# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=338 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 339 --- ## [What are these "titles" called and how many are there?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-titles-called-and-how-many-are-there/918195)
**Author:** [@jebert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jebert)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2020, 10:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-titles-called-and-how-many-are-there/918195 "2020-08-18T10:29:03Z")
We frequently hear usages such as “your highness” or “her majesty” when referring to royalty, and “your honor” when referring to judges. These aren’t exactly titles per se, but is there a collective name for them? I ca… --- ## [Cctv-do I need a multiplexer? if so, make it cheap!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cctv-do-i-need-a-multiplexer-if-so-make-it-cheap/336796)
**Author:** [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2005, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cctv-do-i-need-a-multiplexer-if-so-make-it-cheap/336796 "2005-12-23T01:08:50Z")
I just obught a dandy little secuity camera from walmart for 25 bucks. it is great (homeland security brand, iirc). it works great at minimal to no light levels also. now, i want to add three more cameras so i can have a… --- ## [Does recording zoom meetings follow the same laws as recording telephone calls?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-recording-zoom-meetings-follow-the-same-laws-as-recording-telephone-calls/916738)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2020, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-recording-zoom-meetings-follow-the-same-laws-as-recording-telephone-calls/916738 "2020-08-18T04:08:48Z")
For instance, if I’m in a one-party consent state, and I record a zoom meeting, do I have to notify the other party? I know that as a courtesy I should but I’m talking about legalities. You are not a lawyer. And if yo… --- ## [Who Would Be Prince George's Regent (If He Assumes The Throne Before Age Of Majority)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-prince-georges-regent-if-he-assumes-the-throne-before-age-of-majority/918002)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2020, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-prince-georges-regent-if-he-assumes-the-throne-before-age-of-majority/918002 "2020-08-18T01:58:16Z")
Let’s say that Prince George assumes the throne before the age of majority. Who would be his regent? The next two people in line to the throne after him – viz, his siblings – are younger, so they would be out as regent.… --- ## [Where do I find Grocery Bag for Man?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-i-find-grocery-bag-for-man/571996)
**Author:** [@jhaines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jhaines)\ **Replies:** 117\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2019, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-i-find-grocery-bag-for-man/571996 "2019-02-25T14:37:31Z")
I’m sick and tired of carrying my girlfriend’s shopping bags to the store to take home groceries. Does anyone know where to find masculine bags? --- ## [What do police "investigate" in a car accident?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-police-investigate-in-a-car-accident/917172)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2020, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-police-investigate-in-a-car-accident/917172 "2020-08-18T01:10:51Z")
This morning, a major highway in the Chcago area was shut down for several hours following a 2-day accident with severe injuries. We had to drive somewhere around 8 a.m. We neglected to check ahead of time, and found t… --- ## [What’s the third finger of the non ring hand called?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-third-finger-of-the-non-ring-hand-called/917883)
**Author:** [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2020, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-third-finger-of-the-non-ring-hand-called/917883 "2020-08-18T00:52:20Z")
(I know the hand in which the wedding ring is worn varies amongst cultures) Thumb, Index/forefinger, middle finger, ring finger, little finger. Other hand would be Thumb, Index/forefinger, middle finger, what finger?.. … --- ## [How to do secret ballots on a video call?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-do-secret-ballots-on-a-video-call/917529)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2020, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-do-secret-ballots-on-a-video-call/917529 "2020-08-17T23:23:04Z")
My HOA Is going to have a meeting with a vote for a board seat. We are going to do the meeting over Zoom this year. Each home is allowed one vote. I need to have a way to allow people to vote by secret ballot but make su… --- ## [Whose autograph did I get around 1990-91 at a basketball camp?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whose-autograph-did-i-get-around-1990-91-at-a-basketball-camp/918343)
**Author:** [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2020, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whose-autograph-did-i-get-around-1990-91-at-a-basketball-camp/918343 "2020-08-17T21:10:29Z")
Here is the autograph in question. The basketball camp featured three stars. Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, and a younger player who was NOT on the Pistons. I met all three of them and got a signed photo of Thomas and Dumars… --- ## [Packaging for ice-cream-truck snow cones?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/packaging-for-ice-cream-truck-snow-cones/917417)
**Author:** [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2020, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/packaging-for-ice-cream-truck-snow-cones/917417 "2020-08-17T21:01:19Z")
I need some photo reference of those old snow-cones that you used to get from the ice cream truck. Not a made-by-hand snow cone or shave ice, but the kind that came ready-to serve. I can find endless pics of what they l… --- ## [If you wanted to paint a car yellow,](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-wanted-to-paint-a-car-yellow/918196)
**Author:** [@Hilary\_Algar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilary_Algar)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2020, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-wanted-to-paint-a-car-yellow/918196 "2020-08-17T20:38:00Z")
If you were looking to buy a new yellow car for a model that you wanted but, regrettably, that model was not offered in yellow, what color car would you choose with the intention of painting it yellow. I’m thinking that… --- ## [Excel numbers and formulas question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-numbers-and-formulas-question/918314)
**Author:** [@velomont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velomont)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2020, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-numbers-and-formulas-question/918314 "2020-08-17T14:10:29Z")
I have a matrix of numbers with several rows and several columns. I’ve auto-summed each column to obtain a row of totals at the bottom of the matrix, and each of the totals is the result of the auto-sum function. My ques… --- ## [Math Semantics: Are negative, subtract and minus the same thing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/math-semantics-are-negative-subtract-and-minus-the-same-thing/918137)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2020, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/math-semantics-are-negative-subtract-and-minus-the-same-thing/918137 "2020-08-17T12:38:24Z")
Title says it all. At a physics conference is a physicist saying they get a negative result the same as same that result should be subtracted from something else? Minused? (is that even a word?) --- ## [Are cousins with twin parents genetic siblings?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-cousins-with-twin-parents-genetic-siblings/918146)
**Author:** [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2020, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-cousins-with-twin-parents-genetic-siblings/918146 "2020-08-17T05:23:47Z")
This article is about a pair of twin sisters who married a pair of twin brothers, and are both pregnant. The article claims, “The sisters’ children won’t just be cousins, but will be full genetic siblings and quaternary… --- ## [Credit Card Fraud. What Happens After?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/credit-card-fraud-what-happens-after/918164)
**Author:** [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2020, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/credit-card-fraud-what-happens-after/918164 "2020-08-17T00:51:45Z")
I know this has been asked before, and the UK is probably different anyway, but I wondered if anyone knows what happens after you report a fraud and get a refund. I check my bank account at least a couple of times a wee… --- ## [Which military promotions have to be White House approved and Senate confirmed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-military-promotions-have-to-be-white-house-approved-and-senate-confirmed/918197)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2020, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-military-promotions-have-to-be-white-house-approved-and-senate-confirmed/918197 "2020-08-17T00:39:35Z")
This year was the first time I had heard about these requirements for military promotions. I always had the impression that civilian branches of government kept arm’s length from the military, except for funding. From th… --- ## [How is a mesh system different than/better than extenders?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-a-mesh-system-different-than-better-than-extenders/916921)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2020, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-a-mesh-system-different-than-better-than-extenders/916921 "2020-08-17T00:33:52Z")
I tried a range extender to get better WiFi coverage at one end of my house. I got a great signal to the extender but the bandwidth wasn’t very good, in fact, indistinguishable from connecting directly to the router with… --- ## [What, if any, ability do (individual or groups of) US states have to sanction/penalize other US states?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-any-ability-do-individual-or-groups-of-us-states-have-to-sanction-penalize-other-us-states/918085)
**Author:** [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 16, 2020, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-any-ability-do-individual-or-groups-of-us-states-have-to-sanction-penalize-other-us-states/918085 "2020-08-16T23:49:55Z")
What, if any, ability do (individual or groups of) US states have to sanction/penalize other US states? I am imagining a scenario where the bizarre arithmetic of the electoral college has led to a consecutive sequence o… --- ## [Do pharmacies verify every narcotic script with the prescribing Doctor?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-pharmacies-verify-every-narcotic-script-with-the-prescribing-doctor/381623)
**Author:** [@diggleblop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/diggleblop)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [August 16, 2020, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-pharmacies-verify-every-narcotic-script-with-the-prescribing-doctor/381623 "2020-08-16T23:16:33Z")
I see a pain management Doctor once a month for the past two years due to chronic pain from an traumatic injury. This Doctor is compassionate, but careful with who he prescribes what to, but he is still very liberal with… --- ## [Touching appliance plug prongs to live wires](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/touching-appliance-plug-prongs-to-live-wires/917999)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [August 16, 2020, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/touching-appliance-plug-prongs-to-live-wires/917999 "2020-08-16T21:08:52Z")
Someone I know is doing some lighting in their basement, and there’s a junction box in the ceiling from the prior owner, and they’re unsure of what it is exactly. We are going to try to trace it etc., but I’m also wonder… --- ## [Another techie question (router\>laptop\>TV)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-techie-question-router-laptop-tv/918141)
**Author:** [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 16, 2020, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-techie-question-router-laptop-tv/918141 "2020-08-16T20:36:27Z")
We’ve been watching concerts that are streamed by SFJazz.org. These are concerts that they recorded in the past and that are now streamed for a fee to help support musicians. So what I do is to set up my laptop (Windows … --- ## [Do the benefits of trust count against your ssa retirement benefits?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-benefits-of-trust-count-against-your-ssa-retirement-benefits/918119)
**Author:** [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 16, 2020, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-benefits-of-trust-count-against-your-ssa-retirement-benefits/918119 "2020-08-16T18:51:11Z")
OK my aunt’s relatives had some sort of trust fund set up for the kids of the family by a relative when she passed … she had money (she leased her farmland out to a commercial vegetable concern ) and a permanent medi… --- ## [How do Cats Know Who is a "Cat Person"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-cats-know-who-is-a-cat-person/917922)
**Author:** [@Ynnad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ynnad)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [August 16, 2020, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-cats-know-who-is-a-cat-person/917922 "2020-08-16T18:41:45Z")
Some of my coworkers have adopted a stray cat. I have noticed, just as I have noticed before with other cats, that the cat seems to learn very, very quickly who to avoid and who is a “cat person.” How are cats able to … --- ## [Age related computer comprehension problems?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/age-related-computer-comprehension-problems/917519)
**Author:** [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Replies:** 104\ **Last updated:** [August 16, 2020, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/age-related-computer-comprehension-problems/917519 "2020-08-16T18:31:06Z")
So between watching my parents/grandparents struggle with “new” technology related stuff (computers, tablets, apps, DVR interfaces, etc…), and reading the threads about all the apparent consternation and frustration with… --- ## [Mental Illness on the Home Front in WWII](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mental-illness-on-the-home-front-in-wwii/918143)
**Author:** [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 16, 2020, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mental-illness-on-the-home-front-in-wwii/918143 "2020-08-16T13:05:38Z")
Some guy went nuts in my hometown and slapped a clerk over face mask rules. People have been under a bit of stress for a long time and some cannot take it. Do we have any information on mental illness amongst civilians … --- ## [Forest fires](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forest-fires/190395)
**Author:** [@dwc1970](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dwc1970)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2020, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forest-fires/190395 "2020-08-15T22:26:45Z")
Every summer the weather gets very hot and dry around here, and because of this we lose thousands of acres of beautiful, mature forests to devastating fires. These fires reduce tall, rich, magnificent stands of evergreen… --- ## [Best practice for emailing encrypted data](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-practice-for-emailing-encrypted-data/918035)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2020, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-practice-for-emailing-encrypted-data/918035 "2020-08-15T20:48:29Z")
The government agency my company works for has the following practice when sending sensitive data: Encrypt the data into a zip file, using a tool like Winzip or 7-zip Email the encrypted file Send another email to the … --- ## [What range should I look for using an infrared thermometer checking for fever?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-range-should-i-look-for-using-an-infrared-thermometer-checking-for-fever/917935)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2020, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-range-should-i-look-for-using-an-infrared-thermometer-checking-for-fever/917935 "2020-08-15T19:35:41Z")
I have an infrared thermometer that I’ve played with for a few years. Interesting and fun. I never thought about using it to check for a fever until the covid thing. But, of course, it doesn’t take internal temps. On… --- ## [How does my Fitbit know how much I've slept?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-my-fitbit-know-how-much-ive-slept/918001)
**Author:** [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2020, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-my-fitbit-know-how-much-ive-slept/918001 "2020-08-15T15:02:56Z")
My doctor has me wearing one of these things to track my sleep as part of my insomnia treatment. It hasn’t been explicitly said that I won’t get this or that med if I’m sleeping too much, or so little that the med isn’t … --- ## [How much gravitational force can a pizza (in your standard pizza box) withstand?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-gravitational-force-can-a-pizza-in-your-standard-pizza-box-withstand/917211)
**Author:** [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2020, 9:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-gravitational-force-can-a-pizza-in-your-standard-pizza-box-withstand/917211 "2020-08-15T09:01:18Z")
Put a pizza in a box, then put the box in a large space centrifuge such that the top of the pizza (and box) faces the gravitational force. How much force does it take to ruin the pizza? This question was pretty much rai… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=337) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=339)