# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=182 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 183 --- ## [Sandy Hook a hoax?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandy-hook-a-hoax/709528)
**Author:** [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Replies:** 200\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2022, 10:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandy-hook-a-hoax/709528 "2022-09-28T10:19:03Z")
Hello Everyone, I have a neighbor who is a nice guy, but recently I found our that he is one of those who believes that 9/11 was an inside job. That opinion had always bothered me, but I’ve kept my mouth shut just to… --- ## [Will there ever be a new print version of the Columbia Encyclopedia?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-ever-be-a-new-print-version-of-the-columbia-encyclopedia/972043)
**Author:** [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [September 27, 2022, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-ever-be-a-new-print-version-of-the-columbia-encyclopedia/972043 "2022-09-27T22:15:50Z")
I love the Columbia Encyclopedia. The last printed version is the 6th edition, from 2000. Will there ever be another print edition? (I’m asking about the unabridged version, not the “concise” version.) --- ## [ID this sculpture/structure outside a Mormon church](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-sculpture-structure-outside-a-mormon-church/617116)
**Author:** [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2012, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-sculpture-structure-outside-a-mormon-church/617116 "2012-03-29T15:31:42Z")
Down the block from my house is a Mormon church which is very well attended on Sundays and certain evenings. I’ve driven past it thousands of times on my way to work and back and often wondered about this \*objet d’art \* … --- ## [Is There A Way To Find Out Which Books Have Been Banned In My Community](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-find-out-which-books-have-been-banned-in-my-community/972256)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [September 27, 2022, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-find-out-which-books-have-been-banned-in-my-community/972256 "2022-09-27T21:18:12Z")
Missouri is, apparently, going all-in on banning books, because of our conservative leadership’s desperate goal of imitating Texas at every opportunity when it comes to social issues. I’ve read headlines of books being b… --- ## [Is this meme true (age of the Appalachian Mountains)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-meme-true-age-of-the-appalachian-mountains/972100)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [September 27, 2022, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-meme-true-age-of-the-appalachian-mountains/972100 "2022-09-27T21:09:27Z")
There’s a meme going around (maybe it’s old but I’ve now just seen it) that sates: the appalachian mountains are older than saturn’s rings. the appalachian mountains are older than dinosaurs. the appalachian mountains a… --- ## [What Is This Constellation, Visible From The Southern Hemisphere?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-constellation-visible-from-the-southern-hemisphere/972208)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [September 27, 2022, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-constellation-visible-from-the-southern-hemisphere/972208 "2022-09-27T20:21:19Z")
Look above and to the right of the Moon in this video. It’s obviously Australia or New Zealand (from the guy’s accent), but I don’t know when (in the year) the video was taken or which direction the camera was facing. I… --- ## [When and why did "Esquire" become synonymous with "lawyer", at least in the United States?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-and-why-did-esquire-become-synonymous-with-lawyer-at-least-in-the-united-states/970445)
**Author:** [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [September 27, 2022, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-and-why-did-esquire-become-synonymous-with-lawyer-at-least-in-the-united-states/970445 "2022-09-27T11:46:14Z")
One can’t help but notice this. It seems that Esq. has become the standard postnominal for practicing attorneys, used on door shingles, letterheads, and business cards. There’s an obvious practicality there, since “E… --- ## [Can I give my car TOO many oil changes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-give-my-car-too-many-oil-changes/970822)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [September 27, 2022, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-give-my-car-too-many-oil-changes/970822 "2022-09-27T10:59:37Z")
I’m assuming that there is a factual answer to this question but depending on how the thread goes I understand if the mods move it to GD Using synthoil and a good fluid, you can easily get 10,000 miles per oil change. … --- ## [Are electrical ring circuits used in the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-electrical-ring-circuits-used-in-the-us/971998)
**Author:** [@xtenkfarpl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xtenkfarpl)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [September 27, 2022, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-electrical-ring-circuits-used-in-the-us/971998 "2022-09-27T05:20:10Z")
IN UK house wiring, outlets are (or used to be?) wired in a configuration called a ring, where there were two outgoing wires from the supply box, and these were wired to multiple outlets in a chain so that each one had e… --- ## [Can a Molex connector carry 120 VAC?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-molex-connector-carry-120-vac/972229)
**Author:** [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [September 26, 2022, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-molex-connector-carry-120-vac/972229 "2022-09-26T23:42:59Z")
The title says it all. I have a project that will require connecting low current line voltage from a standard computer style 3 prong plug in the back panel to a DC power supply inside. The problem is that the two parts … --- ## [Is the distinction between sativa and indica supported by research? Or is it marketing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-distinction-between-sativa-and-indica-supported-by-research-or-is-it-marketing/970623)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 98\ **Last updated:** [September 26, 2022, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-distinction-between-sativa-and-indica-supported-by-research-or-is-it-marketing/970623 "2022-09-26T13:48:42Z")
I realize that there are two main strains (species) of cannabis and that there is some common understanding of the different types of highs they produce. But I have been consuming mj for over 50 years and I never knew w… --- ## [What's with the %20 on Safari?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-20-on-safari/972206)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [September 26, 2022, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-20-on-safari/972206 "2022-09-26T13:08:57Z")
Fairly frequently when searching for something in Safari, I get a page that says ‘Safari can’t open the page… Safari can’t open the page “\[text\]%20\[text\]%20\[text\]%20\[text\]” because the page’s address isn’t valid.’ Why i… --- ## [What does "offense date" in the context of criminal punishment records mean?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-offense-date-in-the-context-of-criminal-punishment-records-mean/450240)
**Author:** [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [September 26, 2022, 9:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-offense-date-in-the-context-of-criminal-punishment-records-mean/450240 "2022-09-26T09:46:59Z")
I was browsing the web site of the Florida Department of Corrections and, more out of curiosity than because of any specific reason, came across this record of an inmate currently serving his sentence. This offender was… --- ## [A question for entomologists about rough woodlice](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-for-entomologists-about-rough-woodlice/972221)
**Author:** [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 26, 2022, 8:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-for-entomologists-about-rough-woodlice/972221 "2022-09-26T08:53:50Z")
I live in a subterranean apartment whose front directs to the mere ground and which is very damp (I have problems with mould, but that’s for another thread…). The summers of 2019 and 2020 were very dry in Germany, and in… --- ## [Drowning in a bathtub](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drowning-in-a-bathtub/972159)
**Author:** [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [September 26, 2022, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drowning-in-a-bathtub/972159 "2022-09-26T01:56:55Z")
How likely is it for a healthy, sober adult to fall asleep and drown in the bathtub? I like to soak in hot water, and sometimes I nod off. The Beloved and another friend are aghast. You could drown! But I don’t believe … --- ## [Whence: "I lost you at the bakery."](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whence-i-lost-you-at-the-bakery/196984)
**Author:** [@Algernon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algernon)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 26, 2022, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whence-i-lost-you-at-the-bakery/196984 "2022-09-26T01:50:06Z")
Whenever it happens that I completely lose the logical progression of something that someone is attempting to explain to me, I will often say “Hold on. I lost you at the bakery.” I vaguely recall it being used in a com… --- ## [Montreal Cognitive Assessment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/montreal-cognitive-assessment/806851)
**Author:** [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2022, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/montreal-cognitive-assessment/806851 "2022-09-25T23:04:38Z")
Does the Montreal Cognitive Assessment have any credible cognitive value, especially when used alone and with no other mental health tests? --- ## [How tall is Barret Hansen (Doctor Demento)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-tall-is-barret-hansen-doctor-demento/971286)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2022, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-tall-is-barret-hansen-doctor-demento/971286 "2022-09-25T20:23:57Z")
I have seen previews and photos from the new “Weird” Al biopic and, disregarding the crappy curly wig that is supposed to be Al’s hair, in most of the pictures The Good Doctor seems to be a foot to a foot and a half tall… --- ## [Is collusion illegal for governments?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-collusion-illegal-for-governments/972199)
**Author:** [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2022, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-collusion-illegal-for-governments/972199 "2022-09-25T16:16:46Z")
So, here’s the idea. A small town wants to form a ‘shared services’ contract with a nearby town for some sort of municipal service, let’s say fire department services, because that’s what it is. This small town borders a… --- ## [Longest time between two British monarch regnal names](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-time-between-two-british-monarch-regnal-names/972165)
**Author:** [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2022, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-time-between-two-british-monarch-regnal-names/972165 "2022-09-25T15:33:51Z")
Time is defined as from the death of the previous holder and the accession of the next. The one I have gotten thus far. Elizabeth I (1603) to Elizabeth II (1952)=349 years Edward VI (1553) to Edward VII (1901)=348 yea… --- ## [Couldn't the Webb telescope get better photos of Jupiter?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/couldnt-the-webb-telescope-get-better-photos-of-jupiter/968010)
**Author:** [@DaveRaver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaveRaver)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2022, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/couldnt-the-webb-telescope-get-better-photos-of-jupiter/968010 "2022-09-25T15:31:41Z")
Looking at the newly released Webb telescope photo of Jupiter, I know I’ve seen sharper photos than this. If Webb can photograph 13 billion year old galaxies, couldn’t it zoom in a lot closer to Jupiter and get sharper … --- ## [Help the Chemistry Novice--Phenolphthalein and Sodium Hydroxide](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-the-chemistry-novice-phenolphthalein-and-sodium-hydroxide/213851)
**Author:** [@Zhen\_ka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zhen_ka)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2003, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-the-chemistry-novice-phenolphthalein-and-sodium-hydroxide/213851 "2003-11-18T13:16:30Z")
Greetings, During the course of my tutoring duties, I often find myself assisting students with chemistry projects. One such project involves acidic solutions. The experiement requires phenolpthalein and sodium hydrox… --- ## [Yahoo Mail odd behavior (again)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yahoo-mail-odd-behavior-again/972163)
**Author:** [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2022, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yahoo-mail-odd-behavior-again/972163 "2022-09-25T12:28:57Z")
My husband and I both use AT&T e-mail which sadly comes to us via Yahoo. Recently he and some other people send e-mails to me and the screen shows me Yahoo Mail ! as the sender. Sometimes these go to spam and sometimes… --- ## [Does an Attorney General both represent and act as the state in a civil suit?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-an-attorney-general-both-represent-and-act-as-the-state-in-a-civil-suit/971997)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2022, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-an-attorney-general-both-represent-and-act-as-the-state-in-a-civil-suit/971997 "2022-09-25T00:31:22Z")
A question I am pondering after today’s news. It’s previously been reported that the Trump Org offered to settle this case and that the AG’s office refused. In a civil suit between two individuals, the plaintiff would m… --- ## [Why is my (white) neighbor's face purple?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-my-white-neighbors-face-purple/970930)
**Author:** [@Roger\_That](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roger_That)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2022, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-my-white-neighbors-face-purple/970930 "2022-09-24T16:08:47Z")
One of my neighbors has some sort of condition that looks like a huge splotch of purple covers about half of his face. I’ve been swimming lately with him, and I don’t know him well enough to ask about it, nor can i imagi… --- ## [How Did We Get From Pussy (cat) to Pussy (vag)? How Did Beaver Enter The Mix?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-we-get-from-pussy-cat-to-pussy-vag-how-did-beaver-enter-the-mix/971993)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2022, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-we-get-from-pussy-cat-to-pussy-vag-how-did-beaver-enter-the-mix/971993 "2022-09-24T14:44:15Z")
Do Spanish speakers say “gatita” (little female cat) to refer to a woman’s vag? Do they also use “castor” (beaver)? How did these two slang terms get into the English lexicon? And are they used in the local tongue (heh … --- ## [Question about input to a laptop HDMI port (vs output to external monitor)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-input-to-a-laptop-hdmi-port-vs-output-to-external-monitor/971325)
**Author:** [@Loggins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loggins)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2022, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-input-to-a-laptop-hdmi-port-vs-output-to-external-monitor/971325 "2022-09-24T12:19:41Z")
Hello! I bought a Game Stick Lite which is a HDMI dongle that makes your monitor into an arcade machine and emulator heaven :stuck\_out\_tongue: Now, its ok to put it into the monitor, and select HDMI source to display i… --- ## [With global warming, will I be underwater?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-global-warming-will-i-be-underwater/972061)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2022, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-global-warming-will-i-be-underwater/972061 "2022-09-24T06:34:08Z")
I live way inland, in Saskatchewan. I see people commenting that coastal places will be under water with global warming. What about me? are there any projections for the North American Inland Sea to return? --- ## [Did George Floyd use a counterfeit $20 bill?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-george-floyd-use-a-counterfeit-20-bill/971518)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2022, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-george-floyd-use-a-counterfeit-20-bill/971518 "2022-09-23T21:07:18Z")
George Floyd was arrested and subsequently murdered when the clerk of a grocery store called the cops on suspicion that Floyd was attempting to pass a $20 counterfeit bill as legitimate. Has anyone been able to find pro… --- ## [Currency - 1,2, and 5](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/currency-1-2-and-5/972035)
**Author:** [@Mark\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mark_Finn)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2022, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/currency-1-2-and-5/972035 "2022-09-23T19:33:19Z")
Currencies around the world normally have coins/notes of values 1, 2, and 5 (with or without one or more zeros added, and some values may be skipped). Exceptions would be Canada and the US which use a 25 cent coin (rath… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=181) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=183)