# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=35 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 36 --- ## [Why does Heathrow Airport have an old Concorde sitting out on the airfield?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-heathrow-airport-have-an-old-concorde-sitting-out-on-the-airfield/1010075)
**Author:** [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2025, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-heathrow-airport-have-an-old-concorde-sitting-out-on-the-airfield/1010075 "2025-08-02T11:45:10Z")
I had a quick getaway in London this past weekend. During departure, I happened to be staring out the window of my taxiing jet, and I was stunned to see the unmistakable shape of a Concorde, with its pointed nose and bro… --- ## [Christian saints named for pagan gods](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-saints-named-for-pagan-gods/1021059)
**Author:** [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2025, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-saints-named-for-pagan-gods/1021059 "2025-08-01T20:05:39Z")
John II was the first pope to choose a regnal name; he supposedly did this because his birth name, Mercurius, is derived from that of the Roman god Mercury. Oddly, this same problem does not seem to have bothered two of… --- ## [If Betelgeuse Went Supernova](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-betelgeuse-went-supernova/1021537)
**Author:** [@EnolaStraight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EnolaStraight)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2025, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-betelgeuse-went-supernova/1021537 "2025-08-01T13:48:08Z")
…would we be in danger of Gamma radiation? I’m not sure if the inverse-square thing works in our favor due to the distance Betelgeuse is from us, but if the star’s magnetic pole is aimed directly at us, a concentrated b… --- ## [British or AI](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-or-ai/1021553)
**Author:** [@furryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furryman)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2025, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-or-ai/1021553 "2025-07-31T16:37:18Z")
I came across this Youtube video by Vaaskl where he (it) says 2 times 4 plank rather than 2 by 4 plank. I’m guessing AI. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/5hMShw8PxGM --- ## [Dialect question - "whenever" in place of "when"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dialect-question-whenever-in-place-of-when/1011897)
**Author:** [@ctnguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ctnguy)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2025, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dialect-question-whenever-in-place-of-when/1011897 "2025-07-31T15:41:07Z")
I have recently been noticing (possibly as a frequency illusion) a thing where certain people use the word “whenever” instead of “when”. For example they might say, “Whenever I was younger, I was afraid of dogs.” It soun… --- ## [Prohibition](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prohibition/1021486)
**Author:** [@Mark\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mark_Finn)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2025, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prohibition/1021486 "2025-07-31T11:43:10Z")
I’ve been watching the 2011 series “Prohibition” by Ken Burns on PBS, and am learning a lot from the first episode (which ends at the 1920 passing of the 18th Amendment). Did any other (non-Muslim) countries outside Nor… --- ## [Why do the veins in weightlifters’ arms get so bulgy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-the-veins-in-weightlifters-arms-get-so-bulgy/1021410)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2025, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-the-veins-in-weightlifters-arms-get-so-bulgy/1021410 "2025-07-30T14:41:14Z")
I’ve seen pix of weightlifters with bulgy veins in their arms, and the other day I saw a fellow in the grocery store with similar bulgy veins, so I assumed he was a weightlifter. How come? Why do their veins get so bulg… --- ## [Animal-powered canal boats](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animal-powered-canal-boats/1021485)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2025, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animal-powered-canal-boats/1021485 "2025-07-30T05:26:27Z")
When they use animals to pull boats along canals, how do they keep the boat from running into the side of the canal? The team pulling it is over on the side, not straight ahead, so there’s going to be constant side pull … --- ## [Accurately measuring level over long distances?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/accurately-measuring-level-over-long-distances/994555)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2025, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/accurately-measuring-level-over-long-distances/994555 "2025-07-30T02:15:28Z")
Laser levels are great for measuring level on most construction sites, where you need to know level over a distance of maybe a few hundred feet at most, and only accurately enough so your building doesn’t fall down or lo… --- ## [Are the flags behind politicians actual flags?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-flags-behind-politicians-actual-flags/1021469)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2025, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-flags-behind-politicians-actual-flags/1021469 "2025-07-29T23:18:38Z")
I know that most of them are real but some of the look like such perfect cones, they look like painted metal. Are they cloth that is super starched or are the metal or plastic? --- ## [House numbers out of order?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-numbers-out-of-order/1020510)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2025, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-numbers-out-of-order/1020510 "2025-07-29T22:29:40Z")
I am asking about places that assign house numbers usually in order. That excepts Tokyo. I live in a building that has the number 865. The building to the east is numbered 815 and the row of town houses to the west sh… --- ## [Offshoot of Goldbach conjecture: "two primes" equal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/offshoot-of-goldbach-conjecture-two-primes-equal/1021476)
**Author:** [@Timz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Timz)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2025, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/offshoot-of-goldbach-conjecture-two-primes-equal/1021476 "2025-07-29T21:29:20Z")
The Goldbach conjecture says that every even integer greater than 2 is the sum of two primes. Nowadays we don’t count 1 as a prime, so 4 = 2 + 2 and 6 = 3 + 3. In other words, it seems the “two primes” are allowed to be … --- ## [Why are phone apps so huge nowadays?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-phone-apps-so-huge-nowadays/1021353)
**Author:** [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2025, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-phone-apps-so-huge-nowadays/1021353 "2025-07-29T21:01:29Z")
I’m not sure this is FQ material, but I’ll give it a try. I just updated apps on my iPhone, and just like every time I do that I’m stunned by the size of the updates. Even a pretty basic (in my judgment) app with rather … --- ## [Flying across the US - ignore Great Circle route?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-across-the-us-ignore-great-circle-route/832170)
**Author:** [@MrFloppy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrFloppy)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2025, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-across-the-us-ignore-great-circle-route/832170 "2025-07-29T18:04:06Z")
Probably for pilot dopers. I have been traveling a lot recently between Baltimore Washington (BWI) and various south-western destinations - LAX mostly. I’m a bit nerdy so I tend to track the flight path using Flightrad… --- ## [Passenger Jet Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passenger-jet-questions/637696)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2025, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passenger-jet-questions/637696 "2025-07-28T23:13:06Z")
Yer average domestic flight (over the US), in yer average “workhorse” aircraft (say, a Boeing 737) is flying a regular route (say, STL - MCO), at yer average domestic cruising altitude (which IIRC is 32K feet). Assume no… --- ## [American Civil War/ Reconstruction amendments](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-civil-war-reconstruction-amendments/1021248)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2025, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-civil-war-reconstruction-amendments/1021248 "2025-07-28T21:27:30Z")
Has the validity of the Thirteenth, Fourteenth and Fifteenth amendments ever been formally challenged in court, on the grounds that the former rebel states weren’t free to not ratify them if they wanted to ever be repres… --- ## [How Did They Measure Lat & Long?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-they-measure-lat-long/425530)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2025, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-they-measure-lat-long/425530 "2025-07-28T19:20:33Z")
Thinking back before GPS…we know latitude can be readily determined using Polaris, the pole star, for locations above the equator. But, below the equator? There is no obvious marker on the celestial hemisphere. Also, … --- ## [Any suggestions on blocking a TV LED light while allowing remote to work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-suggestions-on-blocking-a-tv-led-light-while-allowing-remote-to-work/1020143)
**Author:** [@Quintas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quintas)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2025, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-suggestions-on-blocking-a-tv-led-light-while-allowing-remote-to-work/1020143 "2025-07-28T15:26:18Z")
I got a new TV for my bedroom. The issue is there is a bright white LED light on the bottom that comes on when you power the TV off. This is horrible in a dark bedroom. If you place both of your thumbs together, th… --- ## [Who measures angles in "grads"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-measures-angles-in-grads/290217)
**Author:** [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2025, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-measures-angles-in-grads/290217 "2025-07-28T15:23:28Z")
If you’ve ever used, or seen, a scientific calculator, you’ve seen a key to switch angle units between degrees, radians, and grads. Degrees and radians are both pretty common, of course, but why does anyone want to divi… --- ## [I have mixed oil types in my car. Is that a problem?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-mixed-oil-types-in-my-car-is-that-a-problem/1021119)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2025, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-mixed-oil-types-in-my-car-is-that-a-problem/1021119 "2025-07-27T23:02:26Z")
I had a car problem Friday - oil leak in my driveway, engine knocking. I walked to the nearest filling station, bought two litres of oil, topped up the car, drive it six blocks to a Midas and got it fixed. Apparently th… --- ## [Can the Triple Murderer Released into the U.S. Be Legally Detained?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-triple-murderer-released-into-the-u-s-be-legally-detained/1021298)
**Author:** [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2025, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-triple-murderer-released-into-the-u-s-be-legally-detained/1021298 "2025-07-27T22:41:35Z")
For the sake of this question, please assume, as is likely, that the following New York Times report is accurate, and their anonymous sources are truthful: Convicted Murderer Released by Trump From Venezuelan Prison Is… --- ## [Latitude "length" formula?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/latitude-length-formula/648614)
**Author:** [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2025, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/latitude-length-formula/648614 "2025-07-27T19:14:42Z")
For simplification, let’s just pretend the Earth is 24000 miles around at the equator. So the “length” of 0º is 24000 miles. What is the formula for the “length” of the other latitudes? I think I’ve found the answer f… --- ## [The Steepest Road?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-steepest-road/308247)
**Author:** [@MidnightRadio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MidnightRadio)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2025, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-steepest-road/308247 "2025-07-27T12:39:06Z")
Last night, I had a dream that I was riding in a car that was driving down a highway somewhere. At one point, we were going down a really steep incline—I mean, really steep. It looked like we were going straight down t… --- ## [Similar triangles: how do US students get taught about them?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/similar-triangles-how-do-us-students-get-taught-about-them/1021241)
**Author:** [@Timz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Timz)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2025, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/similar-triangles-how-do-us-students-get-taught-about-them/1021241 "2025-07-26T23:08:47Z")
Some? many? most? students in the US nowadays are taught that if triangle ABC is similar to triangle DEF then angle A equals angle D and angle B equals angle E. In other words, if scalene triangle ABC is similar to trian… --- ## [What actually causes hiccups after eating?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-actually-causes-hiccups-after-eating/1021328)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2025, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-actually-causes-hiccups-after-eating/1021328 "2025-07-26T14:40:03Z")
I have poked around on the interwebs and I find the answer to that question is generally related to the stomach or the diaphragm. Distending the stomach too quickly or pressing on the diaphragm or something related to t… --- ## [How do I make a computer program that other computers do not see as a threat?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-make-a-computer-program-that-other-computers-do-not-see-as-a-threat/1016766)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2025, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-make-a-computer-program-that-other-computers-do-not-see-as-a-threat/1016766 "2025-07-26T13:16:20Z")
I am new to computer programming but I (recently) made one for my company. It’s nothing super fancy. Just automates a task. And it is not a big program at all…quite small really. Used Python as the programming langua… --- ## [Freight Train Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freight-train-questions/585584)
**Author:** [@SanDiegoTim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanDiegoTim)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2025, 11:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freight-train-questions/585584 "2025-07-26T11:05:22Z")
Driving up to Flagstaff this weekend we noticed several trains with maybe 80-100 cars double stacked with containers. Obviously the total weight of these trains is staggering. Anyone know if there is an legal/upper lim… --- ## [Will my Homeowners Insurance premium go up or the policy get cancelled?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-my-homeowners-insurance-premium-go-up-or-the-policy-get-cancelled/1021289)
**Author:** [@bodangus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bodangus)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2025, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-my-homeowners-insurance-premium-go-up-or-the-policy-get-cancelled/1021289 "2025-07-25T22:31:45Z")
If I move out of a paid for house I own and leave it empty but I continue to maintain it and pay the property taxes and utilities, all without issue, will my Home Owners Insurance premiums go up? Or worse will the policy… --- ## [British Dopers: What is a “Bloomsbury Type?”](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-dopers-what-is-a-bloomsbury-type/1021293)
**Author:** [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2025, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-dopers-what-is-a-bloomsbury-type/1021293 "2025-07-25T22:24:35Z")
I’m rewatching Reilly, Ace of Spies and Reilly’s wife is described as running off with a Bloomsbury type. The time period is 1905. Does a Bloomsbury type mean a bohemian intellectual? --- ## [I have been cordially invited to a complimentary dinner event](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-been-cordially-invited-to-a-complimentary-dinner-event/1021152)
**Author:** [@2\_More\_Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2_More_Bits)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2025, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-been-cordially-invited-to-a-complimentary-dinner-event/1021152 "2025-07-25T21:07:37Z")
I just received in the mail a glossy, well-produced invitation to enjoy a free meal (the photograph of such are enticing!) and an “educational presentation” to be held at a local upscale restaurant. What are they sellin… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=34) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=36)