# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=224 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 225 --- ## [CNN blurred out “Twitter for iPhone.” Why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cnn-blurred-out-twitter-for-iphone-why/959978)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2022, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cnn-blurred-out-twitter-for-iphone-why/959978 "2022-02-24T00:48:16Z")
I’m watching CNN and they just showed an entire tweet from a US Congressperson. I don’t remember which one. Neither the author nor the contents are relative to my question. The only thing that was obscured (poorly) was “… --- ## [State + Federal Conviction Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-federal-conviction-questions/960010)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2022, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-federal-conviction-questions/960010 "2022-02-23T18:51:34Z")
If you’re convicted and sentenced for a state crime, and then later convicted and sentenced for a federal crime, which prison are you sent to, state or federal? And are your sentences usually served consecutively or conc… --- ## [Is This A Common Legal Tactic (Palin v. New York Times)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-common-legal-tactic-palin-v-new-york-times/959485)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2022, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-common-legal-tactic-palin-v-new-york-times/959485 "2022-02-23T14:04:42Z")
According to this article, the judge in the Sarah Palin lawsuit against the New York Times plans to dismiss the lawsuit, but also allow the jury to reach a verdict. The judge did this because he expects the case to be ap… --- ## [Did Earth ever have methane lakes in its infancy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-earth-ever-have-methane-lakes-in-its-infancy/959823)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2022, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-earth-ever-have-methane-lakes-in-its-infancy/959823 "2022-02-23T12:35:24Z")
Did Earth ever have methane lakes in its infancy? I’ve read how similar Titan is to the early years on Earth. --- ## [Origin of "Giving a Lift" and Other Idioms](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-giving-a-lift-and-other-idioms/488774)
**Author:** [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2022, 8:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-giving-a-lift-and-other-idioms/488774 "2022-02-23T08:50:12Z")
My mom has been teaching an ESL class in the evenings. One of the students lives near her, and this week, my mom offered her a lift home. The student didn’t understand what she meant by “a lift.” My mom explained it,… --- ## [Would today's cellphone be backwards compatable in 2009?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-todays-cellphone-be-backwards-compatable-in-2009/959918)
**Author:** [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2022, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-todays-cellphone-be-backwards-compatable-in-2009/959918 "2022-02-23T03:25:05Z")
So I’m watching on Netflix, and the characters go back in time to 2009. One of the characters pulls out her smart phone and proceeds to call her mom getting her voicemail. Would that work? --- ## [Whatever happened to Fuzzy Logic?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatever-happened-to-fuzzy-logic/959904)
**Author:** [@PozhanPop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PozhanPop)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2022, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatever-happened-to-fuzzy-logic/959904 "2022-02-23T02:20:22Z")
I remember it being a huge thing in the late 90s where it was being applied to even washing machines and microwaves. It was a Japanese concept if I remember right. Did it just taper off or is it incorporated into curre… --- ## [Are rainbows an optical illusion?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-rainbows-an-optical-illusion/959818)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2022, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-rainbows-an-optical-illusion/959818 "2022-02-22T22:16:08Z")
This morning, a beam of light coming through the window and through a prism cast a rainbow/spectrum on me, as I could see in the mirror. But when I positioned myself so that I was just intercepting the red part, the lig… --- ## [Is it wrong to call all three ships of Columbus's first voyage to the Americas carracks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-wrong-to-call-all-three-ships-of-columbuss-first-voyage-to-the-americas-carracks/959929)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2022, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-wrong-to-call-all-three-ships-of-columbuss-first-voyage-to-the-americas-carracks/959929 "2022-02-22T21:00:45Z")
Is it wrong to call all three ships of Columbus’s first voyage to the Americas carracks? Simon Winchester in “Atlantic: A Vast Ocean of A Million Stories” states(p. 86): “His three small carracks , the Niña, the Pinta … --- ## [If arrested and you cannot remember a phone number what happens when you are allowed your "one call"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-arrested-and-you-cannot-remember-a-phone-number-what-happens-when-you-are-allowed-your-one-call/959776)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2022, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-arrested-and-you-cannot-remember-a-phone-number-what-happens-when-you-are-allowed-your-one-call/959776 "2022-02-22T15:35:10Z")
A common bit we see in movies when someone is arrested is the person demanding that the police give them their phone call. I am over 50 years old and back when I was growing up (70s/80s) you just had to memorize phone n… --- ## [Are Russian doll gemstones ever found?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-russian-doll-gemstones-ever-found/959842)
**Author:** [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2022, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-russian-doll-gemstones-ever-found/959842 "2022-02-22T15:15:09Z")
Say an emerald inside a spinal inside an opal inside plain old limestone or something like that. --- ## [What does 'euchred' mean?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-euchred-mean/959887)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2022, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-euchred-mean/959887 "2022-02-22T14:41:48Z")
In the early-1900s, Heinz sold ‘Euchred Figs’. What does that mean? They played cards with them and then put them in a bottle? --- ## [What Is Gray?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-gray/959475)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2022, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-gray/959475 "2022-02-22T14:19:06Z")
I know what black is. It is the total absence of color. When you look at something black, like the letters on this post, you’re not seeing the black. You’re really seeing nothing, which your brain registers as black. I … --- ## [What would have caused this tree damage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-have-caused-this-tree-damage/959898)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2022, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-have-caused-this-tree-damage/959898 "2022-02-22T04:23:05Z")
As you can see from the photos, it was like this around the whole tree up to about 4’. You can also see the surrounding rosemary doesn’t seem to be disturbed so probably not human. … --- ## [How do I sync up my Google Phone's calendar so my mother can see it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-sync-up-my-google-phones-calendar-so-my-mother-can-see-it/959889)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2022, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-sync-up-my-google-phones-calendar-so-my-mother-can-see-it/959889 "2022-02-22T00:12:47Z")
Okay, when I uncheck Local@Phone/Phone Calendar, all the events that I’ve put on my Google Calendar app disappear, leaving me with just my birthday and paydays and such. How do I make it so that Local@Phone is visible o… --- ## [White Precipitant Build Up in Hot Water Dispenser](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-precipitant-build-up-in-hot-water-dispenser/959888)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2022, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-precipitant-build-up-in-hot-water-dispenser/959888 "2022-02-21T19:56:29Z")
I assume there’s a factual answer. Mods, feel free to move this if there isn’t. Our 15-year-old Insinkerator Hot Water Dispenser started leaking yesterday and my wife decided to see if we could fix it. Spoiler alert… we… --- ## [How do I create my own "disappearing text" text boxes in Google Slides? - example inside](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-create-my-own-disappearing-text-text-boxes-in-google-slides-example-inside/959880)
**Author:** [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2022, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-create-my-own-disappearing-text-text-boxes-in-google-slides-example-inside/959880 "2022-02-21T16:16:35Z")
When you use pre-fab slide templates on google slides, it creates a little text box that says “click here to enter text”. When you click it, that text disappears and your text replaces it. It’s nice. In fact, if you empt… --- ## [Kings’ ransoms: 150K marks vs 400K livre](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kings-ransoms-150k-marks-vs-400k-livre/959749)
**Author:** [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2022, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kings-ransoms-150k-marks-vs-400k-livre/959749 "2022-02-21T12:23:21Z")
Who paid more: Richard the Lionhearted in 1194 or Louis IX in 1250? --- ## [How to protect computer from bastard stinkbugs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-protect-computer-from-bastard-stinkbugs/959742)
**Author:** [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2022, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-protect-computer-from-bastard-stinkbugs/959742 "2022-02-21T06:03:47Z")
Not sure if this blongs in FQ or IMHO, but here goes… A few months ago I bought a gaming-level computer. My office area is infested with stinkbugs, and no amount of sealing around windows and doorwall seems to keep them… --- ## [Texting question: I get a reply, "Loved \" with nothing else](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texting-question-i-get-a-reply-loved-then-quotes-my-entire-last-text-with-nothing-else/959778)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2022, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texting-question-i-get-a-reply-loved-then-quotes-my-entire-last-text-with-nothing-else/959778 "2022-02-21T03:51:57Z")
I do a fair amount of texting and I’ve only gotten a couple of these. For example, You: Did you go see that movie about the monster that devoured Cleveland? Me: Yes! My favorite part was when he ate the golfers lik… --- ## [Car Talk...what does this mean: "Dry sump lubrication, fully homologated core engine" (Koenigsegg Regera)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-talk-what-does-this-mean-dry-sump-lubrication-fully-homologated-core-engine-koenigsegg-regera/959803)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2022, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-talk-what-does-this-mean-dry-sump-lubrication-fully-homologated-core-engine-koenigsegg-regera/959803 "2022-02-21T02:34:16Z")
I was watching a YouTube video of Jay Leno’s Garage and he had Christian von Koenigsegg on the show discussing one of his cars, the Regera. The fastest street legal car in the world (at least at that time in 2018). Koe… --- ## [Maximum storage time for non-refrigerated eggs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maximum-storage-time-for-non-refrigerated-eggs/959748)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2022, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maximum-storage-time-for-non-refrigerated-eggs/959748 "2022-02-20T18:11:33Z")
I was watching an interesting documentary the other day about a 2 year sea voyage. It had a section on food prep. They had a vast quantity of eggs that they stored non-refrigerated. The prep was to cover them liberally i… --- ## [Can the courts ban someone from being a police officer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-courts-ban-someone-from-being-a-police-officer/959759)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2022, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-courts-ban-someone-from-being-a-police-officer/959759 "2022-02-20T14:01:21Z")
In reaction to, but not specific to, the Kim Potter case. Suppose the judge felt that if you can’t tell the difference between a taser and a gun, you shouldn’t be a cop. Could they add the penalty of taking away your a… --- ## [Does a canal cutting across an isthmus make an island?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-canal-cutting-across-an-isthmus-make-an-island/959682)
**Author:** [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2022, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-canal-cutting-across-an-isthmus-make-an-island/959682 "2022-02-19T19:21:23Z")
Did the Corinth Canal turn the Peloponnese into an island? Is there a clear yes-or-no answer to this, or is the definition of “island” a sliding scale of truth values? Wikipedia says “Indeed, the Peloponnese is rarely… --- ## [Why do we stand up for judges when they enter court?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-stand-up-for-judges-when-they-enter-court/958488)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2022, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-stand-up-for-judges-when-they-enter-court/958488 "2022-02-19T16:54:53Z")
I don’t have a problem with it. As far as I know the only other person people stand for is the president. Maybe the VP? The military folks stand for higher ranking officers. I guess it’s to show respect. What… --- ## [Has LIGO helped us understand the universe any better? (And other LIGO questions)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-ligo-helped-us-understand-the-universe-any-better-and-other-ligo-questions/959662)
**Author:** [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2022, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-ligo-helped-us-understand-the-universe-any-better-and-other-ligo-questions/959662 "2022-02-19T14:46:30Z")
It’s been over 5 years since the LIGO’s first few detections of gravitational waves from colliding black holes, neutron stars, etc. Looking at the Wikipedia page, there are now dozens of verified events detected by LIGO… --- ## [Are there definitions for things where ALL of the potential examples have been nitpicked to be outside of the definition?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-definitions-for-things-where-all-of-the-potential-examples-have-been-nitpicked-to-be-outside-of-the-definition/959704)
**Author:** [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2022, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-definitions-for-things-where-all-of-the-potential-examples-have-been-nitpicked-to-be-outside-of-the-definition/959704 "2022-02-19T14:40:21Z")
Inspired by this thread: Does a canal cutting across an isthmus make an island? Are there any such things as definitions or categories of things that could exist, but that now contain no remaining examples/members, wher… --- ## [Why does "dripping the water" work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-dripping-the-water-work/957617)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 109\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2022, 10:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-dripping-the-water-work/957617 "2022-02-19T10:00:13Z")
In places of the world where the temperature drops below freezing, but not too terribly below freezing, we’re told to let the water drip on our faucets to keep the pipes from freezing. Why does this work? And wouldn’t … --- ## [Cost of building a new nuclear power plant vs expanding existing plants](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cost-of-building-a-new-nuclear-power-plant-vs-expanding-existing-plants/834513)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2022, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cost-of-building-a-new-nuclear-power-plant-vs-expanding-existing-plants/834513 "2022-02-19T00:15:17Z")
Assume the US wanted to switch to nuclear power as our baseload power. What is the cost of building new nuclear power plants vs expanding existing plants? Can you just add reactors to existing plants so you could turn a… --- ## [Eyeglass prescriptions from optometrist vs. ophthalmologist](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eyeglass-prescriptions-from-optometrist-vs-ophthalmologist/959694)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2022, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eyeglass-prescriptions-from-optometrist-vs-ophthalmologist/959694 "2022-02-18T19:45:18Z")
A year ago I went to an optometrist and got a prescription that looks like this: Spherical Cylinder Axis Add H. Prism V. Prism R +1.00 -1.25 093 -- -- -- L +1.… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=223) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=225)