# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=160 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 161 --- ## [Weapons production in case of long future war](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weapons-production-in-case-of-long-future-war/769121)
**Author:** [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2023, 7:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weapons-production-in-case-of-long-future-war/769121 "2023-02-05T07:56:40Z")
During WW2, the combatants were turning out tanks, planes, ship, and artillery at an extremely fast pace. But the modern peacetime manufacturing processes are extremely slow, completely useless if we were losing equipmen… --- ## [Do wifi routers tell devices the length of the password?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-wifi-routers-tell-devices-the-length-of-the-password/979247)
**Author:** [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2023, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-wifi-routers-tell-devices-the-length-of-the-password/979247 "2023-02-05T06:50:25Z")
When I want to log onto a password-protected wifi with my iPhone and type the password into my phone’s settings, the “Join” button remains inactive as long as I’m typing; but as soon as I finish the last character of the… --- ## [Are cities in Europe cold and dark due to lack of Russian gas?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-cities-in-europe-cold-and-dark-due-to-lack-of-russian-gas/977988)
**Author:** [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2023, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-cities-in-europe-cold-and-dark-due-to-lack-of-russian-gas/977988 "2023-02-05T00:58:06Z")
Six months ago, there was talk that the war in Ukraine would bring catastrophic conditions this winter, which would affect Germany and other European countries. In reality, what is happening now? There were several cou… --- ## [Potty training and toddler bladder control](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potty-training-and-toddler-bladder-control/979276)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2023, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potty-training-and-toddler-bladder-control/979276 "2023-02-04T20:50:24Z")
We’re in the midst of potty training our two-and-a-half year old. For whatever reason, he likes to drag out his peeing - he’ll pee for a few seconds, then stop for a few seconds as something catches his intention, then p… --- ## [What's a walyo?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-walyo/534993)
**Author:** [@MTCicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MTCicero)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2023, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-walyo/534993 "2023-02-04T14:44:18Z")
I’ve currently been re-watching each season of The Sopranos, and have heard, from time to time as the show’s commenced, characters refer to other mobbed-up characters as “walyos”. Initially, during the early seasons, I … --- ## [Trust keyboard and mouse, lost USB dongle](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trust-keyboard-and-mouse-lost-usb-dongle/978122)
**Author:** [@Loggins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loggins)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2023, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trust-keyboard-and-mouse-lost-usb-dongle/978122 "2023-02-04T12:48:55Z")
Is there a way to connect without the dongle? Buying a new one, i assume is wrong frequence. Any ideas? --- ## [What types of loads are appropriate for welds, and what are not?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-types-of-loads-are-appropriate-for-welds-and-what-are-not/978835)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2023, 8:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-types-of-loads-are-appropriate-for-welds-and-what-are-not/978835 "2023-02-04T08:57:51Z")
Over in Reddit there was a photo of a car wheel that had five radial arms. They had all been broken and they had all been (shittily) welded. There was universal agreement this was unsafe (possibly illegal). But there is… --- ## ["And how!" - what?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-how-what/979278)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2023, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-how-what/979278 "2023-02-04T00:46:03Z")
The first use is from 1865 but how did the first people to hear it know what it meant? What does it mean? I know what it indicates but not how it was derived. --- ## [Why do stock splits happen and how do they affect me as a shareholder?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-stock-splits-happen-and-how-do-they-affect-me-as-a-shareholder/979131)
**Author:** [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2023, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-stock-splits-happen-and-how-do-they-affect-me-as-a-shareholder/979131 "2023-02-03T21:53:30Z")
The grocery store chain I work for is employee-owned. What this means in practice is that the stock is not publicly traded and 90% of the stock is owned by employees or by the employee CBA (the remaining 10% is held by t… --- ## [Legal enforceability of car repair customer waivers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-enforceability-of-car-repair-customer-waivers/979166)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2023, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-enforceability-of-car-repair-customer-waivers/979166 "2023-02-03T19:29:30Z")
I am not asking for advice. I am looking at an online discussion among car techs about whether to repair a tire with damage in the tread next to the sidewall. There is consensus that such a repair violates industry stan… --- ## [Is it possible to get GPS maps changed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-get-gps-maps-changed/979071)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2023, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-get-gps-maps-changed/979071 "2023-02-03T13:09:12Z")
It is very difficult to get taxis (or Uber) to come to the building I live in. The building is a half block up a long driveway. When you get to the bottom of the drive, there is a big sign with an arrow pointing to the… --- ## [Vitamin supplements](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vitamin-supplements/979137)
**Author:** [@mglambo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mglambo)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2023, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vitamin-supplements/979137 "2023-02-03T12:26:30Z")
My primary doctor says don’t take any vitamin supplements except maybe some c and some d. No multi or anything else. The supplement industry is basically a money scam. A couple of very knowledgeable friends, one of whom… --- ## ["New" city without an "old" counterpart](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-city-without-an-old-counterpart/979213)
**Author:** [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2023, 9:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-city-without-an-old-counterpart/979213 "2023-02-03T09:41:24Z")
Is there any city with “New” in its name, as a separate word, that’s not actually named after another place? --- ## [Household electrical question, about fuses, GFCI circuits, and such](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/household-electrical-question-about-fuses-gfci-circuits-and-such/978083)
**Author:** [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2023, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/household-electrical-question-about-fuses-gfci-circuits-and-such/978083 "2023-02-03T00:23:43Z")
Within the past few days, my wife and I both overloaded the electrical outlet in our bathrooms, presumably by overloading them. My wife was using a hair dryer and that, probably in conjunction with the hot lamp in the … --- ## [Life In Europe, Before Freedom Of Religion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-in-europe-before-freedom-of-religion/979168)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2023, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-in-europe-before-freedom-of-religion/979168 "2023-02-02T23:12:22Z")
It’s beyond established that the Catholic Church dominated law, custom, culture, and life in Europe for a thousand years. In those days, were the masses expected to attend, uh, mass, every Sunday, on pain of some kind of… --- ## [Meaning of the abbreviation "KL" in Swedish date/time designation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meaning-of-the-abbreviation-kl-in-swedish-date-time-designation/979211)
**Author:** [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2023, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meaning-of-the-abbreviation-kl-in-swedish-date-time-designation/979211 "2023-02-02T22:09:02Z")
See poster below: The venue is the Scandinavium in Gothenburg, Sweden. The date and time would be expressed in North America as Saturday, November 3rd, 7:30 p.m. What doe… --- ## [Addressing dieties in languages with T–V distinction (informal/formal 2nd person pronouns, e.g. thou/you)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/addressing-dieties-in-languages-with-t-v-distinction-informal-formal-2nd-person-pronouns-e-g-thou-you/979185)
**Author:** [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2023, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/addressing-dieties-in-languages-with-t-v-distinction-informal-formal-2nd-person-pronouns-e-g-thou-you/979185 "2023-02-02T20:05:18Z")
I recalled that thou was used in English when addressing God/Jesus and wondered about other languages with current or past distinction between informal and formal 2nd person pronouns. Wikipedia tells me the informal pro… --- ## [Wired earbuds issue](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wired-earbuds-issue/978994)
**Author:** [@BrickBat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrickBat)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2023, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wired-earbuds-issue/978994 "2023-02-02T16:34:48Z")
It seemed I made a dumb mistake by acting in haste. I got a good deal on a set of Razer wired earbuds so as to have better sound quality when playing audio from my phone, but I didn’t read closely enough before pulling t… --- ## [Grammar buffs: Name for this particular usage of the genitive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-buffs-name-for-this-particular-usage-of-the-genitive/978579)
**Author:** [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2023, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-buffs-name-for-this-particular-usage-of-the-genitive/978579 "2023-02-02T14:00:24Z")
Occasionally, one reads about people whose names are idiomatically connected to that of a country, region or continent where they did the things they were famous for. This seems to be old-fashioned usage (i.e., not done … --- ## [Visible Belch (possible TMI)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visible-belch-possible-tmi/397017)
**Author:** [@velvetjones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velvetjones)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2023, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visible-belch-possible-tmi/397017 "2023-02-02T13:45:09Z")
My husband called me at work this morning somewhat freaked out because he belched/burped out “smoke” or possible steam or vapor. He definitely saw a cloud come out of his mouth and float up into the air. He’s had a pr… --- ## [What did “f” and “g” stand for on old HP calculators?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-f-and-g-stand-for-on-old-hp-calculators/977452)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2023, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-f-and-g-stand-for-on-old-hp-calculators/977452 "2023-02-02T00:36:26Z")
On many old HP calculators, there were f and g buttons that would change the function of the key pressed. The f key was yellow and the g key was blue. What did f and g stand for? --- ## [Verifying a life insurance amount](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/verifying-a-life-insurance-amount/979001)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2023, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/verifying-a-life-insurance-amount/979001 "2023-02-02T00:13:34Z")
My mom just passed away and my son is a beneficiary of a life insurance policy she had. The amount seems low ($3K) and it started me thinking: how do you know you are not being scammed by a life insurance payout? Insur… --- ## [What is an element?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-an-element/974067)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2023, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-an-element/974067 "2023-02-01T22:07:33Z")
I’ve seen various defnitions for an element (eg. arsenic) Are all of the following acceptable definitions? 1. An element is an atom with a specific number of protons, neutrons and electrons. 2. An element is a molecu… --- ## [Why can’t I set my iPhone like a radio alarm clock,](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-can-t-i-set-my-iphone-like-a-radio-alarm-clock/977480)
**Author:** [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2023, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-can-t-i-set-my-iphone-like-a-radio-alarm-clock/977480 "2023-02-01T17:39:27Z")
Radio alarm clocks have been around for decades. For much of my life, I woke up to my local public radio station. Now I have an iPhone. It has a clock. It has alarms of various kinds. It can play my local public radio s… --- ## [How much would it cost to buy an island?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-cost-to-buy-an-island/978324)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2023, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-cost-to-buy-an-island/978324 "2023-02-01T17:20:45Z")
Assume I’m stupidly wealthy and want my own Greek island. Is there a way to figure out the price tag and whom to approach? --- ## [Using birth dates or addresses in PIN codes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-birth-dates-or-addresses-in-pin-codes/978614)
**Author:** [@Knighted\_Vorpal\_Sword](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knighted_Vorpal_Sword)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2023, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-birth-dates-or-addresses-in-pin-codes/978614 "2023-02-01T17:15:27Z")
I have a relative with numerous cards - credit cards, government program cards, etc. All of these cards share one thing in common - they all have the same PIN code. Not only the same PIN code, but the 4 digit code is bir… --- ## [All blue-eyed people share one common ancestor](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-blue-eyed-people-share-one-common-ancestor/979066)
**Author:** [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2023, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-blue-eyed-people-share-one-common-ancestor/979066 "2023-02-01T16:30:13Z")
This can’t possibly be true. This would mean that the blue-eye mutation happened only ONCE in all of the history of homo sapiens. What am I missing here? --- ## [lime Kool-Aid and baloney](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lime-kool-aid-and-baloney/56070)
**Author:** [@Bachor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bachor)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2023, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lime-kool-aid-and-baloney/56070 "2023-02-01T15:04:19Z")
I remember hearing about this combination as a kid but can’t remember the context. Any ideas? thanks! --- ## [How did they build brick skyscrapers so straight and square before things like computerized laser levels?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-they-build-brick-skyscrapers-so-straight-and-square-before-things-like-computerized-laser-levels/979118)
**Author:** [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2023, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-they-build-brick-skyscrapers-so-straight-and-square-before-things-like-computerized-laser-levels/979118 "2023-02-01T13:23:52Z")
If you’ve been to an old city like New York, DC, Chicago, etc, you’ll see lots of very tall buildings made with bricks. These buildings seem to be very straight and square even though they are dozens of stories high. H… --- ## [Is there a way to connect wireless headphones to this not-very-new TV?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-connect-wireless-headphones-to-this-not-very-new-tv/978974)
**Author:** [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2023, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-connect-wireless-headphones-to-this-not-very-new-tv/978974 "2023-02-01T05:02:03Z")
My mom has this TV: Sony KDL-32BX320 She wats to know if there’s some way to connect wireless headphones to it. (If it helps, it has a Roku connected to it.) Anyone have any ideas? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=159) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=161)