Talk:Magic 8 Ball

Is it a Typo?

In the first section the word "die" is used consequently referring the icosahedron inside, except one occasion. I think "dice" should be corrected. It now only bears ambiguity.

---Dice is plural. Die is correct. -Robot Devil's Advocate.

Hyphenation

Mattel refers to this product as the Magic 8 Ball, not the Magic 8-Ball. I'm making the change - if anyone has a good reason to revert, please at least add discussion here. Snorkelman

Adding previously unknown details

I'm actually the great-grandson of Abe Bookman. Although I don't know a lot of information, my granddad, (his son,) has great memory and worked in the factory. How would I go about sourcing edits, considering how most info isn't public? Thanks. Alabecrafts (talk) 13:52, 9 September 2025 (UTC)

Welcome, @Alabecrafts! Unfortunately, personal knowledge isn't considered a reliable source (see original research). Sources must be published. Hope that helps. Schazjmd (talk) 14:27, 9 September 2025 (UTC)

Cannot predict now, but you may try to interest a journalist in writing an article or interview with your grandpop that can then be used as a source here. Thanks for thinking of passing along information! Randy Kryn (talk) 14:49, 9 September 2025 (UTC)

That's a way better answer than "No". EEng 02:18, 22 February 2026 (UTC)

What is the dark side to the magic 8 ball?

I just want to know. ~2026-11315-05 (talk) 15:28, 19 February 2026 (UTC)

It's a toy. No need to overlay any kind of religious meaning to it. Do you ask "what is the dark side to fortune cookies" when you eat at a Chinese restaurant? Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. Viriditas (talk) 22:30, 19 February 2026 (UTC)

Did you really have to involve cigars in this conversation? ~2026-11315-05 (talk) 02:06, 22 February 2026 (UTC)

You're doing it again. "A cigar is just a cigar" is an aphorism that means don't interpret things symbolically when they are best understood literally. The irony of course is that you are misunderstanding its figurative use and taking it literally in this instance. Why must there be a dark side to the magic 8 ball? This is nothing but satanic panic nonsense cooked up by religious fundamentalists with too much time on their hands. Viriditas (talk) 02:18, 22 February 2026 (UTC)

When was the magic 8 ball invented?

The reason why I'm asking is I'm just curious. ~2026-11315-05 (talk) 02:00, 22 February 2026 (UTC)

Not curious enough to read the lead of the article, apparently. EEng 02:18, 22 February 2026 (UTC)

Additions to "In popular culture" section

Hey all, I was hoping to flesh out some the pop culture section in this article. I was thinking of adding references to Toy Story, Family Guy, SpongeBob, Friends, and Fallout 2. Is this too many? Additionally, should the information in the last paragraph of "Cultural impact" be moved to this section? Jkrueg (talk) 23:31, 1 April 2026 (UTC)

WP:IPCEXAMPLES has some guidance on this, "depth of treatment in the source" probably being the most relevant. Belbury (talk) 08:54, 2 April 2026 (UTC)

Welcome, @Jkrueg. In addition to the essay that Belbury links, you should also read the guideline MOS:POPCULT. Schazjmd (talk) 12:52, 2 April 2026 (UTC)