# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=469 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 470 --- ## [If usain bolt sprinted through a school zone, exceeding the 25mph speed limit, could he be cited?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-usain-bolt-sprinted-through-a-school-zone-exceeding-the-25mph-speed-limit-could-he-be-cited/833020)
**Author:** [@SamuelA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SamuelA)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2019, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-usain-bolt-sprinted-through-a-school-zone-exceeding-the-25mph-speed-limit-could-he-be-cited/833020 "2019-04-29T15:18:18Z")
Just a thought - I know you can receive a ticket for breaking the speed limit on a bicycle. But what about on foot, if you can sprint faster than the sign…? Err, meant to post this in General Questions, not great debat… --- ## [Can get past Yahoo's phone number request...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-get-past-yahoos-phone-number-request/830179)
**Author:** [@LynnM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LynnM)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2019, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-get-past-yahoos-phone-number-request/830179 "2019-02-28T19:54:44Z")
I’ve had a yahoo email acct for years with no problems. Today when I tried to log in, I did so successfully, but then got a window that asked for a contact phone number. There was no “No thanks” button or whatever allow… --- ## [Optimal refrigeration for foods](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/optimal-refrigeration-for-foods/833164)
**Author:** [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2019, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/optimal-refrigeration-for-foods/833164 "2019-04-29T13:33:27Z")
I guess that 33 degrees might be the best temp for bevvies. I could see that not being the case too though very easily. What about leftovers such as Chinese food, pizza, Indian, thai etc? What about vegetables? Which v… --- ## [How safe were/are military mortar cannons?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-safe-were-are-military-mortar-cannons/833129)
**Author:** [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2019, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-safe-were-are-military-mortar-cannons/833129 "2019-04-29T13:25:58Z")
In Viet Bnam era movies, the use of the mortar cannon by ground troops is shown almost as much as the M-16. The soldier drops a round in the mortar, then FOOMP off it goes and he drops another one in. FOOMP. My question… --- ## [Why switch to Xarelto following hip replacement?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-switch-to-xarelto-following-hip-replacement/833182)
**Author:** [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2019, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-switch-to-xarelto-following-hip-replacement/833182 "2019-04-29T03:29:56Z")
N.B. although medical-related threads typically belong in IMHO, this is actually a request for factual information; hence, its placement in GQ. I will not strenuously object to a move to IMHO, if it is deemed necessary. … --- ## [Repeated calls from numbers not in service. What the hell?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repeated-calls-from-numbers-not-in-service-what-the-hell/833057)
**Author:** [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2019, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repeated-calls-from-numbers-not-in-service-what-the-hell/833057 "2019-04-29T01:45:49Z")
Over the past 6 months or so, I have been having a bizarre, inexplicable recurring issue with my phone. I keep getting calls from numbers that are not in service. Most of the time, since i usually keep my phone on sile… --- ## [Need help identifying plant](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-identifying-plant/833176)
**Author:** [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2019, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-identifying-plant/833176 "2019-04-28T16:25:43Z")
My neighbor has this vine/weed growing on the top of their retaining wall and I would like to continue it along the top of my section of the wall. The original homeowner who planted it no longer lives there. Can anyone h… --- ## [Only Women Get "Welfare"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/only-women-get-welfare/833077)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2019, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/only-women-get-welfare/833077 "2019-04-28T04:56:38Z")
I have long maintained very few if any men in America get cash “welfare” payments. I have made this statement knowing most of what we call “welfare” is Aid to Families with Dependent Children. Further, “Food Stamps” is n… --- ## [Probability question - Amazon Giveaway](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probability-question-amazon-giveaway/833157)
**Author:** [@lingyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lingyi)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2019, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probability-question-amazon-giveaway/833157 "2019-04-28T04:31:09Z")
My apologies if this has already been answered in the Amazon Giveaway thread, but I’ve been wondering what the probability of winning a giveaway is? The Amazon Giveaway features sellers promotional giveaways at a set ra… --- ## [Reconditioned String Trimmer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reconditioned-string-trimmer/833101)
**Author:** [@Mangosteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangosteen)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2019, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reconditioned-string-trimmer/833101 "2019-04-28T00:45:11Z")
About 6 months ago I bought a Hasquava 322L weed wacker on Amazon for $129 with free shipping, no tax. Lowe’s has them new for around $300 with tax. The thing looked completely brand new when I took it out of the box. I… --- ## [Damage to automatic transmission when parked on steep hill](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damage-to-automatic-transmission-when-parked-on-steep-hill/833102)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2019, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damage-to-automatic-transmission-when-parked-on-steep-hill/833102 "2019-04-28T00:35:24Z")
So I read that parking on a steep hill (without use of parking brake) can damage automatic transmissions, but what kind of damage exactly? --- ## [Website for updates on the Notre Dame Cathedral?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/website-for-updates-on-the-notre-dame-cathedral/833139)
**Author:** [@Chetumal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chetumal)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2019, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/website-for-updates-on-the-notre-dame-cathedral/833139 "2019-04-27T21:14:30Z")
I’ve been hoping to find a place online to get updates on the cathedral. I am following the cathedral’s official facebook page and twitter feed but there’s not much on them. Anyone? --- ## [Liberal and Socialist Monarchies...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberal-and-socialist-monarchies/833030)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2019, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberal-and-socialist-monarchies/833030 "2019-04-27T20:46:16Z")
One question that has always perplexed me, at least. How could some of the most liberal and even sometimes socialist countries in the world be monarchies? Yes, they are constitutional monarchies. But still. I am talking… --- ## [Copy image address in MS Edge](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copy-image-address-in-ms-edge/833040)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2019, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copy-image-address-in-ms-edge/833040 "2019-04-27T19:40:13Z")
I’m using Microsoft EdgeHTML 17.17134 on my work computer. In previous versions of Explorer, I was able to right-click on an image and choose ‘Copy image address’. Edge doesn’t seem to support this. If I want to copy … --- ## [Is it possible to learn languages for 2+ hours a day?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-learn-languages-for-2-hours-a-day/833072)
**Author:** [@JakeRS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JakeRS)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2019, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-learn-languages-for-2-hours-a-day/833072 "2019-04-27T13:56:28Z")
Many language apps have you study a language for just 15 to 30 minutes a day and the lessons are over for a day, however, what if you instead listened to audiocourses (like Pimsleur or FSI for example) for 2 or even more… --- ## [Shooting out a bank door](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shooting-out-a-bank-door/833105)
**Author:** [@TSBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TSBG)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2019, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shooting-out-a-bank-door/833105 "2019-04-27T06:24:04Z")
My understanding was that using a gun to shoot open a locked door only works in the movies–I think it’s been discussed here. But in reading about the North Hollywood bank robbery and shootout the robbers are describe… --- ## [Spacesaver spare tire specifics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spacesaver-spare-tire-specifics/833080)
**Author:** [@dauerbach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dauerbach)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2019, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spacesaver-spare-tire-specifics/833080 "2019-04-27T02:39:05Z")
After spending an extremely annoying evening yesterday scrambling to replace a totally flat tire on my 2017 Prius 3, I decided to buy a donut spare and just keep it in the trunk. My favorite junkyard told me that the re… --- ## [How much nutmeg do you need to eat to hallucinate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-nutmeg-do-you-need-to-eat-to-hallucinate/833091)
**Author:** [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2019, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-nutmeg-do-you-need-to-eat-to-hallucinate/833091 "2019-04-27T01:20:28Z")
So I just discovered that eating an amount of nutmeg will make people hallucinate. It takes hours to do that and the first few hours of effects don’t sound pleasant. You also can take too much which can give you heart … --- ## [Why did Britain turn away recruits at the start of WW2 if they had fought in the Spanish Civil war..](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-britain-turn-away-recruits-at-the-start-of-ww2-if-they-had-fought-in-the-spanish-civil-war/828960)
**Author:** [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2019, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-britain-turn-away-recruits-at-the-start-of-ww2-if-they-had-fought-in-the-spanish-civil-war/828960 "2019-04-27T00:31:50Z")
So I came across this snipped in a Guardianarticle today about a Spanish Civil War and WW2 veteran: So I guess this is because most Spanish Civil War volunteers fought ostensibly\* on the same side of the soviets, who … --- ## [Chalking Tires](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chalking-tires/832919)
**Author:** [@ishamael69](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ishamael69)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2019, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chalking-tires/832919 "2019-04-27T00:27:34Z")
How is making a mark on tires and then looking for it later a “search”? --- ## [Who is more Formidable: Navy Seal or CIA Operative?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-more-formidable-navy-seal-or-cia-operative/150430)
**Author:** [@Coda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coda)\ **Replies:** 102\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2019, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-more-formidable-navy-seal-or-cia-operative/150430 "2019-04-27T00:12:00Z")
I used to know a guy who was a Navy Seal. He was one calm/formidable character. This guys forearms were as big as my thigh and his chest was probably a 55. No fat on the guy and he was 46 years old. He had seen plent… --- ## [Do UK bank account numbers have check digits?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-uk-bank-account-numbers-have-check-digits/833090)
**Author:** [@Dahu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dahu)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2019, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-uk-bank-account-numbers-have-check-digits/833090 "2019-04-26T22:35:12Z")
I have a friend\* who has got a couple of digits wrong and transferred some money to someone else’s bank account. The bank has said the account exists and belongs to someone. I know credit card numbers have check digits… --- ## [RC Planes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rc-planes/833068)
**Author:** [@molten](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/molten)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2019, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rc-planes/833068 "2019-04-26T21:15:10Z")
How many minutes can a typical (under $500 or so in total) plane can run for if gas or electric? What is the flight range like? typical max distance from operator? How much would it cost to get a video feed from the pl… --- ## [How are "organic" pesticides created](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-organic-pesticides-created/833039)
**Author:** [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2019, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-organic-pesticides-created/833039 "2019-04-26T21:09:06Z")
Are they required to be derived from natural sources, or do they just have to be chemically identical? --- ## [Italian postcard](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/italian-postcard/833089)
**Author:** [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2019, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/italian-postcard/833089 "2019-04-26T21:03:39Z")
I have a postcard from Italy which has printed on it (on the picture side): Ok, “Greetings from Chiesanuova” is clear. But what does that cryptic stuff in parentheses mean? --- ## [I wanna grow grapes in pots.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-wanna-grow-grapes-in-pots/833086)
**Author:** [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2019, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-wanna-grow-grapes-in-pots/833086 "2019-04-26T20:32:28Z")
But I don’t have much of a yard anymore. However, I’ve got a pretty massive deck (which we call Moby Deck–Biggus Deckus having been used for a different project on a previous home). My plan is to just put the grape pla… --- ## [bookkeeping standards - credit, debit reversed??](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bookkeeping-standards-credit-debit-reversed/832814)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2019, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bookkeeping-standards-credit-debit-reversed/832814 "2019-04-26T19:25:19Z")
I know virtually nothing about bookkeeping and accounting. I am now reviewing some records of an account in which payments out of the account are listed as credits, and deposits into the account are listed as debits. I… --- ## [Slavery in the British Empire Post-1833](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slavery-in-the-british-empire-post-1833/833074)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2019, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slavery-in-the-british-empire-post-1833/833074 "2019-04-26T18:26:10Z")
Is there a reason why nobody seems to talk about slavery in the British Empire post 1833? Even the English wikipedia article on the “Slavery Abolition Act 1833” doesn’t mention any slavery on-going in the British Empire … --- ## [Back when cell phones were forbidden in hospitals "because they interfered with equipment"...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-when-cell-phones-were-forbidden-in-hospitals-because-they-interfered-with-equipment/832938)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2019, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-when-cell-phones-were-forbidden-in-hospitals-because-they-interfered-with-equipment/832938 "2019-04-26T14:22:58Z")
…was that true? DID cell phone signals in fact interfere with electronic medical equipment? Now cell phones are everywhere in hospitals and medical offices, and apparently there’s no problem. I’m talking about 15-20-ish… --- ## [Calculating my portfolio's growth](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calculating-my-portfolios-growth/833024)
**Author:** [@Heracles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heracles)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2019, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calculating-my-portfolios-growth/833024 "2019-04-26T12:27:30Z")
I’m trying to plot the growth of my investment portfolio vs the major indices. The data I have in my spreadsheet is, for each quarter since 2010, how much money I put in (cumulatively) and how much it was all worth at th… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=468) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=470)