# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1178 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1179 --- ## [Can I safely replace two 60W incandescents with 100W-equiv LEDs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-safely-replace-two-60w-incandescents-with-100w-equiv-leds/711435)
**Author:** [@black\_rabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/black_rabbit)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2015, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-safely-replace-two-60w-incandescents-with-100w-equiv-leds/711435 "2015-01-31T23:26:40Z")
We have a semi-flush fixture in our dining room (on a dimmer) that takes two 60W-max incandescent bulbs. It’s not enough light. I’m eventually going to get around to hanging a 3-5 bulb pendant or chandelier (once we fin… --- ## [Question about the new laws on prescribing pain medications](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-the-new-laws-on-prescribing-pain-medications/711336)
**Author:** [@justmeetee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justmeetee)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2015, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-the-new-laws-on-prescribing-pain-medications/711336 "2015-01-31T23:23:37Z")
It’s been awhile but the laws are still fairly new. Anyway under the new regulations you are required to pick up a hard copy from the doctor each month for chronic pain medications. This is generally no problem as the do… --- ## [How to fix garage door](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-fix-garage-door/664563)
**Author:** [@john44](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/john44)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2015, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-fix-garage-door/664563 "2015-01-31T23:19:58Z")
I have a wood garage door from the 1970s. I have noticed gaps near each side on the bottom where light and air comes through. How do I fix this? I use my garage for a shop and keep it heated and cooled so the air it let… --- ## [How do I get texts off on old flip phone?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-texts-off-on-old-flip-phone/711412)
**Author:** [@I\_Know\_Nothing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Know_Nothing)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2015, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-texts-off-on-old-flip-phone/711412 "2015-01-31T23:13:41Z")
I have an ancient flip phone with some texts on it which I might need for a court case. I now have an iphone. Is there any way to transfer these old texts to the iphone? I’ve tried putting my sim card back into the ol… --- ## [Origins of "word to your mother" and "like ass"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origins-of-word-to-your-mother-and-like-ass/711313)
**Author:** [@Cardboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardboard)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2015, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origins-of-word-to-your-mother-and-like-ass/711313 "2015-01-31T22:49:33Z")
I’m looking for information on the origin of two phrases. Did “word to your mother” start with Vanilla Ice, or was it around before then? And When did people start using the term “like ass” to describe things? Like “I… --- ## [Do state or federal senators and representatives have any sort of protective detail?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-state-or-federal-senators-and-representatives-have-any-sort-of-protective-detail/711357)
**Author:** [@dstarfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dstarfire)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2015, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-state-or-federal-senators-and-representatives-have-any-sort-of-protective-detail/711357 "2015-01-31T22:08:29Z")
Do state senators/representatives have a full or even part time protective detail? If not, how is their security handled (e.g. secure buildings, event security, etc.)? What about federal senators and representatives? I’… --- ## [Getting frequent calls from out of state numbers. What's the scam?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-frequent-calls-from-out-of-state-numbers-whats-the-scam/711267)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2015, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-frequent-calls-from-out-of-state-numbers-whats-the-scam/711267 "2015-01-31T21:32:32Z")
Several times a week, I get calls from strange, out-of-state phone numbers. If I bother to answer, no one is on the other end of the line. I assume this is part of some sort of spam scheme to determine if the number is… --- ## [Probability Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probability-question/711449)
**Author:** [@yearofglad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yearofglad)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2015, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probability-question/711449 "2015-01-31T19:49:45Z")
Suppose I have a stack of 11 different cards and I deal a hand of 9 cards to myself. Then, I put all 11 cards back together and deal another hand of 9 cards to myself. And repeat. How can I calculate the probability tha… --- ## [Are people allowed to drive in NYC?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-people-allowed-to-drive-in-nyc/711040)
**Author:** [@copperwindow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/copperwindow)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2015, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-people-allowed-to-drive-in-nyc/711040 "2015-01-31T19:41:07Z")
My father who lives in the Bronx is telling me about this snow storm that’s happening. He is telling me that no one is allowed to drive in NYC, and if you get caught driving you can get a ticket. This doesn’t seem r… --- ## [Amazon: $88 billion revenue, $241 million loss](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-88-billion-revenue-241-million-loss/711340)
**Author:** [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2015, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-88-billion-revenue-241-million-loss/711340 "2015-01-31T19:25:17Z")
Amazon lost money again. Now, I understand the rationale behind it—Amazon is pouring all available money into expansion expansion expansion, losses be damned—to a degree. And as one person put it, “If you can spend down… --- ## [How'd I manage to do this to my phone? (Android)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/howd-i-manage-to-do-this-to-my-phone-android/711283)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2015, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/howd-i-manage-to-do-this-to-my-phone-android/711283 "2015-01-31T18:34:39Z")
So my phone dings letting me know I have a text message, but then after it dinged, a voice came on and said: “Message from Jane”. Pretty cool feature, I didn’t know my phone could do that but I don’t know how I activate… --- ## [Advanced metal detecting](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advanced-metal-detecting/711421)
**Author:** [@Consensus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Consensus)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2015, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advanced-metal-detecting/711421 "2015-01-31T18:14:45Z")
I recently got a metal detector (I’m an absolute noob in the field) and got some ideas to possibly improve methods of detecting. I was wondering why all detectors operate in a flat field. Is it not possible to add a dim… --- ## [Is heighth a word? If not, why do people say it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-heighth-a-word-if-not-why-do-people-say-it/588059)
**Author:** [@WarmNPrickly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WarmNPrickly)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2015, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-heighth-a-word-if-not-why-do-people-say-it/588059 "2015-01-31T16:55:06Z")
Occasionally, in conversation, someone will substitute heighth for height. Is there some linguistic reason people do this, or are they just being strange? Why is this such a common affectation? Maybe it’s not very commo… --- ## [Why won't my printer talk to my computer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-my-printer-talk-to-my-computer/706622)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2015, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-my-printer-talk-to-my-computer/706622 "2015-01-31T15:11:51Z")
I’ve got a MacBook and an Epson printer. Normally, they communicate through the wireless function - router installed by my Internet service provider. Recently, the printer won’t print. It says it can’t find the comput… --- ## [Spacial Disorientation question for pilots](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spacial-disorientation-question-for-pilots/711269)
**Author:** [@wmnpwr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wmnpwr)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2015, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spacial-disorientation-question-for-pilots/711269 "2015-01-31T14:32:28Z")
From watching shows like “Air Craft Investigation,” I’ve learned that some air crashes are caused because the pilot can’t see the horizon, has no visual orientation cues, and doesn’t realize s/he is starting to bank to o… --- ## [Corperation that owns all it's stock - what happens?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corperation-that-owns-all-its-stock-what-happens/596520)
**Author:** [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2015, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corperation-that-owns-all-its-stock-what-happens/596520 "2015-01-31T14:26:55Z")
The stock holders are the owners of the corporation, what happens if a company buys back all it’s stock, who owns the corporation? Who votes for the corporate officers? Could you abandon a small single owner/shareholde… --- ## [Do geese or ducks fly by every morning?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-geese-or-ducks-fly-by-every-morning/711371)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2015, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-geese-or-ducks-fly-by-every-morning/711371 "2015-01-31T14:03:47Z")
I hear the squawking of geese or maybe ducks every morning a few minutes after sunrise. I sometimes hear them at dusk too. Whats up with that? Were they asleep somewhere near by and start flying at sunrise? Is this sti… --- ## [When did we lose Troy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-we-lose-troy/711423)
**Author:** [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2015, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-we-lose-troy/711423 "2015-01-31T13:59:46Z")
The putative city of Homer’s Illiad was famously found by Schliemann in 1871. But I’m curious when it became lost the first place. While I knew it was rebuilt after the Homeric period, I had sort of assumed it had been… --- ## [Can I do what Warhol did?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-do-what-warhol-did/711337)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2015, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-do-what-warhol-did/711337 "2015-01-31T12:41:11Z")
I do a bit of painting, mostly traditional type stuff. But the other day I saw a photo of Black Sabbath’s 45, Iron Man and I thought that it might make a cool pop art piece. Sort of like the Warhol soup cans. The more I… --- ## [How is camphor a drug?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-camphor-a-drug/711288)
**Author:** [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2015, 10:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-camphor-a-drug/711288 "2015-01-31T10:13:35Z")
One of those my strange addiction reality shows had a woman who ate Vicks Vaporub, yea I was like :eek: But googling I found a lengthy article from an Indian source saying that camphor is addictive, apparently well know… --- ## [How does amazon determine if they collect sales tax?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-amazon-determine-if-they-collect-sales-tax/711027)
**Author:** [@Lips\_Obsession](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lips_Obsession)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2015, 10:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-amazon-determine-if-they-collect-sales-tax/711027 "2015-01-31T10:01:07Z")
I know quite a few states have come to agreements with Amazon to have Amazon collect sales tax on items they sell. My question is how does Amazon determine if they should collect tax on an order? Is it based on the shi… --- ## [The Final -a In The Languages Of India](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-final-a-in-the-languages-of-india/710622)
**Author:** [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2015, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-final-a-in-the-languages-of-india/710622 "2015-01-31T05:56:21Z")
In English is it proper to write Arjuna, Ganesha and so forth, or should one write Arjun and Ganesh? The delightful desi I date says that it’s the latter. I say it’s the former. One doesn’t voice the -a but it should be … --- ## [Can I legally make my own fighter plane?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-legally-make-my-own-fighter-plane/711037)
**Author:** [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2015, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-legally-make-my-own-fighter-plane/711037 "2015-01-31T04:04:34Z")
This is a hypothetical! I’m curious about the legality of this. Suppose I have a pilot’s license and am authorized to possess firearms in whatever jurisdictions I am interested in flying over. Can I legally mount my str… --- ## [Java exception list](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/java-exception-list/711298)
**Author:** [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2015, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/java-exception-list/711298 "2015-01-31T01:35:03Z")
I’m having no luck getting a specific java applet to work. A friend’s mother chats on this site: PANEN77: Situs Slot Gacor Online Resmi Gampang Maxwin Hari Ini I’ve added the main URL to the Java exception list, the I… --- ## [Sump Pump working?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sump-pump-working/711391)
**Author:** [@cynfitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cynfitz)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2015, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sump-pump-working/711391 "2015-01-31T01:20:14Z")
Sump Pump working? I don’t know what is going on with my sump pump. It use to come on all the time, but for the past 4 years, it hasn’t come on. Every time I check the sump hole, it is dry as a bone. I’ve recently start… --- ## [Pulling into the intersection to turn left on green](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pulling-into-the-intersection-to-turn-left-on-green/667394)
**Author:** [@CoastalMaineiac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CoastalMaineiac)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2015, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pulling-into-the-intersection-to-turn-left-on-green/667394 "2015-01-31T00:36:31Z")
Here in Maine, when you have a green light (with no red arrow), it is the accepted convention—which I remember being taught back in drivers’ ed over ten years ago—to pull out partway into the intersection when the light … --- ## ["machine" gun versus "submachine" gun](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/machine-gun-versus-submachine-gun/710482)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2015, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/machine-gun-versus-submachine-gun/710482 "2015-01-31T00:24:23Z")
Depending on who’s talking/writing, a fully automatic firearm (i.e. hold the trigger continuously to fire repeatedly) may be referred to as a “machine” gun or as a “submachine” gun. Is there a distinction between the tw… --- ## [Horrible home computer problems. Help!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/horrible-home-computer-problems-help/710935)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2015, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/horrible-home-computer-problems-help/710935 "2015-01-30T23:19:27Z")
Sorry if I sound crabby, but I am. this thing is driving me nuts!:mad: Explain to me as though I’m retarded and don’t know squat about computers. That would be about right. Also, I’d rather not spend any money right now … --- ## [Calorie question--popcorn](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calorie-question-popcorn/711272)
**Author:** [@Dendarii\_Dame](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dendarii_Dame)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2015, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calorie-question-popcorn/711272 "2015-01-30T23:03:54Z")
I had a bag of microwave popcorn today. (Butter flavored, if that makes a difference.) According to the box, “before popping” it was 200 calories. After popping, it was 160 calories. Is that because the company knows… --- ## [Questions regarding the post-American Revolutonary War period](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-regarding-the-post-american-revolutonary-war-period/710997)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2015, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-regarding-the-post-american-revolutonary-war-period/710997 "2015-01-30T22:49:17Z")
Hi, My question is twofold: Philadelphia, Princeton, Anapolis, Trenton and New York were all “meeting places” of Congress or “capitals” of the US following the American War of Independence/Revolutionary War (1775-1783)… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1177) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1179)