# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1008 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1009 --- ## [Youngest Biblical marriage of named characters](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youngest-biblical-marriage-of-named-characters/736898)
**Author:** [@drew870mitchell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drew870mitchell)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2015, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youngest-biblical-marriage-of-named-characters/736898 "2015-11-10T00:48:44Z")
Who are the youngest named married couple in the Bible? I tried googling but only got pages about general practices of the times. I’m looking for a passage which gives specific names and ages, or at least, a named coupl… --- ## [Getting spam email from myself. Help!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-spam-email-from-myself-help/737138)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2015, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-spam-email-from-myself-help/737138 "2015-11-09T23:03:08Z")
Recently I’ve been getting spam advertisement emails in my Outlook account where the address has been spoofed to be my own. This means I can’t block them as you cannot block your own email address. So how do I combat th… --- ## [How dangerous are fireworks to aircraft?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dangerous-are-fireworks-to-aircraft/737057)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2015, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dangerous-are-fireworks-to-aircraft/737057 "2015-11-09T20:50:30Z")
Inspired by the recent events in Egypt and the fireworks displays this time of year - got me to thinking, how much of a risk would a bunch of commercial fireworks pose to an aircraft? Obviously aircraft typically fly mu… --- ## [world war 2 mine fields](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-war-2-mine-fields/737051)
**Author:** [@stosh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stosh)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2015, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-war-2-mine-fields/737051 "2015-11-09T19:27:25Z")
Do any of you guys know how thick the W W 2 navel mine fields were. On the movies, they look like the mines are about 10 feet apart. --- ## [How did the Nazis transition the German government from a democracy to a dictatorship](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-the-nazis-transition-the-german-government-from-a-democracy-to-a-dictatorship/737013)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2015, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-the-nazis-transition-the-german-government-from-a-democracy-to-a-dictatorship/737013 "2015-11-09T18:54:27Z")
My understanding is it was a 3 step process: Reichstag fire decree to suppress political opponents of the nazis. Enabling Act to transfer legislative power from the Reichstag to the cabinet of the chancellor. Th… --- ## [Question: Japanese Clan System](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-japanese-clan-system/737067)
**Author:** [@Chihuahua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chihuahua)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2015, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-japanese-clan-system/737067 "2015-11-09T14:52:38Z")
I am trying to learn about Japan’s transition from the feudal era to the modern. I understand that noble families organized themselves into clans. (1) Does the clan system still exist in modern Japan? (2) If so, what … --- ## [Did Victorians pose standing corpses?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-victorians-pose-standing-corpses/734912)
**Author:** [@Untoldent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Untoldent)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2015, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-victorians-pose-standing-corpses/734912 "2015-11-09T12:06:11Z")
Here’s a question i posed recently to Cecil. i don’t hold out a lot of hope to be answered by the great master himself, but maybe the millions can lend the assist? Dear Cecil, Hi. I’ve seen a number of online gallerie… --- ## [Urban warfare](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urban-warfare/735790)
**Author:** [@MrQwertyasd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrQwertyasd)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2015, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urban-warfare/735790 "2015-11-09T06:25:34Z")
I’ve seen a lot of footage of urban warfare over the years. Lately it’s been Syrian fighting street to street. How hard is it to take a building that’s occupied by troops ? And how come cover seems to matter so little t… --- ## [Who first came up with "Notorious RBG" as a nickname for Ruth Bader Ginsberg?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-first-came-up-with-notorious-rbg-as-a-nickname-for-ruth-bader-ginsberg/737063)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2015, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-first-came-up-with-notorious-rbg-as-a-nickname-for-ruth-bader-ginsberg/737063 "2015-11-09T01:22:08Z")
I assume I know where it came from (a play off the name of the rapper Notorious B.I.G.), but who started it circulating? Do we know? And when did it first see the light of day? --- ## [Question about the British cabinet](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-the-british-cabinet/737033)
**Author:** [@installLSC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/installLSC)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2015, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-the-british-cabinet/737033 "2015-11-09T00:26:06Z")
I’ve heard it said many times that few members of the House of Lords will sit in the cabinet, and only in minor roles. However, I was reading something about the Falklands War and it noted the Foreign Secretary at the t… --- ## [Urban Legend: Fake Dollar Bills](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urban-legend-fake-dollar-bills/736881)
**Author:** [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2015, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urban-legend-fake-dollar-bills/736881 "2015-11-08T23:16:04Z")
I am so tired of hearing friends and acquaintances claiming a dollar bill (US) is fake because it glows in black light. I explain to them to look at the printing date. They are always about 6-8 years old from printing da… --- ## [Is there any way to keep using Windows Media Center as my DVR the way I used to?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-to-keep-using-windows-media-center-as-my-dvr-the-way-i-used-to/737023)
**Author:** [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2015, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-to-keep-using-windows-media-center-as-my-dvr-the-way-i-used-to/737023 "2015-11-08T23:07:42Z")
My research on the net has uncovered the reason my DVR (Windows Media Center running on Vista Home Premium SP2) quit working suddenly last summer: short version: Microsoft will longer supports WMC as a DVR and the guide … --- ## [Nuclear Missile/ICBM Convoy/Transport](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nuclear-missile-icbm-convoy-transport/736656)
**Author:** [@Potestas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Potestas)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2015, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nuclear-missile-icbm-convoy-transport/736656 "2015-11-08T21:36:01Z")
So there is a news story going around on the interwebs… My question is simple and directed towards those who have worked for the military or DOE in the past (and don't mind risking it share their insight!): How do… --- ## [What Common Core math technique was that check mocking?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-common-core-math-technique-was-that-check-mocking/732162)
**Author:** [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Replies:** 152\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2015, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-common-core-math-technique-was-that-check-mocking/732162 "2015-11-08T21:35:54Z")
The internets have been abuzz with the parent who mocked common core math by sending his school a check written in “common core” form. Pretty typically of reporting standards nowaday (IMO) none of the articles I have re… --- ## [What is this horrible sound my GMC Suburban makes only in reverse?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-horrible-sound-my-gmc-suburban-makes-only-in-reverse/732973)
**Author:** [@Shadowfyre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shadowfyre)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2015, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-horrible-sound-my-gmc-suburban-makes-only-in-reverse/732973 "2015-11-08T21:13:07Z")
Pertinent Facts: 1996 GMC Suburban 172,000 miles (or thereabouts) 4WD (but I mainly keep it in 2WD) 5L Vortec engine Plenty of bright red trans fluid on the stick ABS light on the dash is illuminated (I know the sensor… --- ## [In a modern full-scale naval shooting war, would non-subs be sunk fairly quickly?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-a-modern-full-scale-naval-shooting-war-would-non-subs-be-sunk-fairly-quickly/736527)
**Author:** [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2015, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-a-modern-full-scale-naval-shooting-war-would-non-subs-be-sunk-fairly-quickly/736527 "2015-11-08T20:15:41Z")
Inspiring thread. I actually posted a short query in that thread, but nobody picked up the bait. There, of course, people are talking about how battleships are obsolete and have been for awhile now. That got me to won… --- ## [did you get a lift out of this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-get-a-lift-out-of-this/737027)
**Author:** [@tooldtocare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tooldtocare)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2015, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-get-a-lift-out-of-this/737027 "2015-11-08T17:44:31Z")
If you are down and out and need a lift listen to this .,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,..,.,.,.,.did you get a lift out of this? Just asking:) --- ## [How big a meteor would it take to destroy an airliner?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-big-a-meteor-would-it-take-to-destroy-an-airliner/736870)
**Author:** [@WF\_Tomba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WF_Tomba)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2015, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-big-a-meteor-would-it-take-to-destroy-an-airliner/736870 "2015-11-08T16:29:26Z")
No, I don’t think that Russian jet was hit by a meteor, but just hypothetically, how big would a space rock have to be to destroy a plane like that? --- ## [Have you been muterated yet-?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-been-muterated-yet/737016)
**Author:** [@tooldtocare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tooldtocare)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2015, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-been-muterated-yet/737016 "2015-11-08T16:27:38Z")
The Muderator Speaks Back off on the personal remarks and stick to the thread’s intent. nor this.,.,.,.,., are particularly supportive of actual discussion and none of them address the actual question of the OP. Right… --- ## [Why did Taoiseach Eamon De Valera send his condolences to Germany on Hitler's death?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-taoiseach-eamon-de-valera-send-his-condolences-to-germany-on-hitlers-death/736781)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2015, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-taoiseach-eamon-de-valera-send-his-condolences-to-germany-on-hitlers-death/736781 "2015-11-08T14:55:46Z")
Hi It has always intrigued me. Why did Taoiseach Eamon De Valera send his condolences to Germany on Hitler’s death? It doesn’t make sense to me. Ireland was neutral during WWI. Arrested Nazi spies. Foiled an attempt by … --- ## [Did bartering really precede money? Is it really as clearcut as all that?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-bartering-really-precede-money-is-it-really-as-clearcut-as-all-that/734714)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 115\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2015, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-bartering-really-precede-money-is-it-really-as-clearcut-as-all-that/734714 "2015-11-08T12:07:32Z")
Hi, The only author I have read who counters the argument that people were bartering before the advent of money (as economics textbooks have it) is David Graeber in Debt: The First 5000 Years. Do mainstream economists s… --- ## [What is the oldest 'new' thing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-oldest-new-thing/736259)
**Author:** [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2015, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-oldest-new-thing/736259 "2015-11-08T12:02:17Z")
I went for a walk in the New Forest this morning. Whenever I go there, I cant help being amused that it has been called the ‘New’ Forest for more than 900 years now (probably since it was set aside in 1079 by William I, … --- ## [Ways to connect sound systems to new television set](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ways-to-connect-sound-systems-to-new-television-set/736002)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2015, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ways-to-connect-sound-systems-to-new-television-set/736002 "2015-11-08T11:53:31Z")
We bought a new 55" television set, a “Samsung UN55JU6500FXZA LED Smart 4K Ultra HD TV”, and are still listening to the little built in speakers. It’s pretty confusing figuring out what options there are for having bette… --- ## [How did Germany lose ww1?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-germany-lose-ww1/736798)
**Author:** [@JakeRS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JakeRS)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2015, 10:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-germany-lose-ww1/736798 "2015-11-08T10:37:42Z")
For some reason I can’t figure out how exactly Germany lost ww1, in the end of the war it controlled entire Belgium and even some parts of France, while France didn’t control any part of Germany, so what happened? I read… --- ## [Knotty problem: clues to overheating engine, '92 Taurus](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knotty-problem-clues-to-overheating-engine-92-taurus/736922)
**Author:** [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2015, 10:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knotty-problem-clues-to-overheating-engine-92-taurus/736922 "2015-11-08T10:16:41Z")
I just shelled out $200 to get the radiator replaced on this car; still, it overheated yesterday and I had to have it towed home. The clues to other causes don’t fit: …The mechanic said the water pump was leaking, but t… --- ## [Electrical ground and plumbing ground](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-ground-and-plumbing-ground/736831)
**Author:** [@edwardcoast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwardcoast)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2015, 10:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-ground-and-plumbing-ground/736831 "2015-11-08T10:07:30Z")
We had this new faucet installed, it’s a Grohe Ladylux Touch. It’s the kind where you touch the faucet and it turns the water on, touch it again and it turns it off. OK, here is the pre-ample to the problem. The sink in… --- ## [Will EMV chip-and-sig credit cards work in Europe?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-emv-chip-and-sig-credit-cards-work-in-europe/736993)
**Author:** [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2015, 8:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-emv-chip-and-sig-credit-cards-work-in-europe/736993 "2015-11-08T08:45:06Z")
In the past I’ve had little trouble using my magstripe-based American credit cards in Europe. However, these have now been (finally!) replaced with EMV cards to catch up with the rest of the world. Unlike the rest of the… --- ## [Why do my oak trees shed leaves months apart?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-oak-trees-shed-leaves-months-apart/736931)
**Author:** [@CT\_Damsel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CT_Damsel)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2015, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-oak-trees-shed-leaves-months-apart/736931 "2015-11-08T01:58:22Z")
I have two huge oak trees in the front yard about 40’ apart. Nothing is taller than they are so they get the same amount of sun. Each year tree A is completely free of leaves by the second week in Oct. However tree B sti… --- ## [Finding hidden cellphones - best option?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-hidden-cellphones-best-option/736889)
**Author:** [@HazelNutCoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HazelNutCoffee)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2015, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-hidden-cellphones-best-option/736889 "2015-11-08T01:46:14Z")
Let’s say you’re trying to find hidden cellphones in rooms full of bunk beds with metal frames. Option 1 - physically go through everyone’s belongings, which would be extremely time consuming. Option 2 - use a metal de… --- ## [Lockheed's "Compact Fusion" reactor...how big would turbogenerators etc. need to be?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lockheeds-compact-fusion-reactor-how-big-would-turbogenerators-etc-need-to-be/736892)
**Author:** [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2015, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lockheeds-compact-fusion-reactor-how-big-would-turbogenerators-etc-need-to-be/736892 "2015-11-07T23:01:16Z")
As some of you have heard—and as was mentioned in a semi-recent Straight Dope column—Lockheed Martin is currently developing a “compact” fusion reactor, which, if it all goes according to plan, would result in a 300+ ton… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1007) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1009)