# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=177 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 178 --- ## [Is "the way of doing" more formal than "the way to do"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-way-of-doing-more-formal-than-the-way-to-do/973840)
**Author:** [@themapleleaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/themapleleaf)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2022, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-way-of-doing-more-formal-than-the-way-to-do/973840 "2022-10-27T18:41:47Z")
I teach English as a second language to Czechs. A common “Czenglish” mistake is to say “the way how to do”. This is a literal translation of a standard Czech phrase, “způsob, jak dělat”. I find myself having to explain t… --- ## [Car Design: Real vs. Toy Copies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-design-real-vs-toy-copies/973792)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2022, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-design-real-vs-toy-copies/973792 "2022-10-26T16:26:55Z")
I was watching “Toys That Built America” on the History Channel. They mentioned that the first Hot Wheels was a car unseen before. Turns out it was a (yet to be revealed) 1968 Corvette. You see, Mattel hired a Chevy car … --- ## [Do Mini Exercise Sessions Throughout the Day Limit My Gains?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-mini-exercise-sessions-throughout-the-day-limit-my-gains/973765)
**Author:** [@Caribbean\_cruiser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caribbean_cruiser)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2022, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-mini-exercise-sessions-throughout-the-day-limit-my-gains/973765 "2022-10-26T15:14:49Z")
Pre-Covid, I did my workouts at my gym in one 45-minute session. Now, I’d like to spread my at-home exercise routines throughout my workday. This gets me up and moving, instead of sitting too long. My plan is simple: Ev… --- ## [Question regarding the Battle of Carhampton 836 AD King Ecgbehrt of Wessex vs. Viking Raid](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-the-battle-of-carhampton-836-ad-king-ecgbehrt-of-wessex-vs-viking-raid/973676)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2022, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-the-battle-of-carhampton-836-ad-king-ecgbehrt-of-wessex-vs-viking-raid/973676 "2022-10-26T13:34:30Z")
The Entire History of Viking Britain // Medieval England Documentary 8 minutes 12/13 seconds into the video, the narrator claims King Ecgbehrt of Wessex defeated the Vikings at the Battle of Carhampton in 8… --- ## [When was the last time a UK general election was called quickly after a new Prime Minister took office?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-a-uk-general-election-was-called-quickly-after-a-new-prime-minister-took-office/973709)
**Author:** [@Wrenching\_Spanners](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wrenching_Spanners)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2022, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-a-uk-general-election-was-called-quickly-after-a-new-prime-minister-took-office/973709 "2022-10-26T13:28:09Z")
Asking a factual question, not for political opinions. It’s happened several times over the past few decades that a UK Prime Minister has resigned, and been replaced by a new Prime Minister from his/her party. When was… --- ## [How does cartilage grow?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-cartilage-grow/973799)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2022, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-cartilage-grow/973799 "2022-10-26T02:32:49Z")
My wife has been diagnosed with a torn meniscus. The orthopedist said the treatment is to arthroscopically snip the tear so that the flappy edges are not rubbing on nerves in surrounding tissue (I am paraphrasing as a la… --- ## [USDJPY: why is the dollar/yen exchange rate so skewed right now?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usdjpy-why-is-the-dollar-yen-exchange-rate-so-skewed-right-now/973783)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2022, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usdjpy-why-is-the-dollar-yen-exchange-rate-so-skewed-right-now/973783 "2022-10-26T00:09:24Z")
Japanese yen are the cheapest they’ve been in 30+ years: you can currently get about 150 yen per dollar. As recently as ten years ago, it was about 75 yen per dollar. From what I can gather, classic supply and demand a… --- ## [How does my power company "know" what I'm using my electricity for?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-my-power-company-know-what-im-using-my-electricity-for/972002)
**Author:** [@Arcite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arcite)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2022, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-my-power-company-know-what-im-using-my-electricity-for/972002 "2022-10-25T21:21:12Z")
My power company sends me a monthly “Home Energy Report” that purports to show a breakdown of how many dollars’ worth of electricity I used last month by various categories: cooling, kitchen, laundry, lighting, electroni… --- ## [Jail time for failure to card for cigarettes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jail-time-for-failure-to-card-for-cigarettes/973649)
**Author:** [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2022, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jail-time-for-failure-to-card-for-cigarettes/973649 "2022-10-25T21:09:21Z")
From this thread: I need advice for working at 7-Eleven - Mundane Pointless Stuff I Must Share (MPSIMS) - Straight Dope Message Board More than one poster has claimed that a seller may face jail time for failing to car… --- ## [Video: why is this mountain goat stamping her feet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/video-why-is-this-mountain-goat-stamping-her-feet/973729)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2022, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/video-why-is-this-mountain-goat-stamping-her-feet/973729 "2022-10-25T18:15:49Z")
Video shows a mountain goat and her young chilling on the face of a cliff, waiting out a hungry bear who finally realizes he just can’t get to them without falling and dying in the attempt: Why is the adul… --- ## [What's wrong with my Recycle Bin?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-my-recycle-bin/973658)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2022, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-my-recycle-bin/973658 "2022-10-25T17:40:57Z")
I’ve been making backups of some files. After I did this, I opened my Recycle Bin to delete the files from my hard drive and free up memory. But when I opened the Recycle Bin, it was empty. The files I had sent there we… --- ## [Will this idea work to run a washing machine with only hot water inlet working?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-this-idea-work-to-run-a-washing-machine-with-only-hot-water-inlet-working/973492)
**Author:** [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2022, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-this-idea-work-to-run-a-washing-machine-with-only-hot-water-inlet-working/973492 "2022-10-25T12:46:39Z")
We have a run of galvanized piping in an older part of our house that’s on a slab / crawlspace, so difficult to get to the pipes. We can hear water leaking from the general vicinity of our kitchen sink, but not we nor pl… --- ## [Spam emails that will not allow themselves to be deleted](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spam-emails-that-will-not-allow-themselves-to-be-deleted/970037)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2022, 8:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spam-emails-that-will-not-allow-themselves-to-be-deleted/970037 "2022-10-25T08:04:29Z")
I’ve been deluged lately with spam, 15-20 per day. I’ve been rolling the rock up the hill, trying to unsubscribe, mark as spam, or simply delete spammail. But I’ve had a few recent ones that do not allow any of these ac… --- ## [Who Owns The UN?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-owns-the-un/160875)
**Author:** [@bobk2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobk2)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2017, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-owns-the-un/160875 "2017-12-24T14:17:17Z")
Specifically, who owns the United Nations building and property in New York? Is the property considered part of “US Soil’?” If the UN were to relocate or otherwise vacate the land, who would have the rights of ownership?… --- ## [A Question on Game Stop](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-on-game-stop/973678)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2022, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-on-game-stop/973678 "2022-10-25T04:29:44Z")
Remember the Game Stop stock anomaly? Maybe someone can explain how does one rectify the fact that the price kept going up, but the stores were still failing, right? So, what happens when the proverbial unstoppable force… --- ## [Why are most metals grey/silver? Why are gold and copper NOT silver?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-most-metals-grey-silver-why-are-gold-and-copper-not-silver/973351)
**Author:** [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2022, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-most-metals-grey-silver-why-are-gold-and-copper-not-silver/973351 "2022-10-25T03:44:00Z")
Obviously I am speaking here of elemental metals. Alloys and whatnot can be any color. Metals are, with two exceptions, ALL grey/silver. There’s some minor variations - platinum is a bit lighter than iron, for instanc… --- ## [Is Paris the only city where you can tour the sewers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-paris-the-only-city-where-you-can-tour-the-sewers/973653)
**Author:** [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2022, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-paris-the-only-city-where-you-can-tour-the-sewers/973653 "2022-10-24T20:13:20Z")
Is Paris the only city where the sewers are an attraction where one can go on organized tours?:clipperton\_island: --- ## [Jordan, Religious Freedom, And Human Rights](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jordan-religious-freedom-and-human-rights/973594)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2022, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jordan-religious-freedom-and-human-rights/973594 "2022-10-24T20:05:07Z")
My devoutly evangelical Christian niece is going to Jordan to “work with” Syrian refugees, although she freely admits that “work with” means “prosyletize.” She also tells me that proselytizing Muslims in the kingdom is f… --- ## [Was every Vietnam era draftee sent to fight in Vietnam?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-every-vietnam-era-draftee-sent-to-fight-in-vietnam/637679)
**Author:** [@Donnerwetter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Donnerwetter)\ **Replies:** 88\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2022, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-every-vietnam-era-draftee-sent-to-fight-in-vietnam/637679 "2022-10-24T19:25:22Z")
If you were drafted into the US Army (or the Marines) during the 1960s and early 1970s, was it inevitable to be sent to fight in Vietnam as soon as you finished your training? Or were there some lucky ones who could sit… --- ## [If Francis retires while Benedict XVI is still alive, what will he be called?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-francis-retires-while-benedict-xvi-is-still-alive-what-will-he-be-called/973606)
**Author:** [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2022, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-francis-retires-while-benedict-xvi-is-still-alive-what-will-he-be-called/973606 "2022-10-24T00:31:39Z")
Benedict is Pope Emeritus. Would Francis be Pope Emeritus Secundus? Pope Emeritus Minor? --- ## [Hurricane Ian Debris](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-ian-debris/972952)
**Author:** [@19USMC69](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/19USMC69)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2022, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-ian-debris/972952 "2022-10-23T23:03:52Z")
Before anything can be rebuilt a massive amount of debris has to be removed. Where does it go? The space required to hold it, even temporarily, has to be huge. Once there, will there be an attempt to recycle some of it? --- ## [Is “American hour” an expression in the UK?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-american-hour-an-expression-in-the-uk/973638)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2022, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-american-hour-an-expression-in-the-uk/973638 "2022-10-23T18:41:36Z")
I’m watching a football match between Chelsea and Manchester United and the announce said “a quarter of an American hour left to go.” Does this mean something other than 15 minutes? How is the expression used? --- ## [US cities - three words or more?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-cities-three-words-or-more/972974)
**Author:** [@Mark\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mark_Finn)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2022, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-cities-three-words-or-more/972974 "2022-10-23T17:54:16Z")
What cities in the US have names containing three or more words? We will exckude those with “city” - e.g. NYC and Salt Lake City. Let’s also exclude those with “New”, “Upper”, and similar descriptives. Examples - King… --- ## [How to get access to the footage online \[Reagan library\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-access-to-the-footage-online-reagan-library/973621)
**Author:** [@cannonkuo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cannonkuo)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2022, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-access-to-the-footage-online-reagan-library/973621 "2022-10-23T16:21:19Z")
I found the website: WHITE HOUSE COMMUNICATIONS AGENCY: NEWS SUMMARY VIDEOTAPE COLLECTION, 1981-82 | Ronald Reagan containing some videotape footage that I want to watch. May I know how I can get access to the footage o… --- ## [Looking for a restaurateur named "Pierre"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-restaurateur-named-pierre/457182)
**Author:** [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2022, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-restaurateur-named-pierre/457182 "2022-10-23T13:07:57Z")
I am trying to track down information on a restaurateur named “Pierre.” I don’t know his last name. He is mentioned prominently in a book I’ve just read, a memoir of José Sarria, but that devil José never mentions Pierre… --- ## [Which is more environmentally friendly - keep an older vehicle running well or buy a newer eco friendly vehicle?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-more-environmentally-friendly-keep-an-older-vehicle-running-well-or-buy-a-newer-eco-friendly-vehicle/973560)
**Author:** [@2gigch1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2gigch1)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2022, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-more-environmentally-friendly-keep-an-older-vehicle-running-well-or-buy-a-newer-eco-friendly-vehicle/973560 "2022-10-23T05:34:00Z")
I own two 2004 Fords, an F350 diesel pickup and an Explorer. I keep both running well, and I am real good about keeping the emissions clean on the pickup. Neither gets run that hard yearly as I have a company vehicle tha… --- ## [Why do we hear so much about colon cancer and basically nothing about (small) intestinal cancer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-hear-so-much-about-colon-cancer-and-basically-nothing-about-small-intestinal-cancer/973628)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2022, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-hear-so-much-about-colon-cancer-and-basically-nothing-about-small-intestinal-cancer/973628 "2022-10-23T03:18:48Z")
Is the one just over-powering more common? If so, why? If the cancer comes from a genetic flaw in the individual, well, all the intestines (and everything else) has the same genetics. If the cause is basically exposur… --- ## [Can ETS/College Board invalidate a test with no proof of wrongdoing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-ets-college-board-invalidate-a-test-with-no-proof-of-wrongdoing/973294)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2022, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-ets-college-board-invalidate-a-test-with-no-proof-of-wrongdoing/973294 "2022-10-22T02:49:33Z")
College Board runs the PSAT/SAT and ETS runs the GRE, Praxis, et al. Suppose I am taking one of those tests and I do the whole security gamut. No cell phone. All personal items turned in. Turn out pockets. Etc. And… --- ## [Is the word "Hansa" or "Hanse" originally of Latin, Gothic or Low German origin? I've found results stating all three of them as the source language](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-word-hansa-or-hanse-originally-of-latin-gothic-or-low-german-origin-ive-found-results-stating-all-three-of-them-as-the-source-language/973514)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2022, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-word-hansa-or-hanse-originally-of-latin-gothic-or-low-german-origin-ive-found-results-stating-all-three-of-them-as-the-source-language/973514 "2022-10-21T20:17:09Z")
Is the word “Hansa” or “Hanse” originally of Latin, Gothic or Low German origin? I’ve found results stating all three of them as the source language. Which one is it? --- ## [More details about blood type - it's really a 43 bit binary number, right?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-details-about-blood-type-its-really-a-43-bit-binary-number-right/973538)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2022, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-details-about-blood-type-its-really-a-43-bit-binary-number-right/973538 "2022-10-21T20:15:44Z")
Questions inspired by the thread about “if there is no right blood type…”, I’m just trying to understand blood type here. It seems saying my type is “A” or “A+” (both true) is incomplete, but just a kind of prioritized a… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=176) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=178)