# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1011 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1012 --- ## [Redeeming a German amazon gift certificate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/redeeming-a-german-amazon-gift-certificate/736637)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2015, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/redeeming-a-german-amazon-gift-certificate/736637 "2015-11-04T19:12:44Z")
Okay, I’ve managed to end up with a gift certificate for 20 euros from Amazon.de – and I’m located in the U.S. It doesn’t seem sensible to have anything shipped here from Germany, but I was wondering if I could maybe u… --- ## [The Origins of Marlene As A Name](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-origins-of-marlene-as-a-name/736568)
**Author:** [@bonzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bonzer)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2015, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-origins-of-marlene-as-a-name/736568 "2015-11-04T18:15:19Z")
A friend of a friend who grew up in the Soviet Union claims that the name “Marlene” (as in Dietrich) was originally a sloppy portmanteau version of Marx+Engels and promoted as such by the authortities. Instinctively, th… --- ## [How do I interrogate a Vingcard lock? Need answer fast!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-interrogate-a-vingcard-lock-need-answer-fast/736629)
**Author:** [@GreenHell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenHell)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2015, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-interrogate-a-vingcard-lock-need-answer-fast/736629 "2015-11-04T18:14:07Z")
I need to know how to interrogate a VingCard 2100 Plus lock. I work at a hotel and my google-fu is too weak to find an answer. Most links to manuals require registration or payment for downloads, etc. Thanks in advanc… --- ## [Best Way To Clean A Diamond Ring At Home](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-clean-a-diamond-ring-at-home/233724)
**Author:** [@CheekyMonkey613](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CheekyMonkey613)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2015, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-clean-a-diamond-ring-at-home/233724 "2015-11-04T17:57:07Z")
I wear my engagement ring at all times. I don’t take it off to shower or do the dishes. If I’m using a harsh chemical, I will wear gloves. It’s a little shmutzy. I don’t like bringing it to the jeweller for a “sonic … --- ## [Can a sore throat from shouting turn into a "cold"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-sore-throat-from-shouting-turn-into-a-cold/736627)
**Author:** [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2015, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-sore-throat-from-shouting-turn-into-a-cold/736627 "2015-11-04T17:53:07Z")
So yesterday morning I did a fair bit of shouting (reason not important :slight\_smile: ). A half-hour or so later, on the way to work, I noticed my throat felt a bit sore, and obviously put it down to the yelling. Howe… --- ## [What is meant by an "instrumental major"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-meant-by-an-instrumental-major/736413)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2015, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-meant-by-an-instrumental-major/736413 "2015-11-04T16:27:31Z")
Hi I’m not sure what is meant by “instrumental major” . I don’t think it’s a music major. Does it have something to do with training in a skill? I look forward to your feedback. “higher-earning families can afford to … --- ## [Replacing a sliding patio door.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replacing-a-sliding-patio-door/736538)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2015, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replacing-a-sliding-patio-door/736538 "2015-11-04T15:36:22Z")
Bought a dog-door insert for the patio doors and because it was narrow to begin with now it is really narrow to squeeze through to go outside. The gap left to cover by the doors is 44 inches and I was thinking of gettin… --- ## [Does anyone know where I can get a MaleUSB to FemaleAC cord?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-know-where-i-can-get-a-maleusb-to-femaleac-cord/735923)
**Author:** [@Darth\_Ayebaw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Ayebaw)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2015, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-know-where-i-can-get-a-maleusb-to-femaleac-cord/735923 "2015-11-04T15:13:00Z")
I’ve found several different adapters so maybe I could jury-rig something but I’d rather have something actually made for the purpose. --- ## [What Is The Best Way To Protect Yourself From Inflation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-protect-yourself-from-inflation/558826)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 149\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2015, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-protect-yourself-from-inflation/558826 "2015-11-04T14:49:53Z")
I ask because it appears that inflation will be coming back. I have seen reports that commodity prices are way up (rubber is up 30%, copper and tin are up 10 and 15 %). Plus, the huge output of money (being supplied to … --- ## [How do companies calculate federal tax withholding on the paycheck?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-companies-calculate-federal-tax-withholding-on-the-paycheck/736530)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2015, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-companies-calculate-federal-tax-withholding-on-the-paycheck/736530 "2015-11-04T14:33:31Z")
I can take the tax brackets and figure out a person’s marginal tax rate based on their paycheck. But TBH I have no clue if that is how it is actually done. Plus figuring how the W4 exemption impact the withholding - we… --- ## [Motorola Moto 360 wristwatch](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorola-moto-360-wristwatch/736498)
**Author:** [@Claude\_Remains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claude_Remains)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2015, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorola-moto-360-wristwatch/736498 "2015-11-04T14:05:57Z")
compatible with Verizon Jetpack? --- ## [Did Robin Williams know he has Lewy Body dementia](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-robin-williams-know-he-has-lewy-body-dementia/715328)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2015, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-robin-williams-know-he-has-lewy-body-dementia/715328 "2015-11-04T12:57:38Z")
I read that the life expectancy after diagnosis is only 2-7 years. Does anyone know if he knew he had the disease, or how far progressed it was? --- ## [Ant mound in garage - need answer kinda fast...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ant-mound-in-garage-need-answer-kinda-fast/734992)
**Author:** [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2015, 7:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ant-mound-in-garage-need-answer-kinda-fast/734992 "2015-11-04T07:34:09Z")
I just noticed a decent-sized ant mound in my garage. I have had some on the lawn and have some granular poison that works well, but when I use it they pour out of the mound. Not exactly what I want in my garage… Any tri… --- ## [Leftover booze](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leftover-booze/736363)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2015, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leftover-booze/736363 "2015-11-04T06:23:12Z")
Is there a name for a collection of leftover booze poured into a singe receptacle? ISTR it’s ‘\[something\] bucket’. --- ## [Moving files from 400 directories into one directory](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-files-from-400-directories-into-one-directory/579799)
**Author:** [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2011, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-files-from-400-directories-into-one-directory/579799 "2011-04-27T12:30:45Z")
The hard drive crashed in my general-purpose home desktop PC the other day. Nothing would restore it to proper readability (I tried quite a few tools), but a utility called Photorec worked on the drive for 27 hours and … --- ## [Spinning in space](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spinning-in-space/736512)
**Author:** [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2015, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spinning-in-space/736512 "2015-11-04T04:33:29Z")
In 2001: A Space Odyssey, Dr. Frank Poole a set adrift by his EVA pod that is controlled by HAL. He is doomed to death, just spinning in space. (Bowman rescued him a few minutes later.) So it got me wondering… if I am f… --- ## [Check my math please](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/check-my-math-please/736585)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2015, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/check-my-math-please/736585 "2015-11-04T03:55:27Z")
n^(a + bi); n, a , b real I got (n^a)\[cos(b ln(n)) + i sin(b ln(n))\] but something doesn’t look right about it. --- ## [How long after the big bang can the first black hole appear ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-after-the-big-bang-can-the-first-black-hole-appear/736559)
**Author:** [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2015, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-after-the-big-bang-can-the-first-black-hole-appear/736559 "2015-11-04T03:07:05Z")
What do the current universe models predict would be allowable time for the first blackhole after the bing bang ? Here’s a 13 billion year old black holes, but does physics permit even older black holes ? Also, if I plo… --- ## [Left/right-handedness](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-right-handedness/736511)
**Author:** [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2015, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-right-handedness/736511 "2015-11-04T02:19:21Z")
Some scripts are read right-to-left rather than the Western left-to-right. I’m assuming they’re written the same way. In which case, are right-handers in those cultures seen as the exception in the way left-handers have… --- ## [What are the dangers of of a man having their first child at 40](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-dangers-of-of-a-man-having-their-first-child-at-40/736349)
**Author:** [@Mr.Nylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Nylock)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2015, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-dangers-of-of-a-man-having-their-first-child-at-40/736349 "2015-11-04T00:41:35Z")
I have heard various things; mostly regarding increased chance of autism. But on the whole, what are the chances of having a relatively OK baby? For example do the odds of having a perfectly healthy baby go from 97% to … --- ## [How bad for you is a plain McDonald's burger?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-bad-for-you-is-a-plain-mcdonalds-burger/387199)
**Author:** [@Polerius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polerius)\ **Replies:** 103\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2015, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-bad-for-you-is-a-plain-mcdonalds-burger/387199 "2015-11-03T19:28:51Z")
I keep hearing horror stories about how bad for your health fast food in general, and McDonald’s in particular, are. But, if you get a plain hamburger, with no topings, then how bad can it be? I assume it’s 100% beef, … --- ## [Ships pass port-to-port, why? (History)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ships-pass-port-to-port-why-history/736161)
**Author:** [@SpyOne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpyOne)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2015, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ships-pass-port-to-port-why-history/736161 "2015-11-03T18:54:39Z")
I get that having uniform regulations helps everybody. But until fairly recently (past 300 years or so), the standard for land travel was keep left. It would make sense for sea travel to follow the same standard, unless… --- ## [Who is feeding the millions of immigrants on the way to Germany?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-feeding-the-millions-of-immigrants-on-the-way-to-germany/736449)
**Author:** [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2015, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-feeding-the-millions-of-immigrants-on-the-way-to-germany/736449 "2015-11-03T18:11:06Z")
Every picture I see shows a group of several thousand people. They are walking along a road, or boarding buses, or waiting at a train station, or sitting in an empty field at a newly fenced border, or whatever. Apparen… --- ## [Yes/No .. Yea/Nay .. Aye/No?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-no-yea-nay-aye-no/736409)
**Author:** [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2015, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-no-yea-nay-aye-no/736409 "2015-11-03T17:28:18Z")
This Wikipedia article offers very interesting information about the history of yes/no/yea/nay in the English language — Yes and no - Wikipedia — but it seems to fall down a bit when it comes to “aye,” which it notes onl… --- ## [Cost of a New cape Cod Bridge (vs. Tunnel)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cost-of-a-new-cape-cod-bridge-vs-tunnel/736510)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2015, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cost-of-a-new-cape-cod-bridge-vs-tunnel/736510 "2015-11-03T16:19:50Z")
As a frequent visitor to Cape Cod, i wonder when it will be necessary to replace the two traffic bridges. They were both completed in 1934, and are at the end of their lives. For a bridge, the span is about 0.7 mile. For… --- ## [Help me troubleshoot a problem with my desktop](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-troubleshoot-a-problem-with-my-desktop/736443)
**Author:** [@F.Pu-du-he-pa-as](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.Pu-du-he-pa-as)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2015, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-troubleshoot-a-problem-with-my-desktop/736443 "2015-11-03T16:15:40Z")
I was wondering whether any of you would be able to help me troubleshoot a problem I’m having with my desktop, because I’ve run through all the things I can think of. I powered up my desktop today, and it would not boot… --- ## [U2 ejection question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u2-ejection-question/736323)
**Author:** [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2015, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u2-ejection-question/736323 "2015-11-03T15:33:34Z")
Just saw the film, Bridge of Spies, excellent film BTW, Tom Hanks might get Oscar no 3. (Spoilers for a fifty five year old historical event). In it when the U2 is shot down by USSR Air defences (SA-2 SAMS maybe?), Mr … --- ## [Transport of large numbers of corpses](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transport-of-large-numbers-of-corpses/736476)
**Author:** [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2015, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transport-of-large-numbers-of-corpses/736476 "2015-11-03T15:13:47Z")
I saw a BBC story about the Russian plane crash this evening. It showed a big cargo plane landing in St Petersburg with the first corpses from the crash, and then a semi-truck carrying the corpses to a morgue. For no g… --- ## [How do overseas Ebay sellers make a profit on small items?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-overseas-ebay-sellers-make-a-profit-on-small-items/736453)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2015, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-overseas-ebay-sellers-make-a-profit-on-small-items/736453 "2015-11-03T15:01:59Z")
I’m asking about the endless supply of A/V cables, soldering irons, and other small electronics for sale on Ebay that are shipped from Hong Kong and have a final price of less than $3. Is the shipping and ebay fees paid… --- ## [Please identify this Australian bug](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-identify-this-australian-bug/736480)
**Author:** [@Grumman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumman)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2015, 9:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-identify-this-australian-bug/736480 "2015-11-03T09:16:19Z")
Photo Does anyone recognise this insect? Is it a good bug that should be let go, or a bad bug that should be killed? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1010) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1012)