# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=428 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 429 --- ## [What is the longest distance you can travel without a passport?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-longest-distance-you-can-travel-without-a-passport/643592)
**Author:** [@tellyworth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tellyworth)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2012, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-longest-distance-you-can-travel-without-a-passport/643592 "2012-12-11T20:32:12Z")
What is the longest trip that can be achieved today without a passport or any form of official documentation? By longest trip I mean the longest straight line (or great circle) distance from start to finish, both points… --- ## [What does Sex smell like?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-sex-smell-like/237244)
**Author:** [@Faucet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Faucet)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2019, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-sex-smell-like/237244 "2019-09-15T05:15:27Z")
I’m 18 and I am not ashamed to say that I have not gone that far with any girls…kissing, rubbing and all that stuff but no sex. I keep hearing people talking about the smell of sex and sex in the air. So I have a few que… --- ## [Cam position synchronizer alignment accuracy required](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cam-position-synchronizer-alignment-accuracy-required/840228)
**Author:** [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2019, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cam-position-synchronizer-alignment-accuracy-required/840228 "2019-09-15T03:47:48Z")
I’m going to replace the CPS and synchronizer in my F150 2000 4.2l. I have the plastic alignment tool, but I was testing it, and it has a small amount of play in the alignment. How critical is the position? If it’s off b… --- ## [Is the "book, good" vowel losing its rounding in some U.S. dialects?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-book-good-vowel-losing-its-rounding-in-some-u-s-dialects/840128)
**Author:** [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2019, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-book-good-vowel-losing-its-rounding-in-some-u-s-dialects/840128 "2019-09-14T13:47:13Z")
I was listening to several episodes of the Dough Boys podcast with Mike “Mitch” Mitchell and Nick Wiger, who in their day jobs are Hollywood actors/writers/comedians – https://headgum.com/doughboys The premise of the po… --- ## [The missing sounds in the International Phonetic Alphabet](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-missing-sounds-in-the-international-phonetic-alphabet/840046)
**Author:** [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2019, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-missing-sounds-in-the-international-phonetic-alphabet/840046 "2019-09-14T13:34:54Z")
So THIS CHART of consonants is a diagram of what the human mouth can do. The symbols represent a sound found in some language somewhere. The dark squares are sounds the human mouth just cannot make. The blank white s… --- ## [Is there a way to boost the IR signal from a TV remote? (Not IR Repeater)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-boost-the-ir-signal-from-a-tv-remote-not-ir-repeater/840177)
**Author:** [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2019, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-boost-the-ir-signal-from-a-tv-remote-not-ir-repeater/840177 "2019-09-14T06:24:14Z")
I know about things like infrared repeaters, phone apps, etc, that can allow you to use your remote from a farther distance away. But in this case, I just want my regular remote to work from farther away. Given a typic… --- ## [Changes in Youtube operations?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changes-in-youtube-operations/840198)
**Author:** [@rbroome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rbroome)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2019, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changes-in-youtube-operations/840198 "2019-09-14T01:03:10Z")
Is it just me or has Youtube changed how their video site works? The new Youtube video window no longer has the ability to skip or move the video time. I am forced to watch the video from the beginning without the abili… --- ## [Garage door cable \*snapping\* during close. Fix?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/garage-door-cable-snapping-during-close-fix/840172)
**Author:** [@somepumpkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/somepumpkin)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2019, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/garage-door-cable-snapping-during-close-fix/840172 "2019-09-13T23:54:06Z")
One of the cables on my electronically opened/closed garage door snaps into place during the last foot or so of travel when the door closes. The (edge of the) uppermost panel of the garage door catches one of the cables … --- ## [Ladies withdrawing after dinner leaving gents to their port and cigars](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-withdrawing-after-dinner-leaving-gents-to-their-port-and-cigars/839692)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2019, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-withdrawing-after-dinner-leaving-gents-to-their-port-and-cigars/839692 "2019-09-13T22:15:25Z")
When did this custom die out? Just seen it in a 1929 American movie (The Lost Zeppelin) and I’ve seen it in many early US and British movies, right up to the 40s and even 50s. So when did it finally give up the ghost? Or… --- ## [Loose A/C adapter cuts power to the line(s)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/loose-a-c-adapter-cuts-power-to-the-line-s/840049)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2019, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/loose-a-c-adapter-cuts-power-to-the-line-s/840049 "2019-09-13T16:34:46Z")
I just had a scare of sorts when the outlets powering my freezer and spare fridge in the garage stopped working. Also, the outlets in the upstairs bathrooms. I checked all the circuit breakers and the GFI outlets (I only… --- ## [Has anyone ever gotten in trouble for sleeping with someone who was 17 years and 364 days old?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-ever-gotten-in-trouble-for-sleeping-with-someone-who-was-17-years-and-364-days-old/839965)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2019, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-ever-gotten-in-trouble-for-sleeping-with-someone-who-was-17-years-and-364-days-old/839965 "2019-09-13T05:37:45Z")
I know age of consent varies wildly and some states allow a 5 year “grace” period, so in this scenario pretend that it’s basically “The day before” whatever the date of consent is, and the older person is someone in thei… --- ## [Has any genuine research been done on CBD oil?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-any-genuine-research-been-done-on-cbd-oil/839985)
**Author:** [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2019, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-any-genuine-research-been-done-on-cbd-oil/839985 "2019-09-12T23:01:29Z")
I suffer from arthritis, and the pain of the arthritis is nearly equaled by the pain of hearing all the recommendations for pseudoscience “cures.” The latest is CBD oil. Has anyone actually done any peer-reviewed, doub… --- ## [My television set is driving me bonkers: A Lip Sync Tragedy.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-television-set-is-driving-me-bonkers-a-lip-sync-tragedy/840014)
**Author:** [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2019, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-television-set-is-driving-me-bonkers-a-lip-sync-tragedy/840014 "2019-09-12T20:54:57Z")
Visio. Maybe…8 years old? More? Works like a champ. But it’s had this problem, and it comes and goes. I can NOT get the sound to sync up with the picture. There is, of course, a menu setting with a slide bar. Most of th… --- ## [MacBook Pro locks up](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/macbook-pro-locks-up/836553)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2019, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/macbook-pro-locks-up/836553 "2019-09-12T17:13:11Z")
About a month or so ago, I clicked on the Google Earth icon on my desktop. My computer froze. No cursor. I had to do a hard reboot. Today I tried to download a video from my camera. The camera was in video mode; and… --- ## [Attacking Marine guards at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attacking-marine-guards-at-tomb-of-the-unknown-soldier/402647)
**Author:** [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2019, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attacking-marine-guards-at-tomb-of-the-unknown-soldier/402647 "2019-09-12T15:24:22Z")
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is an impressive site. The Marine honor guards are proud, and they do their job , well, seriously. So what happens when things go wrong? Either minor, obnoxious behavior, or serious physi… --- ## [Exhaust from Car X is cleaner than the air in City Y.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exhaust-from-car-x-is-cleaner-than-the-air-in-city-y/591410)
**Author:** [@automagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/automagic)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2019, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exhaust-from-car-x-is-cleaner-than-the-air-in-city-y/591410 "2019-09-12T15:19:26Z")
I have heard from several different sources that some cars have such clean engines and such efficient catalytic converters that the exhaust they produce is cleaner than the air in some cities, like Los Angeles. Furthermo… --- ## [American/Canadian visiting Cuba](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-canadian-visiting-cuba/408416)
**Author:** [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2019, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-canadian-visiting-cuba/408416 "2019-09-12T00:42:48Z")
As some of you know, I hold dual citizenship in the U.S. and in Canada. If I were to visit Cuba on my Canadian passport, and spending only Canadian dollars, would I be violating any U.S. laws or restrictions? --- ## [“Bathtub” gin. . . huh?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bathtub-gin-huh/840060)
**Author:** [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2019, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bathtub-gin-huh/840060 "2019-09-11T23:46:55Z")
Of course, anyone who has encountered references to life in Prohibition-era USA has heard about the concept of “bathtub gin,” apparently a libation that people would use to get their drunk on when circumstances (geograph… --- ## [Apollo 2019: What steps would we change](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apollo-2019-what-steps-would-we-change/837306)
**Author:** [@Nansbread1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nansbread1)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2019, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apollo-2019-what-steps-would-we-change/837306 "2019-09-11T21:08:05Z")
The Apollo 11 mission had so many complex stages from take off to the moon landing. The one where the craft had to do a 180 degree turn to dock back on the command module, soon after the Saturn V tanks had been ditched, … --- ## [OneDrive](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/onedrive/839982)
**Author:** [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2019, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/onedrive/839982 "2019-09-11T20:06:03Z")
Every day for the last few months, when I log onto my desktop computer I get a message saying: OneDrive isn’t signed in. Please enter your info to start syncing again. It’s also an icon on the bottom toolbar on the fa… --- ## [If our bedrooms were air tight, would we be at risk of suffocating overnight?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-our-bedrooms-were-air-tight-would-we-be-at-risk-of-suffocating-overnight/839815)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2019, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-our-bedrooms-were-air-tight-would-we-be-at-risk-of-suffocating-overnight/839815 "2019-09-11T19:55:57Z")
I know our building methods are no where near being airtight, in fact, I think I read somewhere the air in a room generally turns over multiple times an hour. But what if didn’t? What if absolutely no air leaked throug… --- ## [Why can I not open my eyelids after dilating eye drops?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-can-i-not-open-my-eyelids-after-dilating-eye-drops/840041)
**Author:** [@Hermitian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hermitian)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2019, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-can-i-not-open-my-eyelids-after-dilating-eye-drops/840041 "2019-09-11T15:48:00Z")
When I go to the eye doctor and they want to dilate my pupils, they put in the eye drops. It stings a bit, and I think that is normal. However, even in the dark room, I have a very hard time opening my eyelids after th… --- ## [Geometry and concrete blocks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/geometry-and-concrete-blocks/839967)
**Author:** [@ric62](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ric62)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2019, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/geometry-and-concrete-blocks/839967 "2019-09-11T15:45:01Z")
I am thinking of getting concrete retaining wall blocks that are angled on both ends, I was wondering if I laid them side to side how big would the circle be. Any ideas on a formula so I don’t have to do to the store and… --- ## [What Architectural Style House is This?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-architectural-style-house-is-this/839916)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2019, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-architectural-style-house-is-this/839916 "2019-09-11T15:15:11Z")
Mods there should be a factual answer to this question, but if it starts to sound more like IMHO feel free to move it as appropriate. My wife and I just purchased a house and can’t seem to agree on what style of house i… --- ## [Help me fix an HP scanner, please?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-fix-an-hp-scanner-please/346665)
**Author:** [@Tower\_Dweller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tower_Dweller)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2006, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-fix-an-hp-scanner-please/346665 "2006-03-02T04:12:16Z")
I recently picked up at no cost an HP Laserjet 3300mfp off of a mailing list. It doesn’t seem that HP is still making it. The woman I got it from said that an HP tech told her that HP could fix it at the factory for so… --- ## [Battery powered wrist watches stop due to a person's EMF?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/battery-powered-wrist-watches-stop-due-to-a-persons-emf/425405)
**Author:** [@Gidian\_Maker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gidian_Maker)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2019, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/battery-powered-wrist-watches-stop-due-to-a-persons-emf/425405 "2019-09-11T03:58:05Z")
I worked with a lady several years ago, who claimed that she could only wear wind-up wrist watches, as battery powered ones would stop working after just a few weeks. She claimed also to have similar adverse effects on o… --- ## [The MS Golden Ray has Capsized.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ms-golden-ray-has-capsized/839931)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2019, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ms-golden-ray-has-capsized/839931 "2019-09-11T01:22:19Z")
The roro car carrier MS Golden Ray has capsized to its side in Saint Simons Bay in Georgia. Four crewmen are missing and at this point prayer is called for when hope fades. -=Link=- I was recently on a very large cruis… --- ## [Darwin was wrong about the human appendix and theories proven wrong ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/darwin-was-wrong-about-the-human-appendix-and-theories-proven-wrong/839885)
**Author:** [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2019, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/darwin-was-wrong-about-the-human-appendix-and-theories-proven-wrong/839885 "2019-09-10T22:06:36Z")
So Darwin said that the appendix in humans, is a vestigial organ, which I believe current research has proven to be incorrect. This thread is about such scientific theories that we learnt as kids (say the 80s) which hav… --- ## [Math Question About Estimating Numbers Based On A Brief Snapshot (Better Explained In OP, I Promise)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/math-question-about-estimating-numbers-based-on-a-brief-snapshot-better-explained-in-op-i-promise/839937)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2019, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/math-question-about-estimating-numbers-based-on-a-brief-snapshot-better-explained-in-op-i-promise/839937 "2019-09-10T21:42:05Z")
Apologies for the vague thread title, it’s impossible to phrase this question within the character limit for thread titles. Via the magic of Google Analytics, I can see what I call a “snapshot” of how many readers my ar… --- ## [What can I use to kill these effing thrips...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-use-to-kill-these-effing-thrips/839878)
**Author:** [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2019, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-use-to-kill-these-effing-thrips/839878 "2019-09-10T20:47:42Z")
…short of a limited nuclear device? I raise gesneriads (African violets and relatives) indoors under lights, and thrips cause leaf and flower damage which looks unsightly. I’ve tried recommended pesticides (including bu… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=427) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=429)