# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1037 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1038 --- ## [So for for the Dutch city it should be "the The Hague"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-for-for-the-dutch-city-it-should-be-the-the-hague/732034)
**Author:** [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2015, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-for-for-the-dutch-city-it-should-be-the-the-hague/732034 "2015-09-21T16:19:11Z")
I was thinking about The Hague, the Dutch city that is home to the U.N.’s International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court. All the time I thought that it was just Hague, but in reality it is “The Hag… --- ## [I hate updates! IOS 9 Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-updates-ios-9-question/732095)
**Author:** [@SanDiegoTim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanDiegoTim)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2015, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-updates-ios-9-question/732095 "2015-09-21T15:36:59Z")
Just updated my iPhone. I expected to have to re-set several settings, but now my Words With Friends app doesn’t work. OK, I know this isn’t anything of great social import, but it ticks me off. Anyone got a fix? --- ## [What kind of wiring for an electric car?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-wiring-for-an-electric-car/731662)
**Author:** [@Mdcastle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mdcastle)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2015, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-wiring-for-an-electric-car/731662 "2015-09-21T15:26:11Z")
Right now I need a 240 volt outlet in my garage to plug in one of my vintage streetlights. Since it’s 175 watts plus ballast pretty much anything would do for that application. But I’m going to drywall the garage. And m… --- ## [Allergies and emotions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/allergies-and-emotions/731827)
**Author:** [@Kropotkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kropotkin)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2015, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/allergies-and-emotions/731827 "2015-09-21T14:46:49Z")
Perhaps this will end up in IMHO, but I’m hoping to be directed to harder data here. Do allergies have effects on emotions? Do antihistamines? I understand “I’m grumpy because I have a stuffy nose and runny eyes,” but I’… --- ## [Copy and Paste URL's](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copy-and-paste-urls/732098)
**Author:** [@dauerbach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dauerbach)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2015, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copy-and-paste-urls/732098 "2015-09-21T14:46:19Z")
Suddenly, using Chrome as my browser, I cannot cut and paste clickable links into intended hotmail emails. Instead of neat and clean http: it comes out like this: Actually, I cannot show you how it comes out, because … --- ## [Coffee at the grocery store used to be vacuum sealed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coffee-at-the-grocery-store-used-to-be-vacuum-sealed/732094)
**Author:** [@bizerta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bizerta)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2015, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coffee-at-the-grocery-store-used-to-be-vacuum-sealed/732094 "2015-09-21T13:53:08Z")
I remember coffee in tin/steel cans that “whooshed” when you opened them with a can opener. I always assumed that the vacuum was to keep oxygen away from the coffee to keep the coffee fresh. Is that true, or was that m… --- ## [Powdercoat ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/powdercoat/731977)
**Author:** [@SanDiegoTim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanDiegoTim)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2015, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/powdercoat/731977 "2015-09-21T12:02:59Z")
Can powdercoat be applied over chrome ? --- ## [my laptop keeps shutting off every now and again](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-laptop-keeps-shutting-off-every-now-and-again/732082)
**Author:** [@carlowplayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carlowplayer)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2015, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-laptop-keeps-shutting-off-every-now-and-again/732082 "2015-09-21T11:25:31Z")
my sony vaio keeps shutting off ineplicably either after 45 minutes or 3 hours of running normally what could be wrong with it. --- ## [Cancer treatments cause tan skin?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cancer-treatments-cause-tan-skin/731882)
**Author:** [@brovolone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brovolone)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2015, 8:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cancer-treatments-cause-tan-skin/731882 "2015-09-21T08:49:20Z")
Yesterday, I complimented a very nice lady on her tanned skin. She thanked me, and said it’s from her cancer treatments. I wanted to ask her how and why, but didn’t know if it was appropriate. My question is what causes… --- ## [How to get a UK Video in America](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-a-uk-video-in-america/731737)
**Author:** [@Ficer67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ficer67)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2015, 8:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-a-uk-video-in-america/731737 "2015-09-21T08:09:18Z")
There is this great series called, “Make Me.” It is narrated by Michael Mosley and produced by the BBC. You can find it here: BBC One - Make Me..., Stay Awake. I would like to watch this series again, but it aired in… --- ## [Vertical lines of dead pixels on laptop screen](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vertical-lines-of-dead-pixels-on-laptop-screen/732074)
**Author:** [@Yumblie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yumblie)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2015, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vertical-lines-of-dead-pixels-on-laptop-screen/732074 "2015-09-21T06:14:35Z")
I carry my laptop around everywhere, and more and more lines of dead pixels have been appearing. Is there a way I can get rid of them? And is there a way to prevent them from happening? --- ## [Term Limits and the US Constitution](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/term-limits-and-the-us-constitution/731955)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2015, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/term-limits-and-the-us-constitution/731955 "2015-09-21T03:16:16Z")
Would implementing term limits in the US Congress require a constitutional amendment, or could a rule be voted by both houses of Congress to make that change? --- ## [Has Anyone Built a Car This Way?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-built-a-car-this-way/731665)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2015, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-built-a-car-this-way/731665 "2015-09-21T01:58:24Z")
I mean, with an engine designed to be cheap, and run for about 50,000 miles. at this point, you would remove it and put a new one in. the engine would be made of cheap stamped metal (no cast block), and be ultralight. It… --- ## [Netflix no longer working on my phone. Help please](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-no-longer-working-on-my-phone-help-please/731899)
**Author:** [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2015, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-no-longer-working-on-my-phone-help-please/731899 "2015-09-21T00:38:45Z")
Hello Everyone, We live in the country and our only Internet access is through our phones. For four years I’ve been able to watch Netflix on my Samsung Note 2 with zero problems. Last night I changed batteries in my p… --- ## [Wiring a GFCI without ground.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wiring-a-gfci-without-ground/731093)
**Author:** [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2015, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wiring-a-gfci-without-ground/731093 "2015-09-21T00:33:32Z")
This is for an aquarium in a house built in the 1950s with hot and neutral, no ground. I can’t get to the wall box, there is a 100 gallon aquarium in the way. It is fed by an extension cord and mounted in a box attached… --- ## [Could my laptop be limiting my download speeds?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-my-laptop-be-limiting-my-download-speeds/732014)
**Author:** [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2015, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-my-laptop-be-limiting-my-download-speeds/732014 "2015-09-21T00:29:01Z")
I ran a test on www.speedtest.net on another, better laptop, and came up with about 7.5 MBps (yes, bytes). Mine has never seen much over 2 MBps on anything. Is there something in the nature of the computer that could be … --- ## [Just bought pair o' belly-to-belly spreadeagled dried bat lizards on a stick. What are they? \[pix\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-bought-pair-o-belly-to-belly-spreadeagled-dried-bat-lizards-on-a-stick-what-are-they-pix/729958)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2015, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-bought-pair-o-belly-to-belly-spreadeagled-dried-bat-lizards-on-a-stick-what-are-they-pix/729958 "2015-09-21T00:25:56Z")
See subject: Went to Chinatown to buy mushrooms at a specialty dried everything store, saw a basket of them, and at $6.80 a stick I couldn’t say no. What is it/are they? What do you… --- ## [Capitaization question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capitaization-question/732009)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2015, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capitaization-question/732009 "2015-09-20T23:54:38Z")
I’m writing a sentence that refers to a generic person, gender unknown. When starting the sentence with “he/she,” should I capitalize “he” only, or do you capitalize both pronouns? For example, if the fundamental meani… --- ## [Plural form of avocado](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plural-form-of-avocado/731450)
**Author:** [@brovolone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brovolone)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2015, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plural-form-of-avocado/731450 "2015-09-20T22:50:25Z")
Tomatoes Potatoes Mangoes Avocados-- not avocadoes Why? --- ## [What is the name for my condition?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-for-my-condition/731795)
**Author:** [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2015, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-for-my-condition/731795 "2015-09-20T21:56:51Z")
I am scheduled to have a hip replacement surgery on the 5th of next month. In the meantime, my right leg is 2 inches shorter than my left leg, and I have to use a cane or a walker or some sort of support to make my way a… --- ## [Difference between town and city](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-between-town-and-city/731789)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2015, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-between-town-and-city/731789 "2015-09-20T21:52:42Z")
What exactly is it that makes a town a city? I have often heard that the defining line is Population\> 10k, but the furthest east city in the US, Eastport,Maine, has a population of about ~1800. IIRC there are “towns”… --- ## [Transporting a washing machine](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transporting-a-washing-machine/731980)
**Author:** [@coffeecat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coffeecat)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2015, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transporting-a-washing-machine/731980 "2015-09-20T21:27:29Z")
Does it damage a washer to be placed on its side? --- ## [Entomologist expertise needed](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entomologist-expertise-needed/731982)
**Author:** [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2015, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entomologist-expertise-needed/731982 "2015-09-20T19:50:18Z")
I took students on a field excursion to a nearby lake, as I do every year. I love when they find something I haven’t seen before, but it’s more fun if I can actually identify it but evidently my books don’t include paras… --- ## [Do Britishers really have bad teeth? If so, why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-britishers-really-have-bad-teeth-if-so-why/181022)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2015, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-britishers-really-have-bad-teeth-if-so-why/181022 "2015-09-20T17:16:25Z")
A few years ago I saw a parody-commerical on Saturday Night Live about a sugar-based toothpaste, “Yum, That Was Good!” All the actors were portrayed with horribly bad teeth. And I remember in George Orwell’s famous ess… --- ## [Electricians, please help. I'm baffled.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electricians-please-help-im-baffled/731951)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2015, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electricians-please-help-im-baffled/731951 "2015-09-20T16:51:15Z")
My kitchen light fixture quit working a few weeks ago. I changed the bulbs, still didn’t work. A few days later it randomly came on and worked properly. Until yesterday, when it quit again. Because the fixture is a bear… --- ## [Is it possible to create artificial rock types?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-create-artificial-rock-types/731571)
**Author:** [@carlowplayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carlowplayer)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2015, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-create-artificial-rock-types/731571 "2015-09-20T16:50:19Z")
companies like gemesis can create artificial diamonds so would it possible to artificially recreate the processes that lead to sedimentary,metamorphoric and igneous rocks such as sandstone,odsidian and marble?In other wo… --- ## [Warriors & performance-enhancing drugs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warriors-performance-enhancing-drugs/731354)
**Author:** [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2015, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warriors-performance-enhancing-drugs/731354 "2015-09-20T16:06:05Z")
From hunter-gatherer warbands to contemporary military personnel, what substances have warriors used to enhance their psychological or physical performance? As one datum, I’ve heard of fighter pilots using amphetamine. … --- ## [are home made cosmetics a safer alternative](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-home-made-cosmetics-a-safer-alternative/731576)
**Author:** [@carlowplayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carlowplayer)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2015, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-home-made-cosmetics-a-safer-alternative/731576 "2015-09-20T14:42:40Z")
Are they safer than their mass produced counterparts.I want to know in relation to: 1.Nail polish and nail polish remover 2.Deodarant(both solid and spray) 3.Mascara 4.Shampoo and Conditioner 5.Toothpaste and mouthw… --- ## [HDTV Power / Electronics Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hdtv-power-electronics-question/731647)
**Author:** [@AmanoJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AmanoJ)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2015, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hdtv-power-electronics-question/731647 "2015-09-20T12:24:30Z")
Hi all, had something I wanted to ask here, apologies for the long post. One of my HDTVs is dying. It no longer turns on correctly right away. Instead of turning on the power, then the little light turning from red to b… --- ## [30-amp power cord for 20-amp computer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-amp-power-cord-for-20-amp-computer/731836)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2015, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-amp-power-cord-for-20-amp-computer/731836 "2015-09-20T12:15:26Z")
Can a computer filter out the excess 10 amps of power, or is the excess 10 amps going to damage the computer by giving it too much power? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1036) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1038)