# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=124 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 125 --- ## [The metallurgy of machining brake rotors](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-metallurgy-of-machining-brake-rotors/989960)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2023, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-metallurgy-of-machining-brake-rotors/989960 "2023-09-13T15:58:08Z")
To avoid a hijack in this thread: It seems to me that if the rotor is warped, the crystalline structure of the metal is also warped. If you machine that down, you’re getting a flat surface, but the underlying structure… --- ## [Archaic English/British insult: "Pale Eyelashes"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/archaic-english-british-insult-pale-eyelashes/989907)
**Author:** [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2023, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/archaic-english-british-insult-pale-eyelashes/989907 "2023-09-13T14:31:26Z")
My wife is reading a novel written in the early 1930s by an English author set in a roughly contemporary, say 1920s - 1930s, English setting. One of the characters declines help from a relative citing that they have pal… --- ## [Reely. Really?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reely-really/989823)
**Author:** [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2023, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reely-really/989823 "2023-09-13T11:04:44Z")
Agatha Christie spells a character’s use of “really” as “reely” in one of her books. Not a typo: she repeats it to indicate some kind of an accent, presumably a lower-class one. In American English “reely” is the only p… --- ## [Some questions about mosquitoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-questions-about-mosquitoes/989545)
**Author:** [@Orville\_mogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orville_mogul)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2023, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-questions-about-mosquitoes/989545 "2023-09-13T08:14:08Z")
This morning I squashed a mosquito in the kitchen and it released a rather dramatic splotch of blood. Clearly it had eaten recently. But the odd thing was that neither I nor any of my family members had been bitten, and … --- ## [How resistant is Resistant Starch?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-resistant-is-resistant-starch/989791)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2023, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-resistant-is-resistant-starch/989791 "2023-09-12T21:51:54Z")
Other than this thread from 2011, I haven’t been able to find more recent info here on resistant starch. I ask because I still find controversy about whether it even exists. I think it’s safe to say Resistant Starch exi… --- ## [International air travel \[excessive travel time from USA to Bangladesh?\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/international-air-travel-excessive-travel-time-from-usa-to-bangladesh/989792)
**Author:** [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2023, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/international-air-travel-excessive-travel-time-from-usa-to-bangladesh/989792 "2023-09-12T18:34:52Z")
An associate is traveling from the USA to Bangladesh and says that given air plane changes and layovers, it will require a week each way. I find that difficult to believe in the 21st century. Is he exaggerating? --- ## [Early use of the phrase 'World War I' (and equivalents)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-use-of-the-phrase-world-war-i-and-equivalents/688654)
**Author:** [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2023, 10:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-use-of-the-phrase-world-war-i-and-equivalents/688654 "2023-09-12T10:09:51Z")
We’ve had a number of threads about the first use of the phrase ‘World War II’ but fewer, I think, on the origin of the term ‘World War I’. I was wasting time playing on Google Ngram and came up with this very interesti… --- ## [What Ways, Besides Grooves Pressed Into A Medium And Magnetic Tape, Exist (Even Theoretically) To Analogue-ly Record Sound?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ways-besides-grooves-pressed-into-a-medium-and-magnetic-tape-exist-even-theoretically-to-analogue-ly-record-sound/984484)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2023, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ways-besides-grooves-pressed-into-a-medium-and-magnetic-tape-exist-even-theoretically-to-analogue-ly-record-sound/984484 "2023-09-12T04:43:38Z")
That’s the question in the OP: are there ways, theoretical though they may be (since there’s no need, what with digital recording and all that), to record sound in an analogue format besides what we have now (viz, groove… --- ## [What is the name of this type of puzzle?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-of-this-type-of-puzzle/989828)
**Author:** [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2023, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-of-this-type-of-puzzle/989828 "2023-09-11T16:34:55Z")
I enjoy this sort of logic puzzle: Three families with different surnames live on adjacent houses and each have a different pet. The Green family have a dog. The family that live in the middle house are not called Bro… --- ## [Has any part of the natural world adapted to the structure of a week?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-any-part-of-the-natural-world-adapted-to-the-structure-of-a-week/989932)
**Author:** [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2023, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-any-part-of-the-natural-world-adapted-to-the-structure-of-a-week/989932 "2023-09-11T14:35:11Z")
I’m thinking of animals or even plants changing their behaviour at weekends, but any other interpretation of the question would be equally interesting. Might urban animals behave differently in a rush hour for instance? --- ## [When did toilet paper stop being called that?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-toilet-paper-stop-being-called-that/989559)
**Author:** [@DKW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DKW)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2023, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-toilet-paper-stop-being-called-that/989559 "2023-09-11T02:49:42Z")
Quick one before I go out shopping… So I was at Costco yesterday, and I remembered that I’m starting to run low on toilet paper. I walked past the paper towels (none of which are identified as such) to the familiar pack… --- ## [Did the Indian Luna rover find any sign of water?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-indian-luna-rover-find-any-sign-of-water/989889)
**Author:** [@xtenkfarpl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xtenkfarpl)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2023, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-indian-luna-rover-find-any-sign-of-water/989889 "2023-09-10T22:00:54Z")
It landed and has done some good science, it seems. But as far as I can see, there has been no report of it discovering any water (or ice) near the Lunar south pole? Of course there may be some time before the full res… --- ## [Name for this concept? (looping sequences)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-for-this-concept-looping-sequences/989843)
**Author:** [@alovem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alovem)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2023, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-for-this-concept-looping-sequences/989843 "2023-09-10T21:44:34Z")
I’m wondering if there’s a name for something I’ve noticed. I’ve defined it below in italics. Sequences are comprised of elements. For example, 1-2-3-4 has four elements. If a sequence is looped such that there is one … --- ## [Does fission inherently involve emitting ionizing radiation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-fission-inherently-involve-emitting-ionizing-radiation/989877)
**Author:** [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2023, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-fission-inherently-involve-emitting-ionizing-radiation/989877 "2023-09-10T20:18:22Z")
I was thinking about future energy sources, and how fission is always considered a dead end, because it involves materials that are radioactive and probably also toxic. But is this necessarily the case? Could there hypo… --- ## [Help finding Pintagall, India](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-finding-pintagall-india/989753)
**Author:** [@Kropotkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kropotkin)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2023, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-finding-pintagall-india/989753 "2023-09-10T19:49:57Z")
A colleague is going through the diary of a 19th century British seaman who makes a reference to “Pintagall, India.” He can’t find a reference to such a place anywhere. Of course the seaman may be spelling phonetically, … --- ## [Economic damage of (single pieces of) plastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economic-damage-of-single-pieces-of-plastic/989580)
**Author:** [@longtry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/longtry)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2023, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economic-damage-of-single-pieces-of-plastic/989580 "2023-09-10T17:11:46Z")
Hi. I want to know the impact of individual plastic items on everything (us, animals, the Earth…) all converted into money. For example, this specific type of bottle generally brings about a damage of x dollars per piece… --- ## [Where is the "Gangs of New York" graveyard?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-gangs-of-new-york-graveyard/344686)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2023, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-gangs-of-new-york-graveyard/344686 "2023-09-10T15:32:06Z")
There’s a graveyard shown at the end of the movie. I was curious as to if it’s real and who’s buried there? --- ## [Solar powered motion sensor light question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solar-powered-motion-sensor-light-question/989858)
**Author:** [@velomont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velomont)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2023, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solar-powered-motion-sensor-light-question/989858 "2023-09-10T13:32:00Z")
We have a shed in our backyard to which I attached a solar powered motion sensor light. It is probably ten years old. Tonight I noticed for the first time that it is significantly dimmer. It has 10 x 10 LED (I believe/a… --- ## [Can rain reduce smoke in the air? (distant from the forest fires that are the source)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-rain-reduce-smoke-in-the-air-distant-from-the-forest-fires-that-are-the-source/989621)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2023, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-rain-reduce-smoke-in-the-air-distant-from-the-forest-fires-that-are-the-source/989621 "2023-09-10T05:10:54Z")
We’ve had heavy smoke today, from BC and the NWT fires, I assume. Air quality is rated at 11, which is a “High Health Risk” according to the Environment Canada scale. It’s also been raining all day, quite heavily mid-a… --- ## [Question about NTSB accident review data](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-ntsb-accident-review-data/989802)
**Author:** [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2023, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-ntsb-accident-review-data/989802 "2023-09-10T00:25:13Z")
I’m reviewing an NTSB report for an airplane crash and I came upon this sentence: In this incident, the aircraft was essentially destroyed and all flammable cargo and passengers were destroyed by the post-crash fire. … --- ## [Have there been any acquittals of J6 rioters?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-there-been-any-acquittals-of-j6-rioters/989855)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2023, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-there-been-any-acquittals-of-j6-rioters/989855 "2023-09-09T23:46:01Z")
I’ve seen lots of articles about how many convictions there have been of J6 rioters. Have there been any acquittals? By either jury or judge alone? Just interested in numbers, not debate. . --- ## [Replacing Four Tires: Do I Need an Alignment?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replacing-four-tires-do-i-need-an-alignment/989508)
**Author:** [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2023, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replacing-four-tires-do-i-need-an-alignment/989508 "2023-09-09T23:02:04Z")
Replacing four tires on my car. Shop wants me to do an alignment. The internet says that an alignment is not mandatory but highly recommended for safety and tire life but the internet is just other shops for the most par… --- ## [Minimum flow rate for residential water meters](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minimum-flow-rate-for-residential-water-meters/989751)
**Author:** [@dougrb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougrb)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2023, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minimum-flow-rate-for-residential-water-meters/989751 "2023-09-09T17:34:33Z")
As in what is the minimum it can register? I’ve looked and found flow rates vs accuracy but the flow rate doesn’t go to zero. Say for example you have a dripping faucet that drips a cup a day. \[Edit\] Can that be measured… --- ## [How do I connect my iPhone to my Apple TV box?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-connect-my-iphone-to-my-apple-tv-box/989842)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2023, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-connect-my-iphone-to-my-apple-tv-box/989842 "2023-09-09T16:14:00Z")
The Apple Remote app doesn’t work anymore, because the remote is now on the Control Centre. But when I try to link the control Centre remote to the Apple TV box, I just get an endless « Searching for TV ». What am I doi… --- ## [Accuracy in randomness?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/accuracy-in-randomness/989715)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2023, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/accuracy-in-randomness/989715 "2023-09-09T13:43:13Z")
I was just reading where the pyramids were made of 2.3 million blocks, yet they were only 1/4" off at the top of the pyramid. Would the large numbers of block account for more accuracy? Kind of like rolling the dice 2 mi… --- ## [PT boats](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pt-boats/18617)
**Author:** [@Ringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ringo)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2023, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pt-boats/18617 "2023-09-09T11:34:25Z")
Whilw I know PT boats were put to many uses during WW II including patrol, commando/spy inertion, VIP transport, etc., and I’ve found quite a few informative web sites about PT boats, I haven’t yet tracked down what I’m … --- ## [How do the people who maintain roads determine where passing zones should be?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-the-people-who-maintain-roads-determine-where-passing-zones-should-be/989755)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2023, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-the-people-who-maintain-roads-determine-where-passing-zones-should-be/989755 "2023-09-09T05:30:29Z")
So you’re traveling on a two-lane state road, and every now and then you see the yellow pennant that says “No passing zone”. The dotted yellow line in the middle of the road becomes solid. Or vice-versa; suddenly you g… --- ## [The Modern Limits of Unsending Email](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-modern-limits-of-unsending-email/989708)
**Author:** [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2023, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-modern-limits-of-unsending-email/989708 "2023-09-09T04:50:07Z")
What prompted this was an email subject line I saw in my web mail inbox, something about a judge in a conservative state who had reversed her prior block on gender-affirming treatment. I don’t usually read that politica… --- ## [When was the last major public figure to have their diaries posthumously published?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-major-public-figure-to-have-their-diaries-posthumously-published/989788)
**Author:** [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2023, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-major-public-figure-to-have-their-diaries-posthumously-published/989788 "2023-09-08T20:37:25Z")
So TIL I learned about Queen Victoria’s diaries which were voluminous and published after her death (albeit after being edited by her daughter to remove anything she thought would embarrass the royal family), and now for… --- ## [Recharging drones in the field](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recharging-drones-in-the-field/989743)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2023, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recharging-drones-in-the-field/989743 "2023-09-08T18:27:22Z")
Would it be possible for a suitably equiped drone to recharge by perching on a power line? I realise that power lines carry much more current and voltage than are to be found in drone recharging devices, but perhaps they… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=123) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=125)