# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1088 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1089 --- ## [Do all ashes turn into lye or alkaline stuff when combined with water?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-all-ashes-turn-into-lye-or-alkaline-stuff-when-combined-with-water/723744)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2015, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-all-ashes-turn-into-lye-or-alkaline-stuff-when-combined-with-water/723744 "2015-07-01T02:18:51Z")
Do all ashes - wood-ash, charcoal-ash, etc. - turn into an alkaline thing like lye if soaked in water for a prolonged period of time? --- ## [Outlook help (again)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outlook-help-again/723893)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2015, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outlook-help-again/723893 "2015-07-01T02:16:13Z")
One of the things that really irritates me about Microsoft programs is that it’s very easy to change something inadvertently, and there’s no (obvious) way of changing it back. My computer being slow, I clicked before it… --- ## [What happens if you have high-deductible insurance but can't actually pay the deductible?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-you-have-high-deductible-insurance-but-cant-actually-pay-the-deductible/723704)
**Author:** [@Habeed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Habeed)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2015, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-you-have-high-deductible-insurance-but-cant-actually-pay-the-deductible/723704 "2015-06-30T23:30:54Z")
Let’s suppose you pick up some mediocre health insurance for $150 a month that does cover most illnesses and traumatic injuries and has a 6k deductible. It’s blue-cross blue shield or some other major, semi-reputable br… --- ## [Car insurance reimbursement and mechanics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-insurance-reimbursement-and-mechanics/723816)
**Author:** [@bushindo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bushindo)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2015, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-insurance-reimbursement-and-mechanics/723816 "2015-06-30T22:16:41Z")
So, I was in a situation where a car was damaged in a small collision. Just a small dent in the side door. It was the other side’s fault and they admitted as much. Their insurance agreed to pay for it. I took the car to… --- ## [Apple products at Best Buy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apple-products-at-best-buy/723787)
**Author:** [@Leonard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leonard)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2015, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apple-products-at-best-buy/723787 "2015-06-30T21:39:19Z")
Does Best Buy load up their Macbooks with Geek Squad crap like they do the PCs? I suspect Apple doesn’t let them, but I want to be sure. --- ## [When did Geico switch from being Government Employees Insurance Company?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-geico-switch-from-being-government-employees-insurance-company/723819)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2015, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-geico-switch-from-being-government-employees-insurance-company/723819 "2015-06-30T20:37:15Z")
GEICO an acronym for Government Employees Insurance Company My dad had it for the twenty plus years he was in the military. I always associated it with military and government families. Weren’t GEICO’s rates discounte… --- ## [In a court of law what are the differences between these actions: lie, dissemble, misleads, deceive](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-a-court-of-law-what-are-the-differences-between-these-actions-lie-dissemble-misleads-deceive/670329)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2015, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-a-court-of-law-what-are-the-differences-between-these-actions-lie-dissemble-misleads-deceive/670329 "2015-06-30T20:19:49Z")
Hi, In a court of law what are the differences between these actions: lie, dissemble, mislead, and deceive? I look forward to your feedback davidmich --- ## [Need Deceased Social Security Number](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-deceased-social-security-number/723860)
**Author:** [@qualityleashdog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/qualityleashdog)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2015, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-deceased-social-security-number/723860 "2015-06-30T17:05:12Z")
I’m trying to order my spouse’s father’s military replacement medals and records. They ask for the Social Security Number and Service Number. I ordered this for someone in my family five years ago, and I got the SSN fr… --- ## [Places named after something you wouldn't expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/places-named-after-something-you-wouldnt-expect/695312)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 180\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2015, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/places-named-after-something-you-wouldnt-expect/695312 "2015-06-30T16:51:44Z")
I am wondering what places you know of that look like they are named after something/someone famous, but were actually named after something else. For example Lincoln County, ME got its name 50 years before Honest Abe w… --- ## [Unused switches](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unused-switches/723697)
**Author:** [@wesleyp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wesleyp)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2015, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unused-switches/723697 "2015-06-30T15:52:57Z")
In my bathroom there are two switches on the wall. One for the light, one for an old electric wall heater that we don’t use. I disconnected the wires behind the heater and capped them. Can I take out the switch for the h… --- ## [Is there a better coolant than water?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-better-coolant-than-water/723491)
**Author:** [@Quintas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quintas)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2015, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-better-coolant-than-water/723491 "2015-06-30T15:16:13Z")
Forgive me if I mess up my chemistry/physics here: From what I understand H2O has a tremendous capacity to absorb heat. We dont use pure water in a car radiator because it’s corrosive and it freezes. Also I think there… --- ## [Wrapping horses?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrapping-horses/723806)
**Author:** [@Uniqueorn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uniqueorn)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2015, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrapping-horses/723806 "2015-06-30T14:31:18Z")
I took a train journey this morning and noticed some horses in a field that were wrapped in cloth from head to hoof. Eyes and ears were covered and they were kneeling/lying down, while other horses in adjacent field were… --- ## [What is meant by "put statements on background"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-meant-by-put-statements-on-background/723677)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2015, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-meant-by-put-statements-on-background/723677 "2015-06-30T13:52:58Z")
Hi, What is meant by the following: (from Walter Isaacson’s Kissinger A Biography p. 498/499) "But he had been speaking only for background, Kissinger insisted rather heatedly… “Well , Marder(Murrey Marder) admitted, … --- ## [Thunderbolt vs. mini DisplayPort - which cable](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thunderbolt-vs-mini-displayport-which-cable/723685)
**Author:** [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2015, 10:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thunderbolt-vs-mini-displayport-which-cable/723685 "2015-06-30T10:41:53Z")
Yes I googled, but it’s mostly about the actual ports and not the cable. And Apple’s support wants you to buy their branded cable. Amazon or Monoprice preferred. Macbook Pro has a port with the lightning bolt next to it… --- ## ["Microsoft" wants to give me Windows 10 for free](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-wants-to-give-me-windows-10-for-free/723722)
**Author:** [@furryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furryman)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2015, 10:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-wants-to-give-me-windows-10-for-free/723722 "2015-06-30T10:33:00Z")
There’s a new icon on my computer. When I click on this icon it asks me if I want a free copy of Windows 10. It claims to be from Microsoft. Is this legit? The main problem I have with Windows 8 is every time I move the… --- ## [Retrieving files from hard drive](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retrieving-files-from-hard-drive/723692)
**Author:** [@Peanuthead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peanuthead)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2015, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retrieving-files-from-hard-drive/723692 "2015-06-30T04:14:39Z")
My computer died and I bought a new one. The old one won’t turn on. Bad power supply I think. Latest backup to external drive was 6 months ago so anything since then is still on the old computer. How can I retrieve tho… --- ## [DOSBox - how do I get a larger (not full) screen](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dosbox-how-do-i-get-a-larger-not-full-screen/723814)
**Author:** [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2015, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dosbox-how-do-i-get-a-larger-not-full-screen/723814 "2015-06-30T03:55:00Z")
I’ve done some poking around and can’t find an answer. I’m running a second monitor off my laptop as my only monitor. Setting DOSBOX to full screen sends the output to the laptop’s monitor. I don’t want that. I have det… --- ## [Wanted Dead or Alive in the Old West](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wanted-dead-or-alive-in-the-old-west/723794)
**Author:** [@D18](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D18)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2015, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wanted-dead-or-alive-in-the-old-west/723794 "2015-06-30T02:23:33Z")
A key cliche in westerns is the Wanted Dead or Alive poster. There’s been many times on the boards when we’ve discussed things considered to be part of western life that really weren’t based on reality. So, teneral que… --- ## [Renewing Passport Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renewing-passport-questions/723112)
**Author:** [@Pauly01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pauly01)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2015, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renewing-passport-questions/723112 "2015-06-30T01:30:30Z")
I have a USA passport that will expire in a few months. I’m currently outside the usa and was planning to come back to the usa for a week or so… get it renewed… then head back outside the usa. The thing is i believe it… --- ## [What Is Nothing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-nothing/723420)
**Author:** [@mrclose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mrclose)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2015, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-nothing/723420 "2015-06-30T01:20:01Z")
Scientist once believed that atoms were the smallest part of matter … until they found that they really weren’t. Science has since broken matter down to other, smaller particles like protons, neutrons and electrons. Th… --- ## [Question about the scope Supreme Court's same-sex marriage ruling](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-the-scope-supreme-courts-same-sex-marriage-ruling/723790)
**Author:** [@CoastalMaineiac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CoastalMaineiac)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2015, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-the-scope-supreme-courts-same-sex-marriage-ruling/723790 "2015-06-30T01:17:25Z")
Did the ruling require all states to issue marriages licenses to same-sex couples? Or is it merely that they have to recognize a same-sex couple as married if they were married in another state that permits same-sex marr… --- ## [Should you face a fan out or in?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-you-face-a-fan-out-or-in/66273)
**Author:** [@by-tor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/by-tor)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2015, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-you-face-a-fan-out-or-in/66273 "2015-06-30T00:56:55Z")
Hi. On a hot day should you put a fan in the window facing out, to blow the air out or in, to blow air around inside? Thanks! --- ## [Origin of phrase "Put the lie to"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-phrase-put-the-lie-to/304435)
**Author:** [@Alonzo\_John\_Blitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alonzo_John_Blitz)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2015, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-phrase-put-the-lie-to/304435 "2015-06-30T00:43:58Z")
I have searched the Cambridge Dictionaries, Wordwizard and the SDMB, and cannot find the origin of the phrase “Put the lie to”. Can anybody help me out here? --- ## [When was the last time a US president spoke in a church?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-a-us-president-spoke-in-a-church/723766)
**Author:** [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2015, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-a-us-president-spoke-in-a-church/723766 "2015-06-30T00:19:56Z")
(obviously, the question is prompted by Obama’s eulogy.) The question has two parts: 1: when did any president in office speak at a church, whether at a religious ceremony , or on a secular occasion (example: Memorial… --- ## [Do objects weigh measurably less at 30,000 ft altitude ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-objects-weigh-measurably-less-at-30-000-ft-altitude/723781)
**Author:** [@Bones\_Daley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bones_Daley)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2015, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-objects-weigh-measurably-less-at-30-000-ft-altitude/723781 "2015-06-30T00:05:25Z")
I know that theoretically the weight of an object will decrease as it is elevated further from the center of the Earth … what I am wondering about is whether this experiment has ever been carried out, using a hyper-sen… --- ## [Checked Bag Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/checked-bag-question/723506)
**Author:** [@Pauly01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pauly01)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2015, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/checked-bag-question/723506 "2015-06-29T22:34:17Z")
I fly with Jetblue most of the time whether in the usa or international. I almost always have a checked bag and its a decent size luggage thats close to 50lbs. This time i will have a checked bag but the bag is really … --- ## [Data usage on mobile hotspot](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/data-usage-on-mobile-hotspot/723815)
**Author:** [@CastleAnthrax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CastleAnthrax)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2015, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/data-usage-on-mobile-hotspot/723815 "2015-06-29T21:49:09Z")
I’m a henna artist with a booth at Ocean Beach Park in New London, CT, a location with no internet or cell reception. I need to take credit cards, so I bought a mobile hot spot. I didn’t know how much data I’d need, so I… --- ## [Recovery after being shot threw the spine](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recovery-after-being-shot-threw-the-spine/723687)
**Author:** [@AMGF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AMGF)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2015, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recovery-after-being-shot-threw-the-spine/723687 "2015-06-29T21:33:51Z")
I’m writing a book where the main character (speaker) is shot threw the spine in the line of duty. What I’ve got planned is that the bullet enters his lower back goes threw his spine and lodges itself the other side. W… --- ## [Gravity: What are the reasons to believe it's a fundamental force?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gravity-what-are-the-reasons-to-believe-its-a-fundamental-force/723720)
**Author:** [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2015, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gravity-what-are-the-reasons-to-believe-its-a-fundamental-force/723720 "2015-06-29T21:25:56Z")
As the Standard Model in elementary particle physics is not only a huge achievement in science, but something that works as a model of quantum mechanics amazingly well, why is gravity considered a fundamental force like … --- ## [My monitor is black. What's at fault?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-monitor-is-black-whats-at-fault/723782)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2015, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-monitor-is-black-whats-at-fault/723782 "2015-06-29T21:23:31Z")
Is there a way for me to know if the problem is the desktop computer or the monitor? I mean short of buying a new monitor and seeing if it works? Not even the little light that’s always on is on. Everything was fine la… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1087) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1089)