# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1168 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1169 --- ## [When was the last time that an aircraft 'Shot' another one down?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-that-an-aircraft-shot-another-one-down/712794)
**Author:** [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2015, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-that-an-aircraft-shot-another-one-down/712794 "2015-02-17T03:40:47Z")
I mean with actual bullets, in a line of sight engagement, dogfight style. I think there may have been some A-10’s against helicopters in Desert Storm. --- ## [Relation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/relation/712687)
**Author:** [@Donald78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Donald78)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2015, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/relation/712687 "2015-02-17T02:29:01Z")
My late wife has a brother. Is he still my brother-in-law and what’s his wife’s relation to me? Sister-in-law?:confused: --- ## [Kursk Submarine Disaster: What was in the bow that was left on the sea floor?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kursk-submarine-disaster-what-was-in-the-bow-that-was-left-on-the-sea-floor/712837)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2015, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kursk-submarine-disaster-what-was-in-the-bow-that-was-left-on-the-sea-floor/712837 "2015-02-17T02:10:52Z")
Watched a History Channel show on the Kursk last night. They mentioned that because the bow was so badly damaged, the salvage company cut it off and left it on the sea floor. They also mentioned that they recovered all … --- ## [Can stage prop gun ammo be safely fired in a real gun?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-stage-prop-gun-ammo-be-safely-fired-in-a-real-gun/712876)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2015, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-stage-prop-gun-ammo-be-safely-fired-in-a-real-gun/712876 "2015-02-17T02:02:17Z")
9mmPAK (blank) ammo is 9x22mm and is used in blank firing guns that cannot be modified to shoot live 9X19mm Parabellum/Luger ammunition. But can one safely fire 9mmPAK ammo in a regular 9mm pistol? I would think the onl… --- ## [Did you get shot and died, or did you get shot and lived?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-get-shot-and-died-or-did-you-get-shot-and-lived/712555)
**Author:** [@dnooman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dnooman)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2015, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-get-shot-and-died-or-did-you-get-shot-and-lived/712555 "2015-02-17T01:41:26Z")
Sorry for the title, but I went with silly rather than the other awkward phrasings of the question. People have been shot with guns, many, like a ton of them. The variables for this question go on for days but I just wa… --- ## [Depositing cash question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/depositing-cash-question/712725)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2015, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/depositing-cash-question/712725 "2015-02-16T23:47:38Z")
I’ve got to be careful how I word this as it might be an incredibly stupid question, but then asking stupid questions is how stupid people learn things so forgive me in advance if I sound like “how is money formed how ba… --- ## [Is there evidence that self hypnosis, subliminal messaging, sleep messaging, etc work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-evidence-that-self-hypnosis-subliminal-messaging-sleep-messaging-etc-work/712869)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2015, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-evidence-that-self-hypnosis-subliminal-messaging-sleep-messaging-etc-work/712869 "2015-02-16T23:35:03Z")
Is there scientific evidence that you can use self hypnosis, subliminal messaging, messages during sleep, etc to change behaviors? --- ## [Hotter than a $2 pistol](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hotter-than-a-2-pistol/712829)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2015, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hotter-than-a-2-pistol/712829 "2015-02-16T22:21:11Z")
What is the origin of the phrase ‘hotter than a $2 pistol’? Years ago, someone told me that it came from the FP-45 Liberator pistol, which indeed cost about $2. A cheap pistol like that would get hot; but since it was … --- ## [Need Quick Help: Water in the Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-quick-help-water-in-the-ear/712606)
**Author:** [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2015, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-quick-help-water-in-the-ear/712606 "2015-02-16T22:20:21Z")
Hi Everyone I’m currently a few thousand miles from home, and have had water in my ear for three days. I don’t really think this is a medical urgency, and I don’t have good access to health services right now. It’s dri… --- ## [ExceL; Switching Formula with its Value?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-switching-formula-with-its-value/712852)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2015, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-switching-formula-with-its-value/712852 "2015-02-16T21:53:07Z")
This used to be so easy, and now they’ve hidden this command somewhere! Does anyone know how to switch a formula (within a cell) for its value (displayed at that cell)? For example, the formula in a cell may read =2+2,… --- ## [Excitotoxicity and MSG Labelling Controversy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excitotoxicity-and-msg-labelling-controversy/712790)
**Author:** [@Vigo\_Jed\_and\_Linus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vigo_Jed_and_Linus)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2015, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excitotoxicity-and-msg-labelling-controversy/712790 "2015-02-16T21:40:54Z")
The background: if MSG is bad for you, it should banned, regulated, or at least required in labeling. “Word on the street” is that, when added to a food, it it definitely NOT required to be on the label. More backgroun… --- ## [First personal meeting of a British Monarch and a US President?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-personal-meeting-of-a-british-monarch-and-a-us-president/712811)
**Author:** [@Donnerwetter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Donnerwetter)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2015, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-personal-meeting-of-a-british-monarch-and-a-us-president/712811 "2015-02-16T21:15:58Z")
Who were the first heads of state of the US and the UK respectively to meet in person? And as bonus question: Who were the first President and the first King/Queen to be photographed together? --- ## [How they make movie explosions so fiery?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-they-make-movie-explosions-so-fiery/712617)
**Author:** [@Qwertol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qwertol)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2015, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-they-make-movie-explosions-so-fiery/712617 "2015-02-16T20:49:15Z")
How they make explosions in movies so spectacular, with blowing flames and everything??? I mean real explosions are usually not that showy - it’s mostly just an expansion of gas - just like in definition of an explosion… --- ## [iPad woes - ideas please?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipad-woes-ideas-please/712832)
**Author:** [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2015, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipad-woes-ideas-please/712832 "2015-02-16T18:19:37Z")
My brother sent me this description of his problems with his iPad. I use one only as a “cash register” at work, and I can’t help. Can you? My iPad mini is stuck showing that I should plug the iPad in to iTunes. It will n… --- ## [Can I renounce my citizenship?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-renounce-my-citizenship/350488)
**Author:** [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2015, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-renounce-my-citizenship/350488 "2015-02-16T17:53:44Z")
Of course, it’d cause untold problems. But in principle, could someone renounce their citizenship? And if I did so, what would my national status be? Would I be deported (and where to?)? --- ## [The US Army 1200-barrel helicopter-mounted .22 shotgun](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-army-1200-barrel-helicopter-mounted-22-shotgun/712699)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2015, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-army-1200-barrel-helicopter-mounted-22-shotgun/712699 "2015-02-16T16:44:51Z")
Vietnam tested. This has just been let loose to float on the Internet. Has anyone heard of it? --- ## [Animals and the fear of fire](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animals-and-the-fear-of-fire/712791)
**Author:** [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2015, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animals-and-the-fear-of-fire/712791 "2015-02-16T15:18:14Z")
Hello Everyone, I always assumed (yeah yeah, an ass out of you and me) that all animals had a natural fear of fire. Bieber, we are sitting around a bond fire right now and none of our animals seem to mind the fire a… --- ## [How does the over/under work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-over-under-work/712686)
**Author:** [@Doug\_Bowe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_Bowe)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2015, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-over-under-work/712686 "2015-02-16T14:44:50Z")
I know next to nothing about sports betting. So in the most simple terms, how does the over/under work? My team tonight is rated -3. Does that mean they’re supposed to lose by 3? Thanks --- ## [German grammar question.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/german-grammar-question/712721)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2015, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/german-grammar-question/712721 "2015-02-16T12:50:22Z")
Hi, In the following question "Was wächst in deinem Garten? Is there a dative ending in “deinem” because of the preposition (which could be either accusative or dative) or is it because “wachsen” takes the Dative case … --- ## [decades old mystery](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/decades-old-mystery/712704)
**Author:** [@vair\_sage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vair_sage)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2015, 10:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/decades-old-mystery/712704 "2015-02-16T10:51:20Z")
There’s something that I’ve puzzled over for more than 50 years. That is, why does the open-face toilet seat even exist? Think about it. If it were a matter of gender differences, it would be found predominately in one g… --- ## [How to say romances de ciego/aucas in your language? (if they exist)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-say-romances-de-ciego-aucas-in-your-language-if-they-exist/712716)
**Author:** [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2015, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-say-romances-de-ciego-aucas-in-your-language-if-they-exist/712716 "2015-02-16T08:17:35Z")
There is a form of proto-comic book called in Spanish romances de ciego, aleluyas or pliegos de cordel; aucas in Catalan, which I imagine must have existed also in other cultures but have no idea what they’re called in f… --- ## [How much of the Soviet Union still exists?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-of-the-soviet-union-still-exists/712493)
**Author:** [@protoboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/protoboard)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2015, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-of-the-soviet-union-still-exists/712493 "2015-02-16T06:59:36Z")
Obviously I know the Soviet Union is 100 percent dead in a geopolitical sense, but I’ve heard that Russia still exerts a lot of control on the former republics and that much of the infrastructure of that region of the wo… --- ## [Human as a system](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-as-a-system/712748)
**Author:** [@MaverocK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaverocK)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2015, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-as-a-system/712748 "2015-02-16T05:56:08Z")
If we consider human as a system, the outputs would be food and information (also knowledge/wisdom and data). But what would be the outputs? Civilization? Another human(infant)? More information? --- ## [Someone opens the door to my truck and my dog bites them. Liability?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-opens-the-door-to-my-truck-and-my-dog-bites-them-liability/712681)
**Author:** [@misterW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/misterW)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2015, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-opens-the-door-to-my-truck-and-my-dog-bites-them-liability/712681 "2015-02-16T05:13:15Z")
The other day I parked my truck at the supermarket and noticed I was parked right next to an identical 1993 ranger – same color and everything. It was snowing heavily and as I started to walk in, I realized the guy comi… --- ## [What can I do with my raw genetic data?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-do-with-my-raw-genetic-data/712673)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2015, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-do-with-my-raw-genetic-data/712673 "2015-02-16T04:38:58Z")
I got a popular DNA test done for ancestry research, and downloaded my raw genome while I was at it. The file is text, one line for each SNP, including its rsid (or other identifier), its location on the reference human … --- ## [Questions about the NYC Subway](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-the-nyc-subway/712752)
**Author:** [@K364](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K364)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2015, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-the-nyc-subway/712752 "2015-02-16T01:57:58Z")
why isn’t 59 st/Columbus Circle an express stop for the 2,3 trains? A real PITA when transferring to the ABCD - this is a major station. Strange that you are forced to switch to the local train at 72st to make this tra… --- ## [Is There A Name For This Horror/Suspense/Shock Sound Effect?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-name-for-this-horror-suspense-shock-sound-effect/712727)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2015, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-name-for-this-horror-suspense-shock-sound-effect/712727 "2015-02-16T00:08:37Z")
A series of three notes, the first two are short, the third is elongated. You would hear it in, say, a cheesy soap opera or horror movie (or, more likely, a spoof of same), to indicate a shocking or horrifying revelation… --- ## [How did people prove their age when the first Social Security accounts were issued?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-people-prove-their-age-when-the-first-social-security-accounts-were-issued/712428)
**Author:** [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2015, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-people-prove-their-age-when-the-first-social-security-accounts-were-issued/712428 "2015-02-16T00:08:26Z")
After having read this article about a teenaged girl who’s having problems proving her existence due to her fundamentalist parents having home schooled her, and having no records of her existence, a question arose in my … --- ## [Where/what are the oldest extant newspapers in the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-what-are-the-oldest-extant-newspapers-in-the-us/712720)
**Author:** [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2015, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-what-are-the-oldest-extant-newspapers-in-the-us/712720 "2015-02-15T20:04:17Z")
No real reason, I was just wondering what is the oldest news paper in the US, and, if I should ever want to look at it, where would I have to go? Thanks, hh --- ## ["Pics or it didn't happen": history of the expression?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pics-or-it-didnt-happen-history-of-the-expression/712607)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2015, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pics-or-it-didnt-happen-history-of-the-expression/712607 "2015-02-15T18:34:04Z")
“Pics or it didn’t happen” is cute, and I started seeing it only fairly recently on the Net. Is there a history behind the expression? I can add it to–and is a rejoinder to–“Who are you going to believe, me or your lyi… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1167) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1169)