The Very-Many-Questions-Not-Worth-Their-Own-Thread Thread XLIII

How common is the word 'bonkers' in America? I'm reading the Wikipedia article on the disappearance of Maura Murray, and in one passage cadaver dogs are described as going "bonkers". This is supported by a citation from a book by a certain James Renner, who is an Ohioan according to Google. It could be that the word was used by Renner, or could (more probably) be quoting the volunteers in the search (who would most likely be American).
"Bonkers" is a slang term, meaning 'strange' or 'suddenly excited'. Or in combination of those.

It shouldn't be used in a formal setting, though, either verbal or written.
 
It's also used to mean ‘insane’.
 
Windfarms don't lower the price of electricity if you have an energy exchange where the price is defined by the highest bid - to ensure no provider has a loss. You still end up paying as if it all was gas.
And the windfarms do look hideous.
 
Do I understand this properly?

"English" (like putting English on a cue ball in a game of pool) has an actual effect, whereas "body English" (like after you take a shot in basketball) comes after you have done all you could to have an actual physical effect, has no actual effect, and just expresses a wish that you could further affect the ball in question.
 
So it's like golf, trying to nudge the flight of the ball by gesticulating after the stroke? The flight time draws out out. I view it sort of like the mental blurring of follow through on a shot, which does represent an actual difference in swing/stroke.

Edit: I haven't watched basketball in years for reasons, but how in the hell have I not heard of Jokic? These reels are bonkers. Sure, he's huge, it's almost like he's out of step in the marching band, but he's holding the drum and all the flutes are just wrong.
 
Last edited:
Thanks, Farm Boy, for identifying that intermediate phase. Yes, if you pre-plan to hold your body in a particular way after your club has hit the ball, it means that your form in hitting it will be more proper. Now, we do have that separate phrase, "follow through," for the one.

So I'm now making it tripartite: English, follow-through, body English.
 
I wonder which part "thinking of England" is?
 
I did look up how the word came to function that way. Apparently, pool hustlers from England knew this technique and it made an impression on American pool players who didn't (initially).
 
Heheh. T does rhyme with P, which stands for pool.

No surprise the English were leading the way. ;)
 
I think potential cheaper electricity definitely outweighs whatever aesthetic consideration I have for a wind farm, though I never really thought of a wind turbine that way (beautiful or ugly)!
There is definitely no such movement here in Portugal and we have a big share of renewable energy sources in place, though we did have a big eco crime committed to make wave for a solar farm. This was a very disgusting lost my faith in humanity type event for many here, myself included.

Over 500 animals slaughtered as Portuguese estate makes way for massive solar energy park​

Are you vegan?
 
What does the co-pilot do in a two-man fighter plane?
 
What does the co-pilot do in a two-man fighter plane?

Depends on the plane. But in general, the second person isn't a copilot. They operate weapons, sensors, and communications. In some aircraft they would operate the countermeasures against enemy weapons systems. So they may have the title Weapons Systems Officer, or Radar Intercept Officer.
 
Is a Weapons Systems Officer the same as a gunner?
 
Is a Weapons Systems Officer the same as a gunner?

No, a gunner refers to a crew member that operates a defensive gun. Those are mostly extinct positions today. A WSO is more akin to a bombardier, since they'd be aiming and firing the offensive weapons of the plane.
 
Oh! The terminology is a bit confusing. Now I'm wondering what the crew member in charge of the side (?) gun on a ground assault aircraft is called.
 
Oh! The terminology is a bit confusing. Now I'm wondering what the crew member in charge of the side (?) gun on a ground assault aircraft is called.

This refers to 4 or 5 men as "gunners".


This is official USAF for the AC-130U variant, and has 1 fire control officer and 4 gunners. And a lot of other people. Other than a few different variants of the AC-130, I don't know any other fixed wing aircraft that fire like that. Helicopters may have side gunners with various type of machine guns.
 
Oh yes, those two.

Btw this line of research was triggered mainly by remembering sharing piloting duties on old dogfighting games.
 
Top Bottom