# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=14 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 15 --- ## [Lawyers and Ethics: When The Plaintiff (In A Civil Matter) Has No Case](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawyers-and-ethics-when-the-plaintiff-in-a-civil-matter-has-no-case/981607)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2026, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawyers-and-ethics-when-the-plaintiff-in-a-civil-matter-has-no-case/981607 "2026-03-22T02:45:52Z")
When a litigant has absolutely no case, and when no judge or jury is going to buy it (and the lawyer knows it), are they under an ethical obligation to let the client know? Or do the ethics of the profession state that i… --- ## [How does urinalysis work? (Variable dilution issue)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-urinalysis-work-variable-dilution-issue/1028502)
**Author:** [@Briny\_Deep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Briny_Deep)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [March 20, 2026, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-urinalysis-work-variable-dilution-issue/1028502 "2026-03-20T01:26:15Z")
We’ve got an FQ about poo at the moment, so why not one about pee. When testing for components in urine, how do they account for the fact it may be quite concentrated or quite dilute? Suppose the normal number of someth… --- ## [Please suggest an App for Windows 10/11 that's similar to Dir in a cmd window](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-suggest-an-app-for-windows-10-11-thats-similar-to-dir-in-a-cmd-window/1027311)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 99\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2026, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-suggest-an-app-for-windows-10-11-thats-similar-to-dir-in-a-cmd-window/1027311 "2026-03-19T19:56:52Z")
I find Search completely unusable. i misplaced a file. I knew the filename included several words and specifically included the word Alice. I opened Explorer, entered Alice in Search. it took almost 15 minutes. … --- ## [Xi cc+ particle detection - significance?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xi-cc-particle-detection-significance/1028533)
**Author:** [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2026, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xi-cc-particle-detection-significance/1028533 "2026-03-18T22:32:09Z")
This article doesn’t paint the detection as particularly significant. Does anyone know of any way this constraints potential theories of subatomic forces? “It’s a very interesting measurement, but it’s unclear what w… --- ## [MS Publisher no longer to be supported - suggested alternatives](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ms-publisher-no-longer-to-be-supported-suggested-alternatives/1028540)
**Author:** [@Banksiaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banksiaman)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2026, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ms-publisher-no-longer-to-be-supported-suggested-alternatives/1028540 "2026-03-18T18:15:58Z")
Microsoft has announced that it will no longer support MS Publisher from Oct 2026. It was always bundled with MS-office packages as a graphics / publishing tool, but will no longer be updated. I don’t use it or other a… --- ## [Do members of the military ask for permission to speak freely?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-members-of-the-military-ask-for-permission-to-speak-freely/1028177)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2026, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-members-of-the-military-ask-for-permission-to-speak-freely/1028177 "2026-03-18T13:45:47Z")
I’ve read (I think here) that “and that’s an order” is pretty much a TV/movie trope. What about asking for permission to speak freely, is that a trope too? If not, when would it actually be said? --- ## [How much safer are Waymo cars?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-safer-are-waymo-cars/1028258)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 129\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2026, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-safer-are-waymo-cars/1028258 "2026-03-18T12:00:29Z")
Heard a statistic on the news, coming from Waymo. They said their cars have 90% fewer serious injury accidents than cars with drivers. An obvious conclusion would be that the robotic driver is an order of magnitude safer… --- ## [How Many U.S. Federal Workers Are on Paid Administrative Leave as of 3/17/2026?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-u-s-federal-workers-are-on-paid-administrative-leave-as-of-3-17-2026/1028532)
**Author:** [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2026, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-u-s-federal-workers-are-on-paid-administrative-leave-as-of-3-17-2026/1028532 "2026-03-17T23:43:34Z")
This in the news today brought a factual question to my mind: France24 This surprised me because I thought widespread paid administrative leave ended on September 30, 2025. So I am wondering how many are still being p… --- ## [Is there a way (free) to make a program in Python code into an executable for a Mac? (I am on a PC and it says no)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-free-to-make-a-program-in-python-code-into-an-executable-for-a-mac-i-am-on-a-pc-and-it-says-no/1028205)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2026, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-free-to-make-a-program-in-python-code-into-an-executable-for-a-mac-i-am-on-a-pc-and-it-says-no/1028205 "2026-03-17T21:54:26Z")
I am amazed at how hard it is to turn a program into an executable even for a PC. You have to type in some arcane script into a command window (and be sure you are in the right directory and all that) to poop out a prog… --- ## [Can the Sovereign Alter the Method of Inheritance of a Peerage (UK)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-sovereign-alter-the-method-of-inheritance-of-a-peerage-uk/1010765)
**Author:** [@zev\_steinhardt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zev_steinhardt)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2026, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-sovereign-alter-the-method-of-inheritance-of-a-peerage-uk/1010765 "2026-03-17T16:55:08Z")
I’m in an argument with someone, and I’m pretty sure I’m right, but I can’t find a legitimate source to back me up. My disputant believes that the Sovereign controls peerages in the UK. I know the Sovereign can grant pe… --- ## [What is the Japanese text on this man's shirt](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-japanese-text-on-this-mans-shirt/1028486)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2026, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-japanese-text-on-this-mans-shirt/1028486 "2026-03-17T14:19:38Z")
In this video. I can’t get Google Lens to pick up the text on his shirt. Doubtless it’s some kind of obscure film or manga or what have you, but he wears this shirt in a lot of his videos so he’s piqued my curiosity. … --- ## [How hard will it be to set the gas pumps for more than $10 per gallon?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-hard-will-it-be-to-set-the-gas-pumps-for-more-than-10-per-gallon/1028471)
**Author:** [@Ancient\_Nerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ancient_Nerd)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2026, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-hard-will-it-be-to-set-the-gas-pumps-for-more-than-10-per-gallon/1028471 "2026-03-17T06:54:26Z")
When gasoline went over $1.00/gallon, they needed some hacks because the mechanical gas pumps of the day only had two digits for the price. Most stations set the price to half of the the actual. The attendant came out … --- ## [Ultra High Speed Photography](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ultra-high-speed-photography/1028491)
**Author:** [@whc.03grady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whc.03grady)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2026, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ultra-high-speed-photography/1028491 "2026-03-16T16:42:28Z")
You know those 10 trillion frames per second cameras that “film” the movement of light, how is it possible? It seems to me that of course you can’t have a film camera, like with a mechanical shutter, with such an insane… --- ## [Firefox bookmark questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefox-bookmark-questions/1028431)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2026, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefox-bookmark-questions/1028431 "2026-03-13T18:57:15Z")
I bought a new computer last year when my old drive died. I took the non-responsive SSD to a shop and they managed to make a copy of the C drive for me. I copied over all the files I needed and kept the old info on a USB… --- ## [Notifying the police of a lodger's arrival (1920s Germany)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/notifying-the-police-of-a-lodgers-arrival-1920s-germany/1028416)
**Author:** [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2026, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/notifying-the-police-of-a-lodgers-arrival-1920s-germany/1028416 "2026-03-13T18:49:03Z")
I’m reading Herman Hesse’s 1927 novel Steppenwolf. Early in the story, the narrator describes his aunt taking in a lodger. The narrator is disturbed when he learns: The only request he had made was that his arrival sho… --- ## [Best fan setting to help dry carpet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-fan-setting-to-help-dry-carpet/1028284)
**Author:** [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2026, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-fan-setting-to-help-dry-carpet/1028284 "2026-03-13T14:20:15Z")
I’m going to be shampooing my carpet on Wednesday when the temperature is expected to be in the low 30’s (celsius), but to help with the drying process, I have a ceiling fan that has both a summer and a winter setting op… --- ## [Canada Expands Citizenship By Descent](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-expands-citizenship-by-descent/1028417)
**Author:** [@Sooner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sooner)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2026, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-expands-citizenship-by-descent/1028417 "2026-03-13T04:16:02Z")
(topic deleted by author) --- ## [In ancient times how did they prevent people from misrepresenting themselves (e.g. "Hello, I am the king of Someplace You Never Heard Of") and commiting fraud?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-ancient-times-how-did-they-prevent-people-from-misrepresenting-themselves-e-g-hello-i-am-the-king-of-someplace-you-never-heard-of-and-commiting-fraud/1027174)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2026, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-ancient-times-how-did-they-prevent-people-from-misrepresenting-themselves-e-g-hello-i-am-the-king-of-someplace-you-never-heard-of-and-commiting-fraud/1027174 "2026-03-13T00:41:40Z")
It seems it would be fairly trivial in the past (especially ancient past) when the whole world was not known and communication over long distances were slow at best (if it even existed). How was it someone didn’t just r… --- ## [How are particularly horrific criminals treated by the other inmates?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-particularly-horrific-criminals-treated-by-the-other-inmates/593329)
**Author:** [@Steken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steken)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [March 12, 2026, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-particularly-horrific-criminals-treated-by-the-other-inmates/593329 "2026-03-12T12:31:29Z")
Look up the comments section to any news story about a particularly horrific criminal (Levi Aron, Anders Behring Breivik), and you’ll find plenty of comments along the lines of “this creep won’t last a week in jail, the … --- ## [What specific kind of landline phone do I need in this situation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-specific-kind-of-landline-phone-do-i-need-in-this-situation/1028337)
**Author:** [@Briny\_Deep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Briny_Deep)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [March 11, 2026, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-specific-kind-of-landline-phone-do-i-need-in-this-situation/1028337 "2026-03-11T22:32:19Z")
First, thanks in advance for any answers. I won’t be able to check this thread for a while. This phone is for my elderly mom who lives 2,000 miles away and whose support network doesn’t include any technical-minded peop… --- ## [When it is said a war costs (say) $1 billion per day is that above and beyond the cost of just having a military? Or is that about consumables?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-it-is-said-a-war-costs-say-1-billion-per-day-is-that-above-and-beyond-the-cost-of-just-having-a-military-or-is-that-about-consumables/1028306)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2026, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-it-is-said-a-war-costs-say-1-billion-per-day-is-that-above-and-beyond-the-cost-of-just-having-a-military-or-is-that-about-consumables/1028306 "2026-03-10T19:30:35Z")
Massive war price tag could be a massive problem for GOP leaders Republicans on Capitol Hill are preparing to confront a staggering price tag for the war in the Middle East after closed-door briefings this week detail… --- ## [Why are Marines (US) not "soldiers"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-marines-us-not-soldiers/1023254)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 187\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2026, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-marines-us-not-soldiers/1023254 "2026-03-10T16:54:13Z")
I was out with some friends and one of them is a former Marine. I called him a soldier and he took exception to that. He was polite, probably a common mistake, but he made it clear he was not a “soldier.” I have no do… --- ## [Why don't the Clipboard contents persist in Microsoft Excel?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-the-clipboard-contents-persist-in-microsoft-excel/1028163)
**Author:** [@Briny\_Deep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Briny_Deep)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2026, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-the-clipboard-contents-persist-in-microsoft-excel/1028163 "2026-03-10T13:37:19Z")
Every day of my life I copy something in Excel, either from a cell or from the formula bar. Half the time when I go to paste it, the Clipboard is empty and nothing happens. I’m aware that Excel treats the cell contents … --- ## [Why are Russian/former Soviet aircraft only referred to by their NATO reporting name?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-russian-former-soviet-aircraft-only-referred-to-by-their-nato-reporting-name/1028190)
**Author:** [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2026, 9:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-russian-former-soviet-aircraft-only-referred-to-by-their-nato-reporting-name/1028190 "2026-03-09T09:34:57Z")
Since the Cold War, Russian / Soviet aircraft are typically referred to be their NATO reporting name. That is to say, the name that the USA and our NATO allies call them, not what the actual Russian military or aircraft… --- ## [What are these things around the numbers on an aircraft carrier?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-things-around-the-numbers-on-an-aircraft-carrier/1028291)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2026, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-things-around-the-numbers-on-an-aircraft-carrier/1028291 "2026-03-08T22:39:32Z")
At first I thought they were some crazy overkill of large fasteners holding up physical letters (which didn’t make sense) but now I think they might be a crazy overkill of electric lights around painted numbers? --- ## [Mandarin Language Question: PLA](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mandarin-language-question-pla/1028222)
**Author:** [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2026, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mandarin-language-question-pla/1028222 "2026-03-08T21:40:18Z")
The People’s Liberation Army is represented by 3 characters, which loosely translates as Liberate, Set Free, Military or Troops. But it’s romanized as Jiefangjun – the three English words are represented as one Chinese … --- ## [Why are German subs referred to as u-boats in English?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-german-subs-referred-to-as-u-boats-in-english/1028178)
**Author:** [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2026, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-german-subs-referred-to-as-u-boats-in-english/1028178 "2026-03-08T15:44:38Z")
US had subs. UK had subs. France has subs. Italy has subs. Japan has subs. Soviet Union has subs. And lots more, but. . . Germany has ‘u-boats.’ --- ## [I don't understand the relationship between data centers and water use](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-understand-the-relationship-between-data-centers-and-water-use/1026737)
**Author:** [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2026, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-understand-the-relationship-between-data-centers-and-water-use/1026737 "2026-03-08T01:51:37Z")
Here in drought-stricken Texas, water use and availability are becoming (or have become) hot political issues. At odds with that is our burgeoning high-tech industry. Enter data centers. Apparently data centers use up… --- ## [English sparrows' lack of predators in the US](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-sparrows-lack-of-predators-in-the-us/1028198)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2026, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-sparrows-lack-of-predators-in-the-us/1028198 "2026-03-08T01:48:07Z")
The story goes that someone imported English sparrows to control the insect population. Completely oblivious to the fact that the little birds eat seeds, not mosquitos. But wouldn’t there have been predators in place to … --- ## [Why does ketchup only start separating AFTER the bottle has been started?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-ketchup-only-start-separating-after-the-bottle-has-been-started/1028173)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2026, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-ketchup-only-start-separating-after-the-bottle-has-been-started/1028173 "2026-03-07T12:23:24Z")
(This is an actual factual question, though it’s about food so…..) Think about it. Heinz (or whoever) brews up the ketchup, pours it into a bottle, and seals it up with a little cardboard/foam/metallic foil disk undern… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=13) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=15)