# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1132 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1133 --- ## [Water bottle expiration date](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-bottle-expiration-date/717774)
**Author:** [@Mrdeals](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrdeals)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2015, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-bottle-expiration-date/717774 "2015-04-15T23:50:50Z")
I know the general consensus is “It’s water! It doesn’t go bad!” But isn’t available water content the main factor in spoilage? If anything it seems water would be VERY susceptible to culturing something nasty. --- ## [Time travel and currency.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-travel-and-currency/717495)
**Author:** [@Uncommon\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncommon_Sense)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2015, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-travel-and-currency/717495 "2015-04-15T22:51:15Z")
I trip and fall into a wormhole. I end up in 2005. I have a hundred dollar bill from 2015 in my pocket. If I could convince people that I came from the future how would we value that bill so I could break it and have … --- ## [IRA RMD at age 70 1/2 - from one account or all accounts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ira-rmd-at-age-70-1-2-from-one-account-or-all-accounts/717637)
**Author:** [@edwardcoast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwardcoast)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2015, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ira-rmd-at-age-70-1-2-from-one-account-or-all-accounts/717637 "2015-04-15T20:59:36Z")
It’s a long way off, but I’d still like to know. At age 70 1/2 the IRS says you have to take a RMD (Required Minimum Distribution) which is calculated from your account. OK, my question is which IRA account or all IRA ac… --- ## [Canted-in rear wheels](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canted-in-rear-wheels/717673)
**Author:** [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2015, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canted-in-rear-wheels/717673 "2015-04-15T20:50:00Z")
I see a fair number of customized Hondas/Accuras with the rear wheels canted in (if that’s the correct term) at the top so that it looks like the rear suspension is broken. In some cases its extremely exaggerated and loo… --- ## [What is the successor state to Ancient Rome/SPQR](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-successor-state-to-ancient-rome-spqr/612551)
**Author:** [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2015, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-successor-state-to-ancient-rome-spqr/612551 "2015-04-15T17:30:06Z")
What nation, today, is the successor state to Ancient Rome? Italy? Greece? France? Turkey? All of them? --- ## [How Badly Could a Lobster Hurt Me?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-badly-could-a-lobster-hurt-me/594489)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2015, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-badly-could-a-lobster-hurt-me/594489 "2015-04-15T16:12:54Z")
I notice that their pincers are always rubber-banded, obviously for their handlers’ safety. But what’s the worst they could do? Amputate a finger? Affect bruising and possible broken skin? Aggravate me ever so slightly? --- ## [Why are my socks absorbing most of the laundry detergent perfume?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-my-socks-absorbing-most-of-the-laundry-detergent-perfume/717672)
**Author:** [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2015, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-my-socks-absorbing-most-of-the-laundry-detergent-perfume/717672 "2015-04-15T14:32:04Z")
I’ve noticed lately that my socks smell very strongly of the laundry detergent, and the rest of my clothes almost not at all. Any ideas why the laundry detergent perfume seems to be concentrating in my socks? It may ha… --- ## [Still another Language Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/still-another-language-question/717559)
**Author:** [@pianodave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pianodave)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2015, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/still-another-language-question/717559 "2015-04-15T14:13:48Z")
Hi SD, Today I read a letter written by Ben Franklin. It partially states: “At present I shall only give you my opinion, that, though your reasonings are subtile and may prevail with some readers, you will not succeed… --- ## ["Head blown off by shotgun" -- Literal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/head-blown-off-by-shotgun-literal/717583)
**Author:** [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2015, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/head-blown-off-by-shotgun-literal/717583 "2015-04-15T13:22:47Z")
I have heard the phrase “He got his head blown off by a shotgun”, or some variant, before. I’m wondering if this is literally true. Can a shotgun blast actually blow a head to smithereens? Don’t need answer fast… --- ## [Healing Sick Pearls?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/healing-sick-pearls/717609)
**Author:** [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2015, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/healing-sick-pearls/717609 "2015-04-15T13:00:55Z")
In A.E.W. Mason’s novel “They Wouldn’t Be Chessmen,” 1934, the author speaks of someone who had the wrong kind of skin ruining a string of pearls by wearing them. However, someone else had the right kind of skin, and, b… --- ## [Earliest references to dogs as gods or pets?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-references-to-dogs-as-gods-or-pets/717713)
**Author:** [@Teach-me-not](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Teach-me-not)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2015, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-references-to-dogs-as-gods-or-pets/717713 "2015-04-15T12:05:01Z")
While chatting with my colleague, the topic of the position of dogs in earlier societies came up. The Bible has many references to dogs, but always as filthy creatures not deserving of our affection or respect, it seems. … --- ## [Seeing Your Breath and Smoke Rings--Dopers, or Even Cecil](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeing-your-breath-and-smoke-rings-dopers-or-even-cecil/717692)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2015, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeing-your-breath-and-smoke-rings-dopers-or-even-cecil/717692 "2015-04-15T11:10:28Z")
In my youth, waiting for the school bus in a Wisconsin Winter, all the local kids would “see their breath”–see the condensation, caused by moisture & low temperatures. Since smoking was not stigmatized back then, we of… --- ## [Accelerating a flywheel.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/accelerating-a-flywheel/553257)
**Author:** [@figure9](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/figure9)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2015, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/accelerating-a-flywheel/553257 "2015-04-15T00:22:46Z")
As a flywheel spins faster does it take more power to accelerate it? Let’s say I accelerate my flywheel from 1000 to 2000 rpm in 10 seconds. Will it take more power to accelerate it from 2000 to 3000 rpm in 10 seconds? … --- ## [What significance, if any, is there to the King assassination conspiracy verdict?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-significance-if-any-is-there-to-the-king-assassination-conspiracy-verdict/717198)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2015, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-significance-if-any-is-there-to-the-king-assassination-conspiracy-verdict/717198 "2015-04-15T00:00:10Z")
Since it came up in this thread. The claim is that a jury found that Martin Luther King was murdered by a conspiracy headed by the federal government. This is often brought up with the implication that a full set of fa… --- ## [Why is my Mac suddenly showing cartoon fonts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-my-mac-suddenly-showing-cartoon-fonts/717629)
**Author:** [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2015, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-my-mac-suddenly-showing-cartoon-fonts/717629 "2015-04-14T23:07:37Z")
I have a (relatively) new Mac, and I just got around to porting the data from my old machine to it. A few weeks ago (I’ve been traveling a lot, so I haven’t had time to deal with these problems) I installed Linotype Fon… --- ## [Disney Thug: Still in Navy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disney-thug-still-in-navy/717452)
**Author:** [@Potestas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Potestas)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2015, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disney-thug-still-in-navy/717452 "2015-04-14T22:18:02Z")
I got curious today and wondered whatever happened to the Disney thug that beat up a bunch of people, snuck backstage and stole a golfcart at Epcot in 2013 (http://archive.navytimes.com/article/20131014/NEWS06/310140018… --- ## [Whgat does hair-conditioner DO?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whgat-does-hair-conditioner-do/717474)
**Author:** [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2015, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whgat-does-hair-conditioner-do/717474 "2015-04-14T21:27:06Z")
As per the thread title, what does hair conditioner do? I’ve got goddamned awful British-heritage hair that is dead straight, dull and now greying rapidly. For all the times I’ve used conditioner, I’ve never noticed an… --- ## [How old, and how universal, are (non-seasonal) anniversary celebrations of randomly dated events?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-old-and-how-universal-are-non-seasonal-anniversary-celebrations-of-randomly-dated-events/716293)
**Author:** [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2015, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-old-and-how-universal-are-non-seasonal-anniversary-celebrations-of-randomly-dated-events/716293 "2015-04-14T19:24:38Z")
I’m trying to get a sense of approximately when and/or where in human culture people have come up with the idea of holding festivities on a particular date of the year to commemorate the (more or less) random occurrence … --- ## [Help me choose a font...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-choose-a-font/717647)
**Author:** [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2015, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-choose-a-font/717647 "2015-04-14T18:06:02Z")
I’m looking for a font that evokes vacations on the beach, sunsets, drinks with umbrellas served in a coconut… It needs to be a decent font for embroidering and be easily read. I know precisely nothing about fonts, so … --- ## [Lupus Prognosis](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lupus-prognosis/717572)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2015, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lupus-prognosis/717572 "2015-04-14T17:44:02Z")
Mods: This may be better suited for IMHO since it’s related to a medical issue. My 32 year old daughter has recently been diagnosed with Lupus, which is kind of a relief since they had thought it might be MS. I have bee… --- ## [A way to force phone to update on LTE instead of wifi?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-way-to-force-phone-to-update-on-lte-instead-of-wifi/717613)
**Author:** [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2015, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-way-to-force-phone-to-update-on-lte-instead-of-wifi/717613 "2015-04-14T17:35:14Z")
Without rooting. Samsung Galaxy S4. My phone has been pestering me to download an update, but insists on using wifi to do it. I don’t have wifi at home, or anywhere else besides work. I don’t need it. I have an unlimite… --- ## [How bad will the California drought get?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-bad-will-the-california-drought-get/717472)
**Author:** [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2015, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-bad-will-the-california-drought-get/717472 "2015-04-14T17:21:47Z")
It sure sounds bad and the governor just announced all new kinds of water reduction goals. What if these dont work? What could an even more serious drought in California lead to? --- ## [Accountants or bookkeepers? Help me understand this.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/accountants-or-bookkeepers-help-me-understand-this/717094)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2015, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/accountants-or-bookkeepers-help-me-understand-this/717094 "2015-04-14T17:07:41Z")
Ok, the basic accounting equation Assets = Liabilities + Equity. Got it. For every debit there will always be a credit and vice-versa. Got it. But there’s something I’m not understanding: There are the Balance Sheet acc… --- ## [Google analytics - are they removed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-analytics-are-they-removed/717627)
**Author:** [@protoboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/protoboard)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2015, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-analytics-are-they-removed/717627 "2015-04-14T15:54:45Z")
I remember you used to see if men or women preferred a video and what age demographics liked it, but now you can only do this for your own videos it looks like? Or is the feature still there but just harder to find? --- ## [How hard would it be to filter used shower/bath water to use again for cleaning?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-hard-would-it-be-to-filter-used-shower-bath-water-to-use-again-for-cleaning/717342)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2015, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-hard-would-it-be-to-filter-used-shower-bath-water-to-use-again-for-cleaning/717342 "2015-04-14T15:13:29Z")
Title says it all. At the very least, it seems like all that water going down the drain could be used to flush the toilet. Why the heck aren’t we doing this already? --- ## [Does the size of a person affect caffeines effect?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-size-of-a-person-affect-caffeines-effect/717623)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2015, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-size-of-a-person-affect-caffeines-effect/717623 "2015-04-14T14:12:32Z")
A 300 pound person can drink more alcohol without become intoxicated than a 200 pound person. Does this same equation cross over to caffeine? At 210 pounds will a can of Red Bull have less effect on me than it will on m… --- ## [Names \[etymology\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-etymology/717607)
**Author:** [@pianodave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pianodave)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2015, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-etymology/717607 "2015-04-14T14:06:45Z")
Hi SD, I would like to know where people come up with names like Daquavion, Shaniqua, Latoya, LaShonda, D’quell, etc. I know there’s a Reddit article that discusses the socioeconomic assumptions made regarding the owner… --- ## [What part of the body is "flesh"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-part-of-the-body-is-flesh/717602)
**Author:** [@protoboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/protoboard)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2015, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-part-of-the-body-is-flesh/717602 "2015-04-14T13:57:42Z")
It’s sort of confusing since sometimes it’s used as a synonym for skin, and sometimes it’s used to mean somebody’s insides. Generally it would not mean organs or bones, though. Do you think flesh = soft tissue and is a … --- ## [Criminal legal question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criminal-legal-question/716830)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2015, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criminal-legal-question/716830 "2015-04-14T13:52:51Z")
I know that in some cases just planning a crime is in itself a crime. For example if I plan to bomb a school that is a crime even if I go nowhere near the school. I assume this is not true for all crimes? If I plan … --- ## [Can DNA testing distinguish between sibs and cousins?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-dna-testing-distinguish-between-sibs-and-cousins/717576)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2015, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-dna-testing-distinguish-between-sibs-and-cousins/717576 "2015-04-14T13:17:05Z")
My sister and our female cousin have joked for many years that they are actually sisters, my sister being my aunt’s illegitimate child (of a different father, of course), raised by our mother. Can DNA testing of those … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1131) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1133)