# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=126 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 127 --- ## [Edge of our universe](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/edge-of-our-universe/989164)
**Author:** [@Kedikat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kedikat)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2023, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/edge-of-our-universe/989164 "2023-09-02T13:22:15Z")
Obviously inspired by EnolaStraight’s question, but different. If the Universe began with an initial explosive expansion from one state into a different one. Is there a large amount of energy and maybe something else, t… --- ## [When and why did we forget how to sharpen?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-and-why-did-we-forget-how-to-sharpen/986833)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2023, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-and-why-did-we-forget-how-to-sharpen/986833 "2023-09-02T13:19:14Z")
I have taken up hand tool woodworking in the last couple of years and keeping your tools sharp is a critical skill. As such, there’s a whole bunch of ink spilled (and products for sale) w.r.t. this. However, if you loo… --- ## [How much debt to Wall Street/ US government did the Bolshevik government renege on?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-debt-to-wall-street-us-government-did-the-bolshevik-government-renege-on/989454)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2023, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-debt-to-wall-street-us-government-did-the-bolshevik-government-renege-on/989454 "2023-09-02T11:44:06Z")
How much debt to Wall Street/ US government did the Bolshevik government renege on ? --- ## [Of Astronauts and Corvettes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-astronauts-and-corvettes/981858)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2023, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-astronauts-and-corvettes/981858 "2023-09-02T11:37:44Z")
I never thought much about it (other than being jealous), but recently the windmills of my mind began churning: I understand a local Chevy dealership gave each (Mercury?) astronaut a brand new Corvette. However, wasn’t i… --- ## [How many trips to the Titanic did the Titan make? apologies for another thread about this craft](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-trips-to-the-titanic-did-the-titan-make-apologies-for-another-thread-about-this-craft/986051)
**Author:** [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2023, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-trips-to-the-titanic-did-the-titan-make-apologies-for-another-thread-about-this-craft/986051 "2023-09-02T03:49:38Z")
I’m getting mixed information and its a bit obfuscated. I know it made several ‘test’ dives at various depths and attempted to go to the Titanic a few times that were aborted. But I’m not getting good information on ho… --- ## [What animals would be more dangerous if enlarged?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-animals-would-be-more-dangerous-if-enlarged/983050)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 115\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2023, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-animals-would-be-more-dangerous-if-enlarged/983050 "2023-09-02T02:53:39Z")
Giant spiders and scorpions are a favorite of movies, but spiders are pretty fragile. Would a colossal housecat (I’m thinking maybe tiger-sized or even bus-sized), for example, be dangerous to humans? A crow? A wombat? --- ## [Jet: To leave suddenly, year of first use](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jet-to-leave-suddenly-year-of-first-use/989207)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2023, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jet-to-leave-suddenly-year-of-first-use/989207 "2023-09-02T01:48:01Z")
We’re watching To Have And Have Not (1944). Humphrey Bogart’s character says, ‘How to you know I won’t do a jet?’ Clearly, he’s asking how the person knows he won’t ‘take the money and run’. Jet aircraft were very new… --- ## [Can a motherboard be “slow”?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-motherboard-be-slow/989407)
**Author:** [@Saffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saffer)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2023, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-motherboard-be-slow/989407 "2023-09-01T04:04:02Z")
I am buying a new media center screen thing for my wrangler. The guy in the shop said of the cheaper of the option “this one has slow motherboard” as one of the reasons why it is cheaper. I thought it sounded strange bec… --- ## [Leaving Food Out Overnight, And Then Throwing It In The Freezer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaving-food-out-overnight-and-then-throwing-it-in-the-freezer/984663)
**Author:** [@MortSahlFan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MortSahlFan)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [June 1, 2023, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaving-food-out-overnight-and-then-throwing-it-in-the-freezer/984663 "2023-06-01T03:39:45Z")
Second time this week. I’ll leave these homemade (sold in stores) tamales to de-thaw, but I went to bed at about 8 and forgot about it. There’s no way I can throw them out. I had them in the kitchen, and I only use the s… --- ## [I can't see my books on my new-to-me Kindle](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-see-my-books-on-my-new-to-me-kindle/989377)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2023, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-see-my-books-on-my-new-to-me-kindle/989377 "2023-08-31T12:31:14Z")
I’ve had a Kindle for years, but after not using it for a while, I turned it on and it wouldn’t boot. I tried troubleshooting the issue, but didn’t get anywhere and decided to buy a new-to-me Kindle Fire 7 9th Generatio… --- ## [Local/regional legislatures](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/local-regional-legislatures/989210)
**Author:** [@Digger11](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digger11)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2023, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/local-regional-legislatures/989210 "2023-08-31T12:15:20Z")
The title is not very descriptive, but I couldn’t think of a better one. I know that there are other countries that have a federalist system–off hand, I can think of Canada, Germany, and Australia. I’m sure there are o… --- ## ["Pumpkin Eater" - judge says its a homophobic slur?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pumpkin-eater-judge-says-its-a-homophobic-slur/984618)
**Author:** [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2023, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pumpkin-eater-judge-says-its-a-homophobic-slur/984618 "2023-08-31T03:37:58Z")
There has been some bemusement amongst my colleagues about a local decision (just overturned on appeal) wherein a judge, without input from either party, contended and ultimately found that referencing a person called Pe… --- ## [Hospital billing/ insurance question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hospital-billing-insurance-question/989089)
**Author:** [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2023, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hospital-billing-insurance-question/989089 "2023-08-31T03:03:21Z")
I’m asking here because I have a vague recollection of this being law but maybe I’m misunderstanding or misremembering. I thought this was covered under ACA or some other semi-recent law. The situation is this: you are … --- ## [Dryer lint trap being clogged - is the risk that the dryer would catch on fire, or that the air vent would catch on fire?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dryer-lint-trap-being-clogged-is-the-risk-that-the-dryer-would-catch-on-fire-or-that-the-air-vent-would-catch-on-fire/989287)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2023, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dryer-lint-trap-being-clogged-is-the-risk-that-the-dryer-would-catch-on-fire-or-that-the-air-vent-would-catch-on-fire/989287 "2023-08-31T00:30:54Z")
For some reason, I failed to clean the dryer lint trap for a long time when it’d always been automatic habit for me. Now I found out this morning the thing was fully clogged and that’s why my clothes had been remaining w… --- ## [Diabetes apps on smart phones](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diabetes-apps-on-smart-phones/989260)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2023, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diabetes-apps-on-smart-phones/989260 "2023-08-30T21:11:07Z")
An ad for one of these came and went while I was playing a game, but now I wish I’d paid more attention. I’m not sure if I understand these correctly. Do they somehow actually read your blood glucose with the phone’s cam… --- ## [Youtube--- what are "shorts"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youtube-what-are-shorts/987460)
**Author:** [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2023, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youtube-what-are-shorts/987460 "2023-08-30T20:31:19Z")
When I open the main page of Youtube, it shows me a bunch of clips, arranged in rows. Various subjects, of various time lengths, and like all youtube clips I can use the tools under the picture (ie. glance at the time … --- ## [Do insurance companies have a routine to eliminate duplicate claims?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-insurance-companies-have-a-routine-to-eliminate-duplicate-claims/988731)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2023, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-insurance-companies-have-a-routine-to-eliminate-duplicate-claims/988731 "2023-08-30T20:01:18Z")
Suppose you (an eee-vil person) own something of some significant value (house, car, piece of art, jewelry) that you really don’t care to own any longer, and don’t want to go to the hassle of trying to sell. You decide y… --- ## [Removing duplicate songs on iPod after deleting them in iTunes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-duplicate-songs-on-ipod-after-deleting-them-in-itunes/989324)
**Author:** [@peccavi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peccavi)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2023, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-duplicate-songs-on-ipod-after-deleting-them-in-itunes/989324 "2023-08-30T19:41:15Z")
I searched and the most recent thread suitable to just add this question to is from 2013, so here goes: I have an iPod (4th gen?) and use iTunes on Windows to manage the music on it. Recently, I discovered I had done s… --- ## [Using the quadratic mean for standard deviation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-the-quadratic-mean-for-standard-deviation/989082)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2023, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-the-quadratic-mean-for-standard-deviation/989082 "2023-08-30T18:23:47Z")
So wanting to clear up a misconception I’ve heard many teachers (and college professors say). They say that we do not use average deviation from the mean to measure the spread of data as the positive values and negative… --- ## [What were the "numbers" of Sex, Drugs, and Rock & Roll?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-the-numbers-of-sex-drugs-and-rock-roll/158141)
**Author:** [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2023, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-the-numbers-of-sex-drugs-and-rock-roll/158141 "2023-08-30T15:58:27Z")
When I was in middle school, I remember seeing graffiti around the school (carved into desks, written on bathroom walls, etc.) that looked like this: \*\*69 2112\*\* (The \*\*\*\*\*\*\* represents a sequence of three numbers I … --- ## [Judgement notwithstanding the verdict](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judgement-notwithstanding-the-verdict/988886)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2023, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judgement-notwithstanding-the-verdict/988886 "2023-08-30T14:49:57Z")
In a criminal case, is a JNOV absolutely final (assuming no funny stuff like bribery)? Could the prosecution appeal the decision? --- ## [Do these products qualify as "makeup" (includes one men's example)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-these-products-qualify-as-makeup-includes-one-mens-example/989240)
**Author:** [@themapleleaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/themapleleaf)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2023, 9:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-these-products-qualify-as-makeup-includes-one-mens-example/989240 "2023-08-30T09:40:04Z")
I once wrote in one thread here that I believe I can generally tell whether a woman is wearing makeup or not (even if it’s just a little or meant not to be noticed; I have good eyes and am a detail-oriented person). Sin… --- ## [Excel cell format: color red if contains a formula instead of raw number?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-cell-format-color-red-if-contains-a-formula-instead-of-raw-number/989303)
**Author:** [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2023, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-cell-format-color-red-if-contains-a-formula-instead-of-raw-number/989303 "2023-08-29T18:27:48Z")
Someone else designed a spreadsheet for me to input data that they need; most rows are straightforward: July numbers come in and get typed into the July column for their row. But a couple of them are aggregates: I’ll … --- ## [Seismic surveys and issuance of licenses for oil exploration](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seismic-surveys-and-issuance-of-licenses-for-oil-exploration/989105)
**Author:** [@cannonkuo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cannonkuo)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2023, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seismic-surveys-and-issuance-of-licenses-for-oil-exploration/989105 "2023-08-29T13:29:13Z")
Britain’s determination to protect its claim to potential oil resources around the Islands is illustrated by its response to the Argentine government’s decision to commission two US companies, Geophysical Services Intern… --- ## [Who was Edmund Fitzgerald?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-edmund-fitzgerald/988613)
**Author:** [@Malkav23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malkav23)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2023, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-edmund-fitzgerald/988613 "2023-08-28T22:44:34Z")
We’ve all heard our share of Gordon Lightfoot. My question is who was Edmund Fitzgerald, and how did he get a ship named after him? --- ## [What would happen to a John/Jane Doe?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-to-a-john-jane-doe/989157)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2023, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-to-a-john-jane-doe/989157 "2023-08-28T19:18:14Z")
So a person is brought into a hospital with no I.D. They don’t know who they are, no memory or fingerprint record. What happens next if they never remember and no one comes for them? (Is John or Jane Doe correct? I’ve o… --- ## [Tangential Q to Prigoshin crash: Do private business trips necessarily file a list of passengers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tangential-q-to-prigoshin-crash-do-private-business-trips-necessarily-file-a-list-of-passengers/989006)
**Author:** [@Mops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mops)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2023, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tangential-q-to-prigoshin-crash-do-private-business-trips-necessarily-file-a-list-of-passengers/989006 "2023-08-28T17:48:31Z")
With reference to the plane crash on 23 August 2023 near Tver, Russia: Official Russian announcements apparently quickly stated that Yevgeny Prigoshin was on the passenger list, and later published a full passenger and … --- ## [What has been done to these weird looking trees?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-been-done-to-these-weird-looking-trees/987822)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2023, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-been-done-to-these-weird-looking-trees/987822 "2023-08-28T13:38:27Z")
I came across this striking image long ago but don’t remember what the location was. The trees lining the path up to the really old looking building have all had something done to them, maybe three or four feet from the… --- ## [What is this screw? called?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-screw-called/989126)
**Author:** [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2023, 7:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-screw-called/989126 "2023-08-28T07:27:34Z")
Sorry, no photo, (which I couldn’t post anyway!), but what I’m referring to is the kind of tiny, ‘thread only’, (for lack of proper terminology), screw type thing. They are often used to tighten the door handle once it’… --- ## [How to lubricate leather WITHOUT softening it](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-lubricate-leather-without-softening-it/989167)
**Author:** [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2023, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-lubricate-leather-without-softening-it/989167 "2023-08-28T03:42:07Z")
I have a belt that, instead of having a typical buckle, fastens with pegs that go into the holes. They’re a tight fit, which I’d like to preserve, but I would like to “grease” them a bit so long as it doesn’t soften the … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=125) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=127)