# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1093 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1094 --- ## [Blood pressure health question.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blood-pressure-health-question/723147)
**Author:** [@JVDaly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JVDaly)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2015, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blood-pressure-health-question/723147 "2015-06-22T14:17:06Z")
My blood pressure is lower in my left arm than it is in my right. According to this that’s not a good sign. It indicates a higher risk of heart disease. However, my bp in both arms is still low. In the left arm it’s … --- ## [the evolution of wisdom teeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-evolution-of-wisdom-teeth/723077)
**Author:** [@bizerta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bizerta)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2015, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-evolution-of-wisdom-teeth/723077 "2015-06-22T11:06:31Z")
Prompted by another thread on wisdom teeth. Just about everybody in the US has wisdom teeth and has them removed. Or do they? What about 3rd world residents? What did they do 5000 years ago? Since evolution is so sl… --- ## [British Monarchy and taxes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-monarchy-and-taxes/723106)
**Author:** [@velomont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velomont)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2015, 8:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-monarchy-and-taxes/723106 "2015-06-22T08:46:16Z")
From a family relationship pov, how far from the throne does a royal have to be before he or she has to work for an income instead of being tax subsidised? --- ## [What are these old-timey band thingies called?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-old-timey-band-thingies-called/723045)
**Author:** [@BrightNShiny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrightNShiny)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2015, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-old-timey-band-thingies-called/723045 "2015-06-22T02:54:26Z")
What are the decorative stands that band members used to sit behind called? I’m thinking of something like the photo on this page: Or the first picture on this page: --- ## [How long to bounce back to previous levels after ice age ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-to-bounce-back-to-previous-levels-after-ice-age/723058)
**Author:** [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2015, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-to-bounce-back-to-previous-levels-after-ice-age/723058 "2015-06-21T15:25:48Z")
Do we know how long does it take for life to bounce back to previous levels after an ice age ? By previous levels I mean the total living biomass on earth. Also - does the polar ice trap atmospheric bacteria with it ? A… --- ## [height reduction surgery](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/height-reduction-surgery/722929)
**Author:** [@W007](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/W007)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2015, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/height-reduction-surgery/722929 "2015-06-21T14:11:06Z")
I am wondering if height reduction surgery exists and if so, where would it be done best? I am over 6’ 8" and suffer from hypotension (low blood pressure) losing my eyesight for several seconds and being dizzy/lightheade… --- ## [How does this onion business work? Answer in a couple hours please?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-this-onion-business-work-answer-in-a-couple-hours-please/722495)
**Author:** [@the\_diego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_diego)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2015, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-this-onion-business-work-answer-in-a-couple-hours-please/722495 "2015-06-21T11:47:08Z")
The question is case-specific, which is here in the Philippines. As explained to me, all onion seeds are imported. The biggest distributor is a Dutch company, with similar operations in Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia. … --- ## ["Titles of pretense" and ambassadors after the Hundred Years' War](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/titles-of-pretense-and-ambassadors-after-the-hundred-years-war/722975)
**Author:** [@MEBuckner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MEBuckner)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2015, 8:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/titles-of-pretense-and-ambassadors-after-the-hundred-years-war/722975 "2015-06-21T08:20:00Z")
During the Hundred Years’ War, the Kings of England tried to lay claim to the throne of France, but even after they were clearly beaten, the English (and later the British) formally claimed the throne of France until 180… --- ## [Difference between Kids Sunblock and regular sunblock?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-between-kids-sunblock-and-regular-sunblock/722994)
**Author:** [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2015, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-between-kids-sunblock-and-regular-sunblock/722994 "2015-06-21T03:15:28Z")
I bought 4 tubes of sunblock today. I got home, and then I noticed that they were 'Kids" sunblock, PF (or whatever) 30. What is the difference between kids and regular PF 30? Thanks, hh --- ## [Altitude adjustment, how long does it last?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/altitude-adjustment-how-long-does-it-last/722933)
**Author:** [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2015, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/altitude-adjustment-how-long-does-it-last/722933 "2015-06-21T02:24:03Z")
There is plenty on the internet for how to adjust to a higher altitude and how long it takes. But I live at a higher altitude. When I go down to sea level I could run for miles without hitting the wall, and drink like a … --- ## [When did the Germans realise the jig was up?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-germans-realise-the-jig-was-up/722735)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2015, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-germans-realise-the-jig-was-up/722735 "2015-06-20T23:55:04Z")
Which Germans, which jig? Any German views, and World War II. Although they fought until the bitter end for a variety of reasons, there must have been a point where most Germans (except the Nazi fanatics who believed in… --- ## [Id this bug?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-bug/723027)
**Author:** [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2015, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-bug/723027 "2015-06-20T22:29:08Z")
Pic. Possibly a beetle bug, but possibly a moth. It didn’t move, so I couldn’t really tell. Coastal South Carolina. About ½ inch long. --- ## [Another WWII Question : Fortified Islands In Boston Harbor](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-wwii-question-fortified-islands-in-boston-harbor/722760)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2015, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-wwii-question-fortified-islands-in-boston-harbor/722760 "2015-06-20T22:12:03Z")
Boston Harbor has several islands in it, and at east 5 of of them had forts built on them. During WWII, these islands were garrisoned and the forts equipped with long range howitzers-capable of sinking battleships. My qu… --- ## [Distance of Atoms](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/distance-of-atoms/722797)
**Author:** [@Mrdeals](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrdeals)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2015, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/distance-of-atoms/722797 "2015-06-20T21:04:38Z")
Lets say I have a super small space ship. I have read before that you could actually fly through the asteroid belt and never really know you did because of the space between asteroids. Would it be the same on a micro s… --- ## [Bail vs Bond. What's the difference?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bail-vs-bond-whats-the-difference/723008)
**Author:** [@bizerta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bizerta)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2015, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bail-vs-bond-whats-the-difference/723008 "2015-06-20T20:12:27Z")
Roof, the SC shooter, is being held on one million dollars bond. What does that mean? Can he get our on bail? As I understand it, bail is set by the court as an incentive for the defendant to appear in court. Anyone … --- ## [Antentwig](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antentwig/708013)
**Author:** [@jj5406](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jj5406)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2015, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antentwig/708013 "2015-06-20T19:50:32Z")
Antentwig is a term used by Mike Pesca on Slate’s “The Gist” podcast to refer to a 3-week period. He claims that it is an old word, like fortnight for a 2-week period, but one that is no longer in use. However, I canno… --- ## [earbud headphones from the 1980s?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earbud-headphones-from-the-1980s/722829)
**Author:** [@curwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curwin)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2015, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earbud-headphones-from-the-1980s/722829 "2015-06-20T19:45:24Z")
Weird question - but does anyone remember from the 1980s a particular type of earbud headphones? They might have been made by a company like Sony or Panasonic, but they had a particular name, and I can’t remember what it… --- ## [Question regarding the use of "On" in French](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-the-use-of-on-in-french/722971)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2015, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-the-use-of-on-in-french/722971 "2015-06-20T19:04:34Z")
Hi, I’ve heard that the “nous” form of the verb is used less frequently now in spoken French and that “on” is much more popular. Bur I’m not sure how to use on. Is it always with the 3rd Person singular ending (he/she/i… --- ## [Cinemas paying for movies?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cinemas-paying-for-movies/722827)
**Author:** [@JohnClay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnClay)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2015, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cinemas-paying-for-movies/722827 "2015-06-20T18:28:17Z")
Hi I was wondering how it works when cinemas are paying the movie studios, etc, for their movies… some cinemas charge less than half the price of others… Do cinemas pay the movie studio (or whatever) a percentage of the… --- ## [Please translate a simple phrase into Latin for me?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-translate-a-simple-phrase-into-latin-for-me/723000)
**Author:** [@brujaja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brujaja)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2015, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-translate-a-simple-phrase-into-latin-for-me/723000 "2015-06-20T18:06:13Z")
I tried Google translate first, because often it dioes a fine job for me. However, when I entered, “blood is thicker than water,” the Latin phrase it spit out looked suspiciously wrong; so I fed it back through from Lat… --- ## [When should wisdom teeth usually come in?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-should-wisdom-teeth-usually-come-in/272915)
**Author:** [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2015, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-should-wisdom-teeth-usually-come-in/272915 "2015-06-20T15:32:08Z")
This thread about dental oddities made me wonder. I’m 22 and have not had even the slightest hint of a wisdom tooth. Nothing. Nada. I checked my teeth, and have two molars, two bicuspids, a canine, and two incisors o… --- ## [Archimedes Principle in Low Gravity -- Swimming on the Moon!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/archimedes-principle-in-low-gravity-swimming-on-the-moon/722712)
**Author:** [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2015, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/archimedes-principle-in-low-gravity-swimming-on-the-moon/722712 "2015-06-20T13:40:43Z")
Say you’ve got an object floating in water, like a wooden boat. The waterline is marked (Plimsoll marks, or just paint it at the waterline.) Now take the bucket of water and the boat and everything to the Moon. Will t… --- ## [Bleacher seats in Times Square](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bleacher-seats-in-times-square/722993)
**Author:** [@Nom\_de\_Plume](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nom_de_Plume)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2015, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bleacher-seats-in-times-square/722993 "2015-06-20T12:22:30Z")
I am visiting NYC again, and still see the same thing. Why do so many people sit on the bleacher seats over the TKTS stand? What the heck are they looking at? --- ## [Smart Water as crime preventative.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-water-as-crime-preventative/722953)
**Author:** [@pdunderhill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pdunderhill)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2015, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-water-as-crime-preventative/722953 "2015-06-20T11:52:50Z")
Hello all, Just had an interesting visit from one of our local beat policeman. The Police and the Borough Council are offering small bottles of Smart Water for free: SmartWater - Wikipedia Essentially a liquid containi… --- ## [Quadruped locomotion: only four modes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quadruped-locomotion-only-four-modes/722846)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2015, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quadruped-locomotion-only-four-modes/722846 "2015-06-20T01:31:42Z")
Walk, trot, canter, gallop. To my knowledge, these are the only four basic modes in which a quadruped moves its feet to travel in a forward direction. Are there other modes that are fundamentally different from these f… --- ## [Square Root of 2 and 3, Minus One, Squared.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/square-root-of-2-and-3-minus-one-squared/698899)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2015, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/square-root-of-2-and-3-minus-one-squared/698899 "2015-06-19T21:51:15Z")
I know I recently did a thread on random experiments I have conducted with calculators. But I just had to share this one too. It’s so weird–and so counterintuitive, as you will see. I will try to summarize as best as I … --- ## [Is a Kosher diet better?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-kosher-diet-better/722643)
**Author:** [@Tron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tron)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2015, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-kosher-diet-better/722643 "2015-06-19T21:40:13Z")
Is there any medical evidence suggesting a Kosher diet is better (or worse) than a non-Kosher one? --- ## [Considering all inertial forces in the Universe, which direction for a stroll on Earth is easiest?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/considering-all-inertial-forces-in-the-universe-which-direction-for-a-stroll-on-earth-is-easiest/722852)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2015, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/considering-all-inertial-forces-in-the-universe-which-direction-for-a-stroll-on-earth-is-easiest/722852 "2015-06-19T20:52:34Z")
See subject. I like to have the wind at my back, so to speak. In a thread asking if can you travel through time while standing still (spoiler: you can’t, even if you could) poster mlees at #22 mentions With all this wh… --- ## [Identifying extra-solar planets](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identifying-extra-solar-planets/722957)
**Author:** [@Kelevra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kelevra)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2015, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identifying-extra-solar-planets/722957 "2015-06-19T20:51:33Z")
I read this article about a high school intern that discovered a planet. The story says that the planet is the size of Jupiter and orbits its star in 2 days! Do we actually have a model that suggests this is possible? … --- ## [Can you find out when an iTunes playlist was made?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-find-out-when-an-itunes-playlist-was-made/588028)
**Author:** [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2015, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-find-out-when-an-itunes-playlist-was-made/588028 "2015-06-19T20:10:36Z")
Just what the title says. I’m wondering if iTunes has a function that allows you to look at a playlist and see when it was created. I haven’t been able to find one on my own. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1092) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1094)