# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1172 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1173 --- ## [Unused Automotive Fluids: How Long Do They Last?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unused-automotive-fluids-how-long-do-they-last/712331)
**Author:** [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2015, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unused-automotive-fluids-how-long-do-they-last/712331 "2015-02-11T14:57:11Z")
I have a moderately large number of automotive fluids in my basement, most of them not purchased recently and of quite uncertain vintage. By automotive fluids I am talking about things like motor oil, brake fluid, antifr… --- ## [Do rats like running mazes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-rats-like-running-mazes/712222)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2015, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-rats-like-running-mazes/712222 "2015-02-11T14:47:05Z")
I am not a rat, zoologically speaking. But if I had nothing to do but get from point a to point b, day in, day out, I would prefer the mental stimulation of figuring something out, if it’s easy enough and I’m sure I’ll g… --- ## [Is it legal for businesses to refuse to accept $100 bills?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-for-businesses-to-refuse-to-accept-100-bills/156747)
**Author:** [@bo989](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bo989)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2015, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-for-businesses-to-refuse-to-accept-100-bills/156747 "2015-02-11T07:52:38Z")
Citing possible counterfeit bills, many businesses in North America put up signs saying they are “unable to accept $100 bills.” Is this practice legal? Are business not obligated to accept any currency deemed legal tende… --- ## [Jump starting cars and reversing the poles](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jump-starting-cars-and-reversing-the-poles/524820)
**Author:** [@smoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smoke)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2015, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jump-starting-cars-and-reversing-the-poles/524820 "2015-02-11T03:36:03Z")
Without getting into details (read: airing my own stupidity), let’s say that while attempting to jump start a friend’s car, one were to reverse the positive and negative connections on the car doing the jumping. In othe… --- ## [If \[I\]everyone else\[/I\] were vaccinated, isn't getting vaccinated risky?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-everyone-else-i-were-vaccinated-isnt-getting-vaccinated-risky/712351)
**Author:** [@Habeed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Habeed)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2015, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-everyone-else-i-were-vaccinated-isnt-getting-vaccinated-risky/712351 "2015-02-11T01:52:49Z")
From an individual utility standpoint, suppose I am in a place where everyone else is vaccinated. The chance of me personally getting measles is 1 in a billion. Doesn’t this mean that the marginal negative risks of tak… --- ## [Minimum size of an orbiting object to be more than a point of light to people on the ground?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minimum-size-of-an-orbiting-object-to-be-more-than-a-point-of-light-to-people-on-the-ground/712227)
**Author:** [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2015, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minimum-size-of-an-orbiting-object-to-be-more-than-a-point-of-light-to-people-on-the-ground/712227 "2015-02-11T01:43:04Z")
So, SpaceBillboard was a bust, great. so forget about mylar sheets–I want to harness an asteroid, fly it back to Earth, and park it in an orbit that will pass over New York City once a day. I don’t care about it being an… --- ## [What makes something "grammatically incorrect"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-something-grammatically-incorrect/712064)
**Author:** [@Cardboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardboard)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2015, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-something-grammatically-incorrect/712064 "2015-02-11T00:28:39Z")
For example: “I’m doing good” vs. “I’m doing well.” Is the former grammatically incorrect for a ‘scientific’ reason, or is it so because that’s just the way ‘tradition’ has it and that’s the way things are (that is, it … --- ## [Wedding ring question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wedding-ring-question/712083)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2015, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wedding-ring-question/712083 "2015-02-10T22:44:36Z")
No, I’m not proposing to anyone. And I never have. So I’m curious how the procedure works economically. Let’s say a man is going the traditional route. He goes out and buys an expensive ring. He then asks a woman to mar… --- ## [What kinds of computer kits were available in the 1960s?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kinds-of-computer-kits-were-available-in-the-1960s/712000)
**Author:** [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2015, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kinds-of-computer-kits-were-available-in-the-1960s/712000 "2015-02-10T22:18:49Z")
I know someone who built his first computer from a kit in 1966. At least that’s the story we’ve always been told. What kinds of kits were available back then to build your own computer? (I know nothing about what func… --- ## [How did very early television broadcasts work, financially?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-very-early-television-broadcasts-work-financially/712277)
**Author:** [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2015, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-very-early-television-broadcasts-work-financially/712277 "2015-02-10T21:22:50Z")
I remember the advent of cell phones. They were status symbols for the wealthy, who would justify them by saying that they needed to be reached at a moments notice (A surgeon, for example) But TV? There’s no one that re… --- ## [Are there any universal constants?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-universal-constants/711914)
**Author:** [@blood63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blood63)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2015, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-universal-constants/711914 "2015-02-10T21:17:51Z")
We might at first think of all the universal constants there are such as the speed of light, mass of a proton etc. A recent articles proposes that the speed of light does change in a vacuum and didn’t light move faster … --- ## [Question about first appearance of "Do not feed the trolls."](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-first-appearance-of-do-not-feed-the-trolls/712322)
**Author:** [@JasonH](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JasonH)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2015, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-first-appearance-of-do-not-feed-the-trolls/712322 "2015-02-10T20:48:34Z")
Hi, Can anyone tell me and/or cite the earliest known use or appearance of the term “Do not feed the troll/s”? A cursory google search provides information about the evolution of the term “troll,” but no info about whe… --- ## [About Synthetic Motor Oil...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-synthetic-motor-oil/712152)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2015, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-synthetic-motor-oil/712152 "2015-02-10T19:48:42Z")
I have to add oil for the first time to my new car. I have a brand new Honda 2014 CR-V that takes 0W-20 motor oil. I have never heard of this oil weight, and I suspect it is ONLY a synthetic oil. My owner’s manual is … --- ## [How do you say in Spanish, "I'm good" when refusing a refill?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-say-in-spanish-im-good-when-refusing-a-refill/712244)
**Author:** [@hyperspaz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hyperspaz)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2015, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-say-in-spanish-im-good-when-refusing-a-refill/712244 "2015-02-10T19:30:56Z")
As I alluded to in my post about tollbooths in the Dulles Airport vicinity, I vacation in Mexico every year. So I work year-round on my Spanish. I would say I’m at the intermediate level–I can do everything I need to, I … --- ## [Do universities and hospitals typically pay taxes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-universities-and-hospitals-typically-pay-taxes/295308)
**Author:** [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2015, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-universities-and-hospitals-typically-pay-taxes/295308 "2015-02-10T19:03:44Z")
I live in a small town that is dominated by a hospital and a small university. Together, they take up more than 50% of the city. The city itself is hemmed in by other municipalities, so can’t grow. From what I can gather… --- ## [What is my toilet up to at night?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-my-toilet-up-to-at-night/712099)
**Author:** [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2015, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-my-toilet-up-to-at-night/712099 "2015-02-10T18:38:56Z")
What is my toilet up to at night? I’m on the computer upstairs (second floor) between maybe 10 PM and 1 AM. Between midnight and 1:00 I’ve noticed that I will hear a rushing water sound from my bathroom for a short int… --- ## [How Diligent Are Casinos About Policing Mobile Devices?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-diligent-are-casinos-about-policing-mobile-devices/712241)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2015, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-diligent-are-casinos-about-policing-mobile-devices/712241 "2015-02-10T18:28:30Z")
Every weekend, a Facebook friend posts pictures of his stacks of casino chips in front of him (apparently he’s quite the poker shark). ISTR mom telling me that casinos did not allow cameras. Whether or not that’s still … --- ## [Do mail bags ever travel in the passenger cabin of an airplane?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-mail-bags-ever-travel-in-the-passenger-cabin-of-an-airplane/711863)
**Author:** [@Fish\_Cheer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fish_Cheer)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2015, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-mail-bags-ever-travel-in-the-passenger-cabin-of-an-airplane/711863 "2015-02-10T17:48:43Z")
I thought I had heard (from a friend who is generally very knowledgeable when it comes to aviation) that when there is an unusually large volume of mail, mail bags will sometimes be flown in the passenger cabin of regula… --- ## [When talking about data, do we "store it" or "store them"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-talking-about-data-do-we-store-it-or-store-them/712259)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2015, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-talking-about-data-do-we-store-it-or-store-them/712259 "2015-02-10T16:43:17Z")
Hi, I have always referred to data as “it” although it is the plural of “datum”. I would never refer to data as “them”. But I would use “them” when referring to “data points”. Is this correct? I look forward to your f… --- ## [Criss-crossing jumper cables: What would happen?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criss-crossing-jumper-cables-what-would-happen/711990)
**Author:** [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2015, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criss-crossing-jumper-cables-what-would-happen/711990 "2015-02-10T14:53:01Z")
And, just in case you’re wondering, no, I don’t. Anyway, if I connected my jumper cables to unlike poles, other than possibly melting my cables, would damage be done to the batteries themselves or the electrical system? … --- ## [Is this logically/genetically possible? (23&me result)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-logically-genetically-possible-23-me-result/712191)
**Author:** [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2015, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-logically-genetically-possible-23-me-result/712191 "2015-02-10T14:47:42Z")
My son did the 23&Me genetic test and was told that he had a cousin through the maternal line who had also taken the test. My first thought was, “cool, I know more or less who that must be - my bio-mom had three daughte… --- ## [Why is South Africa's two-letter country code ZA?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-south-africas-two-letter-country-code-za/567456)
**Author:** [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2015, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-south-africas-two-letter-country-code-za/567456 "2015-02-10T14:46:50Z")
You know, the country codes which people put on the back of their cars when they drive abroad and which also form the basis of top-level country domains. South Africa is ZA rather than the obvious SA. My first intuitive… --- ## [Password protecting a web page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/password-protecting-a-web-page/712293)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2015, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/password-protecting-a-web-page/712293 "2015-02-10T14:04:02Z")
I am designing a website and for the first time I need to add password protection to certain pages e.g. John Dough needs to have the password to access jdough.html . I was looking online and I see a lot of references to… --- ## [Who named the 'noises'?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-named-the-noises/712143)
**Author:** [@Cardboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardboard)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2015, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-named-the-noises/712143 "2015-02-10T13:11:16Z")
When, how and by whom did the noises – white noise, brown noise, pink noise, etc. – get their names? --- ## [Becoming famous by frequently repeating something mundane/useless.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/becoming-famous-by-frequently-repeating-something-mundane-useless/710764)
**Author:** [@bizerta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bizerta)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2015, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/becoming-famous-by-frequently-repeating-something-mundane-useless/710764 "2015-02-10T06:52:08Z")
I just learned that Linny died a few months ago. Linny became famous by attending the Today Show almost daily for twenty years. He appeared in the crowd in the same place. I don’t know if Linny every profited from his… --- ## [Spanish Murder Law (Paging Nava!)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spanish-murder-law-paging-nava/712246)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2015, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spanish-murder-law-paging-nava/712246 "2015-02-10T06:35:15Z")
This article talks about a homicide in Spain. TLDR: A British father beat to death a German pedophile he caught filming his daughter. I don’t want to debate whether what the guy did was right or wrong. However, I would … --- ## ["This Device Is Currently In Use"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-device-is-currently-in-use/712087)
**Author:** [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2015, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-device-is-currently-in-use/712087 "2015-02-10T05:23:05Z")
Using any recent version of Windows, when you connect a removable drive, you get a little icon in the taskbar that you’re supposed to click when you want to disconnect the drive. You then click on “Eject xxxx” and you’r… --- ## [Asking questions to make opponent look foolish, actual debate technique?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asking-questions-to-make-opponent-look-foolish-actual-debate-technique/712113)
**Author:** [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2015, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asking-questions-to-make-opponent-look-foolish-actual-debate-technique/712113 "2015-02-10T04:36:27Z")
I’m thinking of something where the answer is so blindingly obvious the only reason for asking is to get a response that can then be attacked. Fictitious example debate about gay marriage: Deb1:Well next people will as… --- ## [How much carbonated water is too much?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-carbonated-water-is-too-much/712138)
**Author:** [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2015, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-carbonated-water-is-too-much/712138 "2015-02-10T03:53:15Z")
Instead of soda, these days I drink sparkling water instead. It is just carbonated water with a little bit of flavoring, seems pretty benign to me. Well, some people tell me that carbonated water itself is bad for you a… --- ## [Who provides the interpreter when dignitaries visit?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-provides-the-interpreter-when-dignitaries-visit/712245)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2015, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-provides-the-interpreter-when-dignitaries-visit/712245 "2015-02-10T03:22:31Z")
Suppose a foreign head of nation visits another country. Who has the onus to provide an interpreter? Or interpreters? I’m thinking that there might be cases, where there’s a degree of enmity, that each speaker/listen… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1171) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1173)