# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1038 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1039 --- ## [What's a USPS "incomplete order" in hold mail?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-usps-incomplete-order-in-hold-mail/731858)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2015, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-usps-incomplete-order-in-hold-mail/731858 "2015-09-20T06:29:43Z")
Leaving town on Monday and having my mail held for two weeks, and wondering what this message on the USPS hold mail site actually means. Of course there’s no explanation of what an “incomplete order” actually is. Are w… --- ## [Does “that” used in the following manner sound rather formal in speech?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-that-used-in-the-following-manner-sound-rather-formal-in-speech/731790)
**Author:** [@Melia\_Antiqua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melia_Antiqua)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2015, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-that-used-in-the-following-manner-sound-rather-formal-in-speech/731790 "2015-09-20T03:25:33Z")
If so, I was wondering how to rephrase the part more casually – in a way fit for an everyday kind of conversation. Many thanks. Woman: They would not ordinarily go to such lengths to enlist a new recruit. \*\*\*\*That \*\*\*\*t… --- ## [Safety of homemade cleaning products](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/safety-of-homemade-cleaning-products/731577)
**Author:** [@carlowplayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carlowplayer)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2015, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/safety-of-homemade-cleaning-products/731577 "2015-09-20T02:19:11Z")
How safe and effective are homemade cleaning products such as: 1.Antibacterial spray for surfaces like would alcohol properly kill all bacteria 2.Soaps 3.Laundry detergent 4.Fabric Softner and so on Are they as eff… --- ## [An EKG-Bomb](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-ekg-bomb/731678)
**Author:** [@Rather\_a\_Vicious\_Gentleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rather_a_Vicious_Gentleman)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2015, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-ekg-bomb/731678 "2015-09-20T01:49:24Z")
Came upon an interesting bit of mad science in this article. Reminds me of the Professor from Conrad’s Secret Agent, who kept a flask of explosives which would detonate should he release his grip on a rubber ball. In t… --- ## [How rare is it for a civilian jet to land in zero vis fog? Do they usually close the airports?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-rare-is-it-for-a-civilian-jet-to-land-in-zero-vis-fog-do-they-usually-close-the-airports/731612)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2015, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-rare-is-it-for-a-civilian-jet-to-land-in-zero-vis-fog-do-they-usually-close-the-airports/731612 "2015-09-19T22:53:03Z")
See subject. Query because today that prime intellectual resource for college lads, Nailed It | Nailed It Memes, Pictures and Videos - theCHIVE, posted the clip and filed it under their “Awesome” and “Nailed It!” catego… --- ## [Grounding Oil & Gasoline Tractor-Trailers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grounding-oil-gasoline-tractor-trailers/731731)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2015, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grounding-oil-gasoline-tractor-trailers/731731 "2015-09-19T21:13:54Z")
I can recall seeing gasoline tractor trailers dragging chains on the ground to avoid risk of building up a static charge that could lead to an explosion by static discharge. But, I’d say I haven’t seen this since the 19… --- ## [If R410a Puron refrigerant were heated, would it become hydrofluoric acid?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-r410a-puron-refrigerant-were-heated-would-it-become-hydrofluoric-acid/731584)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2015, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-r410a-puron-refrigerant-were-heated-would-it-become-hydrofluoric-acid/731584 "2015-09-19T20:28:41Z")
Simple no-frills chemistry question: If R410a Puron refrigerant were heated, would it become hydrofluoric acid? If not, then what does it become? --- ## [Not my Twitter account](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-my-twitter-account/731625)
**Author:** [@Cub\_Mistress](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cub_Mistress)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2015, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-my-twitter-account/731625 "2015-09-19T19:59:01Z")
Someone has signed up for a Twitter account using the name of Kenic Aspenridge and my email address. Should I notify Twitter or ignore the whole thing? I have some idea of who this might be because she has signed up for … --- ## [Facebook Front End Friday (car question)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facebook-front-end-friday-car-question/731796)
**Author:** [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2015, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facebook-front-end-friday-car-question/731796 "2015-09-19T19:27:24Z")
My Facebook feed exploded with car pictures yesterday. What day for the other end? --- ## [Terminal illness in Japan: do doctors inform patients of their diagnosis?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terminal-illness-in-japan-do-doctors-inform-patients-of-their-diagnosis/731666)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2015, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terminal-illness-in-japan-do-doctors-inform-patients-of-their-diagnosis/731666 "2015-09-19T18:39:42Z")
ISTR reading maybe 10-20 years ago that doctors in Japan who diagnose elderly patients with a terminal illness tend not to inform said patients of their diagnosis, preferring not to cause mental distress. Is there any t… --- ## [Why do you look older or younger in different kinds of lighting conditions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-look-older-or-younger-in-different-kinds-of-lighting-conditions/731791)
**Author:** [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2015, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-look-older-or-younger-in-different-kinds-of-lighting-conditions/731791 "2015-09-19T16:32:27Z")
I have had a number of people tell me that I look much younger than I am (53)-in fact not once but twice on my recent vacation sales clerks referred to me as a “young man”… Now, when I look in a mirror, I can often beli… --- ## [How Do They Wire a Neighborhood?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-wire-a-neighborhood/731728)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2015, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-wire-a-neighborhood/731728 "2015-09-19T15:45:41Z")
I must be missing something, and as I Google, I am just more confused. My neighborhood has 50 houses, and let’s assume all 50 houses are downstream from one step-down transformer. That said, after years of accepting pa… --- ## [What is the name of this logical fallacy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-of-this-logical-fallacy/731358)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2015, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-of-this-logical-fallacy/731358 "2015-09-19T15:35:13Z")
If it’s not a logical fallacy, what do you call this type of argument. I’ve been looking at logic sites and can’t pin this one down. (BTW, not asking for a discussion of my example, just to name the fallacy.) Example: Y… --- ## [What did the sailors on Columbus' ships do all day?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-the-sailors-on-columbus-ships-do-all-day/731214)
**Author:** [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Replies:** 98\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2015, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-the-sailors-on-columbus-ships-do-all-day/731214 "2015-09-19T15:32:33Z")
Here is a link to the ship manifest for Christopher Columbus’ first voyage across the Atlantic. Some of the crew members have occupations next to their names (i.e. Columbus was “captain-general”. There is also listed t… --- ## [Why don't Disney, et al stop the Times Square performers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-disney-et-al-stop-the-times-square-performers/731467)
**Author:** [@Dingbang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dingbang)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2015, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-disney-et-al-stop-the-times-square-performers/731467 "2015-09-19T14:47:17Z")
Why don’t Disney and the owners of other licensed characters stop the Times Square Elmos, Minnie Mice, Woodies, Spidermen, Batmen, etc.? The street characters have gotten a lot of bad press lately for harassing tourists … --- ## [any famous towers similar to the twin towers aka world trade centre](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-famous-towers-similar-to-the-twin-towers-aka-world-trade-centre/731750)
**Author:** [@carlowplayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carlowplayer)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2015, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-famous-towers-similar-to-the-twin-towers-aka-world-trade-centre/731750 "2015-09-19T12:24:15Z")
Am wondering if any famous castles or towers were built in the period between 1000 AD and 1300Ad (high middle ages/crusades) that were later taken down or destroyed during the period between 1300 and 1500(late middle age… --- ## [How are bedsheets, comforters, etc... 'printed'?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-bedsheets-comforters-etc-printed/731744)
**Author:** [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2015, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-bedsheets-comforters-etc-printed/731744 "2015-09-19T12:17:50Z")
I was just shopping for a new set of bedsheets, and I was struck by the hideous designs of most of them. Of course, I go to Walmart as my default, then ebay, etc… but, in noting the garish flower schemes, I became curiou… --- ## [Glass-topped stove (=cooker)--can I place very hot pans on the glass?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/glass-topped-stove-cooker-can-i-place-very-hot-pans-on-the-glass/731694)
**Author:** [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2015, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/glass-topped-stove-cooker-can-i-place-very-hot-pans-on-the-glass/731694 "2015-09-19T07:32:11Z")
I’m looking to buy a new gas stove (that’s a cooker, for British readers). It’s a free-standing model, not a built-in the countertop style.( It’s a style more common in Europe than in America, I think) A model similar… --- ## [Who Names South Pacific Storms?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-names-south-pacific-storms/731730)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2015, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-names-south-pacific-storms/731730 "2015-09-19T05:48:38Z")
When typhoons appear in the South Pacific, which country gets to name them when it could affect both Japan and Taiwan, if not other countries? Who is the authority to say what thy name shalt be? --- ## [Internet service in the boonies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-service-in-the-boonies/730695)
**Author:** [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2015, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-service-in-the-boonies/730695 "2015-09-19T05:27:39Z")
So we bought a lake house that, apparently, is on the edge of civilization. It’s in Marshall Township, Ohio, a subsidiary of Hillsboro, OH. There is a phone pole literally 30 feet from our house, but I have no idea who… --- ## [Is there some sort of frozen cauliflower shortage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-some-sort-of-frozen-cauliflower-shortage/731585)
**Author:** [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2015, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-some-sort-of-frozen-cauliflower-shortage/731585 "2015-09-19T03:30:36Z")
Not steam in bag, not fresh-cauliflower-that-I-could-freeze, not with sauce - just bags of frozen cauliflower! Suddenly I can’t find it anywhere, and it was a pantry staple for us. Publix seems like overnight they went… --- ## [Java on an Ipad](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/java-on-an-ipad/731722)
**Author:** [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2015, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/java-on-an-ipad/731722 "2015-09-19T02:33:16Z")
Can you install Java on an Ipad? --- ## [Life Span of Ancient Romans; Is this accurate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-span-of-ancient-romans-is-this-accurate/731306)
**Author:** [@Brodi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brodi)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2015, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-span-of-ancient-romans-is-this-accurate/731306 "2015-09-19T00:14:42Z")
I’m reading Mysteries of the Middle Ages by Thomas Cahill and in the prelude about Christianity and Greco Roman society, he makes this assertion. For some reason this doesn’t seem accurate to me. Sure, plenty of people… --- ## [Is it safe to eat lots of salmon?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe-to-eat-lots-of-salmon/731700)
**Author:** [@Memnon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Memnon)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 2015, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe-to-eat-lots-of-salmon/731700 "2015-09-18T23:00:30Z")
For health reasons I want to switch to a pescatarian diet. My favourite fish is salmon. In fact, I love it so much, I’d happily have it for dinner every day. I honestly don’t think I’d ever get bored of it, especially … --- ## [The extent of genetic engineering bacteria](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-extent-of-genetic-engineering-bacteria/731699)
**Author:** [@carlowplayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carlowplayer)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 2015, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-extent-of-genetic-engineering-bacteria/731699 "2015-09-18T22:41:53Z")
am curious as to know how far can this go.I know that bacteria have been engineered to produce isoprene rubber,spider silk,sugar and vegetable oils(in the case of algea).Could the process be repeated for the following: … --- ## [When was the U.S. Military at its most powerful?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-u-s-military-at-its-most-powerful/731704)
**Author:** [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 2015, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-u-s-military-at-its-most-powerful/731704 "2015-09-18T22:16:24Z")
A follow-on from this very interesting thread regarding the U.S. Navy: The question can be considered in relative or absolute terms and including or excluding nuclear weapons. Thanks in advance. :slight\_smile: --- ## [The workings of the East India Company](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-workings-of-the-east-india-company/731683)
**Author:** [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 2015, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-workings-of-the-east-india-company/731683 "2015-09-18T20:39:16Z")
I’ve read about the history of the East India Company (“EIC”) and I’m still not sure I get how it operated. JS Mill rose to the post of Examiner in 1856. Since English organizational terms often hold more to tradition t… --- ## [netflix \[How to get activation code for free offer\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-how-to-get-activation-code-for-free-offer/731696)
**Author:** [@stosh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stosh)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 2015, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-how-to-get-activation-code-for-free-offer/731696 "2015-09-18T20:32:57Z")
There is a free one month membership to netflix. It tells me they need a activation code that I will find on my device. I’m not really up on computers and do not know how to do this. I’m 64 and new to this stuff. Can a… --- ## [Do cats have to learn to meow?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-cats-have-to-learn-to-meow/730991)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 2015, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-cats-have-to-learn-to-meow/730991 "2015-09-18T19:36:28Z")
I have two cats that were taken from their sick mother when they were quite young. A year on, the male has never learned how to clean his nose with that paw-wiping motion that they do, and neither one meows. The female u… --- ## [MS Word 2010 - how do I change the ruler to inches?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ms-word-2010-how-do-i-change-the-ruler-to-inches/731690)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 2015, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ms-word-2010-how-do-i-change-the-ruler-to-inches/731690 "2015-09-18T17:37:05Z")
I don’t know how I did it, but I’ve changed the ruler to metric. I can’t figure out how to change it back to inches - any suggestions? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1037) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1039)