Humorous Debates Throughout History

Twelve tongue-and-cheek conversation starters.

Round vs. Flat - As President Obama and Mitt Romney prepare to go head-to-head in their second televised debate tonight, BET.com takes a look at a number of tongue-in-cheek, time-honored topics that have divided Americans over the years. ?Britt Middleton The argument supporting that planet earth was flat dates back to ancient civilization. However, with the support of groups like The Flat Earth Society, the debate still wages on today. (Photo: theflatearthsociety.org)

1 / 12

Round vs. Flat - As President Obama and Mitt Romney prepare to go head-to-head in their second televised debate tonight, BET.com takes a look at a number of tongue-in-cheek, time-honored topics that have divided Americans over the years. —Britt Middleton The argument supporting that planet earth was flat dates back to ancient civilization. However, with the support of groups like The Flat Earth Society, the debate still wages on today. (Photo: theflatearthsociety.org)

Black Belt With Brown Shoes - Wearing a black belt with a brown shirt or brown shoes may still be considered a faux pas to some, but others argue brown is now a neutral color meant to mix as desired.(Photo: Peter Kramer/Getty Images)

2 / 12

Black Belt With Brown Shoes - Wearing a black belt with a brown shirt or brown shoes may still be considered a faux pas to some, but others argue brown is now a neutral color meant to mix as desired.(Photo: Peter Kramer/Getty Images)

Wearing White After Labor Day - It's an old style cue that seems to be fading, at least with trendsetters like Kim Kardashian, who rocked a white leather dress in late September. (Photo: Troy Rizzo/Getty Images)

3 / 12

Wearing White After Labor Day - It's an old style cue that seems to be fading, at least with trendsetters like Kim Kardashian, who rocked a white leather dress in late September. (Photo: Troy Rizzo/Getty Images)

The Correct Pronunciation of "Caramel" - Depending on where you're from, you may pronounce the sweet treat as "kar-mel" or "care-a-mel." The same goes for potato ("po-taye-toe" vs. "po-tah-toe") and Carribean ("ka-rib-be-an" vs." kara-be-an"). (Photo: Courtesy of WikiCommons)

4 / 12

The Correct Pronunciation of "Caramel" - Depending on where you're from, you may pronounce the sweet treat as "kar-mel" or "care-a-mel." The same goes for potato ("po-taye-toe" vs. "po-tah-toe") and Carribean ("ka-rib-be-an" vs." kara-be-an"). (Photo: Courtesy of WikiCommons)

The Beatles vs. The Rolling Stones - Being that both bands hail from England and are both credited for undeniably shaping the course of popular music, it's no wonder that music fans have been split over this decision for decades. (Photos from left: Left to right: Evening Standard/Getty Images, CBS /Landov)

5 / 12

The Beatles vs. The Rolling Stones - Being that both bands hail from England and are both credited for undeniably shaping the course of popular music, it's no wonder that music fans have been split over this decision for decades. (Photos from left: Left to right: Evening Standard/Getty Images, CBS /Landov)

ADVERTISEMENT
Natural Hair vs. Relaxed Hair - The question of whether Black women should chemically straighten their hair or rock their natural curls has been the topic of countless news articles and blog posts in recent years, even becoming the subject of Chris Rock's 2009 documentary, Good Hair. (Photos from left: Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images, Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)

6 / 12

Natural Hair vs. Relaxed Hair - The question of whether Black women should chemically straighten their hair or rock their natural curls has been the topic of countless news articles and blog posts in recent years, even becoming the subject of Chris Rock's 2009 documentary, Good Hair. (Photos from left: Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images, Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)

Pumpkin Pie vs. Sweet Potato Pie - Both are sweet, fall favorites,  but which dessert pairs best with roasted turkey and sides remains to be seen. (Photo: Courtesy of WikiCommons, Courtesy of iFoodTV)

7 / 12

Pumpkin Pie vs. Sweet Potato Pie - Both are sweet, fall favorites,  but which dessert pairs best with roasted turkey and sides remains to be seen. (Photo: Courtesy of WikiCommons, Courtesy of iFoodTV)

New York Yankees vs. New York Mets - Which baseball team rules New York? That's a question New York Yankees and New York Mets fans have argued over for years. (Photos from left: Courtesy of The Yankees, Courtesy of The Mets)

8 / 12

New York Yankees vs. New York Mets - Which baseball team rules New York? That's a question New York Yankees and New York Mets fans have argued over for years. (Photos from left: Courtesy of The Yankees, Courtesy of The Mets)

Cats vs. Dogs - Dogs may have earned the nickname "Man's Best Friend," but any devoted cat person will argue a feline's agility, speed and advanced skills in prolonged staring as superior. (Photos from left: Courtesy of WikiCommons, Marlies Kloet)

9 / 12

Cats vs. Dogs - Dogs may have earned the nickname "Man's Best Friend," but any devoted cat person will argue a feline's agility, speed and advanced skills in prolonged staring as superior. (Photos from left: Courtesy of WikiCommons, Marlies Kloet)

Vampires vs. Werewolves - Thank the Twilight movies and HBO's True Blood for keeping this supernatural debate alive. (Photos from left: Summit Entertainment, HBO)

10 / 12

Vampires vs. Werewolves - Thank the Twilight movies and HBO's True Blood for keeping this supernatural debate alive. (Photos from left: Summit Entertainment, HBO)

ADVERTISEMENT
iPhone vs. Android - As much as tech heads love their smartphones, they love to argue over which operating system is superior. (Photos from left: Apple, Samsung)

11 / 12

iPhone vs. Android - As much as tech heads love their smartphones, they love to argue over which operating system is superior. (Photos from left: Apple, Samsung)

Chicken vs. the Egg - A debate as old as the beginning of time, the verdict is still out as to which one came first.  (Photos from left: DPA /LANDOV, WikiCommons)

12 / 12

Chicken vs. the Egg - A debate as old as the beginning of time, the verdict is still out as to which one came first.  (Photos from left: DPA /LANDOV, WikiCommons)