Sir Walter Raleigh in the can could be our mascot

You know how some Spokane residents refer to their city as The Can.

Well, if that nickname really caught on, would it potentially change the local meanings of expressions such as “can it,” “can do,” “it’s in the can” and “canned laughter”?

Not to mention the Cowardly Lion’s question for the Tin Man, “Say, how long do you stay fresh in that can?”

Just wondering: How much have the dynamics of kids’ sleepovers been changed by the ubiquity of round-the-clock electronic diversions?

Once upon a time, things used to settle down a bit after the TV stations went to test patterns.

You’ll know things aren’t going well during Thanksgiving dinner: If two of your relatives get into an argument about whether passing the mashed potatoes is tantamount to socialism.

Red hair, continued: “My dark-haired mom used to get asked all the time where I got the red hair,” wrote Lisa Giegel. “She would tell people, ‘From the mailman.’ ”

Giegel’s dad worked for the post office.

And Stephanie Eloe has been asked many times if her red hair is “natural.” That’s not exactly good manners. But on one occasion Eloe was amazed by the query because, at that moment, she was holding her redheaded baby.

Slice answers: A couple of readers said it is easier to be openly gay in Spokane now than it was years ago, but noted that it’s all relative.

In the matter of the best bird-inspired baby names, Robin and Raven led the flock in early returns.

And in response to the one about how often you are asked if anything is wrong, Curt Olsen answered with a follow-up question: “How many times do you lie and respond with, ‘No’?”

Today’s Slice question: Over the years, how many guys has Tom called “Buddy” at Domini’s?