15 at 8:15 PM on September 15, 2008 (47 comments)

Our stores are full of billions of items. What percentage of these things actually get bought and used? What happens to it all in the end?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by serena15221 at 10:52 AM on June 4, 2010 (10 comments)

Is it possible to woo someone? You know, like they do in the movies? I'm looking for creative suggestions on how to get back with someone I casually dated. Spoiler -- this is probably just a thought experiment. The likelihood I'll actually have the (figurative) balls to do anything is somewhat questionable. So let's be creative!
posted to Ask MetaFilter by custard heart at 10:44 PM on June 3, 2010 (34 comments)

Does this exist: a storage unit that one can ship boxes to and the staff will put the boxes in the unit for you? (Like, I don't live there yet but want to move some stuff there before I move.) If so what is this called? And do you know of any in the DC area?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by k8t at 8:22 AM on June 3, 2010 (11 comments)

When movie reviewers talk about film direction, what is it that they are seeing?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by ThatCanadianGirl at 5:01 PM on June 2, 2010 (23 comments)

People tell me I'm a good listener, but that's only good for half a conversation. I want to learn how to be a good talker. Where do I begin?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by archagon at 4:53 PM on May 31, 2010 (8 comments)

You're at a loud party, or you have a bad phone connection, or the other person has a thick accent. Whatever the culprit is, you're having trouble understanding what the other person is saying. You've already asked them to repeat what they were saying, but still, no dice. How do you handle this politely and gracefully?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by estlin at 12:20 PM on May 31, 2010 (20 comments)

My ears, they are bored (music recommendation filter): I am looking for badass, virtuosic, intricate, musically interesting, preferably contemporary pop/rock music.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by Lutoslawski at 11:24 AM on May 31, 2010 (54 comments)

Help me to appreciate the Rolling Stones. I love classic rock and I practically worship Led Zeppelin and the Beatles, but I've never really delved into the Stones. I like music that is quirky and keeps me guessing, whose harmonies or arrangements take me by surprise. When this doesn't happen, I like music that is just unquestionably awesome (for any reason). Where should I begin (album-wise) to appreciate the Rolling Stones?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by Alabaster at 7:23 PM on May 30, 2010 (32 comments)

[NYCfilter] Cheapish Brooklyn hotels or hotel-oid situations?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by You Can't Tip a Buick at 3:54 PM on May 30, 2010 (6 comments)

I'm having vegans over for dinner. Vegans that know how to cook. Foodie vegans. Hip, cool, foodie vegans. Did I mention that I am not a vegan, vegetarian or hip?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by brinkzilla at 9:47 PM on January 19, 2008 (32 comments)

I have a big bunch of fresh cilantro that I want to use before it goes bad. Give me your favorite recipes that feature it!
posted to Ask MetaFilter by jckll at 3:04 PM on February 8, 2010 (33 comments)

I used to read a lot. Those days are gone -- and the "to read" pile keeps getting higher. Help me become an efficient reader again!
posted to Ask MetaFilter by Opal at 10:14 AM on May 27, 2010 (37 comments)

As I have a dog phobia, how can I feel comfortable in a park on the edge of town where people frequently let their large dogs run loose?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by datarose at 9:06 PM on May 26, 2010 (61 comments)

Former Coffee Drinkers: What Benefits Did You Experience After Quitting Coffee?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by Spurious at 8:37 AM on May 26, 2010 (49 comments)

Outside of Freudian slips, is there any scientific evidence that people's word choices unconsciously reveal states of mind that they are trying to conceal?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by tel3path at 6:22 AM on May 26, 2010 (10 comments)

I just found out that I have a very serious disease. I may have only a couple of years left, probably no more than five. I have two very young kids. How do I archive stuff on the Web so I know they'll have access to it, whenever they want, for at least the next 40 years?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by 0BloodyHell at 5:29 PM on May 25, 2010 (25 comments)

Someone's repeatedly trying to gain entrance to our condo complex. We're working with the police, but in the meantime I'd like to get something for stand-off personal defense. The catch: no firearms.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by Anonymous at 8:17 AM on May 25, 2010 (44 comments)

Good Morning everyone. My name is Olive Riley. I live in Australia near Sydney. I was born in Broken Hill on Oct. 20th 1899.
posted to MetaFilter by pyramid termite at 12:41 PM on March 4, 2007 (25 comments)

Friends who write books: My question is simple. If a friend has had a book published (not their first by any means) by a well-known publisher and one notices several typos in the text, is it best not to mention them? Or is it polite to commiserate with said friend over the lack of thoroughness on the part of the publisher? I don't want to be rude, but I want to show that I really have read the book.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by different at 1:53 AM on December 10, 2004 (16 comments)

How do I answer the "Why do you want to leave your current job" question during interviews?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by Anonymous at 7:32 AM on May 24, 2010 (23 comments)

NYC restaurant filter: Looking for restaurants in the city which prominently feature egg dishes, or just have excellent egg-based dishes on the menu. Thanks!
posted to Ask MetaFilter by Conrad Cornelius o'Donald o'Dell at 12:00 PM on May 22, 2010 (9 comments)

A Russian friend of mine may be in a dangerous situation in Washington, DC.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by fake at 3:09 PM on May 19, 2010 (235 comments)

Teach me some great Mac keyboard shortcuts. Nothing is too obscure.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by Herschel at 2:28 PM on May 20, 2010 (62 comments)

I might be relocating to Washington DC. I've visited a few times as a tourist but I know nothing about what life is like there. I've found a few discussions in the archive about moving to DC, but they seem to be written for someone who is trying to figure out where to move to. But I'm not at that point yet. I'm mainly trying to get a sense of what DC life is like for someone whose career is not in politics. Really what I want is a description of life in DC that uses NYC as a frame of reference, comparing neighborhoods, transportation, dining, night life, etc.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by Anonymous at 5:21 PM on January 18, 2010 (36 comments)

What have you given up that you haven't missed?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by ian1977 at 7:23 PM on May 15, 2010 (140 comments)

Go to Google Maps and search for Montgomery, Alabama. Now look due northeast of the city, to an intersection between 2 highways, just above the Lagoon Park Golf Course. Do you see something that appears to be labeled in Arabic script? Can anyone who reads Arabic verify this, and if so, translate what it says?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by Artifice_Eternity at 6:43 PM on May 14, 2010 (25 comments)

Things that only happen in movies but are supposed to be things ordinary people do.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by damn dirty ape at 7:25 PM on January 24, 2010 (218 comments)

Help me find interesting, dark Beatles covers.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by nat at 10:58 PM on May 13, 2010 (23 comments)

What's the best way to reassure my boss about my various part-time freelance projects?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by the foreground at 12:58 PM on May 13, 2010 (12 comments)

A new peer-reviewed meta-analysis of clinical data demonstrates that four widely-prescribed SSRI anti-depressants, including Prozac and Effexor, are not more effective than placebos. Summary from the Guardian.
posted to MetaFilter by Rumple at 4:58 PM on February 25, 2008 (86 comments)

What makes someone a good dancer?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by joeyjoejoejr at 5:55 PM on May 12, 2010 (30 comments)

On-the-side writing opportunities? That are paid? I'm a lawyer working in global health. My interests are wide-ranging.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by ihavepromisestokeep at 2:46 PM on May 12, 2010 (12 comments)

After the success of the MeFi Twitter group hug, I thought we could do the same for Tumblr. So post 'em up already, so we can follow each other on yet another service.
posted to MetaTalk by defenestration at 12:45 PM on May 12, 2010 (84 comments)

I'm looking for examples of U.S. federal agencies effectively using social media. I'm particularly interested in those that do not have critical, consistent need to use social media (as CDC, USAID or FEMA do). State or Canadian provincial agencies would be of interest, too, but here also I'm looking for non-critical need. Thanks!
posted to Ask MetaFilter by jgirl at 2:09 PM on March 10, 2010 (12 comments)

Any way to tame my poofy hair?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by fizzzzzzzzzzzy at 9:28 AM on May 11, 2010 (23 comments)

Sending in a resume today and they are asking for salary requirements. How do I word salary requirements in the cover letter? Is there any standard language used or convention to follow?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by ao4047 at 7:21 AM on June 22, 2005 (17 comments)

Help me find English words that have meanings hidden in plain sight. For example, it only recently occurred to me that a "quart" is a quarter of a gallon.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by alms at 9:22 AM on May 4, 2010 (136 comments)

Are close, one-on-one, opposite-sex friendships a good idea; or is the risk of one-sided romantic feelings and other problems too great?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by dogcat at 4:21 PM on May 6, 2010 (32 comments)

What are Austin, TX's best kept secrets? I've been living here for two years, and want to do some exploring/find some unique, but not well know, elements of the city.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by comwiz at 12:39 PM on February 15, 2009 (17 comments)

Hi MeFites on Twitter! Other MeFites on Twitter would like to meet you! If you want to follow Twittering MeFites read this thread! If you want to be followed by Twittering MeFites post your username to this thread!
posted to MetaTalk by Artw at 1:51 PM on May 4, 2010 (301 comments)