A pine straw baler compresses pine needles into rectangular bales for easy transport and storage. Manual balers use a lever to compress the needles, while motorized balers use a hydraulic arm for greater efficiency. Chambers can be made of wood or metal, but commercial machines are typically made of steel. Landscapers and homeowners looking for […]
The Iowa Straw Poll is a non-binding event held in Ames, Iowa, to test the viability of Republican presidential candidates. Fundraising and publicity are the primary goals, and the winner can use the results to fuel a publicity tour across the Midwest. The event has been held since 1979, and some candidates opt-out of the […]
A straw purchase is when someone buys goods or services on behalf of someone who cannot legally do so. This is often done with firearms, automobiles, real estate, and alcohol using forged documents and stolen identities. Straw men can be punished with fines or imprisonment, and dealers or lenders are not guilty if they did […]
Straws date back 5,000 years and were originally made of grass straw or glass. Modern straws were invented in 1888 using paper and wax. The bendy straw was invented in 1937. Over 500 million disposable straws are used daily in the US. Alternative materials like bamboo and bioplastic are becoming popular. Straws are believed to […]
A straw feminist is a fictional character used to make arguments about the feminist movement, often promoting radical ideas and lacking logic. This misrepresentation frustrates true feminists who simply want equal rights and respect for women. Negative perceptions of feminism can discourage some from identifying as feminists. A straw feminist is the feminist version of […]
A straw poll is an informal opinion poll, originating from an American agricultural practice of testing wind direction with straw. In 1936, The Literary Digest’s flawed presidential poll caused bankruptcy, while George Gallup accurately predicted the outcome and became a household name. Virtual straw polls are now common, including on news websites and for organizational […]
A straw man argument misrepresents an opposing argument to make it easier to defeat with a stronger counterargument. It is a fallacy of logic that can be used in various areas of life, including politics. The argument can be created by leaving out key points, quoting out of context, or presenting a weak defense as […]
“The last straw” is an idiom referring to the final event in a series that causes a person to no longer tolerate a situation. It doesn’t have to be a significant event, but in combination with previous ones, it can lead to a loss of patience. The origin is attributed to an ancient Arabic proverb […]
