# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=453 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 454 --- ## [Any way to determine the specific threat from a phishing email?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-way-to-determine-the-specific-threat-from-a-phishing-email/835842)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2019, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-way-to-determine-the-specific-threat-from-a-phishing-email/835842 "2019-06-22T21:21:08Z")
An acquaintance had her Outlook 365 account hacked and the hacker used her account to send emails to hundreds of her contacts and prior addressees. I was in that group. This was not a spoof, the account was actually hack… --- ## [Horns are growing on young people's skulls?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/horns-are-growing-on-young-peoples-skulls/835807)
**Author:** [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2019, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/horns-are-growing-on-young-peoples-skulls/835807 "2019-06-22T17:17:00Z")
A study done by a couple of PhDs in Austrialia is getting a lot of media interest recently, here’s a write up in the Washington post, and it’s also been added to our “Cell phones will make everyone a hunchback”-thread. I… --- ## [Law question regarding sentencing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/law-question-regarding-sentencing/835725)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2019, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/law-question-regarding-sentencing/835725 "2019-06-22T17:09:46Z")
I watch a lot of true crime shows and am frequently confused on sentencing vs how much actual time has to be served. First, I realize that different municipalities have different rules and such so I’m looking for genera… --- ## [Odds Of Picking Five Specific Cards From A Pool Of 20](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odds-of-picking-five-specific-cards-from-a-pool-of-20/835854)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2019, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odds-of-picking-five-specific-cards-from-a-pool-of-20/835854 "2019-06-21T22:50:18Z")
An online poker game I play has this side game that players can qualify for, every few dozen or so hands. You’re given five cards needed to make a Royal Flush (10-J-Q-K-A, in one suit) and 15 random cards. Get the Royal … --- ## [Can you explain a car lease to me please (Canada)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-explain-a-car-lease-to-me-please-canada/835802)
**Author:** [@K364](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K364)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2019, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-explain-a-car-lease-to-me-please-canada/835802 "2019-06-21T22:33:43Z")
My wife leased a car and has been making the lease payments for several years. She no longer needs the car and wants to end the lease and give the car back to the dealership. Apparently this is not straight-forward and t… --- ## [Apollo 11 Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apollo-11-question/741695)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 97\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2019, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apollo-11-question/741695 "2019-06-21T21:40:32Z")
I’m sure this has been asked before, but I can’t seem to find the answer. If Armstrong and Aldrin and been marooned on the moon for some reason would Collins have had any problem getting back to Earth on his own? In oth… --- ## [Is there an online community for help with electronic devices?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-online-community-for-help-with-electronic-devices/835772)
**Author:** [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2019, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-online-community-for-help-with-electronic-devices/835772 "2019-06-21T19:32:06Z")
(apologies in advance for spelling mistakes, i’m a bit sleep deprived) I need help with advice about/help finding specific items and neither the Staright Dope nor the salespeople at Best Buy were able to help me, and go… --- ## [Test messaging with advanced scheduling from laptop - does it exist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-messaging-with-advanced-scheduling-from-laptop-does-it-exist/835579)
**Author:** [@Shinna\_Minna\_Ma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shinna_Minna_Ma)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2019, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-messaging-with-advanced-scheduling-from-laptop-does-it-exist/835579 "2019-06-21T17:15:43Z")
I’m looking for a program that will allow me to send text messages (SMS) from my laptop. I need the ability to both link the SMS messages from my phone with my laptop and to send these messages on dates and times of my c… --- ## [Is an "African Ruby" a real ruby?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-an-african-ruby-a-real-ruby/340449)
**Author:** [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2019, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-an-african-ruby-a-real-ruby/340449 "2019-06-21T14:13:52Z")
An ex-co-worker of mine has a ring set with an African Ruby. She believes that an African Ruby means a real ruby from Africa. However, according to webpages like this one, there are several misleading gemstone names ou… --- ## [Border collies: explain these whistle signals?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/border-collies-explain-these-whistle-signals/835696)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2019, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/border-collies-explain-these-whistle-signals/835696 "2019-06-21T14:13:49Z")
Here is a video of three border collies working with a handler to herd some ducks through a couple of obstacles. The handler is apparently issuing commands to the dogs with some whistles. A lot of them. What do these … --- ## [Lasik surgery question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lasik-surgery-question/835832)
**Author:** [@TheSundial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheSundial)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2019, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lasik-surgery-question/835832 "2019-06-21T11:50:08Z")
I was watching the movie Don’t Breathe and the character in the house is a veteran that is blind from grenade shrapnel. The main characters breaks into his house to steal his fortune that’s in a safe. If I can look pas… --- ## [Plant 'em and forget 'em, with flowers, for a black thumb](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plant-em-and-forget-em-with-flowers-for-a-black-thumb/835835)
**Author:** [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2019, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plant-em-and-forget-em-with-flowers-for-a-black-thumb/835835 "2019-06-21T11:35:15Z")
I hate gardening. But I love having nice flowers. What I need is some recommendations for things that basically grow on their own. For instance, in my neighborhood, growing wild, and in alleys, I see these cool purple f… --- ## [Can a cop make me roll down my tinted window?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-cop-make-me-roll-down-my-tinted-window/835259)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 170\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2019, 10:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-cop-make-me-roll-down-my-tinted-window/835259 "2019-06-21T10:47:08Z")
Do NOT need answers fast and purely a hypothetical. Cop stops me for a traffic violation and asks to search my car. I say no. My back windows are tinted so difficult to see inside my back seat and cargo area. He look… --- ## [Circuit design question: Red/Green light for garage door moving/open](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/circuit-design-question-red-green-light-for-garage-door-moving-open/835224)
**Author:** [@echoreply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/echoreply)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2019, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/circuit-design-question-red-green-light-for-garage-door-moving-open/835224 "2019-06-21T06:50:39Z")
I have what I think is a simple circuit design question, and I think I have a solution, but I’d like advise about something better, or even an off the shelf product that will solve my problem. Goal: In my garage I would… --- ## [Addicted To Not Being Sober](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/addicted-to-not-being-sober/835691)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2019, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/addicted-to-not-being-sober/835691 "2019-06-21T04:18:42Z")
Does the medical community recognize an addiction not being sober? As in, the patient isn’t specifically addicted to alcohol or meth or whatever, he has to be high on something, whatever he can get. Is there a professio… --- ## [Why was Red #4 banned (E125)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-red-4-banned-e125/835791)
**Author:** [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2019, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-red-4-banned-e125/835791 "2019-06-21T01:13:19Z")
Red #4 is not permitted in foods. It was banned a long time ago. Just curious, what did it do? --- ## [Origin of Phrase/Comeback, "Thank you, they're my mother's."](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-phrase-comeback-thank-you-theyre-my-mothers/835827)
**Author:** [@ntsallfour](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ntsallfour)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2019, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-phrase-comeback-thank-you-theyre-my-mothers/835827 "2019-06-21T01:08:21Z")
Greetings, I’m asking for help in finding the origin of the tongue-in-cheek comeback, “Thank you, they’re my mother’s” to someone commenting on a body part of yours. For example: a friend notices my boney knees for th… --- ## [How do polarizers actually work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-polarizers-actually-work/835797)
**Author:** [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2019, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-polarizers-actually-work/835797 "2019-06-21T00:47:14Z")
When I watch this video\* on Bell’s Theorem (in which a polarization approach is taken), I keep getting stuck on the fact that I don’t understand at all how polarizers actually do their thing. (And maybe therein lies some… --- ## [How do courts rush certain cases?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-courts-rush-certain-cases/835695)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2019, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-courts-rush-certain-cases/835695 "2019-06-20T16:47:45Z")
Thinking right now of certain politically crucial cases, but I’m wondering in general - how is it that the courts are so slow, usually, but occasionally, a case is rushed to the front of the line? Who makes those calls?… --- ## [What is this part on my cargo van?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-part-on-my-cargo-van/835773)
**Author:** [@Mrdeals](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrdeals)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2019, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-part-on-my-cargo-van/835773 "2019-06-20T16:09:10Z")
I just bought a used 2001 Ford cargo van On the back bumper, just to the side of the license plate, is a little nozzle, looks just like the valve stem on my tires. What is it for? --- ## [Introducing a New Crop](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/introducing-a-new-crop/835686)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2019, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/introducing-a-new-crop/835686 "2019-06-20T14:36:56Z")
Tim and I had dinner together. He is widely traveled in the East and I in Latin America. We discussed the fruits and vegetables we cannot get back home in North America. Let us say you took some Japanese tuber and plant… --- ## [Has any creature successfully eradicated humans from its habitat](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-any-creature-successfully-eradicated-humans-from-its-habitat/835526)
**Author:** [@Nansbread1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nansbread1)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2019, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-any-creature-successfully-eradicated-humans-from-its-habitat/835526 "2019-06-20T11:25:38Z")
Sorry to the Guam snake post. Has any creature, for whatever reason, successfully driven human beings from its habitat. So from a starting point of coexistence, did any organism, either through proliferation or harm to … --- ## [What SW is used to create these charts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-sw-is-used-to-create-these-charts/835713)
**Author:** [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2019, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-sw-is-used-to-create-these-charts/835713 "2019-06-20T07:32:08Z")
Here – What SW tool is used to create these charts? The document author is no longer around so I can't ask him. - Album on Imgur The document author is no longer around so I can’t ask him. Thanks! --- ## [Why do my hands feel dry in rainy weather?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-hands-feel-dry-in-rainy-weather/707058)
**Author:** [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2019, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-hands-feel-dry-in-rainy-weather/707058 "2019-06-20T04:45:08Z")
Here in LA, we’re having a rain storm for the first time in a long time. As I’m driving to work, I notice something that I’ve often noticed when its raining outside, namely that my fingers feel dry. When I rub them tog… --- ## [Fever sensation after drinking milk?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fever-sensation-after-drinking-milk/835712)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2019, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fever-sensation-after-drinking-milk/835712 "2019-06-20T02:06:53Z")
Anybody else get a weird, slightly feverish (hot forehead, body feels mildly sick) sensation after drinking whole milk (Vitamin-E fortified, if it makes any difference?) --- ## [Automatic transmission](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automatic-transmission/835689)
**Author:** [@stosh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stosh)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2019, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automatic-transmission/835689 "2019-06-19T20:05:52Z")
Hi Guys, I have a 2004 Subaru with 140 thousand miles on it. I have no problems with it at all. Some people tell me to change the transmission fluid and filter, while other people say," If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it".… --- ## [Why doesn't the DMV reprint Car Titles?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-the-dmv-reprint-car-titles/835687)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2019, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-the-dmv-reprint-car-titles/835687 "2019-06-19T16:45:06Z")
My mom recently relocated cities and downsized into a small home. Several 4 drawer file cabinets in her old home office were emptied and left behind. We’re currently selling her car and can’t find the car title. I’m o… --- ## [What's the most amount of calories per day you can eat without gaining weight](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-amount-of-calories-per-day-you-can-eat-without-gaining-weight/835643)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2019, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-amount-of-calories-per-day-you-can-eat-without-gaining-weight/835643 "2019-06-19T13:30:01Z")
Inspired by this thread. https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=877099 The average sedentary person can eat about 10-12 calories per pound each day without gaining weight. A physically active person may… --- ## [Sign unvieled for Trump Heights](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sign-unvieled-for-trump-heights/835703)
**Author:** [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2019, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sign-unvieled-for-trump-heights/835703 "2019-06-19T02:22:50Z")
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu introduces the new Golan Heights community of Ramat Trump, or Trump Heights. Fir those literate in Hebrew: Does the sign read," peh mem alef reish teit"? TRAMP. --- ## [Anecdote about American prisoner in Canadian Prison](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anecdote-about-american-prisoner-in-canadian-prison/835573)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2019, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anecdote-about-american-prisoner-in-canadian-prison/835573 "2019-06-19T00:04:55Z")
I read this anecdote somewhere about a decade or so ago (possibly here) and it stuck with me because to me it never made much sense. Basically the idea was that there was a black woman in Michigan who had done several s… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=452) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=454)