# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1049 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1050 --- ## [Maximum safe height to jump from? And ancillary question.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maximum-safe-height-to-jump-from-and-ancillary-question/729567)
**Author:** [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2015, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maximum-safe-height-to-jump-from-and-ancillary-question/729567 "2015-09-04T00:18:28Z")
I was wondering idly about this today, taking a concrete floor for example and assuming a correct landing, at some point there is a gradation of heights where you go from ‘definitely won’t get injured’, ‘possibly get inj… --- ## [How to find wind speed and maximum gust](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-find-wind-speed-and-maximum-gust/729818)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2015, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-find-wind-speed-and-maximum-gust/729818 "2015-09-03T22:58:08Z")
The Wife asked if I ever heard how high the winds were on Saturday. I hadn’t. How can I find that information for my location? --- ## [Wells Fargo insists that my email address is invalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wells-fargo-insists-that-my-email-address-is-invalid/729612)
**Author:** [@GESancMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GESancMan)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2015, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wells-fargo-insists-that-my-email-address-is-invalid/729612 "2015-09-03T22:37:19Z")
I used to do my banking through Wells Fargo. For about twenty years. When I qualified for a local credit union four years ago, I happily told Wells Fargo to piss off. But unfortunately, I still have a credit card and … --- ## [Please help me explain some of these phrases.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-explain-some-of-these-phrases/729829)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2015, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-explain-some-of-these-phrases/729829 "2015-09-03T20:58:42Z")
Hi, I’ve been browsing through Simon Schama’s ““The Story of the Jews”” I hope you can help me explain some of these phrase. I look forward to your feedback. davidmich “have purchase on” “Outside of a circle of sch… --- ## [Would this be an example of ex post facto justice?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-this-be-an-example-of-ex-post-facto-justice/729793)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2015, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-this-be-an-example-of-ex-post-facto-justice/729793 "2015-09-03T20:54:39Z")
Hypothetical: A brand new country is founded. This country, after it is founded, now needs to draft laws and a constitution for itself. But right after the country is founded - but prior to any laws being made - someone… --- ## [Driving term "fading" - What makes people do this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-term-fading-what-makes-people-do-this/729519)
**Author:** [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2015, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-term-fading-what-makes-people-do-this/729519 "2015-09-03T19:14:03Z")
“Fading” is, IIRC, the term used to describe a driving \[car, not golf\] behavior where, just prior to making a corner, the driver swerves a bit in the opposite direction. I’m not aware of ever doing this myself, and the … --- ## [Excellence in marksmanship: military sniper vs. sports shooter](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excellence-in-marksmanship-military-sniper-vs-sports-shooter/729686)
**Author:** [@Donnerwetter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Donnerwetter)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2015, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excellence-in-marksmanship-military-sniper-vs-sports-shooter/729686 "2015-09-03T19:13:36Z")
How does an accomplished, top-ranked sports shooter, let’s say a gold medal winner at the Olympics, compare to a first-rate military sniper, for instance the late Chris Kyle, in terms of pure shooting prowess? I’m aware… --- ## [Paying for Government Services](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paying-for-government-services/721613)
**Author:** [@Jormungandr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jormungandr)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2015, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paying-for-government-services/721613 "2015-09-03T19:11:10Z")
Last week, I drove a friend to get a copy of his birth certificate for his passport application. He had to pay about $20 for it. On the drive back, he wonder why it cost him anything. His taxes already paid for the perso… --- ## [Is the term "Continental Spanish" as opposed to American Spanish a proper term ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-term-continental-spanish-as-opposed-to-american-spanish-a-proper-term/729587)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2015, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-term-continental-spanish-as-opposed-to-american-spanish-a-proper-term/729587 "2015-09-03T19:07:36Z")
Is the term “Continental Spanish” as opposed to American Spanish a proper term ? I simply want to distinguish between European Spanish and Spanish spoken in the Americas. I haven’t seen it used in writing and I can’t fin… --- ## [Question regarding proper usage of "he" and "him"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-proper-usage-of-he-and-him/729535)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2015, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-proper-usage-of-he-and-him/729535 "2015-09-03T18:57:19Z")
Hi, I have a question regarding the use of “he” and “him” as a direct object. Are the following sentences correct? Would both be grammatically correct? The first one sounds a little but is it wrong? I look forward to yo… --- ## [38 states allowed the death penalty in 2002. What is the number now? What are the sentencing ...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/38-states-allowed-the-death-penalty-in-2002-what-is-the-number-now-what-are-the-sentencing/729108)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2015, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/38-states-allowed-the-death-penalty-in-2002-what-is-the-number-now-what-are-the-sentencing/729108 "2015-09-03T17:49:46Z")
Hi, 38 states allowed the death penalty in 2002. What is the number now? What are the sentencing guidelines for most of them? Must the jury unanimously agree on the existence of aggravators and unanimously recommend t… --- ## [Water spilled on laptop, some keys not working properly](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-spilled-on-laptop-some-keys-not-working-properly/729630)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2015, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-spilled-on-laptop-some-keys-not-working-properly/729630 "2015-09-03T17:03:57Z")
I have an HP ProBook 4540s. I spilled some filtered water next to it yesterday, and some splashed onto the keyboard. Today some of the keys don’t work and some trigger the wrong character. I have followed all advice abou… --- ## [So, can I dig here or not? (Water utility markings)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-can-i-dig-here-or-not-water-utility-markings/729647)
**Author:** [@Briny\_Deep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Briny_Deep)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2015, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-can-i-dig-here-or-not-water-utility-markings/729647 "2015-09-03T16:34:35Z")
In planning a small excavation project (about 8 inches deep over a 250 s.f. area), I called the “call before you dig” people and they sent out all the major utilities to mark the area I’m not supposed to dig up. The wate… --- ## [Grammar Question: Remain vs. Remains](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-remain-vs-remains/728946)
**Author:** [@GrammarGirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrammarGirl)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2015, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-remain-vs-remains/728946 "2015-09-03T14:53:15Z")
Should the word “remain” in this sentence be “remain” or “remains”? Founded in 1900, Company XYZ is one of the few true partnerships that remain among the top banking firms of the world. --- ## [Hummingbirds, wasps and poison](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hummingbirds-wasps-and-poison/729751)
**Author:** [@justmeetee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justmeetee)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2015, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hummingbirds-wasps-and-poison/729751 "2015-09-03T13:57:38Z")
I just refilled my hummingbird feeder today and what used to be an occasional wasp has become a near invasion. There are about a half dozen on or around it continuously and they chase the hummingbirds away when they come… --- ## [Could I get a PhD in CompSci using my open source project?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-get-a-phd-in-compsci-using-my-open-source-project/729134)
**Author:** [@Deeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deeg)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2015, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-get-a-phd-in-compsci-using-my-open-source-project/729134 "2015-09-03T13:48:28Z")
I’ve got my Masters in CS and really didn’t have any desire to get my PhD but for the last 5 years I’ve been working on an open source project. If we pretend that my project has enough new ideas to qualify could I use i… --- ## [Where do podcasters hang out?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-podcasters-hang-out/729571)
**Author:** [@aaelghat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aaelghat)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2015, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-podcasters-hang-out/729571 "2015-09-03T13:32:53Z")
Hi - I’d like to reach out to Podcasters, and I want to put together a list of online places I can reach out to them. Basically, here’s the situation… I run a service that lets people phone in stories and memories for … --- ## [Lead poisoning from paint and plumbing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lead-poisoning-from-paint-and-plumbing/729790)
**Author:** [@denquixote](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/denquixote)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2015, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lead-poisoning-from-paint-and-plumbing/729790 "2015-09-03T12:16:24Z")
Our home is nearly 100 years old, located in Western Pa. After reading about the association between lead based paint and criminal behavior I would like to know for certain if our home is posing any risks to us, the inh… --- ## [Apartment ownership before the condo era?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apartment-ownership-before-the-condo-era/729408)
**Author:** [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2015, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apartment-ownership-before-the-condo-era/729408 "2015-09-03T12:07:29Z")
In the 20th century before the 1980s, in major cities in the US, did anyone except the very rich own their residence? For example, in New York, did upper middle class people generally rent? Or were brownstones more aff… --- ## [Skipper or Captain?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skipper-or-captain/729638)
**Author:** [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2015, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skipper-or-captain/729638 "2015-09-03T10:56:33Z")
As I understand it, the terms refer to the same station: the boss of the boat or aircraft. Are they true synonyms, or is there a subtle difference. As in, all skippers are captains, but not all captains are skippers. I… --- ## [Why would someone want something that specifically measured 29, 55, and 118 degree angles?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-someone-want-something-that-specifically-measured-29-55-and-118-degree-angles/729785)
**Author:** [@DataX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DataX)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2015, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-someone-want-something-that-specifically-measured-29-55-and-118-degree-angles/729785 "2015-09-03T07:01:40Z")
Saw this on Amazon: Actually a different product, but had the same/similar reticle. I was curious as to why these specific degrees are measurable. I get why 60 degrees might be broken out, but what is special about … --- ## [What Causes Water Mains to Break in Summer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-causes-water-mains-to-break-in-summer/729585)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2015, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-causes-water-mains-to-break-in-summer/729585 "2015-09-03T06:16:09Z")
I live in Detroit, where due to the middle class largely leaving the city, we have limited funds, and thus often poor services. So not surprisingly, I often dread the arrival of winter, when (I assumed) most water mains … --- ## [My leg gets hot in one spot ... WHY???](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-leg-gets-hot-in-one-spot-why/179226)
**Author:** [@PiscesPrincess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PiscesPrincess)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2015, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-leg-gets-hot-in-one-spot-why/179226 "2015-09-03T05:46:12Z")
For the past week or so, an area on my leg has been getting really hot. It’s kind of on the outside of my calf, and it feels like it’s about as big as my hand. There’s no injury there, and it doesn’t LOOK any different… --- ## [Is collecting bird feathers a crime?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-collecting-bird-feathers-a-crime/508421)
**Author:** [@El\_Zagna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Zagna)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2015, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-collecting-bird-feathers-a-crime/508421 "2015-09-03T04:04:56Z")
That’s what I keep hearing, but I can’t find the statute anywhere. My guess is that there is a law that’s intended to keep people from killing endangered birds for their plumage, but I can’t imagine that would apply to s… --- ## [Possessing feathers illegal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possessing-feathers-illegal/473938)
**Author:** [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2015, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possessing-feathers-illegal/473938 "2015-09-03T04:03:43Z")
I was recently told by someone who ought to know (a falconer) that in the US (absent a federal permit) it’s illegal to possess any part of a migratory bird - no ifs, ands or buts. I have several feathers collected from … --- ## [Best deal on a new iPhone?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-deal-on-a-new-iphone/729763)
**Author:** [@SanDiegoTim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanDiegoTim)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2015, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-deal-on-a-new-iphone/729763 "2015-09-03T03:45:18Z")
My wife (an iPhone 5 user) wants one of the new/larger iPhones. We are Verizon customers. Needless to say we don’t want to pay more than we have to. Will we have to purchase it from Verizon because we use their servic… --- ## [Do Seatbelts Sometimes Kill?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-seatbelts-sometimes-kill/587739)
**Author:** [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2015, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-seatbelts-sometimes-kill/587739 "2015-09-03T01:58:18Z")
The other day, I again heard someone say something that I’ve heard many people say over the years- “If I had been wearing a seatbelt, I’d have been killed! Not wearing a seatbelt allowed me to be thrown from the car, th… --- ## [Most powerful organic solvent](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-powerful-organic-solvent/635135)
**Author:** [@burkdaddio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burkdaddio)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2012, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-powerful-organic-solvent/635135 "2012-09-20T20:19:35Z")
What is the most powerful organic solvent? In college I had to remove some dried wax from some lab equipment. The prof recommended hexane and to do it under the hood. It dissolved the wax alright, a lot faster than aceto… --- ## [Which is more common or correct: witching hour or bewitching hour?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-more-common-or-correct-witching-hour-or-bewitching-hour/729758)
**Author:** [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2015, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-more-common-or-correct-witching-hour-or-bewitching-hour/729758 "2015-09-03T00:43:01Z")
My wife and I have a disagreement on which term is the more correct. Google has references for both. Wikipedia has a page for only one. I have always heard it as the witching hour. She the other. I told her that she… --- ## [Can I get back my lost cashier's check?): Please help me](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-back-my-lost-cashiers-check-please-help-me/729453)
**Author:** [@Elaine90](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elaine90)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2015, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-back-my-lost-cashiers-check-please-help-me/729453 "2015-09-02T23:59:07Z")
Hi everyone ~~ I lost my cashier’s check last March and I went to the bank (Bank Of America) to reissue it but they told me I have to wait 90 days until I get it back I had to leave to the USA and now I’m in another st… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1048) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1050)