# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=235 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 236 --- ## [Ugh! Do cockroaches have ANY positive, useful purposes at all?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugh-do-cockroaches-have-any-positive-useful-purposes-at-all/955905)
**Author:** [@Beelzebubbly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beelzebubbly)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2022, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugh-do-cockroaches-have-any-positive-useful-purposes-at-all/955905 "2022-01-01T03:01:26Z")
Is there ANYTHING about cockroaches which could be consider positive? Anything at all? Are they a source of compounds that can help develop new disease fighting drugs? Is there any industrial use for them at all? Can the… --- ## [What are these bare spots up in these mountains?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-bare-spots-up-in-these-mountains/956970)
**Author:** [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2022, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-bare-spots-up-in-these-mountains/956970 "2022-01-01T02:46:50Z")
What are these bare spots up in these mountains? I and some friends noted a bunch of mostly-bare spots in the mountains one day while flying from the San Francisco Bay Area to South Lake Tahoe for the proverbial “$100 h… --- ## [Why does my Acer Chromebook not work any more with Wikipedia editing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-acer-chromebook-not-work-any-more-with-wikipedia-editing/956888)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2022, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-acer-chromebook-not-work-any-more-with-wikipedia-editing/956888 "2022-01-01T00:26:38Z")
I’ve been using my Acer Chromebook for a couple of years to edit Wikipedia with no troubles, but I’ve been having a problem recently. The keyboard entry is terribly slow. If I click to move the cursor from one spot to … --- ## [Pearl Harbor things](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pearl-harbor-things/955840)
**Author:** [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2021, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pearl-harbor-things/955840 "2021-12-31T21:17:13Z")
If sinking the carriers were one of the main objectives of the attack, why didn’t one of their people on the island tell them they weren’t home? And, how many Japanese pilots made it back to their carriers? Just finding … --- ## [Roman catholic question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roman-catholic-question/956520)
**Author:** [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Replies:** 194\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2021, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roman-catholic-question/956520 "2021-12-31T11:45:10Z")
OK, so we address a Priest as “Father” , and he would address me as “My son”. There are several ways of addressing a RC Bishop, but how does a priest address one? He doesn’t say “My son” for sure but Father? And how … --- ## [Winter housefly origin](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/winter-housefly-origin/956519)
**Author:** [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2021, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/winter-housefly-origin/956519 "2021-12-31T01:54:58Z")
It’s deep into the cold season here in Chicago, though it’s been more mild than usual. Today, I heard a housefly buzzing around and caught a few glimpses, looked like just a regular fly we see around here during warmer … --- ## [Live lyrics to White, Discussion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/live-lyrics-to-white-discussion/244077)
**Author:** [@hauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hauss)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2021, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/live-lyrics-to-white-discussion/244077 "2021-12-31T01:35:39Z")
I’ve been wondering this for years. What is that preacher-sounding guy in this song saying (it’s not Ed Kowalczyk)? None of the lyric sites have these lyrics included. The points in the song that they appear are betwe… --- ## [What would a Japanese WW2 military coded message have looked (or sounded) like?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-a-japanese-ww2-military-coded-message-have-looked-or-sounded-like/956727)
**Author:** [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2021, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-a-japanese-ww2-military-coded-message-have-looked-or-sounded-like/956727 "2021-12-30T22:20:47Z")
Wikipedia isn’t much use for this question. So for an allies WW2 coded transmission, I guess we had morse code or something, and then that was transposed in to alphabet letters, and then the decoding could progress from … --- ## [Cat losing hair](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-losing-hair/950782)
**Author:** [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2021, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-losing-hair/950782 "2021-12-30T17:33:16Z")
My boyfriend’s cat has bare spots on her backside, near her tail. Yes, he plans to get her to a vet after he gets a carrier and can get her in it. She has been sitting in the bathroom a lot, instead of her usual perch in… --- ## [Is it impossible to get fired from an entry level job in Europe because they have "contracts and proper rights"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-impossible-to-get-fired-from-an-entry-level-job-in-europe-because-they-have-contracts-and-proper-rights/956662)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 87\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2021, 9:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-impossible-to-get-fired-from-an-entry-level-job-in-europe-because-they-have-contracts-and-proper-rights/956662 "2021-12-30T09:44:38Z")
Basically if you work at a grocery store in Europe, can you be fired for any reason? I’ve seen Europeans claim at “At will” employment doesn’t exist in Europe for “all jobs” (but the context of the conversation was abou… --- ## [Is there a term for new things to look look classic (explained in post)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-term-for-new-things-to-look-look-classic-explained-in-post/956706)
**Author:** [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2021, 9:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-term-for-new-things-to-look-look-classic-explained-in-post/956706 "2021-12-30T09:31:05Z")
You know like : LED Light bulbs are made to look like the old incandescent type Plastic table tops have a pattern to look like wood Volume knobs on modern day electronic gadgets to mimic old log resistors. --- ## [Is there a term for the name someone takes to fit into another culture?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-term-for-the-name-someone-takes-to-fit-into-another-culture/956712)
**Author:** [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2021, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-term-for-the-name-someone-takes-to-fit-into-another-culture/956712 "2021-12-30T01:13:25Z")
I’m not even sure how to phrase the question: I’ve worked with, for example, a Chinese woman, raised in the US, whose given name is Tsu-yun who goes by “Teresa”. Is there a term for when someone takes a ‘common’ name th… --- ## [When was 'czar' first used for an American head of a government agency?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-czar-first-used-for-an-american-head-of-a-government-agency/942769)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2021, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-czar-first-used-for-an-american-head-of-a-government-agency/942769 "2021-12-29T22:49:07Z")
The question is in the title. I think I first heard it in the '80s, though it could have been the '90s, as ‘So-and-So has been named the “Drug Czar” in charge of leading the nation’s fight against drugs.’ --- ## [Anyone know a human at facebook (meta)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-a-human-at-facebook-meta/956878)
**Author:** [@bdgr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bdgr)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2021, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-a-human-at-facebook-meta/956878 "2021-12-29T22:07:37Z")
So an attempt was made at hijacking my facebook account – I was online when it happened caught it and got everything locked down. But now Facebook wants me to verify that it’s really me – which I can appreciate. Except… --- ## [How does someone pay a fine of a huge amount of money that they'll never be able to repay?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-someone-pay-a-fine-of-a-huge-amount-of-money-that-theyll-never-be-able-to-repay/956678)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2021, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-someone-pay-a-fine-of-a-huge-amount-of-money-that-theyll-never-be-able-to-repay/956678 "2021-12-29T21:56:28Z")
This question was inspired by a news story I saw in which a woman is facing a 20-year prison sentence and $250 million in fines for punching a flight attendant who asked her to wear a mask. Most people don’t have $250 m… --- ## [Not All Files Appear](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-all-files-appear/956861)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2021, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-all-files-appear/956861 "2021-12-29T16:49:55Z")
I am using Paint (in Windows 10 v. 20H2 OS Build 19042.1415). When I save a creation in Paint, not all are appearing (as saved files) in the folder where supposedly saved. What is going on? Where might I find the missi… --- ## [Is the phrase "too premature" redundant?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-phrase-too-premature-redundant/956608)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2021, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-phrase-too-premature-redundant/956608 "2021-12-29T16:45:48Z")
Anthony Fauci is quoted as directly using this phrase, and it struck me as repetitively redundant. What’s your grammatical understanding out there? --- ## [Does the Bible state that the earth is spherical?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-bible-state-that-the-earth-is-spherical/746893)
**Author:** [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2021, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-bible-state-that-the-earth-is-spherical/746893 "2021-12-29T16:37:22Z")
Inspired by this thread : Do any of the writers of the Bible ever state that the earth is a sphere? --- ## [Explain this appeals court ruling](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-this-appeals-court-ruling/956854)
**Author:** [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2021, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-this-appeals-court-ruling/956854 "2021-12-29T16:12:38Z")
Although I have several decades of dealing with the law I certainly have no training, knowledge or expertise when it comes to appeals to higher courts. The below linked case was pretty high profile in New Jersey. After s… --- ## [What causes my computer to be unwilling to open files?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-causes-my-computer-to-be-unwilling-to-open-files/956785)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2021, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-causes-my-computer-to-be-unwilling-to-open-files/956785 "2021-12-29T00:31:10Z")
My computer (Windows 11) has had this glitch for months where it will require 4-6 rapid clicks in succession in order to open a file (instead of the usual two), but now it’s gotten to the point where often no amount of c… --- ## [Has a public university ever spun out a department or institute?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-a-public-university-ever-spun-out-a-department-or-institute/956751)
**Author:** [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2021, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-a-public-university-ever-spun-out-a-department-or-institute/956751 "2021-12-28T23:57:58Z")
I’m looking for any case where a public U.S. university has transferred ownership of a center or institute to another entity. Searching with words like ‘spin out’, ‘divest’, ‘transfer’ just provides me with irrelevant r… --- ## [Does this product exist? - flat base for roller chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-product-exist-flat-base-for-roller-chair/956743)
**Author:** [@smilingbandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smilingbandit)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2021, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-product-exist-flat-base-for-roller-chair/956743 "2021-12-28T23:40:27Z")
After being unable to find a good chair option, I wanted to ask the Teeming Millions if anyone might have created a flat base to put a roller chair on, so that it won’t slide or damage the carpet underneath. I don’t mean… --- ## [Contribution limits if you have both a Roth IRA and a standard 401(k)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/contribution-limits-if-you-have-both-a-roth-ira-and-a-standard-401-k/956573)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2021, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/contribution-limits-if-you-have-both-a-roth-ira-and-a-standard-401-k/956573 "2021-12-28T19:35:56Z")
My son has a Roth IRA and no employer-offered retirement accounts. In January he will start a new job that offers a 401(k). The maximum contribution to a Roth IRA is $6000, and the max for a 401(k) will be $20,500. Can h… --- ## [Are there organized groups of anti-hunting activists?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-organized-groups-of-anti-hunting-activists/956741)
**Author:** [@Roger\_That](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roger_That)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2021, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-organized-groups-of-anti-hunting-activists/956741 "2021-12-28T18:54:48Z")
People who oppose hunting for sport, in other words? I’d like to find a group that is very active, i.e., organizes protests, meets with lawmakers, etc. as opposed to a group that just discusses doing away with hunting fo… --- ## [Which type of cancer is this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-type-of-cancer-is-this/956479)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2021, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-type-of-cancer-is-this/956479 "2021-12-28T01:40:24Z")
A friend has cancer that has metastasized from one organ to another. If I want to understand more about what he’s going through, do I look up cancer in the original organ or cancer in the organ it has spread to? Or is it… --- ## [Homeowner responsibility hurricane damge](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeowner-responsibility-hurricane-damge/956433)
**Author:** [@CBEscapee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CBEscapee)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2021, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeowner-responsibility-hurricane-damge/956433 "2021-12-27T21:34:22Z")
If during during a hurricane, part of a person’s dwelling is blown onto and causes damage to a neighboring property, is the owner responsible for the damage? In this case properly installed solar panels broke glass panel… --- ## [Telling Edge not to fill out multiple fields](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/telling-edge-not-to-fill-out-multiple-fields/956647)
**Author:** [@CardboardBoxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CardboardBoxx)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2021, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/telling-edge-not-to-fill-out-multiple-fields/956647 "2021-12-27T19:17:38Z")
(Note, I posted this already, saw the delete icon and was curious what would happen if I pressed it, as I thought deleting threads had been disabled. It deleted my thread, which I didn’t think it would actually do.) Sin… --- ## [Can I be in legal trouble for photos someone else took?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-be-in-legal-trouble-for-photos-someone-else-took/956631)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2021, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-be-in-legal-trouble-for-photos-someone-else-took/956631 "2021-12-27T14:25:51Z")
The title may not give the whole picture. Cleaning out my garage, I found some undeveloped film. The film is a roll I took and I have no clue who took the pictures. Let’s say I take it in to be developed to see what’s… --- ## [Can an american charged with felony drug charges ask Switzerland for Asylum?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-an-american-charged-with-felony-drug-charges-ask-switzerland-for-asylum/956329)
**Author:** [@Gozu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2021, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-an-american-charged-with-felony-drug-charges-ask-switzerland-for-asylum/956329 "2021-12-27T06:37:57Z")
I heard through a mutual friend that Bob, an old friend of mine got caught with 20 grams of coke in Wisconsin and apparently he’s filed for asylum in Switzerland. Is this something that has ever worked or is he doomed t… --- ## [Why aren't there more accidents during US war reenactments?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-there-more-accidents-during-us-war-reenactments/956602)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2021, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-there-more-accidents-during-us-war-reenactments/956602 "2021-12-27T03:18:36Z")
Any war reenactors out there? The recent tragedy at the filming of the movie Rust brought a question to mind. While there are a lot more movies made each year than there are war reenactments, you rarely hear about reena… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=234) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=236)