# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=202 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 203 --- ## [Ants and Rain?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ants-and-rain/966307)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2022, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ants-and-rain/966307 "2022-06-17T14:45:56Z")
This story is inspired by my driveway. I have a lot of anthills in my driveway. And I can’t help but observe them and their lives. Ants are very industrious. Forget bees. Did you know, after every rainstorm, after it dr… --- ## [Automotive terminology](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automotive-terminology/425562)
**Author:** [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2022, 10:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automotive-terminology/425562 "2022-06-17T10:20:54Z")
I was reading an article on Austin Healeys about how AH considered using a Rolls Royce engine to continue the production of the big Healeys. In the article they refer to the engine as being an inlet over-exhaust 4-1litr… --- ## [Do speed limit cameras cut some slack?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-speed-limit-cameras-cut-some-slack/965450)
**Author:** [@SpacemanSpiff\_II](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpacemanSpiff_II)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2022, 10:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-speed-limit-cameras-cut-some-slack/965450 "2022-06-17T10:14:26Z")
It’s extremely common for cops to not issue speeding tickets unless you’re exceeding the speed limit by 5 MPH or so (closer to 10 on highways). But what about these speed limit cameras? Are they programmed to refrain fro… --- ## [Old telegraph wires along railroad tracks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-telegraph-wires-along-railroad-tracks/966049)
**Author:** [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2022, 9:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-telegraph-wires-along-railroad-tracks/966049 "2022-06-17T09:41:23Z")
Last month I took a long distance train trip, from Sacramento to Chicago. One thing I noticed all along the tracks were these old telegraph wires on old fashioned glass insulators. I actually managed to accidentally ge… --- ## [Chillwell A/C units. Do they work or is it a scam?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chillwell-a-c-units-do-they-work-or-is-it-a-scam/966272)
**Author:** [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2022, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chillwell-a-c-units-do-they-work-or-is-it-a-scam/966272 "2022-06-17T02:11:53Z")
Hello Everyone, So for the millionth time a Chillwell as came up on YouTube. If you’re not familiar this is a gadget that is about the size of a small box that is supposed to 'revolutionize the A/C industry". The ad cla… --- ## [Are editors and proofreaders still a thing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-editors-and-proofreaders-still-a-thing/964118)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 107\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2022, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-editors-and-proofreaders-still-a-thing/964118 "2022-06-17T00:21:13Z")
On these boards we all make mistakes. Typing “the” when we meant “they” and such. But most of us here are not professional writers. No big deal. But I have noticed more and more online and in newspapers and magazines g… --- ## [Traveling with legal marijuana](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-legal-marijuana/966266)
**Author:** [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2022, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-legal-marijuana/966266 "2022-06-16T23:41:41Z")
My bf wants to vacation this winter in Texas, his dad has a place where we could stay. Hes curious if he could take his luster pod with him on the plane, or if not, he could buy some down there. His medical card is good … --- ## [What capabilities does the US, NATO, or Russia have to take out incoming nukes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-capabilities-does-the-us-nato-or-russia-have-to-take-out-incoming-nukes/963650)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2022, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-capabilities-does-the-us-nato-or-russia-have-to-take-out-incoming-nukes/963650 "2022-06-16T16:32:20Z")
In an all-out nuclear exchange with the Soviet Union (USSR), I was taught to hide under my desk because there was nothing that was going to stop intercontinental ballistic missiles from reaching us. Fast forward 55 year… --- ## [Domain name registrar sold my domain names WITHOUT asking for my permission!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/domain-name-registrar-sold-my-domain-names-without-asking-for-my-permission/966171)
**Author:** [@wolf\_meister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolf_meister)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2022, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/domain-name-registrar-sold-my-domain-names-without-asking-for-my-permission/966171 "2022-06-16T16:18:19Z")
I have not contacted the registrar yet because I want to know precisely how to proceed. --- ## [Advanced dinosaur civilization](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advanced-dinosaur-civilization/965923)
**Author:** [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Replies:** 220\ **Last updated:** [June 15, 2022, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advanced-dinosaur-civilization/965923 "2022-06-15T18:15:50Z")
Continuing the discussion from Another question about evolution?: I’m not sure how much evidence we have that dinosaurs never developed anything like human intelligence. There’s been at least 65 million years to degrad… --- ## [How accurate are the counterweight scales typically found in Drs office?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-accurate-are-the-counterweight-scales-typically-found-in-drs-office/947478)
**Author:** [@jonpluc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jonpluc)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [June 15, 2022, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-accurate-are-the-counterweight-scales-typically-found-in-drs-office/947478 "2022-06-15T16:12:51Z")
Question about those weight balance scales where you slide the weights across the bar and get the arrow to hoverbalance to indicate your weight. I have one at home, and its properly balanced at “0” when empty, but i weig… --- ## [Did this passage come from a Christian textbook?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-this-passage-come-from-a-christian-textbook/965771)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [June 15, 2022, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-this-passage-come-from-a-christian-textbook/965771 "2022-06-15T00:38:16Z")
I’ve seen this posted on Facebook and elsewhere as coming from a Christian 4th grade school textbook, and I wonder as to its authenticity: “Electricity is a mystery. No one has ever observed it or heard it or felt it. … --- ## [What are those dents in I-90 outside Seattle?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-those-dents-in-i-90-outside-seattle/422061)
**Author:** [@Ms2001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms2001)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [June 14, 2022, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-those-dents-in-i-90-outside-seattle/422061 "2022-06-14T21:19:51Z")
If you’ve driven from Seattle toward Spokane, you’ve probably seen these. Starting around 20 miles outside of Seattle, and continuing for at least 50 miles, there are regularly-spaced dents in the right-hand lane of the … --- ## [Windows 7 ATAPI CD/ROM hardare configuration in the regisrty is incomplete or damaged (Code 19)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-7-atapi-cd-rom-hardare-configuration-in-the-regisrty-is-incomplete-or-damaged-code-19/965989)
**Author:** [@Hilary\_Algar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilary_Algar)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [June 14, 2022, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-7-atapi-cd-rom-hardare-configuration-in-the-regisrty-is-incomplete-or-damaged-code-19/965989 "2022-06-14T20:07:59Z")
Hello everyone. Are there any Win 7 regisrty Experts on board who could recommend a reputable Registy Repair program foi beginners to help assist me with my issue, below? My issue is thatr I have tried two different CD… --- ## [What is this font called?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-font-called/965885)
**Author:** [@LynnM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LynnM)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [June 14, 2022, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-font-called/965885 "2022-06-14T08:01:03Z")
What is this font called? It’s a combination of big/small uppercase+lowercase–Tried to copy/paste it here, but doesn’t paste as it looks– –EDITED: must click link to go to page– Wondering what the design rationale i… --- ## [Term for data packet other than "keepalive"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/term-for-data-packet-other-than-keepalive/964684)
**Author:** [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [June 14, 2022, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/term-for-data-packet-other-than-keepalive/964684 "2022-06-14T07:02:34Z")
OK, I know there are lots of EEs/network-savvy people here. I need a recognizable term for a data packet sent at (very short) regular intervals from a device to a network that lets the network know both where the device … --- ## [Why did DHL do this with my package?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-dhl-do-this-with-my-package/457368)
**Author:** [@FatBaldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FatBaldGuy)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [June 13, 2022, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-dhl-do-this-with-my-package/457368 "2022-06-13T19:35:37Z")
The other day I ordered something from a vendor on the internet, and got an email with shipping date, tracking number, etc. The package was shipped via DHL. When I go to DHL’s website to track my package, I see that th… --- ## [iPhone Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-questions/966078)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [June 13, 2022, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-questions/966078 "2022-06-13T17:27:16Z")
I have a new recent model phone which comes with a lightning cable. I had my previous phone for many years which was charged using a 5V magnetic disc and a USB cable plugging into a 1A or 2.1A adaptor. I presume the po… --- ## [Really tiny pencils](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-tiny-pencils/966060)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [June 13, 2022, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-tiny-pencils/966060 "2022-06-13T14:52:51Z")
Anyone remember these? Decades ago Time and Newsweek magazines would include a subscription card you could remove, fill out and mail. At one point they would also include a really tiny pencil, about three inches long and… --- ## [Why do vacuums and fans spin faster when airflow is restricted?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-vacuums-and-fans-spin-faster-when-airflow-is-restricted/709300)
**Author:** [@Quiztor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quiztor)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [June 13, 2022, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-vacuums-and-fans-spin-faster-when-airflow-is-restricted/709300 "2022-06-13T12:48:58Z")
When you put your hand over a shop vac’s hose, or block the intake of a blower fan, it spins faster and the sound it makes gets higher pitched. Why exactly? My hypothesis is that by restricting the intake of air, a par… --- ## [How (theoretically) can metal detectors be defeated?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-theoretically-can-metal-detectors-be-defeated/686830)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [June 13, 2022, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-theoretically-can-metal-detectors-be-defeated/686830 "2022-06-13T04:47:45Z")
I’m only asking because I’m sure that if there is any possible combination of materials that could hide a metal object from metal detectors, the major intelligence agencies are using them. But from a physics standpoint, … --- ## [Are there are any other current American products named after stereotypes/slurs, like Scotch Tape (and maybe Scottish Inns)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-are-any-other-current-american-products-named-after-stereotypes-slurs-like-scotch-tape-and-maybe-scottish-inns/965706)
**Author:** [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Replies:** 166\ **Last updated:** [June 13, 2022, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-are-any-other-current-american-products-named-after-stereotypes-slurs-like-scotch-tape-and-maybe-scottish-inns/965706 "2022-06-13T04:37:28Z")
I understand “Scotch Tape” was named so because of the stereotype of Scottish people being cheap, and it was perceived the makers of the tape were being cheap with the adhesive. I’ve also read that “Scottish Inns” were … --- ## [Is random sampling factually accurate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-random-sampling-factually-accurate/965865)
**Author:** [@fedman1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fedman1)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [June 13, 2022, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-random-sampling-factually-accurate/965865 "2022-06-13T00:15:30Z")
I haven’t seen this question asked here to my knowledge but has there ever been an empirical verification that random sampling is actually a true predictor of results. Let me explain: there are 10 barrels of apples. Exam… --- ## [How do cable addresses work (e.g., "Wire Paladin, San Francisco")?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-cable-addresses-work-e-g-wire-paladin-san-francisco/829983)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [June 12, 2022, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-cable-addresses-work-e-g-wire-paladin-san-francisco/829983 "2022-06-12T18:45:12Z")
I’m watching all of Have Gun Will Travel from the beginning. I bought myself the boxed set a while back. I’m a Wild Thing. Once we kids figured out that “Wire” wasn’t the man’s first name, it raised the question, how wo… --- ## [Using 40 Volt Lawnmower Batteries for Emergency Lighting and Other Electrical Uses?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-40-volt-lawnmower-batteries-for-emergency-lighting-and-other-electrical-uses/965909)
**Author:** [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 12, 2022, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-40-volt-lawnmower-batteries-for-emergency-lighting-and-other-electrical-uses/965909 "2022-06-12T16:54:57Z")
I recently purchased a Hart (Walmart) electric lawnmower powered by 40 volt, 6 AH batteries. It has occurred to me that I could use these batteries for electric lighting and other electrical uses like running a laptop wh… --- ## [Why is the top quark a "Unique" opportunity to study a raw quark?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-top-quark-a-unique-opportunity-to-study-a-raw-quark/966059)
**Author:** [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [June 12, 2022, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-top-quark-a-unique-opportunity-to-study-a-raw-quark/966059 "2022-06-12T16:07:45Z")
The wikipedia page on the top quark says that: Okay. It’s clear that once they were able to study a top quark in the small amount of time that it exists, they were able to study a “bare” quark. But why can’t the same t… --- ## [U.S. law governing use of U.S.-origin equipment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-law-governing-use-of-u-s-origin-equipment/966021)
**Author:** [@cannonkuo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cannonkuo)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [June 12, 2022, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-law-governing-use-of-u-s-origin-equipment/966021 "2022-06-12T01:33:36Z")
In a memorandum laying out considerations and examining the options for U.S. policy should the Secretary’s meetings in Buenos Aires not produce a breakthrough in the negotiations sufficient to stem the gathering momentum… --- ## [Dracaena draco v. Yucca filamentosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dracaena-draco-v-yucca-filamentosa/965842)
**Author:** [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [June 12, 2022, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dracaena-draco-v-yucca-filamentosa/965842 "2022-06-12T00:56:39Z")
Can someone help me explain to a Dunning-Kruger sufferer that these are two different plants? She keeps insisting that because “yucca” is a regional colloquial nickname for the Dracaena, that somehow proves they’re the s… --- ## [Disappearing Boundary Island](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disappearing-boundary-island/965756)
**Author:** [@SoccerDad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SoccerDad)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [June 11, 2022, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disappearing-boundary-island/965756 "2022-06-11T22:36:47Z")
I may be getting this all wrong but here goes; I read long ago about an island whose location helped delineate the boundary between Massachusetts and one of either Rhode Island, Connecticut, or New York (via Long Island… --- ## [Coffee making a buzzing sound](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coffee-making-a-buzzing-sound/562640)
**Author:** [@Anchuldigs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anchuldigs)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [June 11, 2022, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coffee-making-a-buzzing-sound/562640 "2022-06-11T21:07:32Z")
This morning I made my coffee as usual - I used a Capresso machine, poured it into a clean cup, added 2 packets of splenda, and a bit of half and half. About a minute or 2 later I noticed a buzzing/fizzing sort of sound… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=201) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=203)