# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1121 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1122 --- ## [Interservice transfer of admirals and generals?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interservice-transfer-of-admirals-and-generals/719145)
**Author:** [@Donnerwetter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Donnerwetter)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2015, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interservice-transfer-of-admirals-and-generals/719145 "2015-05-04T18:24:32Z")
Are there examples of generals and admirals in the military who, while already holding such a high rank, change the branch of the military they serve in? For instance, have there been admirals in the Navy who switched ov… --- ## [Are dreams pre-scripted or does the brain make them up as they go along?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-dreams-pre-scripted-or-does-the-brain-make-them-up-as-they-go-along/718957)
**Author:** [@Cardboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardboard)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2015, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-dreams-pre-scripted-or-does-the-brain-make-them-up-as-they-go-along/718957 "2015-05-04T17:40:51Z")
I just had a dream that was way to good to have been made up as it went along. If it was a movie in real life, I would have watched. So does the brain ‘pre-script’ dreams and them play them out, or are they made up enti… --- ## [Why do some places segregate men's and women's bathrooms when there's only one toilet in each room?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-places-segregate-mens-and-womens-bathrooms-when-theres-only-one-toilet-in-each-room/718731)
**Author:** [@CoastalMaineiac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CoastalMaineiac)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2015, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-places-segregate-mens-and-womens-bathrooms-when-theres-only-one-toilet-in-each-room/718731 "2015-05-04T16:28:39Z")
A local grocery store does this. There are two separate bathrooms. The men’s room has a single toilet and a sink, with a lock on the door. According to a female relative of mine, the women’s room is the same setup. W… --- ## [What is this \[ball-like object\]?..............](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-ball-like-object/719235)
**Author:** [@Mr.Natural](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Natural)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2015, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-ball-like-object/719235 "2015-05-04T15:56:24Z")
I saw it on another board. The guy that posted it didn’t know either… http://i.imgur.com/pSoRRn7.gif --- ## [Filiming a space battle above a planet - at what altitude do we stop with external audio f/x?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/filiming-a-space-battle-above-a-planet-at-what-altitude-do-we-stop-with-external-audio-f-x/719192)
**Author:** [@Patch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patch)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2015, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/filiming-a-space-battle-above-a-planet-at-what-altitude-do-we-stop-with-external-audio-f-x/719192 "2015-05-04T15:54:57Z")
I’ve often seen space criticized for having audio foley effects since there’s no sound in space due to the lack of atmosphere to carry sound waves. But while watching the final battle in Serenity the other night, which t… --- ## [Simple math problem-max number of lock combinations](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-math-problem-max-number-of-lock-combinations/719005)
**Author:** [@yorick73](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yorick73)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2015, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-math-problem-max-number-of-lock-combinations/719005 "2015-05-04T14:02:53Z")
Not homework…I’m way too old to have homework. Where I work we have push button locks on our doors similar to this one. The way they are set up is there are five buttons but the code for each door is 4 non-repeating nu… --- ## [English Grammar: Would you say “take as a given” or “take it as a given” in the following sentence?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-grammar-would-you-say-take-as-a-given-or-take-it-as-a-given-in-the-following-sentence/719090)
**Author:** [@Melia\_Antiqua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melia_Antiqua)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2015, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-grammar-would-you-say-take-as-a-given-or-take-it-as-a-given-in-the-following-sentence/719090 "2015-05-04T12:48:31Z")
I wonder if I should have the pronoun “it” serve as a placeholder for the objective clause that follows? Woman: “Even if any of them don’t agree with the plan, I can at least count on Oliver giving me full support.” Ma… --- ## [Is there a word or term for this? \[Words which mean opposite things when pronounced differently\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-word-or-term-for-this-words-which-mean-opposite-things-when-pronounced-differently/718884)
**Author:** [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2015, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-word-or-term-for-this-words-which-mean-opposite-things-when-pronounced-differently/718884 "2015-05-04T11:12:50Z")
When you have a word which, when pronounced one way, has one meaning, but pronounced in a different way, has the opposite meaning. So for example; resign (to quit) and resign (to join up again). --- ## [Shuttle Launch](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shuttle-launch/719077)
**Author:** [@mrclose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mrclose)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2015, 8:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shuttle-launch/719077 "2015-05-04T08:37:58Z")
If you were to lay the shuttle on it’s side and launched it, assuming no buildings or mountains were in the way, would it go into orbit?:confused: If you could launch it in this manner, would it be best to launch it in … --- ## [How much thrust could a fart or burp produce in space?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-thrust-could-a-fart-or-burp-produce-in-space/719213)
**Author:** [@cjackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cjackson)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2015, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-thrust-could-a-fart-or-burp-produce-in-space/719213 "2015-05-04T06:57:59Z")
Let’s say you bare your ass for the cosmos and let one rip, how much thrust will your gas produce? --- ## [In English, does “if it were” come across as more unlikely and hypothetical than “if it was”?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-english-does-if-it-were-come-across-as-more-unlikely-and-hypothetical-than-if-it-was/719109)
**Author:** [@Melia\_Antiqua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melia_Antiqua)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2015, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-english-does-if-it-were-come-across-as-more-unlikely-and-hypothetical-than-if-it-was/719109 "2015-05-04T00:59:00Z")
“If it \*\*was \*\*just his table etiquette that wasn’t up to scratch, it wouldn’t matter. But it goes a lot deeper than that…” “If it \*\*were \*\*just his table etiquette that wasn’t up to scratch, it wouldn’t matter. But it … --- ## [Tricky English verb tenses {This thread will be regularly updated with new tense-related questions}](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tricky-english-verb-tenses-this-thread-will-be-regularly-updated-with-new-tense-related-questions/719149)
**Author:** [@Melia\_Antiqua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melia_Antiqua)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2015, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tricky-english-verb-tenses-this-thread-will-be-regularly-updated-with-new-tense-related-questions/719149 "2015-05-04T00:50:53Z")
On this thread, I will regularly post new questions related to verb tenses (from my Reply). Thanks! 1st Question: “would” vs. “would have” Woman: I’m terrible with all things computer; I’ve never even tried ordering a … --- ## [Did I not Invent this Game?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-i-not-invent-this-game/719130)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_Angel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Angel)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2015, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-i-not-invent-this-game/719130 "2015-05-03T21:36:38Z")
I’ve been playing a game with my son where I make a buzzing sound and then start poking him in his belly and sides on the premise that he’s being stung by a bee. When I broke this game out over Easter, I was surprised at… --- ## [Why pay double if the chance is the same?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-pay-double-if-the-chance-is-the-same/719141)
**Author:** [@qualityleashdog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/qualityleashdog)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2015, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-pay-double-if-the-chance-is-the-same/719141 "2015-05-03T21:08:49Z")
I like to pay the daily 3. If you pick 3 different numbers, in any order (combo), you get X payout. But if you pick two identical numbers plus a third, you get double the payout. Why? Each number is independent of th… --- ## [Sneaking in undetected](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sneaking-in-undetected/719027)
**Author:** [@Potestas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Potestas)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2015, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sneaking-in-undetected/719027 "2015-05-03T20:56:30Z")
Is it at all possible now a days to sneak into a country completely undetected (1st world country) and blend into the local/native population without being detected by government? --- ## [Yule log burning record](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yule-log-burning-record/719176)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2015, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yule-log-burning-record/719176 "2015-05-03T20:51:31Z")
What is the longest a single Yule log (or any log for that matter) has been kept burning, and what is the largest log ever so used (possibly one and the same). My Google-fu failed me on this one because “yule log” can al… --- ## [Appropriate use of screen space in new versions of programs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/appropriate-use-of-screen-space-in-new-versions-of-programs/719169)
**Author:** [@Keeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeve)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2015, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/appropriate-use-of-screen-space-in-new-versions-of-programs/719169 "2015-05-03T20:46:02Z")
It seems to me that as time goes on, and we advance from Windows XP to 7 to 8.1, two things are happening at the same time:\[ul\]\[li\]Advances in hardware allow us to get monitors which are larger and larger, for the same m… --- ## [Is there any truth to the idea of Marxism being Jewish?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-truth-to-the-idea-of-marxism-being-jewish/719039)
**Author:** [@protoboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/protoboard)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2015, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-truth-to-the-idea-of-marxism-being-jewish/719039 "2015-05-03T18:03:13Z")
I know Marx and Trotsky were Jewish and Lenin had Jewish roots, but is the idea of communism and Marxism in general being influenced by Jewish root supported by facts at all or is it purely a falsehood designed to connec… --- ## [On the whistling of bombs.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-whistling-of-bombs/718952)
**Author:** [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2015, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-whistling-of-bombs/718952 "2015-05-03T17:16:44Z")
Why do falling bombs whistle? I’ve heard lots of other things fall and nary a whistle. Wouldn’t developers try to ensure that bombs wouldn’t whistle? Also, doesn’t the pitch RISE when heard from the ground? --- ## [Could the POTUS pardon every single felon with "the stroke of a pen"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-potus-pardon-every-single-felon-with-the-stroke-of-a-pen/718458)
**Author:** [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2015, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-potus-pardon-every-single-felon-with-the-stroke-of-a-pen/718458 "2015-05-03T12:24:17Z")
Could the POTUS pardon every single felon with “the stroke of a pen”? For example, the president has a Brain Tumor no one knows about. It’s driving him crazy but no one can tell. Let’s assume he got elected on the religi… --- ## [USSR Prisoners/Russian Federation Prisoners](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ussr-prisoners-russian-federation-prisoners/718998)
**Author:** [@Potestas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Potestas)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2015, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ussr-prisoners-russian-federation-prisoners/718998 "2015-05-03T11:32:10Z")
I just thought of this… were prisoners who were sentenced under the USSR released when the USSR became the Russian Federation or did they have to finish their sentences given out under the USSR? I believe the constitutio… --- ## [What's the difference between through the wall and window air conditoners?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-through-the-wall-and-window-air-conditoners/719128)
**Author:** [@Darryl\_Lict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darryl_Lict)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2015, 9:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-through-the-wall-and-window-air-conditoners/719128 "2015-05-03T09:16:35Z")
I’m doing a remodel and I wanted to toss a small window air conditioner in each bedroom to make it tolerable to sleep or work during our increasingly hot days and nights. I notice there are two types: through wall and … --- ## [Legal Question about Police Searches](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-question-about-police-searches/718932)
**Author:** [@pianodave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pianodave)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2015, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-question-about-police-searches/718932 "2015-05-03T06:35:31Z")
Hi SD, If the police execute a search warrant on my home, what happens if they find (theoretically) my hidden stash of German dwarf amputee porn? Obviously it is not illegal, but do the police just ignore it? How are th… --- ## [US paratroopers since WW II](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-paratroopers-since-ww-ii/718714)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2015, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-paratroopers-since-ww-ii/718714 "2015-05-03T03:57:58Z")
Have there been any US paratroop drops behind enemy lines since WW II? The 101st and 82nd divisions are still around and very active but I think they typically don’t use mass drops like they used to. 101st mostly us… --- ## [Can I share a dropbox folder with someone who hasn't got dropbox?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-share-a-dropbox-folder-with-someone-who-hasnt-got-dropbox/719094)
**Author:** [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2015, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-share-a-dropbox-folder-with-someone-who-hasnt-got-dropbox/719094 "2015-05-03T03:54:45Z")
I want a friend to upload some photos to my dropbox account. She herself hasn’t got dropbox, as far as I know. When I try to share a folder in the dropbox web interface, there’s a field called “invite user to this folder… --- ## [Madam Violet and the Edinburg vampire hive](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/madam-violet-and-the-edinburg-vampire-hive/719138)
**Author:** [@Cardboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardboard)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2015, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/madam-violet-and-the-edinburg-vampire-hive/719138 "2015-05-03T03:22:18Z")
I’ve seen some stuff online about a Madam Violet and the Edinburgh vampire hive and was just wondering if you guys knew if it was actually real and if you know any details about it. It seem kind of like an Internet urba… --- ## [Frustrated](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frustrated/719135)
**Author:** [@Fllady38](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fllady38)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2015, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frustrated/719135 "2015-05-03T03:10:56Z")
Just watched an episode from 11/7/06. Very upset officer think they know everythg. And they don’t. A man got arrested for different Xanax in a bottle and the officer says pharmacies don’t do that. Guess what guys ur wro… --- ## [How many Cyborgs are in the United States?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-cyborgs-are-in-the-united-states/719088)
**Author:** [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2015, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-cyborgs-are-in-the-united-states/719088 "2015-05-03T00:02:12Z")
Defining the term as “anyone with a permanently implanted device with electronic components, and/or mechanical moving parts.” So, I’m not counting surgical pins and plates, but cochlear implants and pacemakers are in. A… --- ## ["Stem" Cell Types (Embryonic vs. Somatic)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stem-cell-types-embryonic-vs-somatic/718927)
**Author:** [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2015, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stem-cell-types-embryonic-vs-somatic/718927 "2015-05-02T23:18:54Z")
I have been aware of the undifferentiated cells in the embryo - and I assume that these are what are now being call “embryonic stem cells”. Is this correct? Then somebody was poking around and found what are now also co… --- ## [In English, what is the difference in meaning between “puzzle me” and “have me puzzled”?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-english-what-is-the-difference-in-meaning-between-puzzle-me-and-have-me-puzzled/719082)
**Author:** [@Melia\_Antiqua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melia_Antiqua)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2015, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-english-what-is-the-difference-in-meaning-between-puzzle-me-and-have-me-puzzled/719082 "2015-05-02T22:09:22Z")
1A) “You’ve plenty of people working for you, yet you hire us for this mission? Your motivations {puzzle me}.” – vs. – 1B) “You’ve plenty of people working for you, yet you hire us for this mission? Your motivations {h… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1120) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1122)