# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1165 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1166 --- ## [GE Washing Machine-Water won't drain](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ge-washing-machine-water-wont-drain/712659)
**Author:** [@cornopean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cornopean)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2015, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ge-washing-machine-water-wont-drain/712659 "2015-02-21T16:42:13Z")
My GE washing machine won’t drain and I’m looking for some tips. I checked the drain hose (not clogged) and I took the pump out and see nothing visibly wrong with it. There was some sand in it. Should I go ahead and r… --- ## [The American Revolution - done in bad faith?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-revolution-done-in-bad-faith/713253)
**Author:** [@kaltkalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaltkalt)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2015, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-revolution-done-in-bad-faith/713253 "2015-02-21T15:51:55Z")
So I’ve always wondered why the British never told the “no taxation without representation” screaming American colonists that they were right and they should send some elected representatives over to London to sit in Par… --- ## [Chimney question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chimney-question/713232)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2015, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chimney-question/713232 "2015-02-21T15:42:14Z")
The fireplace and chimney is considered a big improvement over the ancient centrally placed hearth. I presume the draw of the chimney improved combustion and the brickwork helped radiate heat better. But my question is, … --- ## [A Super Easy Tax Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-super-easy-tax-question/713016)
**Author:** [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2015, 8:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-super-easy-tax-question/713016 "2015-02-21T08:48:17Z")
I always file my taxes really early, and I always pay my owed taxes right away. However, this year after filing my taxes and owing more money than I originally thought I don’t really have the money to pay my state taxes… --- ## [What is the term for a so-so gesture you make with your hand?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-term-for-a-so-so-gesture-you-make-with-your-hand/712896)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2015, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-term-for-a-so-so-gesture-you-make-with-your-hand/712896 "2015-02-21T03:22:17Z")
Hi, What is the term for a “so-so” gesture you make with your hand? I look forward to your feedback. It’s not a wobble or a swivel , is it? davidmich --- ## [What were Edmund Burke's sources for predicting the failure of the French Revolution?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-edmund-burkes-sources-for-predicting-the-failure-of-the-french-revolution/713186)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2015, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-edmund-burkes-sources-for-predicting-the-failure-of-the-french-revolution/713186 "2015-02-21T01:03:09Z")
Hi What were Edmund Burke’s sources for predicting the failure of the French Revolution? He must have had a good understanding of what was happening in France prior to the Revolution to understand the character of the f… --- ## [How do people retire on Social Security alone and afford health insurance?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-people-retire-on-social-security-alone-and-afford-health-insurance/712945)
**Author:** [@edwardcoast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwardcoast)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2015, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-people-retire-on-social-security-alone-and-afford-health-insurance/712945 "2015-02-20T23:46:32Z")
I’ve seen articles several times on the internet explaining where and how people live just on their social security. I’ve also seen people add up how they only spend $20K a year or some low number for living. OK, fine, … --- ## [is there a way to flip the mechanism on a doorknob that turns the latch?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-flip-the-mechanism-on-a-doorknob-that-turns-the-latch/713226)
**Author:** [@Quintas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quintas)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2015, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-flip-the-mechanism-on-a-doorknob-that-turns-the-latch/713226 "2015-02-20T23:22:06Z")
We bought a new deadbolt and doorknob combo for our front door. I installed the deadbolt on top. Now the one on bottom with the doorknob portion. It has the lock for the knob you turn by hand or lock with key from out… --- ## [What do people watch streaming programs on?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-people-watch-streaming-programs-on/702299)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2015, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-people-watch-streaming-programs-on/702299 "2015-02-20T23:11:01Z")
Yeah, I’m an old fart. I do e-mail. I have a cell phone, although it’s just a phone. And when we want to see a movie at home, we rent a DVD - usually through Netflix. But now I see that Amazon, and also Hulu and Net… --- ## [What the heck are Power Factor and Three Phase Power?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-are-power-factor-and-three-phase-power/713167)
**Author:** [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2015, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-are-power-factor-and-three-phase-power/713167 "2015-02-20T22:25:58Z")
I’ve read several articles on both these topics, and I’m more confused now than ever. Apparently power factor is a measure of inefficiency in AC systems where the current lags behind the voltage or something? Why are th… --- ## [Water hardness question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-hardness-question/713109)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2015, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-hardness-question/713109 "2015-02-20T22:12:56Z")
I distinctly recall, from living in various places as a youngster, that sometimes the water very easily washed off the soap, and sometimes it didn’t. I recall that people called the water that easily washed off soap “ha… --- ## [Questions concerning the end of lease on a car](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-concerning-the-end-of-lease-on-a-car/713157)
**Author:** [@Yodalicious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yodalicious)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2015, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-concerning-the-end-of-lease-on-a-car/713157 "2015-02-20T21:48:38Z")
I’m sure many of you have had to deal with this situation. I’ve had to do it one other time. The dealership WAY over valued the vehicle I just gave it back to them. Anyhoo, here are my questions. The lease was for … --- ## [Need a honest reply.... \[earth rotation and weather patterns\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-honest-reply-earth-rotation-and-weather-patterns/713219)
**Author:** [@wreckinball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wreckinball)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2015, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-honest-reply-earth-rotation-and-weather-patterns/713219 "2015-02-20T21:36:07Z")
Here’s a dome scratcher… If planet earth revolves east to west, why does our weather patterns go west to east???:confused::confused::confused: --- ## [Trench art and measuring artillery shells](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trench-art-and-measuring-artillery-shells/713161)
**Author:** [@Kropotkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kropotkin)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2015, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trench-art-and-measuring-artillery-shells/713161 "2015-02-20T21:28:20Z")
A colleague has a piece of trench art: about six inches of an empty artillery cartridge, with the base, that had been intricately carved. The seller said it was a World War I specimen. But she measured the diameter of th… --- ## [Mathematicians how do you pronounce x' and x''?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mathematicians-how-do-you-pronounce-x-and-x/713137)
**Author:** [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2015, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mathematicians-how-do-you-pronounce-x-and-x/713137 "2015-02-20T21:03:34Z")
I am giving a presentation tonight, and the mathematical terms x’ and x’’ feature heavily in it. I pronounce them as “x-dash” and “x-dash-dash”, but this gets a bit tiresome by the end of the presentation. A - Am I cor… --- ## [Most efficient number of blades on a propeller?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-efficient-number-of-blades-on-a-propeller/712947)
**Author:** [@kaltkalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaltkalt)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2015, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-efficient-number-of-blades-on-a-propeller/712947 "2015-02-20T18:59:15Z")
I was just wondering what determines the most efficient number of blades on a propeller/fan… whether it’s in air or water or some other fluid. For instance, you could have 3 blades, but would 4 make it more efficient? … --- ## [Returning veterans keeping their weaponry](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/returning-veterans-keeping-their-weaponry/713154)
**Author:** [@installLSC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/installLSC)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2015, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/returning-veterans-keeping-their-weaponry/713154 "2015-02-20T17:28:14Z")
At work today, I heard one coworker mention that his grandfather had returned from his service in WW2 and kept his rifle. He claimed it was very common for soldiers returning from the war to keep their rifles or sidearm… --- ## [The mystery of Mini•Moo's® (unrefrigerated Half & Half)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-mystery-of-mini-moos-unrefrigerated-half-half/109287)
**Author:** [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2015, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-mystery-of-mini-moos-unrefrigerated-half-half/109287 "2015-02-20T16:04:45Z")
At work, I choose to flavour my coffee a small plastic container labelled thusly: If this is a Real® dairy product, how can it last with no refrigeration? At the office they sit in a bowl on the shelf outside of the re… --- ## [Identify a banknote from a really bad description](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-a-banknote-from-a-really-bad-description/713101)
**Author:** [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2015, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-a-banknote-from-a-really-bad-description/713101 "2015-02-20T14:58:36Z")
In the charity box on the counter in McDonald’s today I saw a folded banknote that had been dropped in. It looked unfamiliar so I wondered what it might be. It certainly appeared to be a real banknote, with serial number… --- ## [Why'd we taxi for so long, and where the hell were we?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whyd-we-taxi-for-so-long-and-where-the-hell-were-we/706796)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2015, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whyd-we-taxi-for-so-long-and-where-the-hell-were-we/706796 "2015-02-20T13:17:24Z")
We came in last night, later than usual because of a mechanical problem on our flight. We had to go back to Portland for them to check a sensor so we arrived in Chicago 2 1/2 hours late. Before we landed the pilot told… --- ## [Pre-1600s, people didn't know that air was a thing/existed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pre-1600s-people-didnt-know-that-air-was-a-thing-existed/713010)
**Author:** [@Hermitian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hermitian)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2015, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pre-1600s-people-didnt-know-that-air-was-a-thing-existed/713010 "2015-02-20T11:53:03Z")
In reading this interesting article on BBC, it states: \*“The first thing that had to happen seems almost comical to us today. We had to discover that air was actually made of something, that it wasn’t just empty space b… --- ## [Question regarding the word "nuanced".](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-the-word-nuanced/713152)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2015, 10:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-the-word-nuanced/713152 "2015-02-20T10:55:11Z")
Hi, Despite the definition below, I’m having trouble understanding exactly how the word “nuance” is used in the following examples. When someone gives a “nuanced reply”, is that an ambiguous reply? If we live in a “nu… --- ## [Premixed Wallboard Joint Compound: How Long Will it Last Unopened?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premixed-wallboard-joint-compound-how-long-will-it-last-unopened/713159)
**Author:** [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2015, 9:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premixed-wallboard-joint-compound-how-long-will-it-last-unopened/713159 "2015-02-20T09:08:06Z")
I have a gallon container of premixed Dap Lightweight Wallboard Joint Compound (composed of calcium carbonate, water, aluminum oxide and attapulgite clay) in an unopened plastic container with a tight fitting plastic lid… --- ## [Is it law or SOP that dual citizens can't become President/PM?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-law-or-sop-that-dual-citizens-cant-become-president-pm/712957)
**Author:** [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2015, 8:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-law-or-sop-that-dual-citizens-cant-become-president-pm/712957 "2015-02-20T08:48:44Z")
Inspired by this thread. I’m having trouble searching for this as it only finds info on the definition of “natural born” in the US, which AFAIK is mostly a done deal except to Birthers. I am asking about whether a perso… --- ## [What does receiving a poison antidote feel like?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-receiving-a-poison-antidote-feel-like/712766)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2015, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-receiving-a-poison-antidote-feel-like/712766 "2015-02-20T05:37:13Z")
If one is poisoned, and receives the antidote, does it make your symptoms start to go away and you feel like the poison’s effect is being undone? Or does it merely keep you alive, but your physical suffering and pain (f… --- ## [Running TV cable to a shed.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-tv-cable-to-a-shed/713063)
**Author:** [@Darryl\_Lict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darryl_Lict)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2015, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-tv-cable-to-a-shed/713063 "2015-02-20T04:32:20Z")
I’m a luddite when it comes to TV. I just bought my first LCD TV and am throwing out my old 27" CRT TV. I want to run cable out to my shed for a new HD TV and was wondering if Quad shield RG6 makes sense to run it out th… --- ## [A TMI question about the digestive tract.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-tmi-question-about-the-digestive-tract/713112)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2015, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-tmi-question-about-the-digestive-tract/713112 "2015-02-20T04:21:21Z")
(Sorry to be so graphic) So I had a salad for lunch. When it came out the other end, I can see whole pieces of lettuce floating around in the bowl. Does that mean my body didn’t actually absorb the nutrients inside said … --- ## [If people in the 25-30 BMI range have the lowest mortality, why is 25-30 BMI considered overweight?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-people-in-the-25-30-bmi-range-have-the-lowest-mortality-why-is-25-30-bmi-considered-overweight/713146)
**Author:** [@Renee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renee)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2015, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-people-in-the-25-30-bmi-range-have-the-lowest-mortality-why-is-25-30-bmi-considered-overweight/713146 "2015-02-20T02:52:50Z")
I think I’ve read an explanation for this before, but I can’t remember it and can’t seem to find it. It seems that being slightly overweight is good for your lifespan. So why is this part of the weight range classified … --- ## [Regarding UCLA's assent in the Rankings](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regarding-uclas-assent-in-the-rankings/713130)
**Author:** [@Dibbs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dibbs)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2015, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regarding-uclas-assent-in-the-rankings/713130 "2015-02-20T00:48:50Z")
Not to pick on them because of this thing in the news about a super-virus situation, as things do happen. But I’m just wondering how/why is it that this university has climbed up so rapidly in the prestige department so … --- ## [Health Insurance and Provider Contractual Write Off](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-insurance-and-provider-contractual-write-off/713135)
**Author:** [@dougrb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougrb)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2015, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-insurance-and-provider-contractual-write-off/713135 "2015-02-20T00:40:17Z")
Provider Contractual Write Off is what my insurance calls it, YMMV. A charge of $3859 has a write off of $3414 so the insurance company pays $445. Had I not had insurance I would be looking at a $3859 bill. Why does the … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1164) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1166)