# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1052 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1053 --- ## [2012 Honda Civic battery removal....](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-honda-civic-battery-removal/729392)
**Author:** [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2015, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-honda-civic-battery-removal/729392 "2015-08-31T16:19:02Z")
I’ve got everything off/loosened except the negative terminal which has a bit of a knob on top and even when loose I can’t pull the wiring off. --- ## [Can an arapaima survive out of water for any significant period?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-an-arapaima-survive-out-of-water-for-any-significant-period/729474)
**Author:** [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2015, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-an-arapaima-survive-out-of-water-for-any-significant-period/729474 "2015-08-31T15:52:24Z")
Can an arapaima survive out of water for any significant period? --- ## [How do pot handles cool off so quickly?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-pot-handles-cool-off-so-quickly/729502)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2015, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-pot-handles-cool-off-so-quickly/729502 "2015-08-31T15:41:54Z")
If I have, say, a saucepan on the stove over medium heat for ten or 15 minutes, the handle gets too hot to hold without a mitt. But just run it under cold water for a few seconds, and it cools down. Totally. It’s a so… --- ## [What happened to my leg during an epidural injection?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-my-leg-during-an-epidural-injection/729473)
**Author:** [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2015, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-my-leg-during-an-epidural-injection/729473 "2015-08-31T14:56:30Z")
I recently had an epidural injection into my lower spine (as a treatment for hip/spine syndrome). At some point during the procedure I felt what seemed like an intense electrical shock down my left leg, all the way to th… --- ## [DVR that records to an SD card?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dvr-that-records-to-an-sd-card/729442)
**Author:** [@Carlarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carlarm)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2015, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dvr-that-records-to-an-sd-card/729442 "2015-08-31T14:36:28Z")
Does anyone know if there is such a thing as a Digital Video Recorder that records to a removable SD (or micro-SD) memory card? Hopefully, it would sell for a reasonable price and have a small footprint such as the size … --- ## [Dark matter and galactic orbital velocity of stars](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dark-matter-and-galactic-orbital-velocity-of-stars/729432)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2015, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dark-matter-and-galactic-orbital-velocity-of-stars/729432 "2015-08-31T13:56:54Z")
I’ve just been reading this BBC article about dark matter. It says that one of the early clues was the velocities of stars orbiting the galactic centre. In the solar system, the farther out you orbit, the slower you orbi… --- ## [HDTV problem.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hdtv-problem/728916)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2015, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hdtv-problem/728916 "2015-08-31T13:47:39Z")
LG 55 inch HDTV. Slime/Warner digital cable/with/box. On most channels, but especially “upper” channels I get a “digital” effect. Slow jerk, robot voice, ghost, etc… This happens about once a minute on the upper end ch… --- ## [Exchanging euros in Europe via ATMs; why can't I deposit them?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exchanging-euros-in-europe-via-atms-why-cant-i-deposit-them/729229)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2015, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exchanging-euros-in-europe-via-atms-why-cant-i-deposit-them/729229 "2015-08-31T13:38:20Z")
My plan for my trip to Italy: Get some Euros at our local bank before we go. If we need more, use an ATM and withdraw some. At the end of the trip, if we have a bunch of Euros left over, deposit them in an ATM to my ac… --- ## [Skills and facts average Englishman of today could teach to Englishman of 1015 AD?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skills-and-facts-average-englishman-of-today-could-teach-to-englishman-of-1015-ad/728986)
**Author:** [@dr\_zippermeyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dr_zippermeyer)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2015, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skills-and-facts-average-englishman-of-today-could-teach-to-englishman-of-1015-ad/728986 "2015-08-31T13:31:56Z")
An Englishman from year 2015 is somehow catapulted one thousand years back in time. Given they don’t burn him as a witch, what could he teach to those people? Let’s say he is not very intellectual guy but he has an avera… --- ## [Hi I'm trying to find a good definition of "conceit"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hi-im-trying-to-find-a-good-definition-of-conceit/728853)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2015, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hi-im-trying-to-find-a-good-definition-of-conceit/728853 "2015-08-31T11:29:36Z")
Hi Most of the definitions for conceit, as used in journalism today, don’t seem to square with this definition: Most definitions of conceit go something like this: “Conceit develops a comparison which is exceedingly … --- ## [Is it Secretary or Senator Clinton? Need answer fast.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-secretary-or-senator-clinton-need-answer-fast/729054)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2015, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-secretary-or-senator-clinton-need-answer-fast/729054 "2015-08-31T11:21:56Z")
Hillary Clinton could make an unscheduled campaign stop at my house. You never know, and I want to make sure that I address her correctly when she arrives at my front door. She’s a former Secretary of State, a former Se… --- ## [Question about cell phone towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-cell-phone-towers/729183)
**Author:** [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2015, 10:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-cell-phone-towers/729183 "2015-08-29T10:01:01Z")
I’m writing a story and I need there to be a reason that a number of those cell phone towers disguised as trees would be clustered in an area to almost make a mini forest. Would there be any reasonable explanation for t… --- ## [How American accents are viewed in other languages](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-american-accents-are-viewed-in-other-languages/541821)
**Author:** [@AllFreedomUnlessDefyingScience](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AllFreedomUnlessDefyingScience)\ **Replies:** 96\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2015, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-american-accents-are-viewed-in-other-languages/541821 "2015-08-31T06:50:19Z")
If you think about it, almost any foreign language can be seen as ‘sexy’ to English speakers, just based on it’s being exotic. Fetishes for French accents, Spanish, Russian, and others are common. But considering America… --- ## [Smart phones detecting your location](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-phones-detecting-your-location/729262)
**Author:** [@JohnClay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnClay)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2015, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-phones-detecting-your-location/729262 "2015-08-31T06:24:56Z")
Hi I was wondering how does my Windows Phone (Lumia) can detect my location in apps like “Here” to within about 30 metres even when I’m indoors? I found this link: I wonder which ones would be relevant. Also can the … --- ## ["Don't put the chocolate on the checkout scanner. It'll melt." \*headslap\* What's the SD?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-put-the-chocolate-on-the-checkout-scanner-itll-melt-headslap-whats-the-sd/729308)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2015, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-put-the-chocolate-on-the-checkout-scanner-itll-melt-headslap-whats-the-sd/729308 "2015-08-31T04:40:31Z")
Quote from an adult ahead of me on line at the grocery store. What’s the heat spread (temperature) on an object passing under a scanner gun, or, as is more commin in supermarkets, over the glass patten? (Patten? Izzat … --- ## [Tips wanted -- trimming a cat's nails](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tips-wanted-trimming-a-cats-nails/728218)
**Author:** [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2015, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tips-wanted-trimming-a-cats-nails/728218 "2015-08-20T04:47:05Z")
Not so much on the actual clipping – I’ve done that plenty of times, and have the appropriate tools. But I now have a cat that strenuously resists being held – he doesn’t mind cuddling and lap sitting, but if he sees th… --- ## [OSX - How to stop character accents being added automatically](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/osx-how-to-stop-character-accents-being-added-automatically/729153)
**Author:** [@TwoCarrotSnowman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwoCarrotSnowman)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2015, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/osx-how-to-stop-character-accents-being-added-automatically/729153 "2015-08-31T03:57:09Z")
Hi everyone, I’ve got a Mac Mini, which is my first Mac. Generally, I love it, but there’s one specific “feature” which is driving me mad. OSX appears to be using quote marks as a modifier for the next character. For e… --- ## [Tree/Fern ID](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tree-fern-id/729427)
**Author:** [@ZomZom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZomZom)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2015, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tree-fern-id/729427 "2015-08-31T00:30:18Z")
This tree or fern is in my Maryland back yard. It’s easily 10 feet tall. It looks too tropical for here but it does fine and comes back every summer. Any input on what the name is would be appreciated. --- ## [How far does the sun travel, within the galaxy, in one earth year?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-does-the-sun-travel-within-the-galaxy-in-one-earth-year/729243)
**Author:** [@mbloom1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbloom1)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2015, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-does-the-sun-travel-within-the-galaxy-in-one-earth-year/729243 "2015-08-31T00:27:58Z")
At 12:00 am on Jan 1, 2015, the earth is in a specific point in its orbit around the sun. Relative to the sun, the earth returns to that point exactly one year later. But, during that same time, the sun has been moving w… --- ## [Space Shuttle Sneak](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/space-shuttle-sneak/728905)
**Author:** [@Potestas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Potestas)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2015, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/space-shuttle-sneak/728905 "2015-08-30T20:16:11Z")
Kind of a stupid question here but how would one go about sneaking onboard a space shuttle and taking a space suit if they were to want to do something like that? What would it involve and is there even a slight remote c… --- ## [Francesco del Giocondo commissioned da Vinci to paint the Mona Lisa Why didn't he end up owning it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/francesco-del-giocondo-commissioned-da-vinci-to-paint-the-mona-lisa-why-didnt-he-end-up-owning-it/729299)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2015, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/francesco-del-giocondo-commissioned-da-vinci-to-paint-the-mona-lisa-why-didnt-he-end-up-owning-it/729299 "2015-08-30T17:56:27Z")
Hi Francesco del Giocondo commissioned da Vinci to paint the Mona Lisa. Why didn’t he end up owning it? I look forward to your feedback. davidmich --- ## [How do I get a Google Alt group post removed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-google-alt-group-post-removed/357608)
**Author:** [@Buck\_Rogers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Rogers)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2015, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-google-alt-group-post-removed/357608 "2015-08-30T16:36:40Z")
I was harrassed by a former employee whom I had to let go. A friend recently brought to my attention that there was a very slanderous post dated the year 2003 about me on a Google group search in their Alt. Crime sectio… --- ## [What does "Charmed, I'm sure" mean?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-charmed-im-sure-mean/728711)
**Author:** [@bienville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bienville)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2015, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-charmed-im-sure-mean/728711 "2015-08-30T16:23:50Z")
Generally I hear it in old movies. I think I’ve heard more contemporary use of the phrase but those instances seem to be meant specifically to evoke earlier times. It’s always in response to being introduced to someone, … --- ## [Question about Pedometer app (Runtastic)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-pedometer-app-runtastic/729400)
**Author:** [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2015, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-pedometer-app-runtastic/729400 "2015-08-30T16:07:22Z")
I recently downloaded this app for the android. It is pretty cool. Displays number of steps, speed, distance, time and kcal. If speed and distance are calculated using the size of my steps in the equation, I question … --- ## [Will Polysporin kill mice?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-polysporin-kill-mice/729287)
**Author:** [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2015, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-polysporin-kill-mice/729287 "2015-08-30T03:45:17Z")
I just discovered the tube of Polysporin I dropped, in the attic. And clearly a mouse or mice had found it yummy and eaten the entire medium sized tube, which was nearly full! So, if it was one or two mice, will it ki… --- ## [Does the US not update coins and currency regularly?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-us-not-update-coins-and-currency-regularly/728969)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2015, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-us-not-update-coins-and-currency-regularly/728969 "2015-08-30T03:44:32Z")
In the IMHO thread about the effect of the death of the Queen, one issue that’s been raised is updating the coinage and currency with Charles’ image. Some posters are saying that will be a big deal, but posters from Com… --- ## [Dentistry and pancreatic cancer.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dentistry-and-pancreatic-cancer/729283)
**Author:** [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2015, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dentistry-and-pancreatic-cancer/729283 "2015-08-30T02:22:40Z")
This article mentions studies connecting gum disease, pancreatic cancer, Alzheimer’s and heart disease. Bacteria causing cancer seems unusual to me, but I have little knowledge of medicine and biology. --- ## [Is There a Term for this Psychological Tendency?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-term-for-this-psychological-tendency/729093)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2015, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-term-for-this-psychological-tendency/729093 "2015-08-30T02:20:55Z")
Is there a term for the tendency of people who are experts in one area to incorrectly assume they have a higher level of expertise than they actually do in other areas as well? --- ## [Identify this caterpillar, please](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-caterpillar-please/729356)
**Author:** [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2015, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-caterpillar-please/729356 "2015-08-30T02:14:29Z")
A friend of mine took this picture in southern Georgia, and is wondering what species of moth or butterfly it is. And here’s hoping that I’ve got the permissions set right. --- ## [How far back in time could I go and still be understood](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-back-in-time-could-i-go-and-still-be-understood/729028)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2015, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-back-in-time-could-i-go-and-still-be-understood/729028 "2015-08-30T01:30:15Z")
That is if I had a conversational grasp of whatever language I needed, how far back in time could I go and still expect to be understood? I’m guessing we know and understand some pretty old languages in written form but … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1051) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1053)