The Slice: Still working on the X-ray vision

As superpowers go, it might not be all that impressive.

But I believe I can guess what year a person moved to Spokane (or spot a native) just from one glance.

Are there others with this uncanny ability?

“Coming Tuesday: Marmot-watching advice for Maja.

Of course, if you didn’t read The Slice on Thursday, you won’t know what I’m talking about. But who’s to blame for that?

“Feedback: Robin Fontaine challenged my assertion that most people around here don’t know the hierarchy of military ranks. She argued that this area’s numbers of retirees and former military brats “Heavily skew this issue to the side of the rank-aware.”

But she bestowed on me the honorary title of captain. “It’s about the right rank for the Sliceman, since at that level you are expected to lead or guide others, but in reality captains always have lots of voices and opinions coming down on them from above.”

“Mystery man: North Idaho’s Shannon Allert told her teenage son she would await a certain bit of family news “with bated breath.”

“Who’s that?” he asked.

“Slice answers: Dietitian Teresa Kafentzis said those in her field might be the professionals who spend the most time correcting misinformation.

In the matter of default anxiety, a reader said hers involved a 13-year-old dog named Phoebe with a heart condition.

Most of the readers responding to the question about the group of local people most out of touch with Spokane reality named governmental bodies and Avista executives. But Gary Polser offered “The downtown condo developers.”

Lynn Jinishian said the North Side branch of Spokane Teachers Credit Union appears to make good looks a prerequisite of being hired. Janelle Baker, Carrie Webbenhurst and others noted that many local espresso stands seem to share that philosophy.

A boatload of readers said “The lake” is Spokane’s one claim to unique slang.

Bob Neubauer filled in the blanks on another question with “You can’t buy (Leinenkugel’s beer) in (any Washington) county.”

And I’ve decided to temporarily give it a rest on the “names grandkids call their grandparents.” But as always, thanks to all who shared their stories.

“Warm-up questions: Who around here is the most devoted follower of a TV soap opera? How much of what athletes say about the team’s success being the most important thing do you actually believe? Are you a real grownup if you can’t drive a stick-shift? Has there ever been a long-term bed-sharing couple that did not establish which side of the bed belonged to which person?

“Today’s Slice question: What’s the worst movie you ever saw?

(My nomination: 1984’s “Blame it on Rio.”)