# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=13 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 14 --- ## [Cigar commercial on TV?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cigar-commercial-on-tv/1024453)
**Author:** [@Happytree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happytree)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2026, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cigar-commercial-on-tv/1024453 "2026-04-04T19:05:59Z")
I saw a commercial for Swisher Sweet cigars on streaming TV last night. Is this legal? The first thing that came to mind was Donald Glover’s comedy-drama, “Atlanta”. One episode featured satirical Swisher Sweet ads. Thi… --- ## [Had Trump's grandfather naturalized by the time Trump's father was born?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/had-trumps-grandfather-naturalized-by-the-time-trumps-father-was-born/1029012)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2026, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/had-trumps-grandfather-naturalized-by-the-time-trumps-father-was-born/1029012 "2026-04-04T13:38:58Z")
This is a factual question although I have not been able to find the answer on Google, but it has an obvious political implication. Trump’s grandfather emigrated to the US in 1885. Incidentally, I have no idea if my gr… --- ## [Does anyone here live in Milan?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-here-live-in-milan/1028349)
**Author:** [@Nayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nayna)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2026, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-here-live-in-milan/1028349 "2026-04-03T18:45:16Z")
I know this is a very long shot, but I don’t belong to any other communities with people from countries and cities all over the world. My daughter and I went to a few Olympics events last month. We stayed in about eight… --- ## [Seeking a source for a half-remembered WWII anecdote](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-a-source-for-a-half-remembered-wwii-anecdote/1028604)
**Author:** [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2026, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-a-source-for-a-half-remembered-wwii-anecdote/1028604 "2026-04-03T17:09:49Z")
When I was in high school in the '90s, I did three years of Navy JROTC - partly because it got me out of having to take gym, and partly because I was considering going into the military after high school. (I wound up gra… --- ## [Translation? (Possibly Japanese, possibly gibberish)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/translation-possibly-japanese-possibly-gibberish/1028907)
**Author:** [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [April 1, 2026, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/translation-possibly-japanese-possibly-gibberish/1028907 "2026-04-01T21:29:53Z")
This is a snip from the “Hawaii Five-O” episode “FOB Honolulu,” in which McGarrett was previously wondering the meaning of a cryptic fragment of a mostly destroyed audiotape containing the single word “Zilma.” So. . . i… --- ## [Canadian Citizenship changes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-citizenship-changes/1028419)
**Author:** [@Sooner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sooner)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [April 1, 2026, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-citizenship-changes/1028419 "2026-04-01T02:12:41Z")
It seems recent Canadian court ruling have vastly expanded the pool of people that can potentially apply for Canadian citizenship. See https://www.forbes.com/sites/andyjsemotiuk/2026/03/09/canada-expands-citizenship-by-… --- ## [Is there a way to tell if sunglass lenses are "UV blocking" using common household materials?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-tell-if-sunglass-lenses-are-uv-blocking-using-common-household-materials/1028895)
**Author:** [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2026, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-tell-if-sunglass-lenses-are-uv-blocking-using-common-household-materials/1028895 "2026-03-31T15:06:04Z")
I bought a pair of sunglasses while on vacation in Mexico. I am quite certain that the sunglasses are not made by the manufacturer indicated by the trademark on the glasses. (For one thing, the trademark was easily scr… --- ## [Help to identify a bird by its call](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-to-identify-a-bird-by-its-call/1028888)
**Author:** [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2026, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-to-identify-a-bird-by-its-call/1028888 "2026-03-31T12:58:15Z")
Hello, and wish me luck! I’m going to post a short video I took yesterday, in an attempt to record the sound of this bird. (Also pardon the bathtub, I was standing at the bathroom window). I hear this call all the tim… --- ## [Routers Banned? Or not?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/routers-banned-or-not/1028874)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2026, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/routers-banned-or-not/1028874 "2026-03-31T02:25:22Z")
I have seen a number of videos on YouTube (always suspect) that claim the Trump Admin has banned foreign made computer routers. And others who claim that they have not, but have set restrictions on them. What is true? … --- ## [Managing email across multiple devices](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/managing-email-across-multiple-devices/1028771)
**Author:** [@peccavi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peccavi)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2026, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/managing-email-across-multiple-devices/1028771 "2026-03-30T22:56:37Z")
Long story short: The ISP (an evil cable company) that provides my main email account has merged a bunch of legacy email domains into one place (the old domain’s, e.g. something like pituitary.com, are now part of the b… --- ## [I do not get this crossword's answers. Link inside from Futility Closet](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-do-not-get-this-crosswords-answers-link-inside-from-futility-closet/1028848)
**Author:** [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2026, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-do-not-get-this-crosswords-answers-link-inside-from-futility-closet/1028848 "2026-03-30T22:04:04Z")
It’s called an interesting and curious crossword, but it is just QUIET going across and the letters going down. How does this work with the clues? --- ## [Does the iPad browser I want actually exist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-ipad-browser-i-want-actually-exist/1028891)
**Author:** [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2026, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-ipad-browser-i-want-actually-exist/1028891 "2026-03-30T18:15:03Z")
I’m fed up with Firefox on the iPad. They keep monkeying with the interface and making it harder to access Bookmarks and the homepage and I really want to change. But I can’t find another browser with the one feature I r… --- ## [Collision Avoidance Warning Device for the Visually Impaired?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/collision-avoidance-warning-device-for-the-visually-impaired/1028613)
**Author:** [@pseudograph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudograph)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2026, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/collision-avoidance-warning-device-for-the-visually-impaired/1028613 "2026-03-30T15:03:34Z")
I have an acquaintance who is legally blind. Recently she’s been trying to find a device that she could attach to her rolling walker that would alert her when it was about to hit an obstacle, kind of like the collision … --- ## [Increase skaters spin rate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/increase-skaters-spin-rate/1027658)
**Author:** [@Kedikat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kedikat)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2026, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/increase-skaters-spin-rate/1027658 "2026-03-29T01:19:29Z")
If a skater added weight bands to there wrists, would this increase their spin speed if they could draw their hands in at the same speed as without the weights? If it worked. Would it violate any current rules of the fig… --- ## [Eiffel pronunciation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eiffel-pronunciation/1028732)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2026, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eiffel-pronunciation/1028732 "2026-03-28T05:00:24Z")
I was just watching a video about Gustav Eiffel, the designer of the Eiffel Tower. And I noticed the narrator was pronouncing his name ee-fell rather than eye-full, which is the pronunciation I’ve always heard. Is ee-fe… --- ## [Rental car insurance question: How do I get my partner covered?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rental-car-insurance-question-how-do-i-get-my-partner-covered/1028722)
**Author:** [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2026, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rental-car-insurance-question-how-do-i-get-my-partner-covered/1028722 "2026-03-27T17:36:04Z")
I’m getting really confused by what I thought should be a simple question… My partner and I are part of the same State Farm (in Oregon) auto insurance policy. We are both named insureds on that policy. I asked whether w… --- ## [Electric cars--can the power grid handle the load?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-cars-can-the-power-grid-handle-the-load/1028680)
**Author:** [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2026, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-cars-can-the-power-grid-handle-the-load/1028680 "2026-03-27T05:44:58Z")
A couple years ago, there was a lot of discussion here at the Dope about the viability of electric cars. And one of the big issues was the incapability of the nationwide electric grid to produce enough power for 50 mill… --- ## [LNG Tanker Spills and environmental damage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lng-tanker-spills-and-environmental-damage/1028527)
**Author:** [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2026, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lng-tanker-spills-and-environmental-damage/1028527 "2026-03-27T03:33:16Z")
Setting aside the ship’s own bunker fuel, does Liquid Natural Gas pose any ecological threat at all to the sea environment when a tanker is hit? Obviously that amount of methane being released is not helpful to climate … --- ## [PSR J1748−2446ad - the pulsar, question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psr-j1748-2446ad-the-pulsar-question/1028556)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2026, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psr-j1748-2446ad-the-pulsar-question/1028556 "2026-03-27T03:09:12Z")
This Wiki article claims that the surface of this pulsar, at it’s equator, is spinning at a quarter of the speed of light. That’s seems incredibly fast for ordinary matter to be to be moving, much less revolving around a… --- ## [Why does oral medication survive digestion?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-oral-medication-survive-digestion/1028796)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2026, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-oral-medication-survive-digestion/1028796 "2026-03-27T02:49:03Z")
The stomach secretes HCl in the pH range 1-2.5. I take about 4 different medications. Why don’t they all chemically break down to be useless by the time they leave the stomach? --- ## [Does Iran have the capability of lobbying missiles/mortars at a Kharg Island compound without destroying their oil infrastructure?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-iran-have-the-capability-of-lobbying-missiles-mortars-at-a-kharg-island-compound-without-destroying-their-oil-infrastructure/1028635)
**Author:** [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2026, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-iran-have-the-capability-of-lobbying-missiles-mortars-at-a-kharg-island-compound-without-destroying-their-oil-infrastructure/1028635 "2026-03-26T21:02:06Z")
Does the US have this capability? Are soldiers on the island sitting ducks? Here’s a link to a table describing Iranian missile ranges and missile precision (circular error probable or CEP). The shortest maximum range i… --- ## [Help identify this turtle](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-identify-this-turtle/1028759)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2026, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-identify-this-turtle/1028759 "2026-03-26T15:57:53Z")
Previous tenants left it in the backyard when they moved out. I need to try to arrange help for it. Is it a land or water turtle? Thanks --- ## [On picayune factual matters in court (better explained in OP)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-picayune-factual-matters-in-court-better-explained-in-op/1028728)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2026, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-picayune-factual-matters-in-court-better-explained-in-op/1028728 "2026-03-25T18:22:36Z")
During his trial, Afroman was put on the stand. The prosecutor\* asked him, “In the year 2000, did you release ‘And Then I Got High’?” Afroman corrected him and said, “‘Because I Got High,‘ yes.” I know that the best cou… --- ## [Chardon School Shooter Sentencing Hearing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chardon-school-shooter-sentencing-hearing/1028490)
**Author:** [@whc.03grady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whc.03grady)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2026, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chardon-school-shooter-sentencing-hearing/1028490 "2026-03-25T14:49:39Z")
Why wasn’t Chardon School shooter TJ Lane immediately held in contempt of court and escorted out when, at his sentencing hearing, he took off his dress shirt to reveal he was wearing a tshirt with KILLER written on it? O… --- ## [London cab drivers and "The Knowledge"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-cab-drivers-and-the-knowledge/1028506)
**Author:** [@Mark\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mark_Finn)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2026, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-cab-drivers-and-the-knowledge/1028506 "2026-03-24T16:46:29Z")
Potential London cab drivers must take and pass a series of tests known as “The Knowledge”. It tests their knowledge of the streets and landmarks of London, and the fastest (or most efficient) ways of getting a passenger… --- ## [In which cultures are you expected to address everyone, even strangers, with familial honorifics?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-cultures-are-you-expected-to-address-everyone-even-strangers-with-familial-honorifics/1028529)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2026, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-cultures-are-you-expected-to-address-everyone-even-strangers-with-familial-honorifics/1028529 "2026-03-24T12:13:37Z")
It seems to be de rigeur in India to use familial honorifics when addressing, well, just about anybody. For example, Raj addresses an older South Asian man in The Big Bang Theory, as “grandfather.” Similarly, an Indian f… --- ## [What percentage of US state governors elected since 2000 were female?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-percentage-of-us-state-governors-elected-since-2000-were-female/1028551)
**Author:** [@CaveMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaveMike)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2026, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-percentage-of-us-state-governors-elected-since-2000-were-female/1028551 "2026-03-23T17:55:07Z")
What percentage of US state governors elected since 2000 were female? Consider: Only elections, not appointments. Elections since, and including, 2000. Normalized for 4-year terms (for New Hampshire and Vermont which … --- ## [Of the dead, say nothing but good \[Latin translation\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-the-dead-say-nothing-but-good-latin-translation/1028693)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2026, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-the-dead-say-nothing-but-good-latin-translation/1028693 "2026-03-23T15:00:05Z")
Political warning: I am using Trump in this ‘exchange’. What is the nearest translation into Latin of the following dialogue: Of the dead, say nothing but good. Trump is dead. Good. De mortuis, bonum tantum dic. … --- ## [WWII service noted on grave markers, when the person enlisted after the war](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwii-service-noted-on-grave-markers-when-the-person-enlisted-after-the-war/1028429)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2026, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwii-service-noted-on-grave-markers-when-the-person-enlisted-after-the-war/1028429 "2026-03-22T22:12:39Z")
The grave marker for William B. ‘Buckwheat’ Thomas notes that he is a WWII veteran… unless I’m reading it wrong. He didn’t enlist until 1954, nearly a decade after WWII ended. So why does his marker say WWII? … --- ## [What's this black stuff on my faucets?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-black-stuff-on-my-faucets/480036)
**Author:** [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2026, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-black-stuff-on-my-faucets/480036 "2026-03-22T21:17:44Z")
So, ever since I lived in this house we’ve had this black slime hanging from our faucets. If I were to guess, I’d say that after cleaning it, it would be about a month and you’d notice the accumulation and after two or … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=12) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=14)