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If your family hasn't turned into people in white coats, you may still be okay.

Quote: rxwine

If your family hasn't turned into people in white coats, you may still be okay.

Oh, those guys, I hope we aren't paying them, very surly

Quote: odiousgambit

Oh, those guys, I hope we aren't paying them, very surly

"Surly?"

You jest.

I've been complaining about modern appliances for 2 decades now. The last disaster for us was buying a Maytag washing machine with too many bells and whistles... but they're all like that! This one is a lemon for sure.

it seems the old washing machines had a heavy drum that had a certain amount of stability due to it's weight. You shifted clothes around to help get balance. The new ones compensate for a light tub by making adjustments of some kind to balance the load. I imagined weights getting shifted around on the outside but a quick search suggests liquid is sorted about.

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How do modern washing machines automatically balance the drum ...

There usually balance rings attached to the inner basket. For instance the Whirlpool top load washer, has a liquid inside it's balance ring. Then their front loader has large ball bearings inside its ring.
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Why do modern appliances not last as long?

Older Appliances Were Designed to Last. The parts were simple and easy to fix, so people could keep their appliances running for much longer than they can today. Unlike modern appliances, which have complex electronics and computerized components that can be expensive to repair or replace
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Are modern appliances less reliable?

Whether it was a dishwasher, refrigerator, or some other appliance, nearly every modern variety failed faster than similar models from the past [in a test that was conducted]. The closest any appliance came, in fact, was the modern gas range, which lasts an average of 15 years these days, compared to 19 years in 1993.

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I assert that these new machines do not save energy [as advertised] because of the shorter cycle of the manufacturing process, which takes a huge amount of energy, quite a bit of which uses fossil fuels as well. Nor do they save the consumer money, due to the constant replacement process.

Certain influential nuts out there want to get rid of gas ranges as well, as we know. Probably one reason is they last too long! J.k. but it certainly fits in with the perverse nature of all these forced changes that do nothing they claim except make life worse

I remember seeing a suggestion online that is you want a long lasting washer and dryer buy the same ones used in commercial laundries. But I don't know if that has cost savings, as they may cost much more.

Ran across this term and had forgotten it's sometimes used, this time it was Evelyn Waugh

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Definitions from Oxford Languages · Learn more

noun
noun: dipsomania

alcoholism, specifically in a form characterized by intermittent bouts of craving for alcohol.
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What is the origin of the word dipsomaniac?

Dipsomania - Wikipedia
The idea of dipsomania is important for its historical role in promoting a disease theory of chronic drunkenness. The word comes from Greek dipso (Greek: "δίψα"= thirst) and mania.

Assuming you don't already know, do you think you can guess Maine's state flower in 10 guesses?

They're really common. You probably see them in most states.

Quote: rxwine

Assuming you don't already know, do you think you can guess Maine's state flower in 10 guesses?

They're really common. You probably see them in most states.

I would have not gotten it if I guessed every day for the rest of my life.

if a woman has 'the right voice' for TV I do sometimes notice they have a bigger adam's apple than most other women

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Although both males and females develop Adam's apples, they tend to be more prominent in males. This is because the male larynx generally grows bigger and faster during puberty. A larger larynx explains why males tend to have deeper and louder voices than females.

was wondering about this expression.

decide for yourself how this expression came about, though

I like the second one

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From a reliable source, on the best authority. For example, I have it from the horse's mouth that he plans to retire next month. Also put as straight from the horse's mouth, this expression alludes to examining a horse's teeth to determine its age and hence its worth.
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This idiom comes from British horse-racing circles, likely because the presumed ideal source for racing tips would be the horse rather than spectators or riders.