# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=342 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 343 --- ## [What Is This Garment (Worn By King George III In 'Hamilton')?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-garment-worn-by-king-george-iii-in-hamilton/916853)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2020, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-garment-worn-by-king-george-iii-in-hamilton/916853 "2020-08-03T21:27:51Z")
Here I’m referring white animal fur-looking thing with black spots, worn as a sort of shawl. First of all, what animal is that even? Like a spotted snow leopard or something? Was that garment common among Men of Impor… --- ## [How did we end up with two nickle/nickels?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-we-end-up-with-two-nickle-nickels/917015)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2020, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-we-end-up-with-two-nickle-nickels/917015 "2020-08-03T19:52:32Z")
Seems like I get them wrong about half the time when I spell them. And what if there was a Nichol’s Nickel Nickle company, what would they make? --- ## [So when Earth loses its gravity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-when-earth-loses-its-gravity/916990)
**Author:** [@Nansbread1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nansbread1)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2020, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-when-earth-loses-its-gravity/916990 "2020-08-03T19:10:54Z")
Assume we reach a time in the future when Earth loses its gravitational pull on all matter on its surface and not tied down. Forget for a moment that life would have been extinguished in phases much before the end game o… --- ## [What software was used to make this video to sync the lips so perfectly?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-software-was-used-to-make-this-video-to-sync-the-lips-so-perfectly/917148)
**Author:** [@teddybound](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teddybound)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2020, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-software-was-used-to-make-this-video-to-sync-the-lips-so-perfectly/917148 "2020-08-03T15:41:32Z")
I asked the original author but seems like he does not want to share his secret… any dopers have any idea? --- ## [Lightning strike artifacts in video footage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lightning-strike-artifacts-in-video-footage/916629)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2020, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lightning-strike-artifacts-in-video-footage/916629 "2020-08-03T14:45:45Z")
Here are two videos of lightning strikes. First, a Russian soccer player survives a hit (strike at t=4 seconds): Second, a cow in Idaho maybe (or maybe didn’t) survive a hit (strike at t=22 seconds): … --- ## [What the hell did I photograph?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-did-i-photograph/917145)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2020, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-did-i-photograph/917145 "2020-08-03T12:32:27Z")
I’m currently working on sorting and categorizing 20 years worth of digital photos, and there are of course some photos in there I have no memory of taking. This is one. … --- ## [Before the Nazis zoomed to being a buzzword](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/before-the-nazis-zoomed-to-being-a-buzzword/916993)
**Author:** [@bardos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bardos)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2020, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/before-the-nazis-zoomed-to-being-a-buzzword/916993 "2020-08-02T17:59:30Z")
Everyone you do not agree with is a Nazi (2020)… I believe that before the Nazis became infamous, perhaps Bolshevic was used in the same way. I don’t know. But is there in history other terms that were used to deride fol… --- ## [Why don't female children experience female menopause symptoms?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-female-children-experience-female-menopause-symptoms/917006)
**Author:** [@Contemplation](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contemplation)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2020, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-female-children-experience-female-menopause-symptoms/917006 "2020-08-02T17:55:12Z")
If the cause of the symptoms are low estrogen, why don’t prepubescent female children experience them? Estrogen levels are low before puberty. In adult women, low estrogen causes heat-sweats, hairloss, brittle bones, … --- ## [Cosmic motions: The bigger the scale, the faster?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosmic-motions-the-bigger-the-scale-the-faster/916984)
**Author:** [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2020, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosmic-motions-the-bigger-the-scale-the-faster/916984 "2020-08-02T13:19:26Z")
The rotation of the Earth around its own axis is at a speed of 465 meters per second at the equator. The revolution of the Earth around the Sun is at a speed of 30 kilometers per second. The revolution of the solar syste… --- ## [Facebook Messenger How did someone access my messages remotely?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facebook-messenger-how-did-someone-access-my-messages-remotely/917065)
**Author:** [@Rusalka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rusalka)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2020, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facebook-messenger-how-did-someone-access-my-messages-remotely/917065 "2020-08-02T12:18:11Z")
I am freaked out. A stranger on a Facebook thread posted a picture of a private Facebook messenger exchange I had with a third party. I have been at home for the last few months and no one has access to my Android pho… --- ## [How to search for an all in one kitchen sink + cabinet](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-search-for-an-all-in-one-kitchen-sink-cabinet/915733)
**Author:** [@gkster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gkster)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2020, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-search-for-an-all-in-one-kitchen-sink-cabinet/915733 "2020-08-02T05:07:47Z")
Mods, feel free to move if this belongs in another forum. On the Home Depot and Lowes sites it’s simple to find an all-in-one bathroom sink and cabinet, under “bathroom vanity”: https://www.lowes.com/pl/Bathroom-vanitie… --- ## [Chemical taste in water from only one tap?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chemical-taste-in-water-from-only-one-tap/917024)
**Author:** [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2020, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chemical-taste-in-water-from-only-one-tap/917024 "2020-08-01T23:55:27Z")
I’ve lived in this apartment since the complex was built four years ago. Recently the kitchen tap water has developed an unpleasant chemical taste–not like sulphur or chlorine, just chemically. It’s strong enough that if… --- ## [Quick English grammar question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-english-grammar-question/916857)
**Author:** [@Latimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Latimera)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2020, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-english-grammar-question/916857 "2020-08-01T18:38:46Z")
I have just received comments from a reviewer on a document I wrote. One sentence asks " Before starting this survey, did you know that there were three web sites containing different XXX data?" The reviewer changed “wer… --- ## [Is it illegal to have a clothed erection in public?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-have-a-clothed-erection-in-public/915887)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2020, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-have-a-clothed-erection-in-public/915887 "2020-08-01T17:15:24Z")
Don’t need answer fast. I’ve always heard that having an erection in public even under jeans could be arrestable for “public indecency” even if you’re minding your own business sitting in your car if a cop happened to s… --- ## [Thermal expansion of steel tube (chain link fence)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thermal-expansion-of-steel-tube-chain-link-fence/916985)
**Author:** [@Baal\_Houtham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baal_Houtham)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2020, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thermal-expansion-of-steel-tube-chain-link-fence/916985 "2020-08-01T16:45:48Z")
A friend is building a chain link fence, and occasionally I drive across the state to assist. The newest problem is that the top rail won’t quite fit into the connector sleeves that I bought from a different vendor. BUT… --- ## [Western hats before the Stetson?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/western-hats-before-the-stetson/915869)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2020, 8:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/western-hats-before-the-stetson/915869 "2020-08-01T08:44:48Z")
The Stetson came out in 1865, I think. So what did a cowboy wear before that? A Kansas City dude might have worn a derby. I figure the SW guys wore sombreros but I can’t picture those in Deadwood. --- ## [Anyone shippped anything overseas lately?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-shippped-anything-overseas-lately/916385)
**Author:** [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2020, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-shippped-anything-overseas-lately/916385 "2020-08-01T03:13:40Z")
I’m trying to get a 1-oz envelope sent to Philippines from US. Online rates are the same as always (USPS, Fed Ex, etc.), $30-40 or so’ But at the desk, I can’t get a rate of under $100, at several locations in two stat… --- ## [Tell me About Police Paint Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-police-paint-guns/916607)
**Author:** [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2020, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-police-paint-guns/916607 "2020-07-31T23:49:24Z")
I went on a bit of a winding rabbit trail on the subject of the paint guns used by the American police. Would such a gun be a useful home-defense weapon? The American police seem to use off-the-shelf paintball guns. (It… --- ## [Rate of Separation of the Dragon capsule from ISS](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rate-of-separation-of-the-dragon-capsule-from-iss/916944)
**Author:** [@Disheavel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Disheavel)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2020, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rate-of-separation-of-the-dragon-capsule-from-iss/916944 "2020-07-31T22:00:28Z")
The Dragon capsule leaves the ISS at 7:34PM Eastern Saturday with a splashdown on Sunday afternoon. I’ve previously seen the shuttle and other capsules arriving and departing. But I missed the ISS flyovers with Dragon ch… --- ## [Website works on all computers and devices, except one, how?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/website-works-on-all-computers-and-devices-except-one-how/916725)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2020, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/website-works-on-all-computers-and-devices-except-one-how/916725 "2020-07-31T02:16:35Z")
I have tried to access Reddit today with my personal laptop and it keeps giving 504 errors, “504 Gateway Timeout” or “openResty error.” This is the case regardless of browser - Chrome or Firefox. But I have no problem a… --- ## [Windows open and A/C on when outside temperature is less than inside temperature](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-open-and-a-c-on-when-outside-temperature-is-less-than-inside-temperature/916519)
**Author:** [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2020, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-open-and-a-c-on-when-outside-temperature-is-less-than-inside-temperature/916519 "2020-07-31T00:44:16Z")
Here on West Coast, thanks to the low humidity, the nighttime temperature can be significantly lower than the daytime temperature. The difference can be as much as 30 degrees on the Fahrenheit scale. I try to take adva… --- ## [Is it me, or do female gymnasts become very stout after retirement?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-me-or-do-female-gymnasts-become-very-stout-after-retirement/33568)
**Author:** [@Ruffian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruffian)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2020, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-me-or-do-female-gymnasts-become-very-stout-after-retirement/33568 "2020-07-30T22:22:03Z")
This is just an observation, but one that has me wondering what happens to a young girl’s body when it is subjected to the rigors of gymnastics at an early age. It has seemed that many female gymnasts have a bit of a st… --- ## [Is it still possible to Googlewhack?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-still-possible-to-googlewhack/915777)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2020, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-still-possible-to-googlewhack/915777 "2020-07-30T20:08:28Z")
It seems to me in earlier days of Google it was far more common to ask an uncommon question and get a single result. It struck me that it’s been a long time since this happened. This still a thing? --- ## [Excess deaths...in 2018?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excess-deaths-in-2018/916835)
**Author:** [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2020, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excess-deaths-in-2018/916835 "2020-07-30T17:22:33Z")
I was looking at charts of excess deaths on the CDC site, and noticed a spike in excess deaths in early 2018. I can’t think of why, but it seemed pretty uniform looking at some different states. Any ideas? --- ## [Bite force of a sperm whale?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bite-force-of-a-sperm-whale/916618)
**Author:** [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2020, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bite-force-of-a-sperm-whale/916618 "2020-07-30T15:51:00Z")
Has there ever been an attempt to determine the bite force of a sperm whale? I think that I remember reading that they could smash through the whaler’s boats with their teeth. (Of course, they also demolished the boats w… --- ## [What on my phone can I delete?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-on-my-phone-can-i-delete/916126)
**Author:** [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2020, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-on-my-phone-can-i-delete/916126 "2020-07-30T14:11:58Z")
My phone (Moto G4, Android) is chronically short of space. Checking my storage, the bulk of my usage is apps, and the biggest offenders are things I didn’t install myself, and don’t use (at least, not directly). But a … --- ## [Statistics on Coca Cola drink. How many have not tasted it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/statistics-on-coca-cola-drink-how-many-have-not-tasted-it/844264)
**Author:** [@Nansbread1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nansbread1)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2020, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/statistics-on-coca-cola-drink-how-many-have-not-tasted-it/844264 "2020-07-30T14:07:37Z")
Are there any reliable stats on what percent of the current human population above age 5 have not tasted Coca Cola. As a mass produced product that is sold worldwide there must be very few people (above arbitrary aged 5… --- ## [Home test for methanol](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-test-for-methanol/916784)
**Author:** [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2020, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-test-for-methanol/916784 "2020-07-30T14:04:00Z")
Is there an easy way to test for methanol in a hand sanitizer or bootleg liquor? There have been some stories about contaminated HS and it would be cool to be able to test for the poison at home. I was surprised to lea… --- ## [Map or chart of BLM protests over time?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/map-or-chart-of-blm-protests-over-time/916827)
**Author:** [@Chad\_Sudan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chad_Sudan)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2020, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/map-or-chart-of-blm-protests-over-time/916827 "2020-07-30T12:59:43Z")
Is there a map or chart that illustrates the growth in the number/size of Black Lives Matter protests in the US over time and their current status? (Press articles and the conventional maps don’t provide a sense of how … --- ## [Need truth about Spanish Flu factoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-truth-about-spanish-flu-factoid/855877)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2020, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-truth-about-spanish-flu-factoid/855877 "2020-06-22T18:08:09Z")
In a TEDx talk, futurologist Stephen Petranek made this astonishing claim: :eek: Now he was making a point about viruses mutating to increase their lethality, but in the remainder of his talk on that and other subject… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=341) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=343)