# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=260 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 261 --- ## [Is there a way to find out if a house in Florida is being foreclosed-on?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-find-out-if-a-house-in-florida-is-being-foreclosed-on/949125)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2021, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-find-out-if-a-house-in-florida-is-being-foreclosed-on/949125 "2021-08-21T00:37:30Z")
My brother, Tommy, says he is unemployed, can’t get a job, & they are foreclosing on the house. Problem is – \*My Sister Heather claims he is lying Tommy took money from my Dad for the same thing (never paid it back) … --- ## [Does a train really jerk backwards at the moment that it comes to a complete stop?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-train-really-jerk-backwards-at-the-moment-that-it-comes-to-a-complete-stop/944705)
**Author:** [@hibernicus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hibernicus)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2021, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-train-really-jerk-backwards-at-the-moment-that-it-comes-to-a-complete-stop/944705 "2021-08-20T21:38:47Z")
When a train is decelerating to a stop, standing passengers have to brace themselves or hold onto something to prevent themselves from falling forward towards the front of the train. They find themselves leaning forward … --- ## [Why the prevalence of ski masks in armed police](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-prevalence-of-ski-masks-in-armed-police/948549)
**Author:** [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2021, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-prevalence-of-ski-masks-in-armed-police/948549 "2021-08-20T20:39:04Z")
Just noticed this image in the coverage of the recent shooting in the UK: Its a pretty ubiquitous image (obviously more common in the US :frowning: ) but regardless of the reason the… --- ## [When did the concept of "cuteness" start appearing in human society?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-concept-of-cuteness-start-appearing-in-human-society/949186)
**Author:** [@blabbermeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blabbermeister)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2021, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-concept-of-cuteness-start-appearing-in-human-society/949186 "2021-08-20T20:32:15Z")
Did the ancient Egyptians/Romans/Greeks/Indigenous Americas/Chinese/Indian/etc. cultures have the concept of cuteness? Did their languages have a word for what we today describe as cute, such as baby animals, anime chara… --- ## [Does the flow volume of a thick liquid change depending on the height it's poured from?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-flow-volume-of-a-thick-liquid-change-depending-on-the-height-its-poured-from/949174)
**Author:** [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2021, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-flow-volume-of-a-thick-liquid-change-depending-on-the-height-its-poured-from/949174 "2021-08-20T19:11:26Z")
When pouring a really thick liquid–like molasses or honey–the stream changes depending on how far up the jar is held above the resulting puddle. When it’s down low close to the output puddle, the stream comes out thick … --- ## [Do modern electric vehicles need the weight of their battery for ballast & balance?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-modern-electric-vehicles-need-the-weight-of-their-battery-for-ballast-balance/949209)
**Author:** [@Ponderoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponderoid)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2021, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-modern-electric-vehicles-need-the-weight-of-their-battery-for-ballast-balance/949209 "2021-08-20T18:49:49Z")
Let’s say tomorrow someone makes the hoped-for breakthrough and invents a new type of rechargeable battery with 100x the energy density of the best batteries available on the market today. Obviously this will be a great … --- ## [How large an explosion would the congressional bomb threat make if he had what he said](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-large-an-explosion-would-the-congressional-bomb-threat-make-if-he-had-what-he-said/949183)
**Author:** [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2021, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-large-an-explosion-would-the-congressional-bomb-threat-make-if-he-had-what-he-said/949183 "2021-08-20T16:17:49Z")
So from this article on the threat: At one point he claimed he had a “toolbox full of ammonium nitrate.” At another, he said police should ask their experts “what a 7-pound beg of gunpowder would do with 2.5-lbs. of Ta… --- ## [Any vaccine with very-long-term side effects?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-vaccine-with-very-long-term-side-effects/947976)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2021, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-vaccine-with-very-long-term-side-effects/947976 "2021-08-20T01:17:30Z")
Some of the current COVID vaccine hesitancy is among people who claim to be concerned about side effects. And indeed there are side effects - some of which are severe - but AIUI, not dramatically different in severity o… --- ## [Odds of winning a mature Queen of Hearts game?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odds-of-winning-a-mature-queen-of-hearts-game/949175)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2021, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odds-of-winning-a-mature-queen-of-hearts-game/949175 "2021-08-20T00:35:04Z")
If you are not familiar with the game: A new deck of cards including the jokers is shuffled. Each card is placed in a sealed envelope and those are shuffled. Then a set of 1 to 54 numbered balls or something is used to a… --- ## [How do I permanently turn off Facebook Messenger?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-permanently-turn-off-facebook-messenger/949130)
**Author:** [@anny\_m](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anny_m)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2021, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-permanently-turn-off-facebook-messenger/949130 "2021-08-19T22:39:38Z")
I have Facebook on both my computer and phone. I use it to follow a couple of groups, keep up with what’s going on in my nieces’ and nephews’ lives, and wish happy birthday to people. I can count on one hand the number… --- ## [How come I can watch this TV series?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-come-i-can-watch-this-tv-series/949167)
**Author:** [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2021, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-come-i-can-watch-this-tv-series/949167 "2021-08-19T21:19:50Z")
I live in the UK, so am able to watch terrestrial TV (BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub.) I use Amazon Video to buy various series (not Amazon Prime Video) and have been kindly gifted Disney+. So far, so good. I’ve just discovered… --- ## [How to find out how full a flight is on average?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-find-out-how-full-a-flight-is-on-average/949095)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2021, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-find-out-how-full-a-flight-is-on-average/949095 "2021-08-19T13:46:20Z")
going to Alaska next week on a Delta 767 from Atlanta I hope it’s not too full. Can’t find this online but maybe the airlines consider it a trade secret. --- ## [How does car rental insurance work outside the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-car-rental-insurance-work-outside-the-us/949035)
**Author:** [@jebert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jebert)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2021, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-car-rental-insurance-work-outside-the-us/949035 "2021-08-19T12:24:23Z")
In the US there are basically two types of auto insurance: 1) liability, which covers bodily injury and property damage to other people for accidents you cause, and 2) collision, which covers damage to your own car. Doe… --- ## [Prince Andrew/Epstein question?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-andrew-epstein-question/943322)
**Author:** [@TheZenPaperboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheZenPaperboy)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2021, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-andrew-epstein-question/943322 "2021-08-18T19:24:34Z")
Okay, what if when Prince Andrew was at Epstein’s house in New York and the police raided it with a valid warrant. The girl says that she did have sex with him and there is evidence to back that up. Could the police ar… --- ## [Check kiting - the demise of Ponderosa Steakhouses in NE Ohio](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/check-kiting-the-demise-of-ponderosa-steakhouses-in-ne-ohio/948974)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2021, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/check-kiting-the-demise-of-ponderosa-steakhouses-in-ne-ohio/948974 "2021-08-18T17:09:40Z")
This came up on a local NE Ohio history blog. This guy owned all 15 Ponderosa Steakhouses in the area and was found guilty of floating checks to the tune of $800 million dollars. Can someone explain exactly what he was d… --- ## [If H2O is the most polar molecule, why does it form a concave meniscus?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-h2o-is-the-most-polar-molecule-why-does-it-form-a-concave-meniscus/949091)
**Author:** [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2021, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-h2o-is-the-most-polar-molecule-why-does-it-form-a-concave-meniscus/949091 "2021-08-18T13:50:07Z")
If water has the most polar bond of any molecule, why would it be more attracted to the molecules in the container than itself? Why wouldn’t it form a convex meniscus like mercury? Thanks in advance. --- ## [When a battery goes dead, why does flicking the switch make it work for a little while longer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-battery-goes-dead-why-does-flicking-the-switch-make-it-work-for-a-little-while-longer/949049)
**Author:** [@blabbermeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blabbermeister)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2021, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-battery-goes-dead-why-does-flicking-the-switch-make-it-work-for-a-little-while-longer/949049 "2021-08-18T13:38:45Z")
Example 1. I have a handheld vacuum cleaner and while I’m using it sometimes it goes dead and needs to be recharged. But if I turn it off and on again I get another minute out of it. Example 2. If a flashlight gets dim,… --- ## [How is Scribd legal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-scribd-legal/948677)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2021, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-scribd-legal/948677 "2021-08-18T04:40:47Z")
I recently signed up for Scribd, a site with print and audio content. It’s been around for a while, a few years at least. You join with a monthly paid subscription after a free trial, which I started today. As I searched… --- ## [Chromebook → Linux for Dummy (Me)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chromebook-linux-for-dummy-me/948761)
**Author:** [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2021, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chromebook-linux-for-dummy-me/948761 "2021-08-18T03:10:44Z")
The Elder Ottlet gave me an Acer Chromebook — specifically, a C710 — for casual use. It’s ten years old, and while it appears to be working as well as ever I’m finding more and more instances where its browser won’t rend… --- ## [Another Tax Question (inherited property)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-tax-question-inherited-property/948957)
**Author:** [@amaguri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amaguri)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2021, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-tax-question-inherited-property/948957 "2021-08-17T19:09:47Z")
We have an attorney looking at this anyway but I’m trying to understand if I’m generally correct. I’m in California. My husband is part of a trust that inherited and sold a piece of property. My understanding is that … --- ## [WW 2 US army uniform](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ww-2-us-army-uniform/948938)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2021, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ww-2-us-army-uniform/948938 "2021-08-17T16:43:23Z")
Watching Patton and he had stripes on the end of his jacket sleeve. Was this for years of service or something else? I assume the movie uniform was based on what he actually wore. --- ## [Guvernatorial recalls in California--pretty frequent nowadays?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guvernatorial-recalls-in-california-pretty-frequent-nowadays/948591)
**Author:** [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2021, 9:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guvernatorial-recalls-in-california-pretty-frequent-nowadays/948591 "2021-08-17T09:30:50Z")
I’m wrapping up a business trip to Orange County this week, and have the morning news on this AM which features a lot of “Recall Newsom. Elect So-and-So.” Not wanting to stray into a political debate, but two questions… --- ## [How open is Quebec these days?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-open-is-quebec-these-days/948390)
**Author:** [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2021, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-open-is-quebec-these-days/948390 "2021-08-17T03:20:07Z")
Due to the COVID spike in Florida, I’m canceling my vacation planned for there next week. I live in NJ and can pretty easily drive to Montreal or Quebec City, which I understand are both wonderful cities. Are restauran… --- ## [Exercising in cold vs. hot air](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exercising-in-cold-vs-hot-air/948486)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 16, 2021, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exercising-in-cold-vs-hot-air/948486 "2021-08-16T11:43:20Z")
It’s harder to exercise at higher altitudes because the air is thinner. Is the same thing also true of hot weather? When it’s 90°F am I getting a lot less oxygen than at 60°F? --- ## [The Grammar of Dying](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-grammar-of-dying/948380)
**Author:** [@StraightTalk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StraightTalk)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [August 16, 2021, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-grammar-of-dying/948380 "2021-08-16T04:19:31Z")
Do you die “from” something or do you die “of” something? John Doe died from Covid. or John Doe died of Covid. --- ## [Cooling a room, AC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cooling-a-room-ac/948552)
**Author:** [@Kropotkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kropotkin)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 16, 2021, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cooling-a-room-ac/948552 "2021-08-16T00:21:36Z")
We want to cool the bedroom at night. We have a portable AC unit. Let’s say we want the room to be 72 degrees at bedtime. Without AC, the room is 80 degrees. Is it cheaper/more efficient to keep the room at 72 a few hour… --- ## [Any Idea On This Website's Business Model?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-idea-on-this-websites-business-model/948674)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2021, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-idea-on-this-websites-business-model/948674 "2021-08-15T16:44:22Z")
Grunge.com. Article after article, about this, or about that. Not an ad to be seen anywhere on the home page. Click on an article, for example this one, and there is not an ad to be seen. How could this website possibly… --- ## [50+50-25x0+2+2=?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/50-50-25x0-2-2/948423)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2021, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/50-50-25x0-2-2/948423 "2021-08-15T16:35:26Z")
Why is the answer 104? My brain tells me it’s 4? --- ## [Why do horses need horseshoes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-horses-need-horseshoes/948637)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2021, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-horses-need-horseshoes/948637 "2021-08-14T20:46:11Z")
How do wild horses manage to survive without horseshoes yet domesticated horses seem reliant on them? --- ## [Could a single-family home ever be more eco-friendly than a small apartment?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-single-family-home-ever-be-more-eco-friendly-than-a-small-apartment/946856)
**Author:** [@Esprise\_Me](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprise_Me)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2021, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-single-family-home-ever-be-more-eco-friendly-than-a-small-apartment/946856 "2021-08-14T20:44:28Z")
For almost two decades I lived in a variety of small urban apartments in multi-story buildings. Those buildings are pretty efficient in terms of heating and cooling; most units have only one exterior wall. Plus, having l… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=259) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=261)