# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=132 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 133 --- ## [Has Zelensky ever addressed the people of Russia directly?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-zelensky-ever-addressed-the-people-of-russia-directly/987459)
**Author:** [@Chad\_Sudan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chad_Sudan)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2023, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-zelensky-ever-addressed-the-people-of-russia-directly/987459 "2023-07-24T17:54:25Z")
In his speeches and public statements for international consumption, has Zelensky ever addressed the people of Russia (as opposed to the regime or the soldiers) directly? (It would indicate whether he and his government … --- ## [Repeating amber alert](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repeating-amber-alert/987309)
**Author:** [@FloatyGimpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FloatyGimpy)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2023, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repeating-amber-alert/987309 "2023-07-24T16:06:01Z")
I don’t know where exactly this should go but I’m about to lose my mind. There was an amber alert yesterday. Now, every time I turn my phone on or turn wifi on or off, the alert happens again. Every single time. I’ve goo… --- ## [A question about primordial black holes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-primordial-black-holes/987474)
**Author:** [@mandala](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mandala)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2023, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-primordial-black-holes/987474 "2023-07-24T15:27:41Z")
Primordial black holes (PBHs) are theorized to have been created in great numbers in the radiation era shortly after the Big Bang. Due to a formation process not related to stellar collapse, they could have had essential… --- ## [Surviving divorced spouse Social Security benefits and prior government employment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surviving-divorced-spouse-social-security-benefits-and-prior-government-employment/987386)
**Author:** [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2023, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surviving-divorced-spouse-social-security-benefits-and-prior-government-employment/987386 "2023-07-24T14:22:38Z")
So my mom finally had her phone interview on her application for surviving divorced spouse Social Security benefits. I have no idea how long it will take SSA to process her application, and there’s no question that she q… --- ## [Another divorce/lottery question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-divorce-lottery-question/987141)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2023, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-divorce-lottery-question/987141 "2023-07-24T13:57:19Z")
Dick and Jane are married umpteen years. One day Dick comes home and says “Honey! Honey! I just won $1 billion in the lottery! Pack your suitcases!” “That’s fantastic news, Dick! Where am I going?” “I don’t care. Jus… --- ## [Is an alcohol enema detectable in a breathaliser test?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-an-alcohol-enema-detectable-in-a-breathaliser-test/987062)
**Author:** [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2023, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-an-alcohol-enema-detectable-in-a-breathaliser-test/987062 "2023-07-24T04:13:41Z")
Ok. I admit to a certain amount of click-bait in my title (mods may edit) I was idly thinking about vodka-soaked tampons and alcohol enemas, both of which are a valid, though unusual means of alcohol. I’m not at all su… --- ## [Rudi Gernreich's pubikini - This, I gotta see!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rudi-gernreichs-pubikini-this-i-gotta-see/470091)
**Author:** [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2022, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rudi-gernreichs-pubikini-this-i-gotta-see/470091 "2022-10-13T15:29:32Z")
An obituary of photographer William Claxton mentioned his photographs of his wife, Peggy Moffitt, wearing the designs of Rudi Gernreich. Apparently, Gernreich was the first to design a topless swimsuit, which was famousl… --- ## [The cluster-munition approach](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cluster-munition-approach/987321)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2023, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cluster-munition-approach/987321 "2023-07-22T12:25:14Z")
With all this news about DPICMs going to Ukraine, I’m trying to understand: Is the idea of cluster munitions that you basically have a shell or a bomb that contains the equivalent of many small hand grenades, and the id… --- ## [Why does skiplagging work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-skiplagging-work/986841)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2023, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-skiplagging-work/986841 "2023-07-22T12:22:41Z")
Skiplagging has been in the news lately. If you haven’t heard of it, it’s when you book a multi-leg flight, and then skip the last leg because the layover is actually where you want to end up. People do it because it’s… --- ## [Can we directly measure a vehicle's speed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-directly-measure-a-vehicles-speed/986998)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2023, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-directly-measure-a-vehicles-speed/986998 "2023-07-22T02:24:04Z")
Inspired by the smart phone sensor discussion I got to thinking about measuring speed. I’m using the term “speed” instead of “velocity” to simplify things since vehicles don’t necessarily travel in a constant straight li… --- ## [Utility company scam question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/utility-company-scam-question/987360)
**Author:** [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2023, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/utility-company-scam-question/987360 "2023-07-21T21:04:56Z")
My uncle got a scam call from a scam farm pretending to be the utility company. He wasn’t fooled, but he said they were pretty good – right number, right hold music, Stay on the line for a survey after the call, and so … --- ## [Resit "uncapped"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resit-uncapped/987235)
**Author:** [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2023, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resit-uncapped/987235 "2023-07-21T14:12:19Z")
What does the following expression mean in the United Kingdom? Candidates are permitted to resit the final examination uncapped for all subject modules. Specifically, what does uncapped mean here? Sorry, but I kind … --- ## [Has there ever been an accidental airbag deployment caused by some guy working on a car without disconnecting the battery?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-there-ever-been-an-accidental-airbag-deployment-caused-by-some-guy-working-on-a-car-without-disconnecting-the-battery/986856)
**Author:** [@LivingGhost371](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LivingGhost371)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2023, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-there-ever-been-an-accidental-airbag-deployment-caused-by-some-guy-working-on-a-car-without-disconnecting-the-battery/986856 "2023-07-21T01:05:46Z")
Every guide to working on your car says to “disconnect the negative battery terminal”, lest your airbag exploded and kill you if you connect the red to the black when trying to install a new stereo. Is this purely CYA te… --- ## [What's this control on a Mercedes bus?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-control-on-a-mercedes-bus/987297)
**Author:** [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2023, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-control-on-a-mercedes-bus/987297 "2023-07-20T18:14:33Z")
I’m on a bus tour near Athens (Greece), and the driver has a small stalk on the right side of the steering column that he uses to slow the vehicle. He pulls it down, which apparently engages engine braking of some kind. … --- ## [Current magnetic storm? 20 July 23](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/current-magnetic-storm-20-july-23/987312)
**Author:** [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2023, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/current-magnetic-storm-20-july-23/987312 "2023-07-20T17:35:29Z")
Anyone having internet problems today, 20 Jan.2023 around noonish US Eastern Standard Time? Flopping on and off here in Augusta GA. Called our daughter up in N. Carolina, same deal with her. Earthsky is saying, “An inc… --- ## [Hottest AVERAGE Day of the Year.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hottest-average-day-of-the-year/819540)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2023, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hottest-average-day-of-the-year/819540 "2023-07-20T15:36:34Z")
I posted this question before, possibly even on these boards. But that is irrelevant. Because I apparently posted it the wrong way. I asked what was the hottest day of the year. And some wiseacre replied it is the day o… --- ## [Standards for tamper-evident seals?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/standards-for-tamper-evident-seals/987252)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2023, 7:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/standards-for-tamper-evident-seals/987252 "2023-07-20T07:59:07Z")
With the recent death of the Tylenol suspect, I thought this an appropriate topic. Is anyone aware of standards for tamper-evident seals on consumer goods such as foods and medicines? Specifically, why do different pro… --- ## [How were taxes collected back in the cash days?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-were-taxes-collected-back-in-the-cash-days/987085)
**Author:** [@Quintas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quintas)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2023, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-were-taxes-collected-back-in-the-cash-days/987085 "2023-07-20T07:35:55Z")
I was thinking of things like the merch counter at big concerts in the 70s, 80s and 90s. There would have been a massive amount of transactions taking place and no physical business location. Led Zeppelin famously had a… --- ## [Has this been proposed? Bimetallic tube strutures for lunar base](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-this-been-proposed-bimetallic-tube-strutures-for-lunar-base/987056)
**Author:** [@Kedikat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kedikat)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2023, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-this-been-proposed-bimetallic-tube-strutures-for-lunar-base/987056 "2023-07-20T03:15:21Z")
I may just be missing the magic Google phrase to find this information. I thought that a bimetallic tube structure might be good for lunar base structure basics. A large bimetallic sheet is made with folded hooks at ea… --- ## [One eye good, two eyes better, three eyes...?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-eye-good-two-eyes-better-three-eyes/987045)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2023, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-eye-good-two-eyes-better-three-eyes/987045 "2023-07-19T19:53:45Z")
Having one eye allows you to see, and having two eyes gives you depth perception. What would having three eyes, equidistant to each other, add to the equation, and is there a way to simulate this to find out? --- ## [Questions about sex ratio at birth](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-sex-ratio-at-birth/987146)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2023, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-sex-ratio-at-birth/987146 "2023-07-19T19:15:54Z")
For humans, the natural sex ratio at birth is about 105 baby boys born for every 100 girls. Some questions: How is this ratio achieved? since sex is determined by the sperm, does this mean that male and female sper… --- ## [Downloading DRM-free books from Amazon account (no DRM-breaking discussion!)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downloading-drm-free-books-from-amazon-account-no-drm-breaking-discussion/987180)
**Author:** [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2023, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downloading-drm-free-books-from-amazon-account-no-drm-breaking-discussion/987180 "2023-07-18T23:46:54Z")
I prefer not to buy DRM-ed books, because I like the flexibility of being able to back my purchased books up myself and view them on whatever device I’d like (I have no interest in breaking DRM and do not want any discus… --- ## [USPS question: Post office charging me to claim a returned package](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usps-question-post-office-charging-me-to-claim-a-returned-package/986817)
**Author:** [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2023, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usps-question-post-office-charging-me-to-claim-a-returned-package/986817 "2023-07-18T22:39:32Z")
My company shipped a package to a customer in California. The customer goofed and gave us her home address, which has no mail box, instead of her PO Box. The package (sent Priority) got returned to us as undeliverable. N… --- ## [Legality of mowing someone else's yard](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legality-of-mowing-someone-elses-yard/985685)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2023, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legality-of-mowing-someone-elses-yard/985685 "2023-07-18T19:47:40Z")
I’ve seen a couple of videos now where a landscape crew will, to make a neighborhood look better, mow the yard of an abandoned home. Now I know the city can do that and then tax the owner as a special assessment so my q… --- ## [Can I safely power my computer with a portable generator?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-safely-power-my-computer-with-a-portable-generator/987115)
**Author:** [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2023, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-safely-power-my-computer-with-a-portable-generator/987115 "2023-07-18T14:59:45Z")
We had a little wind squall here in the Kansas City area on Friday afternoon. A tree next door knocked down a power pole and tore the lines down, and we’re still waiting for the power company to remove the trees and get … --- ## [Massage and Yoga](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massage-and-yoga/987212)
**Author:** [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2023, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massage-and-yoga/987212 "2023-07-18T13:56:23Z")
If one is planning on doing some yoga on the same day as getting a massage, does it matter which one is first? It seems like the yoga would be easier if someone has already pre-stretched you. On the other hand, would … --- ## [Weird Monitor Font Problem](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-monitor-font-problem/987169)
**Author:** [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2023, 9:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-monitor-font-problem/987169 "2023-07-18T09:11:38Z")
My wife has an antique monitor - 10 years old at least, more likely 15 - which now shows 12 point and less Times New Roman characters grayed out. She has worked around it by changing her font size in Word to 14 point wh… --- ## [Why is one screw on the hinges to my door a Torx?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-one-screw-on-the-hinges-to-my-door-a-torx/987114)
**Author:** [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2023, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-one-screw-on-the-hinges-to-my-door-a-torx/987114 "2023-07-17T14:40:31Z")
Heavy exterior door. All the rest are Phillips screws as I expected. The Torx is on the jamb side of a hinge, not into the door itself. It’s not a security hinge. I did not install this one. Perhaps the contractor lost… --- ## [My Hotmail won't let me send messages (only from MY computer through Firefox)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-hotmail-wont-let-me-send-messages-only-from-my-computer-through-firefox/987121)
**Author:** [@themapleleaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/themapleleaf)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2023, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-hotmail-wont-let-me-send-messages-only-from-my-computer-through-firefox/987121 "2023-07-16T21:39:00Z")
Since Friday, I haven’t been able to send any messages from my Hotmail (now the so-called “Outlook” - I’ve had my address for 20 or more years and still use it only because of all the contacts that have it. Hotmail has b… --- ## [Is this the ability to smell and taste slightly spoiled meat?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-the-ability-to-smell-and-taste-slightly-spoiled-meat/267491)
**Author:** [@Rusalka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rusalka)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2023, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-the-ability-to-smell-and-taste-slightly-spoiled-meat/267491 "2023-07-16T17:48:07Z")
I have a problem which is driving me nuts. I frequently encounter meat, especially in restaurants, which to everyone else tastes fine, but which smells and tastes horrible to me. One time I was out with a whole group … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=131) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=133)