# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=391 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 392 --- ## [With sauerkraut, why was scurvy on ships a thing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-sauerkraut-why-was-scurvy-on-ships-a-thing/847553)
**Author:** [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [February 12, 2020, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-sauerkraut-why-was-scurvy-on-ships-a-thing/847553 "2020-02-12T04:58:13Z")
Crusaders got scurvy in the 13th century and even by Vasco de Gama’s 1497 trip they knew fruits prevented it. Fresh fruit doesn’t last long on a ship so traders went through tremendous effort to have their crews supplie… --- ## [Giant barcode on a cereal box](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giant-barcode-on-a-cereal-box/847767)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [February 12, 2020, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giant-barcode-on-a-cereal-box/847767 "2020-02-12T03:34:06Z")
Is this a new trend to make sure it scans? Barcode took up one side of the box. It was Aldi brand cereal. Are other stores doing this? --- ## [Earliest we'll hear more information about the airlines fuel dumping incident in L.A.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-well-hear-more-information-about-the-airlines-fuel-dumping-incident-in-l-a/847688)
**Author:** [@dstarfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dstarfire)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 12, 2020, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-well-hear-more-information-about-the-airlines-fuel-dumping-incident-in-l-a/847688 "2020-02-12T03:12:44Z")
What’s the earliest we might hear more information from investigators or authorities about the recent incident where a Delta airlines plane dumped fuel over a populated area? What is the process for an investigation like… --- ## [Prison Correction Officer: What is a Sergeant?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prison-correction-officer-what-is-a-sergeant/847778)
**Author:** [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 12, 2020, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prison-correction-officer-what-is-a-sergeant/847778 "2020-02-12T00:22:28Z")
Quick question. My son is a Corrections Officer at a prison. He loves his job and from what his coworkers have told me, he is very good at it. He was recently promoted to Sergeant. After learning the news on Facebook,… --- ## [Help Me Restore My SDMB Display](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-restore-my-sdmb-display/847787)
**Author:** [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2020, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-restore-my-sdmb-display/847787 "2020-02-11T22:07:13Z")
No, I didn’t accidentally switch to Sultantheme on my iPhone. I’m still on the legacy display. But it’s white text on a black background. Except links, which are lavender. Except that they turn orange when you click the… --- ## [The Techno-peasant forgets his Apple password](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-techno-peasant-forgets-his-apple-password/847684)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2020, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-techno-peasant-forgets-his-apple-password/847684 "2020-02-11T12:25:17Z")
I wrote it down and put it in a safe place {{sigh}} So I google it, and Apple support says: “Go to Settings, click your name, then “Passwords and Security”, then “Change password”. And follow the instructions. Excep… --- ## [Why Is English So Simple (Comparatively)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-english-so-simple-comparatively/846985)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 162\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2020, 9:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-english-so-simple-comparatively/846985 "2020-02-11T09:04:13Z")
I am fascinated by the subject of languages. And every chance I get, I try to learn all I can about a foreign or classic language. That is how I found out. English has to be the simplest language there is. We have no g… --- ## ["Waxed" containers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waxed-containers/847739)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2020, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waxed-containers/847739 "2020-02-11T02:11:44Z")
I know that once upon a time waterproofed cardboard food containers really were coated in actual paraffin; I remember being able to scrape excess wax off the cardboard with my fingernails. But at some point paraffin was … --- ## [Circulating juice machines](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/circulating-juice-machines/847707)
**Author:** [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2020, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/circulating-juice-machines/847707 "2020-02-11T01:59:15Z")
You know those juice fountain machines you might see in convenience stores, gas station stores, diners, etc., that appear to be constantly circulating the juice? Is there a practical reason for the juice to circulate li… --- ## [Number of decimal places on Android 9 calculator?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/number-of-decimal-places-on-android-9-calculator/847742)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2020, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/number-of-decimal-places-on-android-9-calculator/847742 "2020-02-11T00:17:54Z")
I just accidentally discovered that on the Android 9 calculator, if you swipe across the total it adds decimal places. I swiped a few times on a number and got it up over 500 decimal places before quitting. Anyone know w… --- ## [Notation: O(3) means "approximately 10^3 or 1000"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/notation-o-3-means-approximately-10-3-or-1000/847551)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2020, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/notation-o-3-means-approximately-10-3-or-1000/847551 "2020-02-10T23:50:48Z")
I saw somebody using notation like O(1) or O(6) to mean “of the order of magnitude of one or a million”. That’s a capital letter “O”. Is this common notation? Is it only common in some contexts or crowds or places? I sa… --- ## [When did Makeshift Public Altars become a Thing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-makeshift-public-altars-become-a-thing/847462)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2020, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-makeshift-public-altars-become-a-thing/847462 "2020-02-10T22:06:46Z")
I see they are clearing out all the flowers, terry bears and whatnot the public used to make a mourning display for Kobe Bryant at the stadium in Los Angles. When did we start doing that? There was no such behavior in … --- ## [do some memories push out room for others?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-some-memories-push-out-room-for-others/847743)
**Author:** [@curwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curwin)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2020, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-some-memories-push-out-room-for-others/847743 "2020-02-10T21:28:35Z")
I found myself this week watching old episodes of The Simpsons - from the 90s. I haven’t watched new episodes of the show for a really long time, and I don’t think I’ve even seen these classic episodes since the early 20… --- ## [Do kids still get detention in school?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-kids-still-get-detention-in-school/847613)
**Author:** [@lingyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lingyi)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2020, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-kids-still-get-detention-in-school/847613 "2020-02-10T19:56:24Z")
Thought came to me today. Do kids still get detention in school? Or does “kids rights” and need to treat every student equality take it away? What about staying after class in rotation or because of detention, to sweep a… --- ## [Reason for extra-extra long articles](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reason-for-extra-extra-long-articles/847661)
**Author:** [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2020, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reason-for-extra-extra-long-articles/847661 "2020-02-10T15:36:10Z")
I’ve run across a number of clickbait articles on facebook that are ridiculously long. A story that could have been well told in three medium-short paragraphs is drawn out to 30 (I guess, didn’t have the patience to foll… --- ## [EV runs out juice in mid drive...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ev-runs-out-juice-in-mid-drive/847442)
**Author:** [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2020, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ev-runs-out-juice-in-mid-drive/847442 "2020-02-10T14:26:31Z")
I have never owned an EV. I’ve driven internal combustion vehicles for the last 40 years, and have never run out of gas. I’ve always been able to make it to a gas station when needed. Sure I’ve come close a few times.… --- ## [Coronavirus 747 config](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-747-config/847640)
**Author:** [@vonespy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vonespy)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2020, 10:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-747-config/847640 "2020-02-10T10:43:15Z")
So there are coronavirus patients being flown into Omaha’s Eppley airport for transfer to a quarantine facility at Camp Ashland. I tracked a 747-400 yesterday that was the quarantine flight, which may be the largest plan… --- ## [Life insurance and Coronavirus question?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-insurance-and-coronavirus-question/847644)
**Author:** [@Mr\_Quatro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Quatro)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2020, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-insurance-and-coronavirus-question/847644 "2020-02-10T04:32:43Z")
So would my life insurance policy pay out if I died from Coronavirus, or is it an act of God? --- ## [Any real advantage to "Mare's Leg" short rifle?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-real-advantage-to-mares-leg-short-rifle/847646)
**Author:** [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2020, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-real-advantage-to-mares-leg-short-rifle/847646 "2020-02-09T23:02:01Z")
I just watched some old episodes of “Wanted: Dead or Alive” where Steve McQueen’s character sports a sawed-off Winchester. The only advantage I see it having over a pistol is it could fire more robust ammo. Otherwise it … --- ## [Earliest we'll hear more information about the airlines fuel dumping incident in L.A.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-well-hear-more-information-about-the-airlines-fuel-dumping-incident-in-l-a/847689)
**Author:** [@dstarfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dstarfire)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2020, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-well-hear-more-information-about-the-airlines-fuel-dumping-incident-in-l-a/847689 "2020-02-09T20:56:49Z")
What’s the earliest we might hear more information from investigators or authorities about the recent incident where a Delta airlines plane dumped fuel over a populated area? What is the process for an investigation like… --- ## [how wide would an LP be of every word ever spoken?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-wide-would-an-lp-be-of-every-word-ever-spoken/847375)
**Author:** [@curwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curwin)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2020, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-wide-would-an-lp-be-of-every-word-ever-spoken/847375 "2020-02-09T20:19:03Z")
Clearly this can’t be calculated precisely, but I thought it would be an interesting thought/math experiment: If we were able to put every word ever spoken by a human on one LP record, how wide would that LP be? And if… --- ## [iPad/Facebook issues.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipad-facebook-issues/847683)
**Author:** [@skdo23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/skdo23)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2020, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipad-facebook-issues/847683 "2020-02-09T19:53:45Z")
I’ve recently run into a problem where, by default, hitting the space bar on my iPad Air 2 results in two spaces between words when posting on FB, but not on any other site such as the SDMB or Youtube. Resetting the devi… --- ## [Has pyrolysis been proven for removing wire insulation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-pyrolysis-been-proven-for-removing-wire-insulation/847664)
**Author:** [@Yakamaniac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yakamaniac)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2020, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-pyrolysis-been-proven-for-removing-wire-insulation/847664 "2020-02-09T18:31:20Z")
There are very large amounts of copper tied up in wiring which is not in use or surplus, but this copper is sheathed in plastic and/or rubber, which is very difficult to remove manually. Burning generates hazardous gase… --- ## [Geography of NE France as seen in "1917" (SPOILERS)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/geography-of-ne-france-as-seen-in-1917-spoilers/847660)
**Author:** [@TSBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TSBG)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2020, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/geography-of-ne-france-as-seen-in-1917-spoilers/847660 "2020-02-09T18:27:33Z")
Please note, this is a question about actual France, so I believe this goes here and not in Cafe Society. Also please note, there are SPOILERS below. In the last third of the movie, Corporal Schofield jumps into a rive… --- ## [why is a hot shower refreshing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-a-hot-shower-refreshing/847654)
**Author:** [@curwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curwin)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2020, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-a-hot-shower-refreshing/847654 "2020-02-09T17:56:16Z")
Any scientific explanation as to why a hot shower is refreshing, feels good, wakes you up? --- ## [Google has Failed Me - Verootje](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-has-failed-me-verootje/847213)
**Author:** [@kaiwik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaiwik)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2020, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-has-failed-me-verootje/847213 "2020-02-09T08:17:15Z")
As I try to always remember, Google is my friend. I tried to persuade the mighty search engine to translate Verootje, Google spat out a number of responses but nothing helpful. I inquired as to what language it might be,… --- ## [Is the heart a pump or a vortex?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-heart-a-pump-or-a-vortex/775597)
**Author:** [@sleepyrice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sleepyrice)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2020, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-heart-a-pump-or-a-vortex/775597 "2020-02-09T05:39:57Z")
A certain Dr. Thomas Cowan recently asserted (with a new book) that the heart is not a pump but a vortex. http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2016/12/18/heart-disease-treatment-options.aspx He goes on to… --- ## [How do cashiers checks work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-cashiers-checks-work/847401)
**Author:** [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2020, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-cashiers-checks-work/847401 "2020-02-08T22:53:25Z")
Apparently an employee at our local bank was able to see cashiers checks that hadn’t cleared and moved the funds into his account. Who was he stealing from…the bank or the payee? Do banks have to monitor them and treat… --- ## [Areas not affected by Spanish flu in 1918](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/areas-not-affected-by-spanish-flu-in-1918/847564)
**Author:** [@Mangosteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangosteen)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2020, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/areas-not-affected-by-spanish-flu-in-1918/847564 "2020-02-08T22:32:21Z")
Did places like the Pitcairn Islands escape this flu? Any other places? --- ## [Toilet code? Is that what I think it is?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-code-is-that-what-i-think-it-is/847315)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2020, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-code-is-that-what-i-think-it-is/847315 "2020-02-08T21:04:22Z")
I do some transcribing of secret shopper receipts, and this is exactly what was on the bottom of a British receipt. Is this the modern version of a pay toilet, most likely to keep unsavory characters and illegal activit… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=390) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=392)