For more than two decades the ability to ask strangers for their assistance in discovering the answers to questions that have been plaguing us, no matter what the topic may be, has been something that we have all taken for granted. In 1996, "Ask Jeeves" was the go-to answer bank for anything that may have been troubling someone, however, at the end of June 2005 that all changed when Yahoo! launched their own Q+A platform. Anonymity was very important to the success of Yahoo! Answers, as individuals asked and gave answers to some of the most absurd questions of which one could think. Sadly, after 15 years and 310 days, on May 4th, 2021 the world will have to look elsewhere for the answers to their questions. Some of the questions that people have asked over the years have had us scratching our heads in disbelief that the question could have been asked in the first place. It's time to have a look at just 40 out of the millions of questions that have been asked by inquiring minds over the years. May the fourth be with you Yahoo! Answers.
'Have You Tried Asking?'
The birth of a child is supposed to be a momentous occasion for any family. As long as their baby is healthy, most people say that they don't care what the sex of their unborn child will be, however, most people aren't being altogether truthful.
As demonstrated by this soon-to-be father-of-the-year, deep down everyone has a preference. One could only hope that this man was in the delivery room to witness his wife giving birth to a trifecta of beautiful baby girls.
'7 Million Reasons Why'
In the mid-1980s the NES was released and sold almost 62 million units. With its success, came a dynasty of sorts for Nintendo. Console after console has been released over the years, with each one being modified to attract a new set of customers. The Nintendo Wii was released in 2006 and to date has sold approximately 100 million units. Then in 2012, the Wii U was released, and given the previous numbers that Nintendo consoles had sold, it could only be concluded that the Wii U was comparatively a failure.
First of all, Miloslaw seems to have forgotten about approximately 7.2 billion people in the world when doing their calculations. And B, even if their population numbers were correct, three consoles to each of the "7 million" people in the world would be 21 million Wii U consoles sold. Come on Miloslaw, get your act together.
'Time To Grow Up'
There are many myths that we choose to believe, as opposed to coming to terms with the truth, like that when women pass gas it smells like flowers. For most of these myths it takes experiencing the truth in order to finally believe it.
For some reason, a stigma has arisen around the topic of women using the washroom. More specifically, pooping. There are some people out there that just cannot come to terms with knowing that their significant other poops. On the other hand, if someone is not adult enough to understand that these things happen, perhaps they are just not ready for a relationship at all.
'Kali-Maaa!'
When individuals take animals into their homes, no matter how domesticated a breed may be, they are still animals. There is always the possibility that their animal instincts will kick in, and the closest person to them will end up with a bite or scratch mark. This is not a cause for concern, unless it happens frequently and with malicious intent.
There are a few things that are troubling about this:
A: They are willing to put down their pet.
2: I'm still not sure how a CAT who tasted HUMAN blood can become a cannibal...
Three: If there were spells to prevent things from becoming cannibalistic, then everyone's preparation for the zombie apocalypse would be all for naught.
A: They are willing to put down their pet.
2: I'm still not sure how a CAT who tasted HUMAN blood can become a cannibal...
Three: If there were spells to prevent things from becoming cannibalistic, then everyone's preparation for the zombie apocalypse would be all for naught.
'Second Star To The Right, And Straight On Till Morning'
Adolescence is a very tough period of life for most people. Everyone experiences puberty in a different way and at different times, and some teens can definitely be a bit more temperamental than others.
After seeing their first child start go through those awkward teen years, I'm sure that there are a lot of parents out there that would have done anything to keep their subsequent children from turning into moody, angsty teenagers.
'What Are They Talking Aboot?'
We can probably all come up with at least one destination somewhere in the world that seems too good to be true. Canada may seem like a fantasy world to some people and in many ways, it is. However, it is just as real as any other country in the world.
If you die in Canada, yes, you do die in real life. The main difference is that one would have to follow The Great Maple River in order to find their way to the entrance gate to the afterlife.
'Older Is Older'
We learn more new things during childhood than at any other time throughout our lives. One of the reasons that this happens, is because of the curiosity of children and their constant need to question everything.
I am certain that this is not the only kid that has had trouble understanding how ages work. If we gave them a few minutes to further explain themselves, they would probably give a pretty convincing defense to their argument.
'Cloudy With A Chance Of Curiosity'
One of the joys of growing up with siblings is testing out absolutely outrageous theories on them and using the data gained for future experiments.
I'm not sure how they are going to do this without force-feeding their sister at least half of those meatballs. If somehow this brave young lady manages to make it through all 120 meatballs, the only possible result I can see is a trip to the ER later.
'He Grow Up In A Cave Or Something?'
Yahoo! Answers has been a great source of information, both real and fake, for a decade and a half. There have been countless questions asked, just to get a rise out of people, however, there were probably just as many inquiries by individuals who just don't know any better.
One can only hope that it was a child who asked this question or someone who was just taking the piss. We all know that bats can give birth after they are died.
'London Calling'
Someone from Glasgow, Scotland is called a Glaswegian. Someone from Chicago is called a Chicagoan. There are some odd and unexpected titles for people who hail from different places. There are some names, however, that are a bit more obvious.
What a small world. I also know Rob from London. I'm curious if he knows Joe from Canada or Declan from Australia. For those who are dying to know the answer, they are called Londoners.
'They're Men. They're Men In Tights'
At one point or another, most of us have either read about or seen a film about Robin Hood Prince of Thieves. For those who have not, the story is simple, Robin Hood and his band of merry men steal from the rich and give to the poor.
Even though Robin Hood and his merry men were the protagonists in the story, by order of King Richard the Lionheart it was illegal, even back then, for anyone to steal from others.
'How I Met Your Father'
There are many people in this world who have grown up without one or both parents and have created stories as to who the parents could have really been. A lot of people imagine their parents to have been famous and important people, and few things if any will be able to change their minds.
Anything could be possible, depending on how old the person is who is asking this question. But chances are Elvis is just as much this person's father, as Bob Barker was Barney Stinson's.
'Privet'
Over the past few decades, as air travel has become safer and more convenient, there has been an enormous amount of immigration all over the world. One of the results is that individuals of all different backgrounds have begun to set up shop in places that their ancestors had only dreamt of.
If we want to get particular about it, the land that is occupied by Russia does take up the majority of Asia, so I suppose Russians are Asians. If all Russians were white then why is the cocktail called a 'White Russian'? Shouldn't it just be called a 'Russian'?
'Hired Goons'
One of the fears that most parents have when they send their children off to school, is that they will be the target of bullying. No good mum or dad enjoys seeing their progeny feeling neglected or singled out.
What better way than to hire the other kids to toughen up one's child. I can't see that turning out poorly at all. Not only can it cause a higher level of anxiety than they would have had before, but it will most likely end in long-term psychological problems that they can blame on mum and dad down the line.
'Actually Babies Are Dropped Off By Storks'
There are certain things that a sexually active person should probably know before becoming sexually active. If they are still asking the most basic of questions then they probably should not be engaging in any of these acts.
Firstly, maybe they should learn about the birds and the bees. And B, maybe they should learn about contraceptives as well. It may be a while before the world will want this person to reproduce.
'Prank Them In The Parking Lot'
Pranking friends and family is a favorite pastime for pranksters all over the world. Seeing their reactions when they realize that they have just been had, is priceless.
This person may have just found their "Pet Rock". The idea is just ridiculous enough that enough people would probably go for it.
'And 5-6-7-8'
Dancing toddlers are all over the internet these days. Over the past year, parents have taken some amazingly adorable videos of their young children doing their best to copy the choreography of some of the most popular songs.
There is most definitely a problem with drag queens teaching toddlers how to twerk. The toddlers are going to be bad influences on the drag queens. And besides, the toddlers should probably learn to walk in a straight line before they try anything more complicated.
'3 Day Waiting Period'
There are some questions that people have asked on Yahoo! Answers that have the potential to cause concern about future generations.
There are a few countries where that would probably be a very good question to ask. With gun laws what they are in some places, as long as the spider could walk in a straight line they'd probably give it a firearm or two.
'Nature Vs Nurture'
Thanks to modern science there is now more than one way for someone to get pregnant. There are not all that many ways but there are a few.
Some people should make sure they use contraceptives, but curious minds must inquire as to what ways this person knows of to get pregnant, if not the natural one.
'Never Give Up, Never Surrender'
Atheists are one of the only groups of people to never start a war or dispute over their beliefs. By not entering into conflict, they, therefore, have never won nor lost a battle. And probably won't be losing one anytime soon.
Atheists are stubborn people with a complex and one-sided view. They are constantly telling people about their way of life and relentlessly pushing others to join them in the way. No, wait a minute, that's vegans.
'Howdy Ho!'
Out of all of the things that people could have asked in these fifteen-plus years of Yahoo! Answers, farts and poops seem to have garnered a large portion of the public's intrigue.
For those who have seen the Jack Black and Ben Stiller comedy "Envy", there was probably Vapoorize in the water that got rid of the poop. But where did the poop go? It can't just disappear.
'Heck No We Must Go'
The rights of animals have come under quite a bit of scrutiny in recent years. It is seemingly not just humans who have neglected the basic rights of animals. There was a question that was asked in Yahoo! Answers that brought a great deal of attention to perhaps the hardest workers in the animal kingdom, and their lack of rights in their own communities.
After much research and countless hours spent studying Ant Law, I must inform the public that unfortunately, due to their fielty to the queen, worker ants are not allowed to unionize.
'Are All Cowboys Great Ballet Dancers?'
Throughout history, clothing and accessories have been made for people of all shapes and sizes. No one is meant to feel discriminated against while shopping for themselves. It is supposed to be a happy time, a time of buying one's self something new. And when that perfect pair of boots is staring out the store window, only one question could possibly come to mind...
Why wouldn't they make shoes for people with pointy feet? Pointy-footed people are still people. Do they not deserve to wear boots as well?
'Vaccines!'
More often than not, people turn to faith during tough times. As the saying goes, "there are no atheists in foxholes", but after the world has spent over a year in a metaphorical foxhole, that doesn't seem to be altogether true.
The simple answer is yes. Science. The only real solution to the coronavirus is to listen to the medical professionals who have spent the majority of their adult lives studying viruses similar to Covid-19.
"I am Serious...And Don't Call Me Shirley'
Video games have come a long way from the days of 'Pong' and 'Space Invaders'. Games like 'Call of Duty' have given people of all ages and from all walks of life an extremely subdued version of what war is. But nonetheless, the realism of these games is enough to make someone with an unsound mind feel as though they are doing these things in real life.
Although this may seem like an absolutely ridiculous question, there are actually some flight simulators that are accurate enough that someone could have a true-to-life pilot experience. But don't be fooled, that does not mean that this person is qualified to sit in the cockpit of an actual aircraft without any practical experience.
'Collect The Whole Set'
There are many different things that people collect. From trading cards to Beanie Babies there are collecting fanatics for everything. Some collections are a bit more dangerous than others.
How many guns could someone actually need. Three guns a month is still 36 guns a year that this man's wife is letting him buy. If anything, he should be happy that she hasn't left him yet. Although, owning as many guns as he does, she may be too scared to leave.
'That's A Lot Of Potassium'
From drinking a carton of beer in a day to seeing how many marshmallows someone can fit in their mouth, there have always been individuals who have gone to extreme lengths in order to prove someone else wrong. Sometimes, people just do stupid things for no reason.
More than anything else, it's impressive that someone was able to eat that many bananas in one sitting, but what happened to that other half of banana? Surely after making through 34.5 bananas that last half wouldn't have been too bad.
"If You're Going To Spew, Spew In This"
One of the great things about Yahoo! Answers was the ability for someone to ask any question that was on their mind and get at least a handful of answers. One of the bad things about Yahoo! Answers, was that people had the ability to ask any question that was on their mind.
Some of the questions that people have asked over the years are extremely hard to stomach, just be careful though because if pregnant while reading these questions, one just may get sick and throw up the baby.
'Radioactive Man'
A big moment in any child's life is when their parents finally trust them to use the microwave by themselves. It's a step towards being a "big kid". And the first thing that any parent usually tells their little ones about using the appliance is that metal should never be placed inside. We've all heard stories of microwaves exploding. Heck, a few of us have even witnessed it happening.
Who would they take to court over this? The microwave company? Apple? There's only one person at fault here in my eyes, but I'm not quite sure if it's possible to sue one's self for stupidity.
'That Settles It'
Each country uses its own methods and curriculums in order to educate its youth. As important as world history is, one should probably start with the history of their own country.
More than a hundred and fifty years before America gained its independence, the English sailed across the Atlantic to settle in the New Land. As villages and towns were raised, they named them after the Lords and Ladies, past and present, who usually had a sister city by the same name back in England. Founded in 1664, New York was named after the historical English town of York that pre-dates it by almost 1500 years.
'Bird Brain'
There have been some weird stories over the years of people who have been slowly transforming themselves through plastic surgery, to look like animals. We have seen people who have transformed themselves into cat people, snake people, and werewolf people. Needless to say, there is almost nothing that is off-limits. If it's possible to do something, someone will be willing to do it.
Becoming one with the penguin is a good start, but in order to become a penguin, one must live how the penguins live. I know I'm not the only one who isn't convinced that randomness123 will be able to survive the Antarctic weather.
'He's Like An Onion, He's Got Layers'
Kings and Queens through history have had to make some very big decisions as to who was to rule parts of their kingdoms. Choose the right person, and the kingdom can flourish, choose the wrong one, and it could be their ruin.
One would have to believe that if mythical creatures did exist, any good monarch would not be a speciesist and would choose the most qualified creatures in their kingdom regardless of their species.
'Going Viral'
The Covid-19 pandemic brought with it many conspiracy theories, one of which was that the virus was able to spread through 5G.
It is rather disappointing to know that anyone actually believed that they could catch the coronavirus through the internet. Another sign that humanity is not doing well.
'All Dogs Go To Heaven'
Pets usually follow their person's lead. It is not uncommon to not only see people who look like their pets, but also pets who have begun to act like their people.
Freedom of religion pertains to animals as well. No person should ever force their pet to follow a certain religion, however, if the animal chooses to partake in the same rituals as its person, so be it.
'Photosynthe--what?'
The radiation that the sun emits from its gaseous existence provides plants with the energy needed in order to convert CO2 into sugars. And, as we all know already, that is how plants grow.
This isn't something that someone should be asking in the Home & Garden forum. Perhaps someone in Science and Technology would be more suited to answer the question...or maybe a little bit of common sense may help.
'To Boldly Go Where No One Has Gone Before'
Bodily functions and the myths around them have intrigued curious minds for centuries. Apparently, plugging one's ears and closing their eyes when they sneeze can cause someone's head to blow up, or so the urban legend goes. But what happens when someone 'farps'?
'Farps' are no joke. With just the right amount of force and headwind, the entire time-space continuum could be in danger.
'Missing Those Meat Sweats'
Vegans have gained a reputation for always needing to tell those around them, that they are indeed vegans. Then they will try and explain, to whoever will listen, why veganism is the right life choice to make. Vegan!
I can understand if maybe this person was upset, as a vegan, about the meats that will be grilled at these barbeques, however, they seem a little bit more upset about the fact that the neighbors will all be enjoying each other's company. Is there a rule about vegans not being allowed to socialize in their first year as vegans?
'Was That A Duck?'
While at large gatherings, it is very difficult to avoid certain bodily functions for the duration of the event. More often than not, when one needs to sneeze or pass wind at said events, it is usually at the most inopportune time.
Bottom line is, farts are funny no matter how old someone gets. They may not ALWAYS be funny, but when let rip in the right atmosphere, even the most uptight person can't help but crack a smile.
'It's Time'
Over the years there have been a copious amount of fears in regards to what may give individuals cancer. Some of the fears, like microwave ovens in their early stages of existence, have been warranted. Others, not quite so much...
A digital alarm clock may not give someone brain cancer, but it will ensure they wake up in time to make it to their psych appointment.
'Now With Extra Fluoride'
Some people are willing to try almost anything in order to get their next thrill. Every school has a kid who sniffs glue or sharpies. But when school supplies aren't quite doing it anymore, where is one to turn?
No, toothpaste on the nipples will not get someone high, however, if they use the right toothpaste their nipples will be plaque-free and shine brighter than they had in years.