QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

THE NEFF ZONE -- BY JIM NEFF

CADILLAC NEWS -- MAY 21, 2026

There's a famous legal adage used by attorneys: “Never ask a question unless you already know the answer.” You can have some fun by using this proviso at your Memorial Day holiday gatherings. You ask the question and see who can come up with a correct answer. 

Start with an easy one that many people will know. Question: “The United States is full of regional flavors, and each state has one (unique) ice cream flavor.” What is Michigan's specialty? Answer: “Michigan’s most Michigan-y ice cream flavor is Superman. Versions of the flavor vary across the state, while the colors remain the same. It's a mix of Faygo Redpop, Blue Moon, and lemon.” More states at: https://www.foodandwine.com/50-states-ice-cream-flavors-11974346.

Another food item poses a more difficult situation. Question: Are you allowed to bring a bag of spaghetti from home into a Major League Baseball park? Answer: Yes and no. There is a policy for all teams. In Detroit, you need a medical reason. “Outside food and beverage of any kind is prohibited (except for religious, dietary or for medical necessity). You’d have to have a doctor’s note for spaghetti here. Doc, I need a  PASTA PRESCRIPTION!” All the policies at: https://sickos-newsletter.beehiiv.com/p/the-spaghetti-policy-for-all-mlb-teams.

These taste treats lead to scientific fact. Question: Everyone has taste buds, but how long do those buds last? Answer: “Taste buds are such hardworking organs that their cells die off quickly. As they work, they age and lose sensitivity, which is why the body regenerates them about every two weeks. On any given day, about ten percent of the sensors expire, while thirty percent are in the process of developing, leaving us with sixty percent of the buds active to analyze the food we consume.” (https://interestingfacts.com/fact/taste-buds-are-replaced-every-two-weeks/)

On this holiday weekend, many folks will take to the roads. Question: How many vehicles are there in the United States? Answer: “There were more than 278 million registered vehicles in the United States as of 2022, which is to say there are almost as many cars and motorcycles in America as there are Americans — about 342 million at last count. Trucks are especially popular, accounting for 170 million of the vehicles in the country.” (https://historyfacts.com/us-history/fact/in-1960-one-in-five-american-households-didnt-have-a-car/)

 Drivers leaving Atlanta have an interesting decision. Question: Would they drive fewer miles going to Miami or Canada? Answer: “Atlanta, located in the heart of the Southern state of Georgia, is closer to Canada than it is to sunny Miami, Florida. As the crow flies, downtown Atlanta is about 555 miles from the Canadian border at its southernmost point, and around 605 miles from downtown Miami.” (https://interestingfacts.com/fact/atlanta-closer-to-canada-than-to-miami/)

All that motoring requires gasoline for many vehicles. Question: Is gasoline flammable or inflammable? Answer: Both. “There are many ways to describe something that easily catches fire yet 'inflammable,' the perceived opposite of 'flammable,' means the same thing. The confusion stems from the prefix 'in-,' which typically means 'not,'  as in the pairing 'correct/incorrect.' Based on this pattern, many people label 'flammable/inflammable' as antonyms, but they’re actually synonyms. Here, the prefix 'in-' means 'to cause to be.' If you need a clear opposite for flammable, use nonflammable.” Got all that? (https://wordsmarts.com/opposite-meaning-words/)

If you want to motor to a concert this weekend (or summer) there's a new ailment to consider. Question: What is Blue Dot Fever? Answer: “Blue dot fever takes its name from the symbols for empty seats on the Ticketmaster website, signifying unsold tickets.” According to TheTimes.com, affordability is becoming an issue. “Average primary-market ticket prices jumped 41.3 percent between 2019 and 2024, from $96.17 to $135.92, according to Pollstar. Fans complain not only about the cost of getting through the door but travel, hotel and merchandise, which can raise the price of a concert significantly.” Many artists are canceling their tours because of the (blue dot) unsold seats. (https://www.thetimes.com/us/news-today/article/blue-dot-fever-what-is-it-meaning-bd98hc300)

At every gathering there is always someone who wants to argue about something. For these situations USA Today offers a nonflammable topic. Question: Which NFL Team has the best (or worst) logo? “We’ll be taking a closer look at each NFL team’s emblem and ranking them based on visual appeal, creativity, and how well they represent their respective franchises.” Answer: Finishing at top of the list was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers logo. Dead last was the Green Bay Packers logo. The Detroit Lions finished fourth best. “ The beauty of these rankings is that everyone sees things differently -- so there is plenty of room for debate.” See the rankings at: https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/saints/2026/05/10/nfl-team-logo-rankings-worst-best-helmets/89999028007/.

Reader's Digest adds to the fun with twenty-seven of the hardest riddles ever. Choosing just one is difficult, but here is a try. Question: “First, think of the color of the clouds. Next, think of the color of snow. Now, think of the color of a bright full moon. Now answer quickly: What do cows drink?” Answer: Water. Twenty-six more at: https://www.rd.com/list/challenging-riddles/. 

Finally, this leads us to a dad joke about cows. Question: What do you call a cow with no legs? Answer: Ground beef. 

Jim Neff is a local columnist. Read Neff Zone columns online at CadillacNews.com and NeffZone.com/cadillacnews.