# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=163 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 164 --- ## [Origins of slapping people with fish?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origins-of-slapping-people-with-fish/133595)
**Author:** [@Arcite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arcite)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2023, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origins-of-slapping-people-with-fish/133595 "2023-01-19T22:21:06Z")
A few months ago, on another message board, I saw an animated smiley that depicted one face whipping out a dead fish and smacking another face in the eye with it. I thought it was just an isolated, bizarre, random joke,… --- ## [Specific impulse and liquid ozone](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/specific-impulse-and-liquid-ozone/978418)
**Author:** [@EnolaStraight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EnolaStraight)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2023, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/specific-impulse-and-liquid-ozone/978418 "2023-01-19T20:35:33Z")
Specific impulse of newtonian thrust engines, like jets and rockets, measures the efficiency of the engine thrust. Specific impulse - Wikipedia If we restrict the discussion to rocket thrust, what increases in efficien… --- ## [Two (possibly stupid) linguistics questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-possibly-stupid-linguistics-questions/978069)
**Author:** [@Quondam\_Mechanic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quondam_Mechanic)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2023, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-possibly-stupid-linguistics-questions/978069 "2023-01-19T18:40:19Z")
Here are a few Hebrew words that sound (to me, at least) as if they could be linguistically related to their equivalents in a few Indo-European languages. Yes, of course I know: Hebrew is Semitic, and languages in differ… --- ## [Flickering lights - utility co. has been called - but I have questions for any electricians](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flickering-lights-utility-co-has-been-called-but-i-have-questions-for-any-electricians/977318)
**Author:** [@aurora\_maire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aurora_maire)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2023, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flickering-lights-utility-co-has-been-called-but-i-have-questions-for-any-electricians/977318 "2023-01-19T17:53:16Z")
I called the utility company three hours ago but they aren’t here yet. In the meantime, I’ve realized the problem might be in the house and not from the transformer. The lights started flickering late last night. This… --- ## [Scale model of solar system](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scale-model-of-solar-system/978370)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2023, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scale-model-of-solar-system/978370 "2023-01-19T17:43:08Z")
If I were to create a perfectly scaled model of our solar system in a 12 ft sphere, would the planets be visible to the naked eye ? --- ## [Where are the British cemeteries?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-the-british-cemeteries/978427)
**Author:** [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2023, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-the-british-cemeteries/978427 "2023-01-19T06:53:22Z")
During the American Revolution, the Redcoats took some casualties. What did they do with the bodies? Are there cemeteries with British soldiers on American soil? In a related thought, what was the typical British sold… --- ## [Which U.S. Presidents smoked (or didn’t, depending on the default)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-u-s-presidents-smoked-or-didn-t-depending-on-the-default/978258)
**Author:** [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2023, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-u-s-presidents-smoked-or-didn-t-depending-on-the-default/978258 "2023-01-19T05:02:49Z")
Is this even something we can document? It was a random thought that occurred to me when I saw a picture of Warren G. Harding with a cigarette as he spoke to Thomas Edison. … --- ## [US Federal Security Clearances](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-federal-security-clearances/978379)
**Author:** [@Turki-lurki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turki-lurki)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2023, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-federal-security-clearances/978379 "2023-01-18T17:46:13Z")
When I got mine dogs years ago there was a ton of paperwork, interviews, etc. It is unimaginabke to me that some current members of congress could pass such scrutiny. Do senators and representatives automatically have cl… --- ## [Who exactly is permitted to get treatment at Walter Reed Hospital?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-exactly-is-permitted-to-get-treatment-at-walter-reed-hospital/978255)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2023, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-exactly-is-permitted-to-get-treatment-at-walter-reed-hospital/978255 "2023-01-18T16:19:48Z")
Is Walter Reed hospital restricted to sitting presidents only? Are there any instances of foreign leaders having been treated there? Is it open to all or just a restricted number of White House staff and elected members … --- ## [Are all the comments on Facebook sponsored ad's just bots?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-all-the-comments-on-facebook-sponsored-ads-just-bots/977739)
**Author:** [@Quintas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quintas)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2023, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-all-the-comments-on-facebook-sponsored-ads-just-bots/977739 "2023-01-18T15:36:41Z")
Or do the companies doing the advertising have people creating hundreds of fake profiles? The latest thing constantly popping up on my Facebook is some junk called “Crystal Clear Memories”. It’s a square piece of clear… --- ## [What anti-virus is recommended for Acer Nitro-5 on Windows?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-anti-virus-is-recommended-for-acer-nitro-5-on-windows/978362)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2023, 9:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-anti-virus-is-recommended-for-acer-nitro-5-on-windows/978362 "2023-01-18T09:09:30Z")
We have a be computer Chez Pipers. It’s an Acer Nitro-5 gaming laptop running Windows. What anti-virus programme is recommended for it? Thanks. --- ## [How do I get rid of SharePoint?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-rid-of-sharepoint/978319)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2023, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-rid-of-sharepoint/978319 "2023-01-18T01:01:02Z")
Microsoft SharePoint appears in Task Manager as a Background Process. I can kill the process but it restarts on reboot. It is not listed in the Startup tab. It is not listed in the Windows Apps list so I can’t uninstall … --- ## [Lottery Ticket, Income Tax, and Gift Tax Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lottery-ticket-income-tax-and-gift-tax-questions/978310)
**Author:** [@Ynnad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ynnad)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2023, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lottery-ticket-income-tax-and-gift-tax-questions/978310 "2023-01-17T23:04:41Z")
These questions are asked in the context of U.S. federal tax law. It will be useful to know that the current exemption for gift tax is $16,000 per year per recipient. Scenario 1 (the easy one): Doe purchased a two doll… --- ## [Food allergies: peanuts but not peanut butter; boiled eggs, not scrambled](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-allergies-peanuts-but-not-peanut-butter-boiled-eggs-not-scrambled/978254)
**Author:** [@MsAdo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsAdo)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2023, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-allergies-peanuts-but-not-peanut-butter-boiled-eggs-not-scrambled/978254 "2023-01-17T19:23:48Z")
I ate boiled eggs and broke out into hives. Happened to me at age 12 (pretty severely) and then again age 41 (mildly). But I eat scrambled eggs every day. I also have OAS (oral allergy syndrome) which makes my throat, ea… --- ## [What are the furthest right digits on videotapes counting?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-furthest-right-digits-on-videotapes-counting/978344)
**Author:** [@whc.03grady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whc.03grady)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2023, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-furthest-right-digits-on-videotapes-counting/978344 "2023-01-17T13:04:57Z")
On many videos, say of an interrogation or raw video from a television show, there’s a counter. They seem to be of the form HH:MM:SS:?? and my question is what do the ?? stand for? It’s confusing because they seem to onl… --- ## [How can a company change someone's credit score?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-a-company-change-someones-credit-score/978328)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2023, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-a-company-change-someones-credit-score/978328 "2023-01-17T00:42:49Z")
I see an ad periodically that claims to raise peoples credit scores by x amount. Now it seems to me that a person’s credit rating is based on his history and that is not going to change. They don’t suddenly become more… --- ## [Is long term weather prediction mathematically impossible ? Are there similar limits to AI and Autonomous systems?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-long-term-weather-prediction-mathematically-impossible-are-there-similar-limits-to-ai-and-autonomous-systems/978037)
**Author:** [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2023, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-long-term-weather-prediction-mathematically-impossible-are-there-similar-limits-to-ai-and-autonomous-systems/978037 "2023-01-16T17:48:03Z")
My introduction to Chaos theory started with Michael Crichton’s book “Jurassic Park” where he explained the Butterfly effect and how Non linear systems are hard to model. Understand that the book was fiction but it inspi… --- ## [Is "cracking your fingers" a regional version of "snapping your fingers"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cracking-your-fingers-a-regional-version-of-snapping-your-fingers/978291)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2023, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cracking-your-fingers-a-regional-version-of-snapping-your-fingers/978291 "2023-01-16T16:50:20Z")
I heard someone say it, but I just assumed they meant “snapping their fingers” and it’s a regional difference. --- ## [What is the historical origin of the US debt ceiling?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-historical-origin-of-the-us-debt-ceiling/978284)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2023, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-historical-origin-of-the-us-debt-ceiling/978284 "2023-01-15T22:44:23Z")
I appreciate that there’s a lot of politics about the debt ceiling, but I’m hoping we can keep this as a factual issue: When did the debt ceiling get created, and what was its purpose at that time? --- ## [What's The Motivation For YouTubers To Produce Shorts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-motivation-for-youtubers-to-produce-shorts/978217)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2023, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-motivation-for-youtubers-to-produce-shorts/978217 "2023-01-15T18:26:14Z")
I understand why YouTube is pushing for this kind of content – more ads with less minutes devoted to content. Profit! But what is the benefit to the YouTubers themselves? Of the hundred or so I subscribe to, about half s… --- ## [Does the insanity defense ever work in one of the ways used in Law & Order?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-insanity-defense-ever-work-in-one-of-the-ways-used-in-law-order/978075)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2023, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-insanity-defense-ever-work-in-one-of-the-ways-used-in-law-order/978075 "2023-01-15T06:17:38Z")
Inspired by the thread on the movie / TV characters who might actually be villains. One of the ways that the insanity defense is frequently used on L&O seems to go like this. Bad Guy kills or rapes someone. They are s… --- ## [Does China Have a Monopoly on "Rare Earth" Elements?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-china-have-a-monopoly-on-rare-earth-elements/516541)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2023, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-china-have-a-monopoly-on-rare-earth-elements/516541 "2023-01-14T15:18:05Z")
I was reasing an investment report, that was talking about the commercial importance of the “rare earth” elements (lanthanum,hafnium,etc.)-which are used to make high power magnets optical components, etc. It seems that … --- ## [How does the US government track classified documents?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-us-government-track-classified-documents/978184)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2023, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-us-government-track-classified-documents/978184 "2023-01-13T22:48:06Z")
President Biden and former President Trump both appear to have left office with a substantial quantity of classified documents in their possession. According to this timeline, in Trump’s case, it took about four months … --- ## [Surface brightness of LEDs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surface-brightness-of-leds/978009)
**Author:** [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2023, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surface-brightness-of-leds/978009 "2023-01-13T14:38:10Z")
I just bought a projector fog light. The thing is amazingly bright, but what’s really incredible is: all that brightness is generated by a tiny SMT LED, maybe 4mm x 2mm. The LED is way too bright to look at (even without… --- ## [Logic behind elevator (lift) control in office building](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/logic-behind-elevator-lift-control-in-office-building/978093)
**Author:** [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2023, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/logic-behind-elevator-lift-control-in-office-building/978093 "2023-01-13T14:37:09Z")
Hi there, I work in a newish office building, where you type in your destination floor (“17”) on a totem on the ground floor and the system assigns you a lift (elevator) → (“A”) that will take you to your desired floor.… --- ## [Declaration of Independence - Other Drafts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/declaration-of-independence-other-drafts/978041)
**Author:** [@tullsterx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tullsterx)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2023, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/declaration-of-independence-other-drafts/978041 "2023-01-13T03:11:09Z")
Are there any original drafts or notes that were used during the writing of the Declaration of Independence? Seems there MUST have been at least a 1st Draft and Final Draft or other writings or meeting notes about it? S… --- ## [How many passengers really survived the Mayflower voyage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-passengers-really-survived-the-mayflower-voyage/978067)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2023, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-passengers-really-survived-the-mayflower-voyage/978067 "2023-01-13T00:49:34Z")
How many passengers really survived the Mayflower voyage ? I’ve seen anywhere from 47 to 53. Does anyone really know? Why the discrepancies ? --- ## [Characteristics of AI-generated images - is forensic analysis possible?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/characteristics-of-ai-generated-images-is-forensic-analysis-possible/977946)
**Author:** [@brossa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brossa)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2023, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/characteristics-of-ai-generated-images-is-forensic-analysis-possible/977946 "2023-01-12T21:58:13Z")
Not sure if this verges into Cafe Society territory, but looking for some factual-ish answers, so here goes - A friend came across a maybe slightly risqué image of a young woman with blue hair wearing a tank top. To me,… --- ## [1999 Jeep Cherokee electrical issue](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1999-jeep-cherokee-electrical-issue/941784)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2023, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1999-jeep-cherokee-electrical-issue/941784 "2023-01-12T21:44:32Z")
My 1999 Jeep Cherokee (bought new) has electrical issues. A few years ago, I thought maybe things just ‘stopped working’ after years of virtual non-use. Here’s a list of things that are happening: The directional ind… --- ## [Tool to programmatically add bookmarks to PDF file?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tool-to-programmatically-add-bookmarks-to-pdf-file/978071)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2023, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tool-to-programmatically-add-bookmarks-to-pdf-file/978071 "2023-01-12T20:20:17Z")
I have a PDF file. I have a text file that lists titles and page numbers in the file. Is there any program that can edit the file and insert these as bookmarks? I can do it manually in FoxIt but there are over 400 entrie… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=162) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=164)