# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=128 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 129 --- ## [Is density weighted density a thing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-density-weighted-density-a-thing/988812)
**Author:** [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2023, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-density-weighted-density-a-thing/988812 "2023-08-21T01:16:47Z")
I’m specifically thinking of population density, but I suppose it could apply to other things. Population density of a country is defined as # of people / area of country. Consider two countries with the same area and po… --- ## [(Ancient) torture vs modern pain killers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ancient-torture-vs-modern-pain-killers/988526)
**Author:** [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2023, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ancient-torture-vs-modern-pain-killers/988526 "2023-08-20T20:42:04Z")
Do we have pain killers that would stand up to things like the brazen bull, rack, crucifixion, Judas’ cradle, etc without suffering pain, but allow also one to be fully aware of what is happening and also that the pain k… --- ## [Spelling Bee-like puzzles: Are they lots easier in other languages?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spelling-bee-like-puzzles-are-they-lots-easier-in-other-languages/958386)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2022, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spelling-bee-like-puzzles-are-they-lots-easier-in-other-languages/958386 "2022-01-27T08:17:35Z")
For those unfamiliar with the NYT Spelling Bee: I assume all decent language puzzles are copied from the original language to others if it makes sense to do so. So what about languages where the spelling is much more p… --- ## [What was this thing? (airport security)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-this-thing-airport-security/987929)
**Author:** [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2023, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-this-thing-airport-security/987929 "2023-08-19T13:09:40Z")
This past weekend, I went on a trip. While going through security at CLE, we all put our luggage and pocket contents into bins to go through the X-ray machines. On top of every bin of stuff, the TSA workers placed what… --- ## [In the US, what are the powers of a county over the cities in it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-us-what-are-the-powers-of-a-county-over-the-cities-in-it/988677)
**Author:** [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2023, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-us-what-are-the-powers-of-a-county-over-the-cities-in-it/988677 "2023-08-18T21:40:25Z")
I realise that this is one of those questions which might be answered differently depending on the state. I also realise that there are special cases such as the boroughs of NYC. However, I suppose/hope there are some co… --- ## [Real estate capital gains tax question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-estate-capital-gains-tax-question/988730)
**Author:** [@teelabrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teelabrown)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2023, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-estate-capital-gains-tax-question/988730 "2023-08-18T20:57:49Z")
This isn’t quite the same subject of my other thread in P&E about capital gains and real estate profit, so I decided to start another thread. I understand that, having excluded the permissible amount from the taxable ca… --- ## [Website access mystery](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/website-access-mystery/988506)
**Author:** [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2023, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/website-access-mystery/988506 "2023-08-18T18:19:47Z")
I have two home computers which both use the same router and Microsoft Edge as the web browser. I also use Dropbox to store files and both computers have no problem accessing those. For years I have played railway game… --- ## [Knowledge base of post-doc fellow vs tenured faculty](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knowledge-base-of-post-doc-fellow-vs-tenured-faculty/988697)
**Author:** [@Caribbean\_cruiser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caribbean_cruiser)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2023, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knowledge-base-of-post-doc-fellow-vs-tenured-faculty/988697 "2023-08-18T16:27:51Z")
This is a broad and complicated question in search of a general answer. Within the many medical research specialties, how would the knowledge base of a newly minted post-doctoral fellow at a top-tier U.S. university com… --- ## [What the heck is shocking me as I lie in bed? (long-ish)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-shocking-me-as-i-lie-in-bed-long-ish/508924)
**Author:** [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2023, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-shocking-me-as-i-lie-in-bed-long-ish/508924 "2023-08-18T15:51:09Z")
I’ll try to describe this as best as possible. First of all, my mattress sits on the floor, there’s no boxspring or headboard, it’s just a mattress. Secondly, for the last six years I’ve lived here, in my apartment, I’… --- ## [Car question \[What is "overdrive"?\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-question-what-is-overdrive/987970)
**Author:** [@stosh1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stosh1)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2023, 10:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-question-what-is-overdrive/987970 "2023-08-18T10:30:44Z")
I was listening to some oldies and heard about putting a car into “overdrive”. What is “overdrive”? --- ## [Wirelessly connecting iPhone to two computers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wirelessly-connecting-iphone-to-two-computers/988676)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2023, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wirelessly-connecting-iphone-to-two-computers/988676 "2023-08-18T02:46:13Z")
My work computer is a PC, which I connect to remotely from a MacBook. MS Office has an annoying tendency to require me to sign into One Drive periodically (usually when I’m trying to do something), which requires my ent… --- ## [Compensation for being bumped from a flight](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compensation-for-being-bumped-from-a-flight/988733)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2023, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compensation-for-being-bumped-from-a-flight/988733 "2023-08-18T02:02:22Z")
I’m not flying anywhere soon, so I don’t need an answer fast. AIUI, airlines are required to compensate passengers who are bumped from a flight. Often the compensation will be a voucher for another flight, and/or a hot… --- ## [In the US military when you're medal gets "upgraded" do you still keep the old medal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-us-military-when-youre-medal-gets-upgraded-do-you-still-keep-the-old-medal/988637)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2023, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-us-military-when-youre-medal-gets-upgraded-do-you-still-keep-the-old-medal/988637 "2023-08-17T20:47:00Z")
I just read a snippet from an article that said Only 178 Distinguished Service Crosses out of more than 13,000 issued since 1917 have been upgraded to Medals of Honor. So, when upgraded to the Medal of Honor, does th… --- ## [When does Apple stop supporting security patches for iphone models?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-does-apple-stop-supporting-security-patches-for-iphone-models/988714)
**Author:** [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2023, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-does-apple-stop-supporting-security-patches-for-iphone-models/988714 "2023-08-17T20:40:35Z")
My elderly mother has an iphone 8, which, it was recently announced, will not be compatible with the next OS update. That part’s fine: she doesn’t need any new whiz-bang features. However, she does need security patches… --- ## [Can you eat the grape after the plasma-in-the-microwave experiment?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-eat-the-grape-after-the-plasma-in-the-microwave-experiment/988683)
**Author:** [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2023, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-eat-the-grape-after-the-plasma-in-the-microwave-experiment/988683 "2023-08-17T18:16:47Z")
If you don’t know about the experiment, here is a good video. While I was looking for a video to send to a friend (who amazingly remained unaware of the grape plasma phenomenon), I came across one that advised, “don’t e… --- ## [Prepaid SIM for America](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prepaid-sim-for-america/987369)
**Author:** [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2023, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prepaid-sim-for-america/987369 "2023-08-17T07:11:09Z")
I’m taking my children to America for three weeks and am looking at prepaid SIM cards. Does anyone have any experience with this and any recommendations? I’ll be doing a road trip, so I’ll need GPS, which seems to requ… --- ## [If you are convicted of a state crime and a federal crime (different crimes) whose sentence do you serve first?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-convicted-of-a-state-crime-and-a-federal-crime-different-crimes-whose-sentence-do-you-serve-first/988661)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2023, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-convicted-of-a-state-crime-and-a-federal-crime-different-crimes-whose-sentence-do-you-serve-first/988661 "2023-08-17T06:26:13Z")
Title kinda says it all. Assume I was convicted of a crime in (say) Illinois and also convicted of a different crime in federal court. Whose prison do I go to first? Is it simply whichever side gets sentencing done fir… --- ## [Weird things are happening with my car - what might be wrong?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-things-are-happening-with-my-car-what-might-be-wrong/987431)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2023, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-things-are-happening-with-my-car-what-might-be-wrong/987431 "2023-08-17T03:54:25Z")
Twice in the past two days (yesterday and today) I’ve needed a jump for my 2019 Nissan Sentra. I’m thinking that my headlights are switching on more easily than they should, by me bumping the turn signal. Both of these… --- ## [Maui Fire Debris](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maui-fire-debris/988519)
**Author:** [@19USMC69](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/19USMC69)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2023, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maui-fire-debris/988519 "2023-08-17T01:22:51Z")
While I’ve been to Maui a few times, I don’t pretend to know the island all that well. I’m curious to know where will all the fire-related debris be taken and will the volume be so great that it will have to be taken off… --- ## [Why do Germanic languages use "have" to indicate perfect aspect?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-germanic-languages-use-have-to-indicate-perfect-aspect/988487)
**Author:** [@Strinka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Strinka)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2023, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-germanic-languages-use-have-to-indicate-perfect-aspect/988487 "2023-08-17T01:05:07Z")
Consider these two sentences: “I have the ball.” and “I have thrown the ball.” In the first sentence, the word “have” is a content word, with its own meaning, synonymous with “own” or “possess”. In the second sentence, … --- ## [Can you make a gun that blows people back like what happens in movies?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-make-a-gun-that-blows-people-back-like-what-happens-in-movies/988291)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [August 16, 2023, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-make-a-gun-that-blows-people-back-like-what-happens-in-movies/988291 "2023-08-16T21:19:21Z")
We all seen bad action movies where somebody has a shotgun and shoots a guy and the person shot flies like 10 feet back in the air. Now obviously that isn’t realistic due to the whole “equal and opposite reaction” part o… --- ## [Does Venerable Bede's account of the 789 Viking raid on Portland in Dorset mention the name of the bailiff?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-venerable-bedes-account-of-the-789-viking-raid-on-portland-in-dorset-mention-the-name-of-the-bailiff/988618)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 16, 2023, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-venerable-bedes-account-of-the-789-viking-raid-on-portland-in-dorset-mention-the-name-of-the-bailiff/988618 "2023-08-16T21:13:13Z")
Does Venerable Bede’s account of the 789 Viking raid on Portland in Dorset mention the name of the bailiff ? I haven’t been able to track it down. --- ## [What Are The Yiddish Words For Jewish Woman, Gentile Woman, Or Woman Of Undetermined Identity?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-yiddish-words-for-jewish-woman-gentile-woman-or-woman-of-undetermined-identity/941843)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [August 16, 2023, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-yiddish-words-for-jewish-woman-gentile-woman-or-woman-of-undetermined-identity/941843 "2023-08-16T14:40:05Z")
Is “shiksa” (gentile woman) like a pejorative or a slang term? Or is it just a general term for non-Jewish women? What do you call a Jewish woman in Yiddish? What do you call just a woman in Yiddish, if you can’t determi… --- ## [Why all those ads for mobile phone games that don't exist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-all-those-ads-for-mobile-phone-games-that-dont-exist/988567)
**Author:** [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 16, 2023, 11:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-all-those-ads-for-mobile-phone-games-that-dont-exist/988567 "2023-08-16T11:00:23Z")
Social media is full of ads for “free” (I suppose the business model is either pay-to-win, or ads, or data mining, or a combination of all three) mobile phone games. I never download these games because I don’t want junk… --- ## [Explain LED fluorescent bulb replacements to me](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-led-fluorescent-bulb-replacements-to-me/988213)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [August 16, 2023, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-led-fluorescent-bulb-replacements-to-me/988213 "2023-08-16T04:30:27Z")
I know about a lot of handyman/ DIY stuff but not this. Our office has tasked me with being in charge of replacing our current T-8 fluorescent bulbs with LED replacement bulbs. As I understand it, some replacements plug… --- ## [Asymmetric usage of "long" and "short" in time expressions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asymmetric-usage-of-long-and-short-in-time-expressions/988318)
**Author:** [@Stego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stego)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [August 16, 2023, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asymmetric-usage-of-long-and-short-in-time-expressions/988318 "2023-08-16T04:05:44Z")
I am not a native speaker, so maybe the question is based on biased or plain wrong observations. However, it seems to me that “long” and “short” cannot be freely substituted in English time expressions. For example, y… --- ## [Gravity at large scales - measurement?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gravity-at-large-scales-measurement/818414)
**Author:** [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2023, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gravity-at-large-scales-measurement/818414 "2023-08-15T18:47:00Z")
The question is inspired by Quantum mechanics, where the laws we find intuitive at our scale of perception are not applicable at the quantum level. From Newton’s gravitational laws, F= GM1M2/R^2. Now I remember readin… --- ## [What can someone do with a photo of my passport?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-someone-do-with-a-photo-of-my-passport/988579)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2023, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-someone-do-with-a-photo-of-my-passport/988579 "2023-08-15T12:34:28Z")
Have stayed in hotels in Japan many times, and it’s typical for them to take a photocopy of my passport for their records. If a miscreant grabs a copy of that photo, it won’t be good enough quality to make a passable fa… --- ## [Metal properties of a knife with a durable edge](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metal-properties-of-a-knife-with-a-durable-edge/987811)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2023, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metal-properties-of-a-knife-with-a-durable-edge/987811 "2023-08-15T11:37:12Z")
I use draw knives frequently in wood working. Sometimes several hours per day, day in day out year after year.I can often go more than a year without sharpening my draw knife and I am cutting on some of the hardest woods… --- ## [Did DeJoy create the USPS slow down?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-dejoy-create-the-usps-slow-down/931135)
**Author:** [@Krispy\_Original](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Krispy_Original)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2023, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-dejoy-create-the-usps-slow-down/931135 "2023-08-14T22:58:50Z")
I have nothing more than anecdotal evidence that USPS mail delivery is more slow now than prior to Louis DeJoy’s appointment in June 2020…but…is it true that USPS service is degraded, and if so, did Louis DeJoy create th… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=127) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=129)