# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1002 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1003 --- ## [Gambling / betting math(s) question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gambling-betting-math-s-question/738065)
**Author:** [@up\_the\_junction](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/up_the_junction)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2015, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gambling-betting-math-s-question/738065 "2015-11-20T14:11:30Z")
Sometimes it would be more advantageous to back a sports result than lay the opposite result. In football/soccer for example, you have three possible outcomes. Here are some example odds: 2.4 (Home) 3.3 (Draw) 2.75 (… --- ## [Generic words standing in for more precise phrases](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/generic-words-standing-in-for-more-precise-phrases/737837)
**Author:** [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2015, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/generic-words-standing-in-for-more-precise-phrases/737837 "2015-11-20T13:18:09Z")
This is about something I’ve noticed in current usage, English language. We (it probably started in the media, and then entered common parlance) seem to get tired of lengthy but precise descriptions of things, so we fin… --- ## [“We are conquering places I haven’t even heard of.”](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-are-conquering-places-i-haven-t-even-heard-of/737966)
**Author:** [@marshmallow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marshmallow)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2015, 8:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-are-conquering-places-i-haven-t-even-heard-of/737966 "2015-11-20T08:02:43Z")
From this article on Queen Tamar: Funny quote, but I can’t find it anywhere else. This isn’t exactly a scholarly site by any stretch, but by chance did a 12th century Georgian writer ever say anything remotely like tha… --- ## [How to "teach" Google Photos?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-teach-google-photos/737887)
**Author:** [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2015, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-teach-google-photos/737887 "2015-11-20T07:21:23Z")
Google photos is great, I can type in “cats” or “dogs” or any number of other things and it will show me all of the photos in my collection that it thinks match the criteria (sometimes producing hilarious mismatches). Wh… --- ## [Decoding Kids' Words -- Carry On](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/decoding-kids-words-carry-on/737860)
**Author:** [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2015, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/decoding-kids-words-carry-on/737860 "2015-11-20T06:56:43Z")
A friend of mine nannies one of the cutest kids ever. He told her about his trip to see the Space Shuttle Endeavor. He said, You have to see it! It has a ‘carry on’!" She didn’t understand, but he couldn’t say it any di… --- ## [Texting from a landline?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texting-from-a-landline/737766)
**Author:** [@excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/excavating_for_a_mind)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2015, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texting-from-a-landline/737766 "2015-11-20T03:49:35Z")
Is there a way I can send text, or even just a numerical message, from my landline to my cell phone? My home security system (burglar alarm), made by ADT, obviously has the ability to call the monitoring service when th… --- ## [what is "cultural competency?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-cultural-competency/737978)
**Author:** [@Shinna\_Minna\_Ma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shinna_Minna_Ma)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2015, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-cultural-competency/737978 "2015-11-20T02:59:33Z")
This article in the Baltimore Sun refers to a student complaint of a “lack of cultural competency in our peers and professors.” Can anyone explain what this means? To the mods: if this turns into a debate, please move i… --- ## [can an airline CEO sit in the cockpit of an airliner?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-an-airline-ceo-sit-in-the-cockpit-of-an-airliner/737653)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2015, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-an-airline-ceo-sit-in-the-cockpit-of-an-airliner/737653 "2015-11-20T01:06:22Z")
Can an airline CEO (a non-pilot) take a fun flight ride sitting in the airliner cockpit as other pilots fly it on a normal flight route (an airliner that his company owns,) or is that illegal? --- ## [Picture/ joke/ comment/ etc. I found on the internet](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/picture-joke-comment-etc-i-found-on-the-internet/737818)
**Author:** [@TheBori](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheBori)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2015, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/picture-joke-comment-etc-i-found-on-the-internet/737818 "2015-11-19T22:20:04Z")
Is there a word(s) that I can use to replace “I saw this posting of Facebook…” or “There was this funny video of a thing on …”? I want to explain that I, myself, did not create the witty thing I’m about to describe. I … --- ## [Who DID say "forgiving them is God's function. Our job is simply to arrange the meeting."](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-did-say-forgiving-them-is-gods-function-our-job-is-simply-to-arrange-the-meeting/737958)
**Author:** [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2015, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-did-say-forgiving-them-is-gods-function-our-job-is-simply-to-arrange-the-meeting/737958 "2015-11-19T21:53:39Z")
This quote is doing the rounds again. This time attributed to Vladimir Putin. First time I heard it was attributed to Norman Schwartzkopf. Snopes has some background, but doesn’t really did into its origin: Is Norman… --- ## [West 98 1/2 Street?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/west-98-1-2-street/737441)
**Author:** [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2015, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/west-98-1-2-street/737441 "2015-11-19T19:33:56Z")
There is a West 98 1/2 St. in Bloomington, MN. Digging around I find a bunch of 1/2 streets around Minneapolis. What’s the story behind this? Do any other cities have them? --- ## [Repeatedly trying to start a failed car battery - dangerous?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repeatedly-trying-to-start-a-failed-car-battery-dangerous/737647)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2015, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repeatedly-trying-to-start-a-failed-car-battery-dangerous/737647 "2015-11-19T17:58:18Z")
My car battery is dead. Unfortunately, being the obstinate person that I am, I tried over a dozen times to turn the key in the ignition, simply resulting in “dead battery sounds.” I’m going to jump start it, but did I d… --- ## [Will you be notified if long-lost dad died?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-you-be-notified-if-long-lost-dad-died/737827)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2015, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-you-be-notified-if-long-lost-dad-died/737827 "2015-11-19T17:34:06Z")
Mrs Cad is curious if she would ever be notified if her dad died. I said she would as she would not be that hard to track down. Will what if he remarried? What if Mrs. Cad is not in the will?\* I said that the executo… --- ## [Please tell me I don't have to remove the Toilet to tile the Bathroom!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-tell-me-i-dont-have-to-remove-the-toilet-to-tile-the-bathroom/224172)
**Author:** [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2015, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-tell-me-i-dont-have-to-remove-the-toilet-to-tile-the-bathroom/224172 "2015-11-19T16:26:53Z")
I have never done a bathroom floor before. I’ve painted, designed, and decorated bethrooms, I have never tore up linolium and put tile on the floor. Currently, I have bought the following: Linolium remover/chipper, 150… --- ## [does competitive eating pose significant short- or long-term health risks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-competitive-eating-pose-significant-short-or-long-term-health-risks/737888)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2015, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-competitive-eating-pose-significant-short-or-long-term-health-risks/737888 "2015-11-19T14:10:24Z")
Inspired by this video, in which Matt Stonie wolfs down an astonishing 25 Big Macs in less than 20 minutes. Presumably he doesn’t do this, or other feats of extreme consumption, on a daily basis. Given that such acts a… --- ## [ID this tree? Tennessee, with pic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-tree-tennessee-with-pic/737918)
**Author:** [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2015, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-tree-tennessee-with-pic/737918 "2015-11-19T05:01:00Z")
This must be related to mesquite, right? The dark, curly shapes are big bean pods. --- ## [Pedal generator math](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pedal-generator-math/737886)
**Author:** [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2015, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pedal-generator-math/737886 "2015-11-19T02:47:40Z")
You may have seen (on social media) links to a guy who claims to have invented a pedal generator that supposedly you run for an hour and it supplies power for a whole day. My back of the envelope calculations: Assuming … --- ## [I Need Brass Rubbing Supplies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-brass-rubbing-supplies/253588)
**Author:** [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2015, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-brass-rubbing-supplies/253588 "2015-11-19T00:39:05Z")
I’m trying to find supplies for making brass rubbings. There’s not a whole lot on Google about it, but I did find that it’s done with something called “detail paper” and “heel ball” wax. Making brass rubbings appears t… --- ## [Triple translation needed: German/Dutch, Scandinavian and Albanian. Seriously.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/triple-translation-needed-german-dutch-scandinavian-and-albanian-seriously/737822)
**Author:** [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2015, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/triple-translation-needed-german-dutch-scandinavian-and-albanian-seriously/737822 "2015-11-18T21:17:24Z")
Consider this a test of the depths of SDMB knowledge. :slight\_smile: This clip (about 1 meg) has three short comedy bits in three different languages. I suspect only a native speaker of each language will be able to rea… --- ## [Glass fireplace doors - open or shut?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/glass-fireplace-doors-open-or-shut/644040)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2015, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/glass-fireplace-doors-open-or-shut/644040 "2015-11-18T19:42:08Z")
I’m asking for factual information and not just opinions so I hope this question stays in GQ. I want to put glass doors on our fireplace to keep us from losing so much heat up the chimney when we’re having a fire. My b… --- ## [Are microprocessors approaching a speed limit?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-microprocessors-approaching-a-speed-limit/737379)
**Author:** [@bizerta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bizerta)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2015, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-microprocessors-approaching-a-speed-limit/737379 "2015-11-18T17:36:33Z")
Microprocessors are getting faster, but the rate of increase is dropping rapidly. Is there any new technology on the horizon that will significantly speed up my next computer? Some of the applications that I write ar… --- ## [Mac: how to change the icons for a particular extension?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mac-how-to-change-the-icons-for-a-particular-extension/737845)
**Author:** [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2015, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mac-how-to-change-the-icons-for-a-particular-extension/737845 "2015-11-18T16:53:16Z")
I hate the generic blank icon that gets slapped on .srt files, for instance. (subtitle files) There is no associated application, but VLC understands and uses them and I use VLC for most of my watching. I don’t want to … --- ## [Cold air induced runny nose?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cold-air-induced-runny-nose/737771)
**Author:** [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2015, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cold-air-induced-runny-nose/737771 "2015-11-18T16:36:07Z")
I was of two minds as to whether to post this here, or make it an IMHO thread. Note I am usually as healthy as a horse, and thus am very rarely with a cold (my body is where viruses go to die a quiet death). Any time t… --- ## [Using dry ice to keep frozen food in freezer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-dry-ice-to-keep-frozen-food-in-freezer/737815)
**Author:** [@windin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/windin)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2015, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-dry-ice-to-keep-frozen-food-in-freezer/737815 "2015-11-18T15:49:23Z")
I just discovered my never used, 7cu ft chest freezer isn’t cooling. This is the first time I’ve put anything in it in 4 years. All lights are on and dial went down to coldest temp, we put 4 large turkeys in it Sat even… --- ## [Who's who in an old photo](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-who-in-an-old-photo/737866)
**Author:** [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2015, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-who-in-an-old-photo/737866 "2015-11-18T15:35:30Z")
I was gifted a certified copy of an original photograph. It features Emiliano Zapata and Pancho Villa in the center dressed in full battle gear. There are two ladies beside them. A couple soldiers, or kitchen staff in… --- ## [Help me identify a spider, sight unseen](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-a-spider-sight-unseen/737876)
**Author:** [@brujaja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brujaja)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2015, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-a-spider-sight-unseen/737876 "2015-11-18T14:54:25Z")
…hairy legs and all! He lives in a crevice behind a china cabinet. He’s got a gigantic web that is not the classic concentric circle kind at all. It is superfine gossamer, it looks like a puff of smoke; and even then,… --- ## [How do you plot an intercept course?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-plot-an-intercept-course/11272)
**Author:** [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2015, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-plot-an-intercept-course/11272 "2015-11-18T13:46:19Z")
I’m in my space ship. There’s another ship some distance away. I want to catch up to him and then match velocities, presumably requiring two manoevers. The other ship is distance D away at angle T It is travelling at re… --- ## [Salem Massachusetts 1692 government](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/salem-massachusetts-1692-government/737848)
**Author:** [@Wizard101](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wizard101)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2015, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/salem-massachusetts-1692-government/737848 "2015-11-18T12:26:13Z")
What was the structure of the government of Salem Town, Massachusetts in 1692? --- ## [Why are software engineers called engineers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-software-engineers-called-engineers/734401)
**Author:** [@MrQwertyasd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrQwertyasd)\ **Replies:** 108\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2015, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-software-engineers-called-engineers/734401 "2015-11-09T20:50:43Z")
No set squares or coefficients of friction, no stress gauges or engines, it’s all typing, and it’s soft. So why ? --- ## [Hyperlinks for Email Signatures?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hyperlinks-for-email-signatures/737851)
**Author:** [@Alexandrakh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alexandrakh)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2015, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hyperlinks-for-email-signatures/737851 "2015-11-18T07:52:13Z")
Hi all, a client is wanting me to add multiple hyperlinks to their email signature. They want it in a JPEG form with a link to their website and also to the email address when clicked on. They’re also wanting it so you c… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1001) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1003)