Way back in January ‘07, with much inspiration from EDS, I solicited the blogosphere to Ask Ryan Stuff. Sadly that blog comment thread devolved into an argument involving swearing and commas (thanks William.) Fortunately we’re back on track. Here are a few of your submitted questions and my thoughtful responses:

Q. Okay, tell me this. The word binoculars. Bi, meaning two, right? Ocular, having to do with the eyes. Where does that N come from? Shouldn’t it be Bioculars?
A. Ah, the age-old binocular question. It’s common to confound the bi- prefix with bin-. They look alike, right? But bi- refers to a two parts, or a pair, whereas bin- is a thin metal container for holding stuff like Christmas cookies. Do you see the difference?

Q. What do you think about Bill Gates leaving Microsoft?
A. It’s a good start. Now, if only the rest of the employees would leave… (Sorry David!)

Q. My brother keeps stealing my girlfriends. What can I do to stop him?
A. Change the padlock on the cellar where you keep them all.

Q. Now that the Supreme Court has ruled that owning a handgun is a constitutional right, should I be packing heat too?
A. No, you should stop playing World of Warcraft, move out of your parent’s basement and get a job.

Q. Why can’t we turn the economy around?
A. “We”? I don’t know about YOU, but I haven’t turned the economy around because I’ve been watching So You Think You Can Dance reruns.

Q. Why did the boy I met online just want to make out with me?
A. Because you met him online. Seriously, do I have to explain everything?

Q. What can we do to reverse global warming?
A. We should turn up the AC and leave refrigerator doors open. Come on, THINK before you submit questions.


Got more questions for me? Use the RBDN comment form to submit them.