# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=415 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 416 --- ## [Is there any way to hack my electric oven's temperature settings?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-to-hack-my-electric-ovens-temperature-settings/842572)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2019, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-to-hack-my-electric-ovens-temperature-settings/842572 "2019-10-29T02:12:27Z")
I would love to use my electric oven for producing various kinds of dried food products: jerky, dehydrated fruit, etc. However all of these require being able to dry the food, meaning a temperature of 130-140° Fahrenheit… --- ## [When did they realize rats (and fleas) carried plague?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-they-realize-rats-and-fleas-carried-plague/842622)
**Author:** [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2019, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-they-realize-rats-and-fleas-carried-plague/842622 "2019-10-28T21:55:02Z")
(Yes, I know that recent research shows it was more likely to be humans, not rats, but I’m talking about in the past.) So when was the connection made? --- ## [solid sugar vs. syrup Q](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solid-sugar-vs-syrup-q/842571)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2019, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solid-sugar-vs-syrup-q/842571 "2019-10-28T14:29:25Z")
When making candy, it is necessary to raise the temperature of a sugar and water mixture to well above 212° F before enough water boils out of the mixture to produce hard sugar rather than syrupy mixtures. Or put another… --- ## [Question on Brunelleschi and Linear perspective](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-on-brunelleschi-and-linear-perspective/842499)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2019, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-on-brunelleschi-and-linear-perspective/842499 "2019-10-28T12:00:48Z")
Hi This English looks clumsy and hard to follow. I hope someone can structure it more coherently. …he cut a peephole through where the vanishing point fell on the picture, that was “the size of a lentil” on the painted… --- ## [Condo rules in Florida - pipes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/condo-rules-in-florida-pipes/842568)
**Author:** [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2019, 9:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/condo-rules-in-florida-pipes/842568 "2019-10-28T09:04:17Z")
The in-laws live in a small condo in Florida. A pipe to the upstairs neighbor’s place broke, causing a leak. The upstairs neighbor (who was a plumber, I gather) helpfully helped figure out where the leak was and repair… --- ## [Did any polititian in Vichy France goi on to have a political career in post WWII France?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-any-polititian-in-vichy-france-goi-on-to-have-a-political-career-in-post-wwii-france/842547)
**Author:** [@Calavera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Calavera)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2019, 7:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-any-polititian-in-vichy-france-goi-on-to-have-a-political-career-in-post-wwii-france/842547 "2019-10-28T07:59:52Z")
Did anybody in the Vichy France administration manage to have a political career after WW2? --- ## [How independent are Military lawyers who serve as defense counsel in a court martial?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-independent-are-military-lawyers-who-serve-as-defense-counsel-in-a-court-martial/665314)
**Author:** [@Donnerwetter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Donnerwetter)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2019, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-independent-are-military-lawyers-who-serve-as-defense-counsel-in-a-court-martial/665314 "2019-10-28T02:39:01Z")
In the civilian world, it’s the job of an attorney in a criminal trial to do all he can to put the prosecution and law enforcement in a bad light. He will accuse the state of grave mistakes and of withholding exculpatory… --- ## [Car lights under water--is this remotely plausible?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-lights-under-water-is-this-remotely-plausible/842475)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2019, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-lights-under-water-is-this-remotely-plausible/842475 "2019-10-28T01:10:13Z")
In an article about the 25th anniversary of the Susan Smith murders, police officer Eddie Harris recalls that when they pulled the car out of the water (after nine days) “the lights were still on.” He didn’t specify head… --- ## [License plate readers and privacy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/license-plate-readers-and-privacy/841159)
**Author:** [@Patch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patch)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2019, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/license-plate-readers-and-privacy/841159 "2019-10-27T23:39:54Z")
Anyone know if there’s any legal rulings or decisions on license plate readers (LPRs) and privacy in the US? I ask because this is the case in Sacramento, California. There are a large number of license plate readers a… --- ## [Born in PR; natural born citizen?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/born-in-pr-natural-born-citizen/842558)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2019, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/born-in-pr-natural-born-citizen/842558 "2019-10-27T22:34:54Z")
Are Puerto Ricans natural born citizens of the US and eligible to be president? What about natives of Guam, American Samoa, US Virgin Islands and other territories? According to Wiki, some of these are consider US nati… --- ## [Exit trajectory of GSW \[gun shot wound\] to the head \[edited title\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exit-trajectory-of-gsw-gun-shot-wound-to-the-head-edited-title/842291)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2019, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exit-trajectory-of-gsw-gun-shot-wound-to-the-head-edited-title/842291 "2019-10-27T17:34:47Z")
The other day I watched a show in which one character was standing near several others, and was shot with a pistol in the back of the head. Kind of a gruesome question, but can you presume that a shot to the skull will … --- ## [What does abbreviation YouGov stand for?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-abbreviation-yougov-stand-for/842509)
**Author:** [@ToughLife](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ToughLife)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2019, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-abbreviation-yougov-stand-for/842509 "2019-10-27T17:18:26Z")
Is it even an abbreviation/acronym? Gov? … something to do with government/governing Googling didn’t help. Thanks. --- ## [Why is "quid pro quo" such a key point?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-quid-pro-quo-such-a-key-point/842132)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2019, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-quid-pro-quo-such-a-key-point/842132 "2019-10-27T14:56:24Z")
Why is the assertion or denial of a quid pro quo so important in the discussion about Trump’s request to the Ukrainian president? Isn’t it enough that he simply made a request to demonstrate that he sought foreign help i… --- ## [Why did I have to de-ice my freezer with a hammer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-i-have-to-de-ice-my-freezer-with-a-hammer/842209)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2019, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-i-have-to-de-ice-my-freezer-with-a-hammer/842209 "2019-10-27T12:54:11Z")
So, the alarm went off to say I hadn’t shut my freezer drawer. The freezer is a separate unit in the fridge, a drawer under the refrigeration section. Tried to shut the drawer and it wouldn’t shut. “Hmm,” sez I to myse… --- ## [Landing on the pole of a planet. Easier? Harder?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/landing-on-the-pole-of-a-planet-easier-harder/842506)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2019, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/landing-on-the-pole-of-a-planet-easier-harder/842506 "2019-10-27T12:53:26Z")
Or no difference as far as complexity/difficulty is concerned? --- ## [Just Junked a Car in PA . . . Now what to do with the plate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-junked-a-car-in-pa-now-what-to-do-with-the-plate/842271)
**Author:** [@Panzram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Panzram)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2019, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-junked-a-car-in-pa-now-what-to-do-with-the-plate/842271 "2019-10-27T02:15:46Z")
So I had to give my beloved 2002 Honda Civic the heave ho after it developed a knock in the engine while driving home one night. Now I have this plate sitting here and I’m not sure what to do . . . I already have anothe… --- ## [How the hell does anything survive black flies?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-the-hell-does-anything-survive-black-flies/842203)
**Author:** [@Patch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patch)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2019, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-the-hell-does-anything-survive-black-flies/842203 "2019-10-27T01:02:39Z")
Went looking at the Wikipedia page for black flies, and came across this lovely photo of a black fly swarm. :eek: Now, people have an advantage in that we can use pesticides and cover up for protection, but how the hel… --- ## [Has “passed away” always been a straight euphemism for “died”?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-passed-away-always-been-a-straight-euphemism-for-died/841306)
**Author:** [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2019, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-passed-away-always-been-a-straight-euphemism-for-died/841306 "2019-10-26T23:34:54Z")
I had the impression that in recent years it has slowly become more broad in its meaning, as many words and terms do—but that when I was young it meant dying very peacefully, in your sleep or at least in bed. So I found … --- ## [What generally happens to released prisoners who can't find jobs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-generally-happens-to-released-prisoners-who-cant-find-jobs/842272)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2019, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-generally-happens-to-released-prisoners-who-cant-find-jobs/842272 "2019-10-26T20:47:36Z")
Generally, prisoners who are released from prison (especially if after a very long sentence, and/or for a serious crime) have a tough time finding a job - employment is hard enough for a normal crime-free person, let alo… --- ## [Question on German: "Wäsche an der Wäscheleine/ auf der Wäscheleine trocknen lasses ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-on-german-wasche-an-der-wascheleine-auf-der-wascheleine-trocknen-lasses/842274)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2019, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-on-german-wasche-an-der-wascheleine-auf-der-wascheleine-trocknen-lasses/842274 "2019-10-26T20:21:09Z")
Hi I’ve seen both “an der Wäscheleine” and “auf der Wäscheleine”. Which is correct? Are both expressions correct? “Trocknen Sie Ihre Wäsche an der Leine. Dadurch sparen Sie sich den Wäschetrockner und schonen Ihre Text… --- ## [Getting bumped off a plane question.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-bumped-off-a-plane-question/842042)
**Author:** [@SandyHook](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SandyHook)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2019, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-bumped-off-a-plane-question/842042 "2019-10-26T18:40:47Z")
Mulling about the Quora website I found the item below: Q; What would you do if you were involuntarily bumped by any airline on an overbooked flight? Maxwell Arnold, I’m an informed passenger who knows his rights. Up… --- ## [Coolant for 2001 Jeep Cherokee (2nd try)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coolant-for-2001-jeep-cherokee-2nd-try/842503)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2019, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coolant-for-2001-jeep-cherokee-2nd-try/842503 "2019-10-26T16:42:18Z")
If you answered the first thread please reply to this one. That thread is in the cornfield - who knows why. I need to add coolant to a used car we bought my son. There’s yellow coolant in there now but I have no way o… --- ## [Origin of "not by a dam/damn site/sight"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-not-by-a-dam-damn-site-sight/677404)
**Author:** [@bizerta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bizerta)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2019, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-not-by-a-dam-damn-site-sight/677404 "2019-10-25T23:34:28Z")
Is it “dam” or “damn”. Is it “site” or “sight”. To what are they referring? Where/how did this originate? Google was no help. --- ## [Question regarding the physics of Jules Verne's "From the Earth to the Moon"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-the-physics-of-jules-vernes-from-the-earth-to-the-moon/841995)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2019, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-the-physics-of-jules-vernes-from-the-earth-to-the-moon/841995 "2019-10-25T21:16:19Z")
Hi Regarding the physics of Jules Verne’s “From the Earth to the Moon”, from what can be gleaned from the novel, what physics/aeronautics/mathematics makes sense and what is sheer nonsense/fly in the face of Newtonian p… --- ## [When did TPing start?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-tping-start/842293)
**Author:** [@wayneofw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wayneofw)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2019, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-tping-start/842293 "2019-10-25T20:34:56Z")
This one came from my sister and her workers. When and where did streaming toilet paper start? I could find the earliest possible date in 1890 when roll paper was developed. I could find nothing on the history of bedecki… --- ## ["This vehicle does not turn right on red" -- why not?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-vehicle-does-not-turn-right-on-red-why-not/841968)
**Author:** [@Anny\_Middon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anny_Middon)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2019, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-vehicle-does-not-turn-right-on-red-why-not/841968 "2019-10-25T12:03:14Z")
I followed a vehicle (a small van that looked like a passenger van) yesterday. It had a decal on the back that said that it did not make a right turn on a red light. Why would the owner (this was for a local health-car… --- ## [Speed of Light (revisited). Permeability and Permittivity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speed-of-light-revisited-permeability-and-permittivity/842167)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2019, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speed-of-light-revisited-permeability-and-permittivity/842167 "2019-10-25T06:15:16Z")
I started a thread on this a log time ago asking why is the speed of light the value that it is. Unfortunately that thread degraded into a discussion of units that amounted to “it’s the speed it is in the units we measu… --- ## [The Techno-Peasant Strikes Again! MS Word pagination {{sigh}}](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-techno-peasant-strikes-again-ms-word-pagination-sigh/842039)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2019, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-techno-peasant-strikes-again-ms-word-pagination-sigh/842039 "2019-10-25T05:07:31Z")
In my ongoing struggles with MS Word, I have a new issue. Pagination. I’m writing a brief. It’s got a cover page that goes on for three pages (yes, I know that’s an odd definition of cover page. Work with me. Sort o… --- ## [Does impeachment bar being elected again / re-election?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-impeachment-bar-being-elected-again-re-election/842045)
**Author:** [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2019, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-impeachment-bar-being-elected-again-re-election/842045 "2019-10-25T03:22:12Z")
If a president is impeached can the be reelected in the next election? If a current president is running for reelection and wins the election and the EC vote and is impeached before his new term happens, what happens? --- ## [What kind of medical equipment would have been used for preemies in the late 70's?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-medical-equipment-would-have-been-used-for-preemies-in-the-late-70s/842216)
**Author:** [@superwombat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/superwombat)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2019, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-medical-equipment-would-have-been-used-for-preemies-in-the-late-70s/842216 "2019-10-25T00:29:26Z")
My youngest was born premature six years ago, and the NICU took fantastic care of him for a couple months until he was ready to come home. I was also a preemie in 1978 at 2 lbs 3 oz, unfortunately I can’t recall what ki… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=414) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=416)