# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=393 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 394 --- ## [What was supposed to be secret about the Secret Service?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-supposed-to-be-secret-about-the-secret-service/847365)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2020, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-supposed-to-be-secret-about-the-secret-service/847365 "2020-02-03T23:45:32Z")
The agency was founded in 1865 because of widespread counterfeiting. It was named the Secret Service Division of the Treasury Department. Its name was later changed to the United States Secret Service, it now has the add… --- ## [Do wild cats get stuck in trees?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-wild-cats-get-stuck-in-trees/846987)
**Author:** [@Qwertol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qwertol)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2020, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-wild-cats-get-stuck-in-trees/846987 "2020-02-03T23:19:22Z")
Domesticated cats are known to get stuck in trees too afraid to come down (since it’s much easier for them to climb up than down)… Does the same thing happen to wild species of cats? --- ## [Physics of doorway pull-up bars](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/physics-of-doorway-pull-up-bars/847343)
**Author:** [@Dahu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dahu)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2020, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/physics-of-doorway-pull-up-bars/847343 "2020-02-03T22:29:37Z")
I have one of these pull-up bars. The claim is that it “uses leverage to hold against the doorway so there are no screws and no damage to door”. The one I have shows a diagram with forces squeezing it on each side to ho… --- ## [Leinster Ireland - how to pronounce?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leinster-ireland-how-to-pronounce/847199)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2020, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leinster-ireland-how-to-pronounce/847199 "2020-02-03T22:28:39Z")
Is Leinster pronounced “Leenster” or “Linster”? Or something else? --- ## [Loving dogs so much it Hertz: which dogs have the fastest tail-wags/sec?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/loving-dogs-so-much-it-hertz-which-dogs-have-the-fastest-tail-wags-sec/847431)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2020, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/loving-dogs-so-much-it-hertz-which-dogs-have-the-fastest-tail-wags-sec/847431 "2020-02-03T21:42:19Z")
See query. I was thinking of the physics of the whiplash (the snap of a whip being the moment when the tail tip breaks the speed of sound) and extrapolating to doggies. I initially analogized that the whacking of a big… --- ## [How are epidemiologists calculating a 3% fatality rate for Wuhan Coronavirus?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-epidemiologists-calculating-a-3-fatality-rate-for-wuhan-coronavirus/847183)
**Author:** [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2020, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-epidemiologists-calculating-a-3-fatality-rate-for-wuhan-coronavirus/847183 "2020-02-03T18:04:53Z")
On this webpage: stats show 132 deaths vs 126 totally recovered. That’s more than 50%. Is there a long post-peak phase where doctors know It won’t be fatal but can’t claim complete recovery? Because calculating by … --- ## [Worldwide lowest ping for internet](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worldwide-lowest-ping-for-internet/847044)
**Author:** [@MaverocK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaverocK)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2020, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worldwide-lowest-ping-for-internet/847044 "2020-02-03T17:04:08Z")
I am curious if we can achieve 1 ms ping worldwide for the internet. I made a simple and not-well-informed calculation. I assumed the speed of information to be the same as the speed of light in the fiber cables because… --- ## [Android phone auto downloading ads from Fanfiction.net?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-phone-auto-downloading-ads-from-fanfiction-net/847428)
**Author:** [@Mislav](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mislav)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2020, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-phone-auto-downloading-ads-from-fanfiction-net/847428 "2020-02-03T16:38:51Z")
As you probably now, Fanfiction.mobile site is full of ads. That is nothing new. But today, when I would visit Fanfiction.net, my Android would sometimes automatically download ads. Not all the ads, just some of them. An… --- ## [Are there Christian sects that cast out Paul's teachings?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-christian-sects-that-cast-out-pauls-teachings/846757)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2020, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-christian-sects-that-cast-out-pauls-teachings/846757 "2020-02-03T11:45:24Z")
I am not talking about just deemphasizing his teachings and influence. I mean refusing to see him as an apostle at all. --- ## [Volvo c30 stereo question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/volvo-c30-stereo-question/847203)
**Author:** [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2020, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/volvo-c30-stereo-question/847203 "2020-02-03T06:17:14Z")
OK, I got a Volvo C30, and it has AUX input. First time I ever tried to use it. Thanks to the SDMB, I got the proper cable to hook my 2nd gen iPod and my old iPad mini into the system. (Male male 3.5 cable) Ok, but n… --- ## [Is (or was) there anything inherently numeric about phone numbers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-or-was-there-anything-inherently-numeric-about-phone-numbers/846905)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2020, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-or-was-there-anything-inherently-numeric-about-phone-numbers/846905 "2020-02-03T04:35:32Z")
Question is whether the numbers in phone numbers represent quantities of anything, or whether they’re just being used purely as symbols (similar to sodoku). If the latter, were they initially used because at some point i… --- ## [Viruses and Hand Sanitizers.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/viruses-and-hand-sanitizers/847363)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2020, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/viruses-and-hand-sanitizers/847363 "2020-02-03T01:03:06Z")
My question: Do alcohol-based hand sanitizers kill viruses? My information is mixed. I’ll tell you what I know. About 20 years ago I was talking to a pharmacist about antibacterial hand lotions. He said, in summary, on… --- ## [Overall term to refer to people from the British Isles?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overall-term-to-refer-to-people-from-the-british-isles/846607)
**Author:** [@zombywoof](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zombywoof)\ **Replies:** 118\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2020, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overall-term-to-refer-to-people-from-the-british-isles/846607 "2020-02-02T22:17:37Z")
Is there a simple term that refers to all residents of the (2 large and many small) islands, regardless of political/national identities (British, Irish, English/Welsh/Scottish, etc?) --- ## ['Sup? Home, or Holmes? \[Slang term\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sup-home-or-holmes-slang-term/712043)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2020, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sup-home-or-holmes-slang-term/712043 "2020-02-02T19:55:46Z")
In urban slang, a close friend – especially/usually someone from your neighbourhood – is a ‘homeboy’ or ‘homie’. That is, someone from your home. In the '80s I heard people say ‘What up, Home?’ That is, one person is … --- ## [Help me understand my 401K](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-my-401k/847297)
**Author:** [@The\_Man\_In\_Black](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Man_In_Black)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2020, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-my-401k/847297 "2020-02-02T18:15:49Z")
So, the beginning of 2019 I started taking a more active role in my 401K (through my employer). I upped my per pay contribution significantly and moved it from the target fund it was in into a Vanguard 500 index fund. I… --- ## [What does Russian hacking look like?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-russian-hacking-look-like/847340)
**Author:** [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2020, 10:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-russian-hacking-look-like/847340 "2020-02-02T10:16:36Z")
Until yesterday, I was a long-time member of the Milky Way Scientists Facebook page. I seldom paid it any attention, or I’d have noticed that the admin got in trouble for copyright violations. In fact, I kept meaning to … --- ## [Is destruction of value keeping inflation low?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-destruction-of-value-keeping-inflation-low/847301)
**Author:** [@Yakamaniac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yakamaniac)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2020, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-destruction-of-value-keeping-inflation-low/847301 "2020-02-01T23:33:44Z")
In spite of wage growth and an increasing money supply, inflation has not reached the target of 2% per year. Could it be that the destruction of value is keeping inflation low? Examples: Toys ‘R’ Us bankruptcy, busine… --- ## [Name this website](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-this-website/847180)
**Author:** [@dauerbach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dauerbach)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2020, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-this-website/847180 "2020-02-01T19:10:54Z")
Many (Maybe 10) years ago I stumbled upon this website where: People would post a picture. Sometimes this would be totally outside, sometimes out a window. Then people would try to figure out where (pretty much exactl… --- ## [iPhone Calendar, Repeating Events — How to Update All Events, not just Future Events?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-calendar-repeating-events-how-to-update-all-events-not-just-future-events/845746)
**Author:** [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2020, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-calendar-repeating-events-how-to-update-all-events-not-just-future-events/845746 "2020-02-01T14:38:04Z")
Sometimes Apple does not give me the option to update all events. It only gives me the option to update future events. :confused: I typically prefer to update all instances of recurring calendar events because I like ke… --- ## [What is the purpose of a CPAP filter?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-a-cpap-filter/847057)
**Author:** [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2020, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-a-cpap-filter/847057 "2020-02-01T05:54:48Z")
After a few years of complaining by my wife about my snoring at night, I did a sleep test at home and my Dr. says that I have a mild case of sleep apnea. She recommended I get a CPAP machine which I did. I use it night… --- ## [Know of any way to search Google Maps or Mapillary for user profiles/contributors by name?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-of-any-way-to-search-google-maps-or-mapillary-for-user-profiles-contributors-by-name/847313)
**Author:** [@Dr.Colossus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Colossus)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2020, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-of-any-way-to-search-google-maps-or-mapillary-for-user-profiles-contributors-by-name/847313 "2020-02-01T04:32:37Z")
I hate coming here to ask questions like these, but I’m flat-out stumped. Googling “how to search for user profiles” just brings up non-relevant hits. Sometimes on a street view 360 image, an individual contributor is c… --- ## [Anyone know the law about pork imports from China?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-the-law-about-pork-imports-from-china/847306)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2020, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-the-law-about-pork-imports-from-china/847306 "2020-02-01T04:23:27Z")
For years I was wondering about this, and, as they say, there’s no time like the present. I’ve been shopping in NYC Chinatown one or twice a week for years. If you like things pork, from ovaries to omentum, it’s unparal… --- ## [Plumbing: Impossible Valve Stem](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbing-impossible-valve-stem/95332)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2020, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbing-impossible-valve-stem/95332 "2020-02-01T02:35:28Z")
I have a soaking bathtub with a leak from Kohler washerless faucets. But, the valve stem’s hex nut pattern seems to be a non-standard size of 15/16" - smack between two stem socket wrench sizes! AND! Using your everyday … --- ## [Youtube comments only showing when logged in: bug or feature?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youtube-comments-only-showing-when-logged-in-bug-or-feature/847308)
**Author:** [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2020, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youtube-comments-only-showing-when-logged-in-bug-or-feature/847308 "2020-02-01T00:36:22Z")
I use Chrome on Windows 10 and am usually not logged into my Google account. For a few weeks, the youtube comment sections have failed to load on any page. You only see the “load circle” (sorry, don’t know the technical … --- ## [TENS Unit for Arthritis?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tens-unit-for-arthritis/847271)
**Author:** [@jaycat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jaycat)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2020, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tens-unit-for-arthritis/847271 "2020-01-31T22:48:37Z")
Does anyone have experience with using a TENS unit for arthritis (in this case, in my thumb)? I’d appreciate hearing about how well it worked (or didn’t), as well as any recommendations for a particular unit. Thanks! --- ## [Could private American ship captains offer any kind of long-term asylum to immigrants?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-private-american-ship-captains-offer-any-kind-of-long-term-asylum-to-immigrants/847258)
**Author:** [@beckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beckerfan)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2020, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-private-american-ship-captains-offer-any-kind-of-long-term-asylum-to-immigrants/847258 "2020-01-31T18:54:17Z")
A friend of mine was venting about Mike Bloomberg spending a billion dollars on a political campaign instead of something productive, and off-the-top-of-his-head spun this idea of buying decommissioned cruise ships to of… --- ## [English grammar: "I was sat there"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-grammar-i-was-sat-there/847118)
**Author:** [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2020, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-grammar-i-was-sat-there/847118 "2020-01-31T17:26:13Z")
This is something I’ve started noticing in British English speech, the use of the simple past instead of a present or past participle. The example that comes to mind is in the thread title: “I was sat there.” I would … --- ## [Why don’t helicopters have black boxes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-don-t-helicopters-have-black-boxes/847185)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2020, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-don-t-helicopters-have-black-boxes/847185 "2020-01-31T15:27:19Z")
Whatever you think about Stephen Colbert, he occasionally speaks eloquently on serious topics. After a moving acknowledgment of Kobe Bryant, he went into an appeal to add flight recorders to helicopters. His argument w… --- ## [GPS tracking](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gps-tracking/847220)
**Author:** [@bizerta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bizerta)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2020, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gps-tracking/847220 "2020-01-31T12:09:18Z")
I found a set of keys (two auto keys and two fobs) on the sidewalk. I took them to the local police lost-and-found. Pointing to one of the fobs, the officer said it was a GPS tracking device. It was square, about 25mm… --- ## [Unna Boot- questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unna-boot-questions/847256)
**Author:** [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2020, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unna-boot-questions/847256 "2020-01-31T06:58:08Z")
An elderly friend of mine has been wearing an Unna Boot. Other than his obvious obesity I don’t know what his ailment is, but I do know it was causing him chronic pain. He’s advised me to make sure I never have to wea… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=392) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=394)