# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1066 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1067 --- ## [Better metaphor for economy of a country which pays its debt in its own currency](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-metaphor-for-economy-of-a-country-which-pays-its-debt-in-its-own-currency/727151)
**Author:** [@PatriotX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotX)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2015, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-metaphor-for-economy-of-a-country-which-pays-its-debt-in-its-own-currency/727151 "2015-08-07T16:51:05Z")
I am under the impression that the economy of a country which can pay its debt in the currency it controls is radically different from household economies. I can imagine a few vague reasons why one situation could be ra… --- ## [Falklands: What did the Argentinian Government expect Britain would do?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/falklands-what-did-the-argentinian-government-expect-britain-would-do/726943)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2015, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/falklands-what-did-the-argentinian-government-expect-britain-would-do/726943 "2015-08-07T16:25:48Z")
One of the things about the Falklands War that has always puzzled me: what did the Argentinian government expect Britain would do? Did they say to themselves: “a worn-out lion - she’ll roar a bit and that will be it?” … --- ## [Christian Black African Teenage Girls: who buys them? where? for how much?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-black-african-teenage-girls-who-buys-them-where-for-how-much/688024)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2015, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-black-african-teenage-girls-who-buys-them-where-for-how-much/688024 "2015-08-07T15:46:43Z")
See subject(s). If the location and buyers are not local, I suspect there will be middle men. If not these particular girls, their predecessors. “Boko” is Hausa and means “letter?” Anyone who does not understand the… --- ## [A Question About Borneo-Early Civilization?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-borneo-early-civilization/727149)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2015, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-borneo-early-civilization/727149 "2015-08-07T15:45:44Z")
I am reading an old book I picked up - “Black Borneo” (published 1942), by a guy named Miller. It is his story of his expedition to the interior of the island, in 1939. He claims to have seen the ruins of a hindu temple,… --- ## [Effects of GRB on Stars](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/effects-of-grb-on-stars/727169)
**Author:** [@halfreal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/halfreal)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2015, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/effects-of-grb-on-stars/727169 "2015-08-07T12:10:26Z")
What happens to a star when it’s hit by a massive blast of EM energy, like from a nearby gamma-ray burst? --- ## [Of Sponges, Polymers, and Chlorine; or: Science In The Home](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-sponges-polymers-and-chlorine-or-science-in-the-home/727218)
**Author:** [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2015, 8:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-sponges-polymers-and-chlorine-or-science-in-the-home/727218 "2015-08-07T08:54:03Z")
I’ve noticed that if you use bleach on a typical synthetic kitchen sponge, it will almost immediately begin to break up and dissolve, eventually turning into a sort of squashy pulp. My first question is, what is the che… --- ## [Why the messed up spacing in numbers in downloaded subtitles?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-messed-up-spacing-in-numbers-in-downloaded-subtitles/727034)
**Author:** [@dstarfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dstarfire)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2015, 8:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-messed-up-spacing-in-numbers-in-downloaded-subtitles/727034 "2015-08-07T08:52:08Z")
Whenever I download a subtitle for a tv show or movie there’s almost always an added a space after the first digit in any number sequence (e.g. “1 986”, "v1 2). I could understand this as some sort of compromise among … --- ## [Why are hiccups associated with alcoholism?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-hiccups-associated-with-alcoholism/727207)
**Author:** [@Tron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tron)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2015, 8:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-hiccups-associated-with-alcoholism/727207 "2015-08-07T08:20:20Z")
Many comic strips (most notably Andy Capp) include a token “hic” onomatopoeia to indicate a drunken state. From personal experience, I have noticed that I also tend to hiccup more when I’m drunk. But why? (This doesn’t b… --- ## [Vaccines and preemies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vaccines-and-preemies/727056)
**Author:** [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2015, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vaccines-and-preemies/727056 "2015-08-07T04:08:46Z")
A few years back, I read a discussion which claimed that preemies should be vaccinated at an age comparable to a full term baby and the vaccine schedule should not be based on the time of birth but the maturity (time fro… --- ## [Why are there brown spots on my walls?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-brown-spots-on-my-walls/602094)
**Author:** [@Romeo\_and\_Whatsherface](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Romeo_and_Whatsherface)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2015, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-brown-spots-on-my-walls/602094 "2015-08-07T02:53:52Z")
On my kitchen and bathroom walls, there are brownish spots and streaks. I’m on city water, not well water. (I live in a small, rural town.) The spots are tan, about the color of cafe au lait. The water looks clear in a … --- ## [Unicorns exist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unicorns-exist/727021)
**Author:** [@Greg\_Charles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greg_Charles)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2015, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unicorns-exist/727021 "2015-08-07T02:01:05Z")
My wife recently visited the Ruben H. Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park (San Diego). Apparently, they were having a show about circuses, and how some things look fake (sword swallowing for example), but are actually re… --- ## [Question about smashed cell phone and liquid crystal screens](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-smashed-cell-phone-and-liquid-crystal-screens/726840)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2015, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-smashed-cell-phone-and-liquid-crystal-screens/726840 "2015-08-07T01:42:16Z")
How do technicians replace a smashed cell phone screen without the underlying liquid crystal stuff leaking out? I’m guessing the liquid is viscous so that the removal of the glass screen doesn’t make stuff come out, but… --- ## [Why does a stress fracture cause swelling?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-a-stress-fracture-cause-swelling/689425)
**Author:** [@AllShookDown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AllShookDown)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2015, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-a-stress-fracture-cause-swelling/689425 "2015-08-06T23:13:32Z")
I suspect I have a stress fracture in my foot and have a doctor’s appointment scheduled. I’m wondering though, what is it exactly with stress fractures that causes swelling? --- ## [Ho Hrad to Bring Back Passenger Pigeons?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ho-hrad-to-bring-back-passenger-pigeons/727158)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2015, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ho-hrad-to-bring-back-passenger-pigeons/727158 "2015-08-06T21:08:20Z")
They went extinct 100 years ago, or so. They seem very similar to existing pigeons…so their DNA probably is very close. So, assuming you have usable DNA (from a museum specimen), what next? You take existing pigeon DNA,… --- ## [What % of U.S. soldiers actually fired their weapons in combat in WWII?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-of-u-s-soldiers-actually-fired-their-weapons-in-combat-in-wwii/176023)
**Author:** [@Ringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ringo)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2015, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-of-u-s-soldiers-actually-fired-their-weapons-in-combat-in-wwii/176023 "2015-08-06T19:20:01Z")
What percentage of U.S. soldiers actually fired their weapons at an enemy target in combat in WWII? If you can dig that up, can you summon up a similar figure for the Vietnam conflict? --- ## [Residential whole-house humidifiers: how do they not get infested with mold/bacteria?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/residential-whole-house-humidifiers-how-do-they-not-get-infested-with-mold-bacteria/727129)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2015, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/residential-whole-house-humidifiers-how-do-they-not-get-infested-with-mold-bacteria/727129 "2015-08-06T17:49:18Z")
The current outbreak of Legionaire’s disease got me to wondering this. A whole-house humidifier mounts on the outlet duct of a house’s furnace. My understanding is that there’s a wicking pad that picks up water from a … --- ## [Left the phone off the hook with cable phone service. What should've happened?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-the-phone-off-the-hook-with-cable-phone-service-what-shouldve-happened/727131)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2015, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-the-phone-off-the-hook-with-cable-phone-service-what-shouldve-happened/727131 "2015-08-06T17:29:51Z")
I discovered that I accidentally left my phone slightly off the hook after terminating a call this afternoon. I have cable phone service. Should I have heard the loud warning signal? I didn’t hear it, even after what … --- ## [Why does this make me itch?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-this-make-me-itch/63116)
**Author:** [@Carina42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carina42)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2015, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-this-make-me-itch/63116 "2015-08-06T17:12:30Z")
My chiropractor uses a high speed vibrating massager thingie on me before doing adjustments, to loosen up muscles & increase blood flow. It feels great, but makes me itchy as hell wherever it’s applied. Similarly, the je… --- ## [I HATE Steven Singer!!!!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-steven-singer/727137)
**Author:** [@russian\_heel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/russian_heel)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2015, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-steven-singer/727137 "2015-08-06T15:33:44Z")
Been intrigued for years by these “I Hate Steven Singer” ads you may have heard on the Howard Stern show and if more local the Philadelphia radio markets. This guy has only ONE jewelry store at 8th and Samson in Philadel… --- ## [Is it safe to dismantle home electronics?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe-to-dismantle-home-electronics/726419)
**Author:** [@Furious\_Marmot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Furious_Marmot)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2015, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe-to-dismantle-home-electronics/726419 "2015-08-06T15:17:11Z")
My kid loves playing with “adult” objects and taking things apart to learn about what’s inside. So, we bought some ancient (70s-90s era) consumer electronics at garage sales, for him to dismantle and mess around with. S… --- ## [Help with a Windows 7 batch file](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-a-windows-7-batch-file/726809)
**Author:** [@Oglomott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oglomott)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2015, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-a-windows-7-batch-file/726809 "2015-08-06T14:53:56Z")
I have a series of programs that work together, that are started by clicking a series of four batch (.bat) files. e.g. : alpha.bat bravo.bat charlie.bat delta.bat Presently I click each batch file one at a time to … --- ## [When was Irish slavery in the New World illegalized?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-irish-slavery-in-the-new-world-illegalized/530937)
**Author:** [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2015, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-irish-slavery-in-the-new-world-illegalized/530937 "2015-08-06T14:21:49Z")
For those not familiar, in the 17th century tens of thousands Irish prisoners (estimates range from a conservative ~30,000 to well over 100,000) were sent to the New World as slaves. The vast majority were sent during t… --- ## [How "directional" can a radio transmitter be?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-directional-can-a-radio-transmitter-be/727074)
**Author:** [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2015, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-directional-can-a-radio-transmitter-be/727074 "2015-08-06T13:39:23Z")
Assuming sufficient LOS and power is there a way to shield an antenna so transmissions can only be received say within a few degrees of the compass direction where the transmitting antenna is pointed. Example to clarify… --- ## [Is President Obama wearing bulletproof underwear here?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-president-obama-wearing-bulletproof-underwear-here/726980)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2015, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-president-obama-wearing-bulletproof-underwear-here/726980 "2015-08-06T13:04:00Z")
See photo: Can’t tell if the undershirt suddenly gets wide and flat or what. (What do they call that style of undershirt in the business? I only know them as “wife beaters.”) --- ## [particles that are inert to both matter and anti-matter?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/particles-that-are-inert-to-both-matter-and-anti-matter/726789)
**Author:** [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2015, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/particles-that-are-inert-to-both-matter-and-anti-matter/726789 "2015-08-06T12:44:53Z")
Sure would be handy if we had some third kind of matter that could interact with both matter and anti-matter without the instant massive total annihilation problem. Does any physics model predict the possible existence … --- ## [How on earth can you print a drug?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-on-earth-can-you-print-a-drug/727048)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2015, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-on-earth-can-you-print-a-drug/727048 "2015-08-06T06:41:02Z")
Let me confess that I’ve always found the technology behind 3D printers baffling. It sometimes seems that we have the replicator from Star Trek with us already. I can just about grasp (I think) the printing of guns and … --- ## [Do British & European cellphones mostly use that 'double-ring'?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-british-european-cellphones-mostly-use-that-double-ring/627761)
**Author:** [@Hail\_Ants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hail_Ants)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2012, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-british-european-cellphones-mostly-use-that-double-ring/627761 "2012-07-13T21:24:32Z")
Obviously you can set a custom ringtone just like everyone else, but is the preset ‘default’ ring for cellphones in Europe & the UK the fast double-ring like their landlines? Plus is this the ring you hear from the other… --- ## [Does this character have a name?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-character-have-a-name/727124)
**Author:** [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2015, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-character-have-a-name/727124 "2015-08-06T04:11:03Z")
From the wingdings font: z (equivalent to keystroke ‘z’) Thanks. --- ## [Hoverboard - how?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hoverboard-how/727095)
**Author:** [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2015, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hoverboard-how/727095 "2015-08-06T03:53:48Z")
Can someone please explain to me what allows this board to actually hover? Here’s a YouTube video of the new Lexus Hoverboardbeing ridden by a skateboarder. It clearly defies gravity. Apparently it’s fueled with liqu… --- ## [Collision alarm?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/collision-alarm/366358)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2006, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/collision-alarm/366358 "2006-08-02T16:31:53Z")
Okay, I used to know what this was called. But it’s not coming to mind right now. What is the device called that makes the woot…woot… WOOT! sound that I associate with a destroyer’s collision alarm? I generally think … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1065) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1067)