# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1166 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1167 --- ## [hot water in apartment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-water-in-apartment/713133)
**Author:** [@stosh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stosh)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2015, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-water-in-apartment/713133 "2015-02-19T23:16:42Z")
Hi Guys, I live in a 85 unit apartment building and for the 4 years I have been here I have never run out of hot water. I wonder what kind of hot water heater they must have. Any ideas ? --- ## [Benz Bug?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benz-bug/713082)
**Author:** [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2015, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benz-bug/713082 "2015-02-19T23:09:10Z")
Here are a few pic of old Mercedes Classics: What is the name of the tan/brown VW-like car? --- ## [Jews and the Apocalypse](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jews-and-the-apocalypse/712872)
**Author:** [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2015, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jews-and-the-apocalypse/712872 "2015-02-19T21:17:29Z")
In the End Times (according to Revelation) the Saved (born-again christians) will be Raptured…snatched up directly to Heaven, bypassing bodily death and Judgement. Apparently, in the Qur’an, Muslims will undergo somethi… --- ## [Did the Peasants Really Throw Their Feces at Marie Antoinette?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-peasants-really-throw-their-feces-at-marie-antoinette/275799)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2015, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-peasants-really-throw-their-feces-at-marie-antoinette/275799 "2015-02-19T21:05:39Z")
This is not a joke. And it is something I have wondered for a long time, but I guess I never quite had the courage to ask it. Some years back, British actress Jane Seymour did a tv movie on Marie Antoinette. And apparent… --- ## [Liberating items from a shopping trolley](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberating-items-from-a-shopping-trolley/712836)
**Author:** [@Uniqueorn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uniqueorn)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2015, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberating-items-from-a-shopping-trolley/712836 "2015-02-19T20:42:30Z")
I just went to a Tesco’s supermarket in order to buy a specific item. Unfortunately, someone snatched away the last item they had in stock. Even though I was far more deserving of the item, I did not resort to violence o… --- ## [Microsoft office license question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-office-license-question/712427)
**Author:** [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2015, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-office-license-question/712427 "2015-02-19T19:59:46Z")
I have an office upgrade disk which I purchased a few years ago. It was to upgrade the old version of office that I had on my old laptop. My old laptop died. I was told it was the motherboard, and to replace it would … --- ## [International Non-Profit](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/international-non-profit/713104)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2015, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/international-non-profit/713104 "2015-02-19T19:30:38Z")
We are starting an international archery association that will be a group of clubs that function under one governing body with set rules etc. We are considering forming a non profit corp with a board of directors repres… --- ## [cultural/geographical differences in pet names?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cultural-geographical-differences-in-pet-names/713025)
**Author:** [@xythenz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xythenz)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2015, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cultural-geographical-differences-in-pet-names/713025 "2015-02-19T17:26:48Z")
Silly question but what are some differences in pet names depending on location and language. Ex. if an American pet name (which may or may not be exclusive to the US) is spot, princess, max, etc what would be its equiva… --- ## [Vibrating exercise belt machines](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vibrating-exercise-belt-machines/712543)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2015, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vibrating-exercise-belt-machines/712543 "2015-02-19T16:56:13Z")
I saw a TV commercial today that featured one of these. For anyone who doesn’t know what I’m talking about, it’s one of these machines. You stood on a platform, put a belt around your middle, and then the machine shook y… --- ## [Materialism vs Altruism?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/materialism-vs-altruism/712958)
**Author:** [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2015, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/materialism-vs-altruism/712958 "2015-02-19T15:19:20Z")
Not sure if this is a factual question or a Great Debate - I’ll start it here in case there is a straightforward answer - if not, Mods feel free to move this. I’m hoping someone on the Straight Dope can help me out her… --- ## [What was "the Ceiling" from WWII Era.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-ceiling-from-wwii-era/713083)
**Author:** [@Carryon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carryon)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2015, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-ceiling-from-wwii-era/713083 "2015-02-19T14:52:35Z")
I’ve been listening to some old time radio shows and was wondering what this was. (From Burns and Allen) The joke went like this: Gracie Allen) What would you like to buy? Man) I don’t know, what with rationing, the … --- ## [What is the rate of seatbelt compliance on commercial aircraft?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-rate-of-seatbelt-compliance-on-commercial-aircraft/712888)
**Author:** [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2015, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-rate-of-seatbelt-compliance-on-commercial-aircraft/712888 "2015-02-19T14:43:54Z")
I came across a discussion of seatbelt installation and use on school buses which got me thinking about our seatbelt use in other situations. The only analog I could think of that compared to school buses would be comme… --- ## [Question regarding dual citizenship of the US and UK](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-dual-citizenship-of-the-us-and-uk/712952)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2015, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-dual-citizenship-of-the-us-and-uk/712952 "2015-02-19T06:48:32Z")
“In 2012, Ive was knighted in Buckingham Palace; by then, he and his wife had become U.S. citizens, although they did not relinquish their British passports” I don’t believe giving up one’s British passport is necessa… --- ## [taking small bottles of booze on plane](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-small-bottles-of-booze-on-plane/713059)
**Author:** [@ginman999](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ginman999)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2015, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-small-bottles-of-booze-on-plane/713059 "2015-02-19T05:38:31Z")
Can you still take the small bottles of booze on an airplane? International flight if that is relevant. --- ## [Were (or are) military personnel allowed to customize their Government issued firearms?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-or-are-military-personnel-allowed-to-customize-their-government-issued-firearms/712858)
**Author:** [@Yarster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yarster)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2015, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-or-are-military-personnel-allowed-to-customize-their-government-issued-firearms/712858 "2015-02-19T04:49:57Z")
Over the weekend, I inherited a 1917 Army model .45 Smith & Wesson revolver. The owner is a family friend and his father served during the Korean War - not in theater, but rather, ferrying supplies back and forth between… --- ## [What kind of consistency does solder paste for BGA parts have?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-consistency-does-solder-paste-for-bga-parts-have/713029)
**Author:** [@Habeed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Habeed)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2015, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-consistency-does-solder-paste-for-bga-parts-have/713029 "2015-02-19T01:57:34Z")
Suppose you’re trying to build a prototype circuit board. You’ve picked the parts, you’ve got the layout, and you’ve ordered the board made from one of the shops that does them. So you’ve got the board and a baggie ful… --- ## [A new model that predicts no Big Bang](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-model-that-predicts-no-big-bang/712314)
**Author:** [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2015, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-model-that-predicts-no-big-bang/712314 "2015-02-18T22:25:07Z")
Some theoretical physicists have presented a new model that would result in an infinitely-aged universe and no Big Bang. See No Big Bang? Quantum equation predicts universe has no beginning. A few questions: Is this a l… --- ## [Murder in the second degree laws?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/murder-in-the-second-degree-laws/712290)
**Author:** [@Mislav](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mislav)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2015, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/murder-in-the-second-degree-laws/712290 "2015-02-18T21:25:17Z")
Honestly, I don’t know is this the right thread to ask this question. But I have a question about murder in the second degree law. I am a Law and Order fan. I really like that show. But it confuses me that so many peopl… --- ## [Heat Pump/Thermostat question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heat-pump-thermostat-question/712818)
**Author:** [@brendon\_small](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brendon_small)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2015, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heat-pump-thermostat-question/712818 "2015-02-18T21:11:57Z")
Hello dopers, This seems like the best place to find some advice before I call in our friend that does HVAC for a living. In our old house, there was an electric furnace and heat pump. It had a normal thermostat that s… --- ## [How do tv station reporters and crew get to work on very icy or snow days?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-tv-station-reporters-and-crew-get-to-work-on-very-icy-or-snow-days/712866)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2015, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-tv-station-reporters-and-crew-get-to-work-on-very-icy-or-snow-days/712866 "2015-02-18T20:44:43Z")
No matter how bad the roads. The tv anchors are at their desks smiling for the cameras. Field reporters are out doing stories on road conditions, accidents, people making snowmen, and kids sledding. How do these people… --- ## [Wireless printer problem](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wireless-printer-problem/713033)
**Author:** [@dauerbach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dauerbach)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2015, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wireless-printer-problem/713033 "2015-02-18T20:20:35Z")
I just replaced my previous Brother printer with a new one. I have it hooked up to three of four computers. My wife’s work computer is giving me problems. It had used the old printer, but when I try to set up the new … --- ## [How did Native Americans deal with the troublemakers in their society?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-native-americans-deal-with-the-troublemakers-in-their-society/614391)
**Author:** [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2015, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-native-americans-deal-with-the-troublemakers-in-their-society/614391 "2015-02-18T20:04:59Z")
In our current society, we tend to deal with our “troublemakers” (those who steal or cause harm to others) by locking them up in prison. Did the Native Americans have any sort of prisons? And if not, how did they deal w… --- ## [How does an egg remove a bruise?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-an-egg-remove-a-bruise/345177)
**Author:** [@infiparahk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/infiparahk)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2015, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-an-egg-remove-a-bruise/345177 "2015-02-18T19:15:27Z")
I’m just curious on how come when you roll a cooked egg on a bruise, it removes the black & blue and is transferred to the egg. --- ## [Electrical expertise needed concerning my water heater](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-expertise-needed-concerning-my-water-heater/712979)
**Author:** [@Von\_Erich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Von_Erich)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2015, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-expertise-needed-concerning-my-water-heater/712979 "2015-02-18T18:55:49Z")
I moved into my house one year ago and the water heater for my bathroom worked fine. The house was built as 4 separate apartments and each apartment has its own water heater connected to a timer. We moved and have been t… --- ## [When even-squared plus odd-squared adds up to a prime number](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-even-squared-plus-odd-squared-adds-up-to-a-prime-number/712927)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2015, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-even-squared-plus-odd-squared-adds-up-to-a-prime-number/712927 "2015-02-18T18:54:53Z")
I’ve recently been thinking about something … it seems that combining the square of an odd number with the square of an even number often adds up to a prime number. In the 9x9 multiplication table, there are these resul… --- ## [High yield account with no early withdrawal penalty](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-yield-account-with-no-early-withdrawal-penalty/712848)
**Author:** [@kwc27](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kwc27)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2015, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-yield-account-with-no-early-withdrawal-penalty/712848 "2015-02-18T17:30:40Z")
The new wife and I had a significant windfall when we went to do taxes together. We are doing quite well, house is payed for and only a few small loans with less than 3% interest. Between our tax refund, her work bonus … --- ## [E-book typography questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/e-book-typography-questions/712710)
**Author:** [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2015, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/e-book-typography-questions/712710 "2015-02-18T16:49:56Z")
Quick background: I was once a typographer, back in the old days before it was done in MS Word, and I am picky. But I am also not at all experienced in what’s going to work in my e-books. (Have just gotten rights back fr… --- ## [Do explosions not "travel" in the vacuum of space?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-explosions-not-travel-in-the-vacuum-of-space/712684)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2015, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-explosions-not-travel-in-the-vacuum-of-space/712684 "2015-02-18T16:21:18Z")
If an explosive blast wave requires a medium such as air or water in which to spread out, or ripple through, then does this mean that you could stand a few yards away from a detonating TNT bomb in space vacuum and no bla… --- ## [clearing mountainous roads with several meters of snow](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clearing-mountainous-roads-with-several-meters-of-snow/712849)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2015, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clearing-mountainous-roads-with-several-meters-of-snow/712849 "2015-02-18T16:05:02Z")
Looky here: someone noticed that a mountain road in Japan with impossibly deep snow looks like a scene straight out of Mario Kart. I’ve seen pictures like this in tour brochures for Hokkaido, so I don’t have any doubt t… --- ## [Best Possible Communication Amongst Bill and Ted's Historical Companions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-possible-communication-amongst-bill-and-teds-historical-companions/712808)
**Author:** [@bienville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bienville)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2015, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-possible-communication-amongst-bill-and-teds-historical-companions/712808 "2015-02-18T15:41:55Z")
As Bill and Ted made their way through their Excellent Adventure, they picked up a number of travelling companions. These companions were all taken by surprise and, truth be told, somewhat against their will. It had to b… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1165) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1167)