# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=27 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 28 --- ## [In the American Civil War, how long did northern draftees serve?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-american-civil-war-how-long-did-northern-draftees-serve/1024193)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2025, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-american-civil-war-how-long-did-northern-draftees-serve/1024193 "2025-10-24T17:19:49Z")
I’m finding this a difficult question to research, in part due to the somewhat convoluted way the Union called up manpower due to the constitutional limits on the federal government’s authority: First there was the regu… --- ## [Any idea what this thing is in my wall?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-idea-what-this-thing-is-in-my-wall/1024176)
**Author:** [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2025, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-idea-what-this-thing-is-in-my-wall/1024176 "2025-10-23T23:01:42Z")
I live in an apartment building that was clearly built prior to WW2, though I have no idea how long before. There is still a genuine icebox in my kitchen (though I obviously don’t use it for its original purpose). My mo… --- ## [Car wash wax](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-wash-wax/1024197)
**Author:** [@stosh1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stosh1)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2025, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-wash-wax/1024197 "2025-10-23T22:40:04Z")
What’s the closest I can get to a wax job at a car wash? --- ## [Royal pew in San Paolo fuori le mura, Rome](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/royal-pew-in-san-paolo-fuori-le-mura-rome/387147)
**Author:** [@APB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/APB)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2025, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/royal-pew-in-san-paolo-fuori-le-mura-rome/387147 "2025-10-23T15:42:24Z")
Yesterday’s Sunday Times ran this diary item claiming that the Pope is planning to present the Queen with a pew in/from San Paolo fuori le mura. But the article is a bit vague about the details. Is this the original pew… --- ## [What's the scam?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-scam/1024106)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 93\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2025, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-scam/1024106 "2025-10-23T14:21:23Z")
I’ve gotten a few emails that are variations on this theme. Here’s the latest. I don’t know what the scam is but it seems there has to be one. My email address is in my own personal domain so there’s no chance they just … --- ## [Visualizing the mutual interference of three waves](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visualizing-the-mutual-interference-of-three-waves/1024199)
**Author:** [@brossa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brossa)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2025, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visualizing-the-mutual-interference-of-three-waves/1024199 "2025-10-23T02:46:05Z")
Two waves of the same wavelength, traveling in opposite directions, will interfere so as to produce a standing wave. No problem; I can get a bit of string and secure one end and wiggle the other until I get nodes and ant… --- ## [If gravity is not a force, why do things move?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-gravity-is-not-a-force-why-do-things-move/1020264)
**Author:** [@Yosh99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yosh99)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2025, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-gravity-is-not-a-force-why-do-things-move/1020264 "2025-10-22T22:57:40Z")
I asked a question here some time ago about the source for motion due to gravity and wasn’t completely satisfied that I understood the answer. I think I may have resolved it for myself, but could use some feedback on whe… --- ## [My bank’s “secure” email](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-bank-s-secure-email/1023650)
**Author:** [@drewbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewbert)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2025, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-bank-s-secure-email/1023650 "2025-10-22T18:51:14Z")
My partner and I are applying for a mortgage for a new home. As is normal, the rep from the bank wants our pay stubs, W2s, bank statements, etc. But he is asking us to send to his “secure” email. It just looks like a re… --- ## [Mailing address for correspondence to the IRS?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mailing-address-for-correspondence-to-the-irs/1024173)
**Author:** [@carlb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carlb)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2025, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mailing-address-for-correspondence-to-the-irs/1024173 "2025-10-22T13:45:49Z")
Long story short - I got a Notice CP23 from IRS claiming that we had not paid enough in taxes in 2024, and that they were charging a penalty and interest. I was sure they were wrong, checked my records, and confirmed. I … --- ## [Synthetic opioid carfentanil](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/synthetic-opioid-carfentanil/1024027)
**Author:** [@melaniethewitch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/melaniethewitch)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2025, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/synthetic-opioid-carfentanil/1024027 "2025-10-21T23:53:29Z")
What would happen to the human body if one took synthetic opioid carfentanil , I would like to know the scientific process out of curiosity --- ## [Odds of getting a perfect score by chance in this game (better explanation in OP)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odds-of-getting-a-perfect-score-by-chance-in-this-game-better-explanation-in-op/1024139)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2025, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odds-of-getting-a-perfect-score-by-chance-in-this-game-better-explanation-in-op/1024139 "2025-10-21T21:27:51Z")
There are 12 windows, and behind each is either one of eight red cards or one of four white cards. The player must guess what is behind each window. The player also knows the distribution of the colors, so he won’t, for … --- ## [Suggestions for posting pix that members of a group can upload and download?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-posting-pix-that-members-of-a-group-can-upload-and-download/1024131)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2025, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-posting-pix-that-members-of-a-group-can-upload-and-download/1024131 "2025-10-21T19:48:36Z")
I was at a reunion over the weekend (details towards end of last week’s MMP). Lots of pix taken by individuals. Query: is there some way that each of us can upload our pix so others can see, and if someone wants to dow… --- ## [How would lightning have affected large sauropods?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-lightning-have-affected-large-sauropods/1024108)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2025, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-lightning-have-affected-large-sauropods/1024108 "2025-10-21T13:04:11Z")
This question popped up on my Facebook feed from someone, so I thought I’d give the Teeming Millions a chance to speculate. It’s likely that the reason human beings don’t get struck by lightning very often is that we’re… --- ## [\[Roman\] Dodecahedrons](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roman-dodecahedrons/980459)
**Author:** [@otc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/otc)\ **Replies:** 1134\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2025, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roman-dodecahedrons/980459 "2025-10-21T05:45:55Z")
Consider where these things are found. Why are they so frequently found, and always made of bronze? They might be Go/Nogo gauges used for making things like spears, arrows, sling bullets, fasteners used in carpentry or… --- ## [What would the site of Pompeii have looked like in the centuries before it was re-discovered](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-the-site-of-pompeii-have-looked-like-in-the-centuries-before-it-was-re-discovered/1024078)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2025, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-the-site-of-pompeii-have-looked-like-in-the-centuries-before-it-was-re-discovered/1024078 "2025-10-21T00:06:13Z")
Once Pompeii was buried under ash and then the looters lost interest, it sat, forgotten about, for centuries. Or at least, that’s how I understand things. So say it’s some random day between c. 150CE and 1592CE, when an … --- ## [Air pressure question?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-pressure-question/1024132)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2025, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-pressure-question/1024132 "2025-10-21T00:04:13Z")
I will try and make this as simple as possible. If I had a cone shaped tower, say 10ft at the base to a 100 ft point. The tower is made from a material that will absorb as much heat energy as possible. Assuming a small e… --- ## ["Th" - What were those old Germans thinking? Paleography](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/th-what-were-those-old-germans-thinking-paleography/1024079)
**Author:** [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2025, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/th-what-were-those-old-germans-thinking-paleography/1024079 "2025-10-20T20:20:38Z")
You’ve probably heard how Neanderthal is pronounced and even spelled “Neandertal” in modern German. The word for valley, Tal, was spelled Tal in Old High German (and is now again), but in between it was “Thal” for centur… --- ## [Booking a flight itinerary involving multiple airlines that don't codeshare](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/booking-a-flight-itinerary-involving-multiple-airlines-that-dont-codeshare/1023196)
**Author:** [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2025, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/booking-a-flight-itinerary-involving-multiple-airlines-that-dont-codeshare/1023196 "2025-10-20T17:20:57Z")
I live near Sacramento, CA (SMF). My parents live in La Crosse, WI (LSE). I’m likely going to want to book a flight between these two cities for the holidays. However, it’s proving to be rather difficult. LSE is a ti… --- ## [Why was HMS Hood special?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-hms-hood-special/985626)
**Author:** [@cjackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cjackson)\ **Replies:** 104\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2025, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-hms-hood-special/985626 "2025-10-20T01:14:53Z")
It seems that from the time of her commissioning up until the fateful battle with Bismarck, she was a special ship. Why was that? Also, if she had survived the war do you think they would have preserved her as a museum s… --- ## [Optical illusion flag with pattern visible only on camera?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/optical-illusion-flag-with-pattern-visible-only-on-camera/1024036)
**Author:** [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2025, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/optical-illusion-flag-with-pattern-visible-only-on-camera/1024036 "2025-10-18T18:16:27Z")
Continuing the discussion from A Perfectly Reasonable Amount of Schadenfreude about Things Happening to Trump & His Enablers (Part 3): \[TAKE NOTE - this post is in Factual Questions. Please return to the Pit thread to s… --- ## [Neil Degrasse Tyson disproves flat earth](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neil-degrasse-tyson-disproves-flat-earth/1023501)
**Author:** [@Surfing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surfing)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2025, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neil-degrasse-tyson-disproves-flat-earth/1023501 "2025-10-18T17:11:24Z")
Of course the world isn’t flat. However, I’m having trouble understanding this video and how it supposedly proves it. Could someone explain? Tyson video I did a very simple experiment (below) using a cup as the build… --- ## ["Kryptos" sculpture - Can you decode it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kryptos-sculpture-can-you-decode-it/5279)
**Author:** [@Waneman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waneman)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2025, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kryptos-sculpture-can-you-decode-it/5279 "2025-10-18T04:51:18Z")
I tried to search the Strightdope messages to see if this subject has been covered. It involves the sculpture in the CIA’s New Headquarters Building Courtyard. Since I know this board is visited by some of the world’s g… --- ## [I write letters in the wrong order--what gives?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-write-letters-in-the-wrong-order-what-gives/317332)
**Author:** [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2025, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-write-letters-in-the-wrong-order-what-gives/317332 "2025-10-18T00:45:48Z")
This has happened to me since the late 90s, and it usually comes in waves (a bunch at once, then nothing for a long time). When I’m writing by hand, I sometimes write not the next letter but the letter after that. So, I… --- ## [High crimes not crimes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-crimes-not-crimes/1024031)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2025, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-crimes-not-crimes/1024031 "2025-10-17T20:38:31Z")
I’m seeking a law-informed answer here, not a debate, and maybe this has been answered here already. I find two references in the Constitution to potential illegal activity committed by a president. First, Article I se… --- ## [What is the break even time for "auto stop"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-break-even-time-for-auto-stop/1023995)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2025, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-break-even-time-for-auto-stop/1023995 "2025-10-17T14:00:25Z")
“Auto stop” is a car feature that turns the engine off when you stop the car (for example at a red light) and restarts it when you come off the brake or hit the gas, automatically, to save gasoline. How long does a stop… --- ## [How does someone establish ownership of a cemetery plot?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-someone-establish-ownership-of-a-cemetery-plot/1022899)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2025, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-someone-establish-ownership-of-a-cemetery-plot/1022899 "2025-10-17T11:27:43Z")
My parents bought cemetery plots (1980’s) for themselves and me in a very large cemetery. They’re buried a few rows away from my grandparents. My mom’s sister’s extended family is also buried there. I didn’t receive any… --- ## [Source of Texas execution drug?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/source-of-texas-execution-drug/1024013)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2025, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/source-of-texas-execution-drug/1024013 "2025-10-16T21:03:55Z")
Where does Texas acquire the Pentobarbital it uses for executions? I was under the impression that pharmaceutical companies frown on the use of their products for executions. --- ## [How is the House of Representatives organized?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-the-house-of-representatives-organized/1023944)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2025, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-the-house-of-representatives-organized/1023944 "2025-10-16T16:03:54Z")
The speaker is chosen by the members of the house. But I have recently read that there is actually a law that only the speaker can administer the oath of office to representatives. This seems to be self-contradictory. … --- ## [The Italian verb salire (to go up)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-italian-verb-salire-to-go-up/1024011)
**Author:** [@Ferris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferris)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2025, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-italian-verb-salire-to-go-up/1024011 "2025-10-16T06:01:11Z")
I’ve seen the phrase “This goes up to eleven” translated as either: Questo va fino a undici or:- Questo sale fino a undici A Google search tells me that:- In Italian, the word “fino” most commonly functions as a pre… --- ## [Fighting an invasive maple tree](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fighting-an-invasive-maple-tree/1023941)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2025, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fighting-an-invasive-maple-tree/1023941 "2025-10-16T00:07:32Z")
Our neighbor’s maple tree keeps sending runners under our fence and I’m tired of fighting it. I’m not interested in killing their tree, but I want to cauterize(?) these runners so they stop sprouting on my side. I’ve h… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=26) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=28)