# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=407 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 408 --- ## [searchable Usenet archive to circa early 1990s](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/searchable-usenet-archive-to-circa-early-1990s/739642)
**Author:** [@Lee\_Q](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lee_Q)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 3, 2019, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/searchable-usenet-archive-to-circa-early-1990s/739642 "2019-12-03T14:30:37Z")
I’m aware that Google acquired the vast Usenet archive from Deja, I think in early 2000s, and has been criticized for not handling the archive very well. As late as 2008 I was able to go to Google Groups and search withi… --- ## [Why is it that certain frequencies make your eardrums beat?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-that-certain-frequencies-make-your-eardrums-beat/844181)
**Author:** [@brujaja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brujaja)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 3, 2019, 11:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-that-certain-frequencies-make-your-eardrums-beat/844181 "2019-12-03T11:14:13Z")
Does anyone else get that thing where certain frequencies of sound will make your eardrums beat or flutter? What is that? --- ## [Are Plumbing Fixtures sold by Big Box Stores substandard?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-plumbing-fixtures-sold-by-big-box-stores-substandard/844156)
**Author:** [@ethelbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ethelbert)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [December 3, 2019, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-plumbing-fixtures-sold-by-big-box-stores-substandard/844156 "2019-12-03T07:50:08Z")
One thing that I have heard many times over the years is that all the big plumbing manufacturers make different fixtures for the big box retailers (e.g. Home Depot) and that those fixtures are not as good (i.e. reliable)… --- ## [Possible sink hole on my property, what do I do?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-sink-hole-on-my-property-what-do-i-do/844013)
**Author:** [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [December 3, 2019, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-sink-hole-on-my-property-what-do-i-do/844013 "2019-12-03T03:01:54Z")
Hi, I live in Pennsylvania where I thought these things didn’t happen but after the most recent rain storms I have a very large hole in my front yard. At first I thought it might be an animal den, but it’s gotten to be o… --- ## [Question on the rank of 'upper-merchant' in the 18th century navy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-on-the-rank-of-upper-merchant-in-the-18th-century-navy/844247)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 3, 2019, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-on-the-rank-of-upper-merchant-in-the-18th-century-navy/844247 "2019-12-03T00:40:28Z")
Hi I’m looking for a definition for the 18th century naval rank of ‘upper-merchant’ on a Dutch retour ship. Was it the equivalent of a Commodore? I look forward to your feedback. --- ## [Gas Fireplace Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-fireplace-question/844283)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2019, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-fireplace-question/844283 "2019-12-02T22:59:25Z")
We recently purchased a house built about 15 years ago that included a gas fireplace. Even though I live where wood is plentiful and cheap, I prefer a gas fireplace because it’s less messy. We have natural gas supplied t… --- ## [Which LED mode burns out faster?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-led-mode-burns-out-faster/844204)
**Author:** [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2019, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-led-mode-burns-out-faster/844204 "2019-12-02T21:17:52Z")
I have blinking LED lights that clip on my sneakers. I have to walk in the dark, and they make me more visible to drivers. Blinking mode is supposedly more effective than steady mode. Which mode is more likely to wear/b… --- ## [how did electricity travel long distances in the 1800s?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-electricity-travel-long-distances-in-the-1800s/844147)
**Author:** [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2019, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-electricity-travel-long-distances-in-the-1800s/844147 "2019-12-02T21:05:11Z")
I’m familiar with telegraphs and batteries, but also familiar with the inherent loss of voltage over long distances of wire. I don’t really know why or how, maybe the electricity just leaks out…so I’m apparently ignoran… --- ## [What's going on with these windshields??](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-going-on-with-these-windshields/844052)
**Author:** [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2019, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-going-on-with-these-windshields/844052 "2019-12-02T19:08:40Z")
I work in an office with 30 people. In the past two days three of my co-workers windshields have cracked without being struck by anything and someone who works just a couple buildings down had hers crack today. That’s a … --- ## [Are Silent Gen less right winged leaning than Boomers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-silent-gen-less-right-winged-leaning-than-boomers/844191)
**Author:** [@Barack\_Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barack_Obama)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2019, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-silent-gen-less-right-winged-leaning-than-boomers/844191 "2019-12-02T18:50:16Z")
Quick question, is this at all true? I know, the silent gen republicans are the lowest of support for marijuana legalization, however most silent gen people I’ve met have been democrats leaning further left than most bo… --- ## [Medical Condition Where Pregnancy is Possible but Birth Is Not?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-condition-where-pregnancy-is-possible-but-birth-is-not/844073)
**Author:** [@Wrenching\_Spanners](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wrenching_Spanners)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2019, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-condition-where-pregnancy-is-possible-but-birth-is-not/844073 "2019-12-02T17:59:05Z")
Related to this thread: https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=21997029#post21997029 Are there medical conditions such that it is possible for a woman to become pregnant, but absolutely impossible for he… --- ## [Mitochondrial DNA Mutating.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitochondrial-dna-mutating/844249)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2019, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitochondrial-dna-mutating/844249 "2019-12-02T02:32:39Z")
Does Mitochondrial DNA ever mutate? You certainly never hear of that happening. In case you don’t know, the Mitochondria are those little dark oval-shaped things in your cell, from HS biology class. I think they are res… --- ## [Ice or water in a closed, temperature controlled chamber](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ice-or-water-in-a-closed-temperature-controlled-chamber/844131)
**Author:** [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2019, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ice-or-water-in-a-closed-temperature-controlled-chamber/844131 "2019-12-01T22:51:26Z")
In a physics, spherical cow universe, say you have a chamber being kept at exactly 0 degrees C at exactly one atmosphere. What would happen if you put in a glass of water? How about a cube of ice? Would the water stay… --- ## [REAL-ID driver license question: New license number?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-id-driver-license-question-new-license-number/844007)
**Author:** [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2019, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-id-driver-license-question-new-license-number/844007 "2019-12-01T20:51:27Z")
This post, from an unrelated thread, caught one or more of my eyeballs: Questions for those who have gotten your Real ID license: (1) In your state, do you generally keep the same driver license number year after year… --- ## [Why can't you tickle yourself?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-you-tickle-yourself/844242)
**Author:** [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2019, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-you-tickle-yourself/844242 "2019-12-01T20:43:25Z")
I’ll tell you why this question occurred to me, I’m an ICU Nurse and I was evaluating an anoxic brain injury patient and looking at her Babinski reflexes. You swipe the bottom of the foot and the toes curl. But here’s … --- ## [Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons q.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/macys-thanksgiving-day-parade-balloons-q/844090)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2019, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/macys-thanksgiving-day-parade-balloons-q/844090 "2019-12-01T20:07:26Z")
What are they inflated with? They’re pretty big, and if they were inflated entirely with helium it would not only be very expensive but generate more lift than is needed or wanted. Is dry nitrogen enough of a lifting gas… --- ## [Pute, or Truthahn?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pute-or-truthahn/843678)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2019, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pute-or-truthahn/843678 "2019-12-01T19:48:55Z")
ISTR from high school German, that German for turkey is die Pute. But I also seem to recall it’s der Truthahn. Checking Google Translate backs this up. Which work do German speakers tend to use more? --- ## [How do I get my email address back on Facebook?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-my-email-address-back-on-facebook/844238)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2019, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-my-email-address-back-on-facebook/844238 "2019-12-01T16:00:20Z")
I used to have a facebook account, maybe ten years ago. Turned out I didn’t use it much, and not at all for about five years. Now I need it again to access something. The problem is, I can’t sign in. When I go to sig… --- ## [What happens if you throw a coconut in a campfire?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-you-throw-a-coconut-in-a-campfire/576702)
**Author:** [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Replies:** 95\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2019, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-you-throw-a-coconut-in-a-campfire/576702 "2019-12-01T03:49:11Z")
Will it explode? --- ## [google phone-strange number(s)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-phone-strange-number-s/843981)
**Author:** [@rbroome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rbroome)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2019, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-phone-strange-number-s/843981 "2019-11-30T20:03:18Z")
I have a friend who has (started recently) a google phone number for their cell phone. After a couple of months a strange thing started. When the friend calls me, a strange number appears on my phone. When I call my frie… --- ## [Wood stove door gasket](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wood-stove-door-gasket/841560)
**Author:** [@EastUmpqua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EastUmpqua)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2019, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wood-stove-door-gasket/841560 "2019-11-30T02:18:20Z")
I’ve heard that you should replace the door gasket every year. I’ve had my wood stove 12 years and I’ve never replaced it. I live in Oregon and I heat my house all winter long (about 3 cords) with the wood stove. Am I mi… --- ## [Black forehead band = blind. Any others?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-forehead-band-blind-any-others/343663)
**Author:** [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2019, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-forehead-band-blind-any-others/343663 "2019-11-30T02:10:50Z")
I was at the National Portrait Gallery in London last week and saw a 17th-century portrait of a famous man who happened to be blind. He wore a black band around his head, just above his brow, and about two centimetres w… --- ## [Airforce 1: pilot training](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airforce-1-pilot-training/844127)
**Author:** [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2019, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airforce-1-pilot-training/844127 "2019-11-30T01:19:04Z")
Inspired by https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=886024 That thread got me thinking about inflight refueling. I read that AF1 is able to refuel inflight - probably the only 747 (military versions have a… --- ## [Windows 10 backups always fail](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-10-backups-always-fail/844180)
**Author:** [@Oglomott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oglomott)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2019, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-10-backups-always-fail/844180 "2019-11-29T22:35:10Z")
I have set the Windows 10 built-in backup utility to make automatic file backups. I always get error messages that the “last backup did not complete successfully”, or words to that effect. Today I attempted to do a sys… --- ## [What is the oldest material in a modern house](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-oldest-material-in-a-modern-house/844085)
**Author:** [@Nansbread1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nansbread1)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2019, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-oldest-material-in-a-modern-house/844085 "2019-11-29T22:32:53Z")
Take a modern brick house in any European or US state. What will be the oldest material in the house, if you exclude private possessions. The bricks, the door, the lead flashings, the copper pipes, the wooden floors, th… --- ## [Exploding lighters at rock concerts (or anywhere else)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exploding-lighters-at-rock-concerts-or-anywhere-else/844114)
**Author:** [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2019, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exploding-lighters-at-rock-concerts-or-anywhere-else/844114 "2019-11-29T21:26:58Z")
Everyone knows that it’s a tradition to hold your lighter aloft at big rock concerts when the band plays a famous ballad, and maybe also at the start of the concert and during the encore call. (Or at least, I hope that … --- ## [The humps on sports car roofs.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-humps-on-sports-car-roofs/844162)
**Author:** [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2019, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-humps-on-sports-car-roofs/844162 "2019-11-29T20:10:27Z")
This is a question that has occurred to me often when driving my Fit around, and now that I’m giving it to my niece and nephew and have bought a new car, it has taken a personal aspect. I’ve owned several sports/sporty … --- ## [Wind Turbines](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wind-turbines/844155)
**Author:** [@Mangosteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangosteen)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2019, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wind-turbines/844155 "2019-11-29T18:51:44Z")
Some Questions: How much energy is used to manufacture ONE of those giant wind turbines? How much energy is required to produce the various parts that go into ONE of those wind turbines? How much energy is needed to tran… --- ## [How o I End a Skype Chat (Need Answer Fast)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-o-i-end-a-skype-chat-need-answer-fast/844169)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2019, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-o-i-end-a-skype-chat-need-answer-fast/844169 "2019-11-29T16:51:06Z")
I am trying to learn Skype. Someone from Ghana is chatting with me for some reason. There is no obvious way to hang up. I am using a desktop --- ## [Where did I get this phrase?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-i-get-this-phrase/844160)
**Author:** [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2019, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-i-get-this-phrase/844160 "2019-11-29T13:54:29Z")
“Mad as a hen wetter” or was it “Madder than a hen wetter”? I’m NOT talking about a wet hen. Was it a Nanny Oggism? :confused: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=406) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=408)