# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=236 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 237 --- ## [Can JWST pivot to look above the plane of its sun shield?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-jwst-pivot-to-look-above-the-plane-of-its-sun-shield/956656)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2021, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-jwst-pivot-to-look-above-the-plane-of-its-sun-shield/956656 "2021-12-26T23:00:03Z")
Every image I can find of the James Web Space Telescope shows it aiming a few degrees above the plane of its own Sun shield on the more tapered end. Can it pivot to look way above this plane, for example perpendicular to… --- ## [Historical use of the term "desperado"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/historical-use-of-the-term-desperado/956605)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2021, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/historical-use-of-the-term-desperado/956605 "2021-12-26T22:19:59Z")
Essentially, Spanish for “someone who does risky and extreme acts”; or colloquially “someone with nothing to lose”. Was this more or less coined by Old West fiction writers, or was it actually in use in the 19th century … --- ## [Do they remove you from combat in the US military if you have 3 purple hearts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-they-remove-you-from-combat-in-the-us-military-if-you-have-3-purple-hearts/956660)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2021, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-they-remove-you-from-combat-in-the-us-military-if-you-have-3-purple-hearts/956660 "2021-12-26T21:47:31Z")
It’s something I heard a LONG time ago and always thought it was true but looking it up on Google I can’t find anything about it. But basically in World War 2 if you got 3 purple hearts you were generally rotated back t… --- ## [Plugging space heater into surge protector?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plugging-space-heater-into-surge-protector/956550)
**Author:** [@Happytree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happytree)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2021, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plugging-space-heater-into-surge-protector/956550 "2021-12-26T21:18:51Z")
Mrs. Trees and i both think we’ve heard/read that it isn’t safe to plug a space heater into a surge protector. Neither of us can say for sure why we think this, or why it is unsafe. Can anyone see a downside, provided … --- ## [Audio Equalizer for windows? Or for Browser](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/audio-equalizer-for-windows-or-for-browser/956606)
**Author:** [@Loggins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loggins)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2021, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/audio-equalizer-for-windows-or-for-browser/956606 "2021-12-26T15:48:28Z")
Years ago i had a nice addon to my chrome browser that gave me equalizer in youtube and other sound sources in the browser. I can not find it again after i got a new pc a few years ago, i think it was called EQsomething,… --- ## [Why was the Hiroshima damage not symetrical?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-the-hiroshima-damage-not-symetrical/956579)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2021, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-the-hiroshima-damage-not-symetrical/956579 "2021-12-26T03:29:30Z")
Arising out of the Japanese Emperor / surrender thread: @Moriarty posted a link to an NPR article: If you scroll down, you see a map of the most severe damage, roughly circular, and centred on the target spot for the… --- ## [Leaving a gas fireplace unattended all night question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaving-a-gas-fireplace-unattended-all-night-question/956632)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2021, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaving-a-gas-fireplace-unattended-all-night-question/956632 "2021-12-26T01:09:17Z")
Where I live a large percentage of residents leave town in October or November and return in April or May. In fact, these “snowbirds” are so numerous that in my neighborhood, which is mostly made up of retirees, by Chris… --- ## [Venmo, PayPal, cashapp, etc. Is there any real difference?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/venmo-paypal-cashapp-etc-is-there-any-real-difference/956561)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2021, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/venmo-paypal-cashapp-etc-is-there-any-real-difference/956561 "2021-12-25T22:53:50Z")
See title. That’s the question. --- ## [Shave with Mouthwash?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shave-with-mouthwash/941295)
**Author:** [@19USMC69](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/19USMC69)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2021, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shave-with-mouthwash/941295 "2021-12-25T16:46:00Z")
Several years ago in the YMCA locker room I noticed a guy shaving without any shaving cream. He told me he’s used mouthwash ever since a business trip on which he found himself without regular shaving cream. Long story s… --- ## [Question regarding the difference between the verbs 'réussir' and 'se réussir'](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-the-difference-between-the-verbs-reussir-and-se-reussir/956626)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2021, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-the-difference-between-the-verbs-reussir-and-se-reussir/956626 "2021-12-25T15:07:16Z")
I have searched extensively online but have not found any clear difference between the verbs “réussir” and 'se réussir". How do they differ in meaning ? --- ## [Sanitizing mason jar lids: Can I do it in a dishwasher?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanitizing-mason-jar-lids-can-i-do-it-in-a-dishwasher/956574)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2021, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanitizing-mason-jar-lids-can-i-do-it-in-a-dishwasher/956574 "2021-12-25T00:35:37Z")
I need to sanitize some mason jars. My questions is, can I wash and sanitize them in a dishwasher (my washer has a sanitize function)? Certainly the glass parts can. My concern is for the lids and their rubber seals. … --- ## [Docs, EMT's - Drawing blood: Which way should the needle be oriented?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/docs-emts-drawing-blood-which-way-should-the-needle-be-oriented/460208)
**Author:** [@sangfroid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sangfroid)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2021, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/docs-emts-drawing-blood-which-way-should-the-needle-be-oriented/460208 "2021-12-24T20:19:37Z")
I stumbled across this quite by accident, and it made me curious: is bevel-down a better way to draw blood (in most patients)? Myself, I’m an extraordinarily easy stick - most of my veins are large and visible. I’ve been… --- ## [French etymology 'tisonner:' 'to poke'](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/french-etymology-tisonner-to-poke/956532)
**Author:** [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2021, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/french-etymology-tisonner-to-poke/956532 "2021-12-24T16:42:37Z")
This came up in a game where a \*fire poker rack was labeled as ‘tisonniers,’ or ‘pokers.’ Doing a Google search on the French words for ‘to poke’ came up with quite a list, most of which had various meanings, but includ… --- ## [Reducing household odors](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reducing-household-odors/956549)
**Author:** [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2021, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reducing-household-odors/956549 "2021-12-24T00:01:35Z")
I suppose this may drift into IMHO territory, but - here goes. Is there any way to actually reduce the amount of cooking (and dog and people) odors in a small apartment? Not a masking agent, which most “air fresheners” … --- ## [Where did MMR antivaxxers go?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-mmr-antivaxxers-go/956434)
**Author:** [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2021, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-mmr-antivaxxers-go/956434 "2021-12-23T22:03:41Z")
This has become political even if it shouldn’t be and I hope it stays in GQ FQ, I want the data, if it exists. Move if you think it’s best to do this preemptively, or play nice. The politicization is generally framed as… --- ## [Trig Values Set At Four (Places)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trig-values-set-at-four-places/956474)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2021, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trig-values-set-at-four-places/956474 "2021-12-23T19:53:10Z")
I don’t know about the rest of you. But I wasn’t exposed to Trigonometry until my senior year in high school. Anyways, when we had it (it just happened to come up in one lesson), they explained to us in about a day. It i… --- ## [How to Stop Squirrels Chewing Christmas Lights](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-stop-squirrels-chewing-christmas-lights/956548)
**Author:** [@gnarator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnarator)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2021, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-stop-squirrels-chewing-christmas-lights/956548 "2021-12-23T18:25:23Z")
I know this is a ridiculous problem, but it’s really starting to drive me nuts. As a middle-aged man, I started putting up Christmas lights outside a few years ago. I’ve slowly replaced the old style incandescent light… --- ## [Friction pour le bain: Friction? \[French Question\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friction-pour-le-bain-friction-french-question/956536)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2021, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friction-pour-le-bain-friction-french-question/956536 "2021-12-23T16:27:46Z")
I hate to start a thread for a silly question but hopefully a French-speaker will answer and the thread will die quickly. My wife put some liquid soap in the bathroom, called ‘Cucina’. I wondered if there is a liquid s… --- ## [What US-timezone countries currently have the best internet connectivity to the US for remote work? (other than Canada)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-us-timezone-countries-currently-have-the-best-internet-connectivity-to-the-us-for-remote-work-other-than-canada/956432)
**Author:** [@Gozu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2021, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-us-timezone-countries-currently-have-the-best-internet-connectivity-to-the-us-for-remote-work-other-than-canada/956432 "2021-12-23T16:05:21Z")
Some limited research turned up Jamaica but it’s really hard to have comprehensive data on this. I know this is a long shot but maybe some doper has this arcane knowledge at their fingertips. By connectivity, I mean pac… --- ## [Helmets and "chin" straps](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/helmets-and-chin-straps/956419)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2021, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/helmets-and-chin-straps/956419 "2021-12-23T16:04:14Z")
I have a motorcycle helmet and a bicycle helmet. Each of these has a “chin” strap, which is perhaps a bit of a misnomer, as it doesn’t fasten around my chin: it lays across my throat. OTOH, if I look at a US Army helme… --- ## [Telegrams as a way to connect to to another person](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/telegrams-as-a-way-to-connect-to-to-another-person/956447)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2021, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/telegrams-as-a-way-to-connect-to-to-another-person/956447 "2021-12-23T13:20:32Z")
Can I send a telegram? Or is that completely done away with? Not candy grams or flower delivery tools. --- ## [Is there a word for "using code/technology without understanding how it works"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-word-for-using-code-technology-without-understanding-how-it-works/956492)
**Author:** [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2021, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-word-for-using-code-technology-without-understanding-how-it-works/956492 "2021-12-23T05:34:51Z")
Continuing the discussion from How should a person accused of racism respond?: I thought the term was “technical debt”. Which makes sense, because you literally borrow technical knowledge. But the internet tells me te… --- ## [2005 Prius headlight issue](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2005-prius-headlight-issue/956441)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2021, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2005-prius-headlight-issue/956441 "2021-12-22T18:48:50Z")
I’ve noticed something the last week or so. The right headlight on my 2005 Prius sometimes goes out. Originally, I thought it had burned out; but then I noticed it was back on. In that case, you’d think there was a lo… --- ## [How much more expensive to raise animals humanely?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-more-expensive-to-raise-animals-humanely/956224)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2021, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-more-expensive-to-raise-animals-humanely/956224 "2021-12-22T18:47:59Z")
My wife and I eat non-fish animal protein infrequently, but when we do, I am often stricken by how cheap meat is - especially chicken and pork. Animal rights concerns are not the primary reason we eat little animal prot… --- ## [How is modern life impacting human evolution?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-modern-life-impacting-human-evolution/955903)
**Author:** [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2021, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-modern-life-impacting-human-evolution/955903 "2021-12-22T18:33:56Z")
It seems self evident to me that evolution is a natural process that continues to this day. Surely, humans are still experiencing it. It’s also my understanding that evolution isn’t synonymous with “progress”, but is s… --- ## [Question regarding blood-sucking insect behavior](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-blood-sucking-insect-behavior/956415)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2021, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-blood-sucking-insect-behavior/956415 "2021-12-22T18:23:55Z")
Recently I’ve seen read more reports about blood-sucking insect infestations (“no-see-ums” or biting midges) in the US. There is a lot of quackery when it comes to warding off these types of insects. But I am curious abo… --- ## [Does anyone know if this anti 5G usb stick works?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-know-if-this-anti-5g-usb-stick-works/855011)
**Author:** [@Garak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Garak)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2021, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-know-if-this-anti-5g-usb-stick-works/855011 "2021-12-22T14:55:14Z")
https://5gbioshield.com/ Looks cool but the prices are a bit high but i guess there is no price on health --- ## [Calling Canadian Dopers- Cigars](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-canadian-dopers-cigars/956149)
**Author:** [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2021, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-canadian-dopers-cigars/956149 "2021-12-22T14:29:52Z")
I’m hoping my Canadian friends can help me. And if this belongs in IMHO or something, apologies in advance. I have a customer in Canada that I normally send a nice box of cigars every Christmas. It’s his thing. I’m in t… --- ## [Population Growth after Noah's Flood](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/population-growth-after-noahs-flood/956053)
**Author:** [@SoccerDad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SoccerDad)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2021, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/population-growth-after-noahs-flood/956053 "2021-12-22T03:08:36Z")
How do young-Earth Creationists account for the growth in human population after the flood? Starting with a population of 8 people in 4000BC, population grew to 170-200M in early-AD (In China alone the Han Dynasty kept … --- ## [Infectious genocide in Japan?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/infectious-genocide-in-japan/956418)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2021, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/infectious-genocide-in-japan/956418 "2021-12-22T00:04:09Z")
When early European settlers came to the US, they brought a lot of diseases with them, and it didn’t turn out well for the people who were already here: The arrival and settlement of Europeans in the Americas resulted … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=235) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=237)