# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=247 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 248 --- ## [What biosignatures would the ROYGBIV color spectrum give to an astronomer looking for extra-terrestrial life? What is the most sophisticated telescope on the market for such a search?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-biosignatures-would-the-roygbiv-color-spectrum-give-to-an-astronomer-looking-for-extra-terrestrial-life-what-is-the-most-sophisticated-telescope-on-the-market-for-such-a-search/953217)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2021, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-biosignatures-would-the-roygbiv-color-spectrum-give-to-an-astronomer-looking-for-extra-terrestrial-life-what-is-the-most-sophisticated-telescope-on-the-market-for-such-a-search/953217 "2021-10-27T21:40:41Z")
I’m not an astronomer but have only a hazy understanding of Spectro-Polarimetric Imaging. So I’m phrasing my question the only way I know how. What biosignatures would the ROYGBIV color spectrum give to an astronomer loo… --- ## [Help with iPhone text log](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-iphone-text-log/953324)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2021, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-iphone-text-log/953324 "2021-10-27T21:06:33Z")
I hope I can describe this… I use my phone for work and have a list of vendors I use frequently. Recently one of those vendors stopped showing up in my text log. If I need to text them I have to use the search function… --- ## [Good God, Gertie! What a gash!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-god-gertie-what-a-gash/765368)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2021, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-god-gertie-what-a-gash/765368 "2021-10-27T18:23:18Z")
What is the origin of ‘Good God, Gertie! What a gash!’? --- ## [Shelves inside kitchen cabinets keep falling down](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelves-inside-kitchen-cabinets-keep-falling-down/953192)
**Author:** [@anny\_m](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anny_m)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2021, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelves-inside-kitchen-cabinets-keep-falling-down/953192 "2021-10-27T17:39:52Z")
Our kitchen cabinets are what I’d term to be middle-level quality (Schrock). The shelves are adjustable and held by small pins that sit in the holes on the inside of the unit – four for each shelf. The pegs look like t… --- ## [Battery Replacement for Hard-Wired Smoke/CO Detectors](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/battery-replacement-for-hard-wired-smoke-co-detectors/953143)
**Author:** [@SoccerDad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SoccerDad)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2021, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/battery-replacement-for-hard-wired-smoke-co-detectors/953143 "2021-10-27T17:07:07Z")
How often should I change the 9V backup battery in my Hard-Wired smoke detector? We have several. The manual says “when it starts chirping” but that’s not very pro-active. At least one online video says every six month… --- ## [Knights on white horses](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knights-on-white-horses/953009)
**Author:** [@SpacemanSpiff\_II](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpacemanSpiff_II)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2021, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knights-on-white-horses/953009 "2021-10-27T16:06:37Z")
Knights - and heroes generally (e.g. the Lone Ranger) - are stereotypically associated these days with white horses. But was that really a thing, back in the days of actual knights (and other horse-riding “heroes”)? I w… --- ## [Statistical test with rankings](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/statistical-test-with-rankings/953182)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2021, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/statistical-test-with-rankings/953182 "2021-10-26T17:22:53Z")
I give my audience 10 choices and ask each person to choose The most important The 2nd most important The 3rd most important How do I test the data to come up with the overall 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice? The trick is t… --- ## [Can you use an ad blocker selectively?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-use-an-ad-blocker-selectively/944818)
**Author:** [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2021, 10:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-use-an-ad-blocker-selectively/944818 "2021-10-26T10:33:17Z")
I use a MacBook Air, much prefer Safari but use Firefox when Safari causes weirdness, and my current OS is Mojave 10.14.6. I don’t currently use an ad blocker because for the most part I don’t mind the ads I get - somet… --- ## [Can "pas du tout" be used in the same way as "Pas de quoi" after being thanked in French?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-pas-du-tout-be-used-in-the-same-way-as-pas-de-quoi-after-being-thanked-in-french/953075)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2021, 10:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-pas-du-tout-be-used-in-the-same-way-as-pas-de-quoi-after-being-thanked-in-french/953075 "2021-10-26T10:05:11Z")
Can “pas du tout” be used in the same way as “Pas de quoi”? I’ve only ever heard it used once that way and have never seen it in print online. So I’m skeptical about using “pas du tout” that way. --- ## [Is a "Pen" really a "Sharp"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-pen-really-a-sharp/953129)
**Author:** [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2021, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-pen-really-a-sharp/953129 "2021-10-26T03:23:50Z")
I have Diabetes type 2. About 2 1/2 months ago my Dr. added a once weekly injectable to the 2 pills I take twice a day to keep my glucose down. It comes in a spring loaded pen, I guess, that sticks me when I hold the but… --- ## [What happens when online betting shop makes a mistake?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-online-betting-shop-makes-a-mistake/953204)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2021, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-online-betting-shop-makes-a-mistake/953204 "2021-10-26T03:01:59Z")
In Colorado so not illegal I have a parlay going and one of my teams lost on a last second play (I take the money line on parlays not the spread) for my only loss. It is still showing as an open parlay 24 hours later s… --- ## [Is there a theoretical minimum to the Phase velocity of light?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-theoretical-minimum-to-the-phase-velocity-of-light/953106)
**Author:** [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2021, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-theoretical-minimum-to-the-phase-velocity-of-light/953106 "2021-10-25T20:38:02Z")
So diamond has the highest refractive index and presumably the phase velocity of light is reduced by a factor (about 2.4) of the refractive index of diamond. Is there a theoretical minimum that a media can slow down lig… --- ## [Question about OTC meds manufacturing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-otc-meds-manufacturing/953119)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2021, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-otc-meds-manufacturing/953119 "2021-10-25T20:33:28Z")
Right off the bat let me state that I know nothing about this stuff. That being said, the following strikes me as ineffective or at least not cost-effective. I sometimes have trouble sleeping because of pain so I bought… --- ## [Two Questions About Irrational Numbers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-questions-about-irrational-numbers/952939)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2021, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-questions-about-irrational-numbers/952939 "2021-10-25T16:14:45Z")
As I said on another message board, I have a hard time understanding how irrational numbers never repeat. Nonterminating, repeating numbers I can understand. ⅓ is .3333333333333333333333… I understand that well. You go t… --- ## [Canada's Gov. wants to buy grenades in response to COVID-19? Website exploit?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadas-gov-wants-to-buy-grenades-in-response-to-covid-19-website-exploit/952696)
**Author:** [@edwin\_klockars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwin_klockars)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2021, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadas-gov-wants-to-buy-grenades-in-response-to-covid-19-website-exploit/952696 "2021-10-25T14:47:30Z")
There is some viral nonsense making the rounds on Facebook and I’m having trouble debunking it. If you goto the official website of the government, http://canada.ca and then search for “Grenades and tear gas” the top se… --- ## [How do I open my new phone to change the battery?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-open-my-new-phone-to-change-the-battery/953034)
**Author:** [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2021, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-open-my-new-phone-to-change-the-battery/953034 "2021-10-24T19:14:17Z")
The manual glosses over it. --- ## [What did I experience on this train ride?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-i-experience-on-this-train-ride/952711)
**Author:** [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2021, 10:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-i-experience-on-this-train-ride/952711 "2021-10-24T10:41:42Z")
Yesterday I went up from Olympia to Seattle via the Amtrak Cascades to see a stand up comedy show. Since there’s no late night public transit and taking an Uber back to town would have been more expensive than a hotel ro… --- ## [I'm trying to find a connection between the Denon wing of the Louvre and the French 'Parlement'](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-trying-to-find-a-connection-between-the-denon-wing-of-the-louvre-and-the-french-parlement/952920)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2021, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-trying-to-find-a-connection-between-the-denon-wing-of-the-louvre-and-the-french-parlement/952920 "2021-10-23T19:29:29Z")
I had read about a connection between the Denon wing of the Louvre and the French ‘Parlement’. I presume it was during the ‘ancien régime’ that it was used for parliamentary sessions but I haven’t been able to locate any… --- ## [Game theory question: Calculating mixed strategy Nash equilibria](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-theory-question-calculating-mixed-strategy-nash-equilibria/953013)
**Author:** [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2021, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-theory-question-calculating-mixed-strategy-nash-equilibria/953013 "2021-10-23T17:11:22Z")
Suppose you have a simple 2x2 simultaneous game of the sort that is described in all textbooks on game theory. This game may well have mixed strategy Nash equilibria. The algorithm to compute their probability distributi… --- ## [Can you be ticketed for inferred speeding?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-be-ticketed-for-inferred-speeding/952196)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2021, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-be-ticketed-for-inferred-speeding/952196 "2021-10-23T16:18:19Z")
Let’s say I’m driving on a stretch of some limited access highway (one with no on or off ramps). Let’s say the speed limit is 70 mph and the stretch of road is thirty-five miles long. There are cameras at the on and off … --- ## [Fritz equal 💩 what's the origin of that slang?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fritz-equal-whats-the-origin-of-that-slang/953002)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2021, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fritz-equal-whats-the-origin-of-that-slang/953002 "2021-10-23T11:40:29Z")
I’ve heard people say “took a fritz” instead of crap. Fritz sounds less offensive. I usually hear it used when people are talking about their dog. What’s the slang origin? --- ## [Airplanes: Why aren't V-Tails more common?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplanes-why-arent-v-tails-more-common/919292)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2021, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplanes-why-arent-v-tails-more-common/919292 "2021-10-23T02:49:28Z")
Most airplanes we see have a typical vertical rudder and horizontal stabilizer setup. Some planes, however, have a V-tail setup. Get rid of the the three-bits above (vertical rudder and two horizontal stabilizers) and … --- ## [Actually writing data to a disk drive](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actually-writing-data-to-a-disk-drive/952624)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2021, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actually-writing-data-to-a-disk-drive/952624 "2021-10-23T01:26:31Z")
Years ago in UNIX class, I seem to remember there was a program that would cause all the data blocks scheduled for output to be actually written to the drive. This was meant to be run just before shutting down the comput… --- ## [Can I just carry photos in my phone of my driver's license, insurance, cards, etc?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-just-carry-photos-in-my-phone-of-my-drivers-license-insurance-cards-etc/952570)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2021, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-just-carry-photos-in-my-phone-of-my-drivers-license-insurance-cards-etc/952570 "2021-10-22T20:03:17Z")
If I get pulled over, can I get by with just showing the officer a photo of my driver’s license? Same with proof of insurance? Can I present a photo of my health insurance card to my doctor’s office or hospital? I’m lo… --- ## [Level 2 Car charger - 50 amp hardwired / what amp for circuit and gauge for wire?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/level-2-car-charger-50-amp-hardwired-what-amp-for-circuit-and-gauge-for-wire/952861)
**Author:** [@jdc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jdc)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2021, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/level-2-car-charger-50-amp-hardwired-what-amp-for-circuit-and-gauge-for-wire/952861 "2021-10-22T14:31:11Z")
I am having an electrician install a hardwired 50 amp Level-2 charger in my garage. A NEMA plug based charger on 50 amp circuit can only charge at 40 amps or so, but if you hardwire you can use full capacity of charger… --- ## [The opposite of "Concordeski"—what would Russians call an American version/ripoff of a Russian thing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-opposite-of-concordeski-what-would-russians-call-an-american-version-ripoff-of-a-russian-thing/952858)
**Author:** [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2021, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-opposite-of-concordeski-what-would-russians-call-an-american-version-ripoff-of-a-russian-thing/952858 "2021-10-22T13:54:15Z")
As wiktionary succinctly puts it, -ski Informal, humorous. Added to a word, name, or phrase to invoke Russianness, Polishness, or a more general Slavicness." e.g. Concordeski, the Russian TU-144 SST, a counterpart to … --- ## [Car question about oil life guages](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-question-about-oil-life-guages/952863)
**Author:** [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2021, 8:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-question-about-oil-life-guages/952863 "2021-10-22T08:19:28Z")
So do these things actually have sensors that measure the amount of dirt or whatever in the oil to calculate % of oil life left? If so, what all is invloved/what are they measuring? Or, is it as I suspect and they just … --- ## [Most expensive movable object?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-expensive-movable-object/915527)
**Author:** [@Mark\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mark_Finn)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2021, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-expensive-movable-object/915527 "2021-10-21T22:30:30Z")
I had a discussion recently with friends about the most expensive movable object ever built. We decided to leave out space missions or objects in outer space. My conclusion was that it would be a Gerald Ford-class aircr… --- ## [What's the military purpose of a submarine needing to be able to break through Arctic ice?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-military-purpose-of-a-submarine-needing-to-be-able-to-break-through-arctic-ice/952655)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2021, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-military-purpose-of-a-submarine-needing-to-be-able-to-break-through-arctic-ice/952655 "2021-10-21T18:52:35Z")
You see it every now and then, a submarine’s sail breaking through ice in the Arctic and crewmen wandering about on the ice. Is this for communications purposes - the submarine needs to stick out its antenna every once… --- ## [Pain from Propofol at surgery, but not colonoscopy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pain-from-propofol-at-surgery-but-not-colonoscopy/952856)
**Author:** [@crazyjoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crazyjoe)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2021, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pain-from-propofol-at-surgery-but-not-colonoscopy/952856 "2021-10-21T13:54:09Z")
Last week I was fortunate enough to have what the ENT called “A whole shitload of huge polyps” removed from my sinuses. For this surgery, I was given propofol, something else, and ketamine. When he put the propofol in … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=246) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=248)