# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=496 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 497 --- ## [How much current can a vehicle earth bolt site carry?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-current-can-a-vehicle-earth-bolt-site-carry/827727)
**Author:** [@Loyuod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loyuod)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2019, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-current-can-a-vehicle-earth-bolt-site-carry/827727 "2019-01-27T05:42:14Z")
Looking at the M6 sized earth bolt in my 4wd engine bay where there are accessory cable lugs bolted under the head of bolt, and I presume the current flows through the underside of bolt to outer thread of body. I also a… --- ## [variable DC amp/voltage source](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/variable-dc-amp-voltage-source/828336)
**Author:** [@shinnen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shinnen)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2019, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/variable-dc-amp-voltage-source/828336 "2019-01-26T23:55:55Z")
Hi, I’m not exactly sure how to phrase this; but I occasionally have need of a source that delivers a specific current and voltage. Usually it’s for determining if a camera or other small dc fed device is/will work. The… --- ## [How can the Bank of England block Venezuela from withdrawing it's own gold?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-the-bank-of-england-block-venezuela-from-withdrawing-its-own-gold/828465)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2019, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-the-bank-of-england-block-venezuela-from-withdrawing-its-own-gold/828465 "2019-01-26T21:54:38Z")
Hopefully this doesn’t stray into GD territory, but it seems a straightforward enough question so I’ll ask it here. Recently, the Bank of England (and the US’s urging) blocked the Maduro government from withdrawing $1.2… --- ## [OK, why is my computer freezing up?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-why-is-my-computer-freezing-up/827382)
**Author:** [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2019, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-why-is-my-computer-freezing-up/827382 "2019-01-26T21:02:02Z")
it’s acting like a real dick. Websites suddenly freeze, and I get messages like “waiting for cache” or “chrome is not responding”. I get similar freezes and messages when trying to operate microsoft explorer too. Wait… --- ## [Freezer in the garage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freezer-in-the-garage/828423)
**Author:** [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2019, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freezer-in-the-garage/828423 "2019-01-26T20:17:10Z")
We’ve got an old (17 yr old) used refrigerator/freezer that we’ve kept in the garage for the past two and half years. We use it primarily for keeping beverages refrigerated and vegetables frozen. The temperatures outside… --- ## [PC Question: Is This Legit?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-question-is-this-legit/828361)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2019, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-question-is-this-legit/828361 "2019-01-26T20:07:05Z")
I am having trouble with Outlook performing properly. Apparently, the pst file is corrupt. I have tried the SCANPST.EXE tool to no avail. I understand there is another tool called “Stellar Phoenix Outlook PST Repair”. It… --- ## [What was the Roman's problem with the Druids?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-romans-problem-with-the-druids/828455)
**Author:** [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2019, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-romans-problem-with-the-druids/828455 "2019-01-26T20:05:41Z")
One thing I don’t get about the Roman occupation of Britain, is the why the had such a problem with the Druids? The Romans were famous for absorbing all the religions of the places they conquered, and not giving a crap … --- ## [How readily would modern warships be put back into service after sustaining damage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-readily-would-modern-warships-be-put-back-into-service-after-sustaining-damage/828395)
**Author:** [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2019, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-readily-would-modern-warships-be-put-back-into-service-after-sustaining-damage/828395 "2019-01-26T17:09:52Z")
Readying about modern naval warfare, I’ve noticed that modern ships seem to be extremely vulnerable to damage. Before the advent of missiles, it seems like warships would often keep fighting even after getting hit severa… --- ## [Question about military deployments](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-military-deployments/828313)
**Author:** [@installLSC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/installLSC)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2019, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-military-deployments/828313 "2019-01-26T15:21:33Z")
Just had some questions about military deployments: –How long is the average stay at a military base or outpost? Do they differ between branches or commands? –Outside of combat zones and ships at sea, how common is it… --- ## [Will government workers who quit during the shutdown get backpay?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-government-workers-who-quit-during-the-shutdown-get-backpay/828399)
**Author:** [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2019, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-government-workers-who-quit-during-the-shutdown-get-backpay/828399 "2019-01-26T12:05:49Z")
Did a bit of googling and couldn’t find a clear answer to this. If you walk off the job in the middle of the shutdown, can you then go back to the agency after the shutdown has ended and get your backpay or is the backpa… --- ## [Basic VeraCrypt Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-veracrypt-question/828381)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2019, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-veracrypt-question/828381 "2019-01-26T02:22:13Z")
I have been using VeraCrypt for about three minutes. Further, I am not very sophisticated. Perhaps one of you people can help me. I installed it. I opened it. I created (or tried to create) a “container” called “Test.”… --- ## [Splitting CO2 molecules to stop climate change.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/splitting-co2-molecules-to-stop-climate-change/828403)
**Author:** [@Karlman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Karlman)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2019, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/splitting-co2-molecules-to-stop-climate-change/828403 "2019-01-26T02:18:32Z")
This one’s about climate change friends. Why can’t we invent a device that’s fitted to combustion engines (sort of like a catalytic converter) that splits carbon dioxide molecules into their component parts - carbon and… --- ## [Atlantis meme](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atlantis-meme/826893)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2019, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atlantis-meme/826893 "2019-01-26T00:47:35Z")
When did Atlantis start to mean “undersea civilization”, not “totally destroyed, extinct civilization”? --- ## ["Johnny come lately" plural](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johnny-come-lately-plural/828106)
**Author:** [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2019, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johnny-come-lately-plural/828106 "2019-01-25T23:58:32Z")
What is the plural of “Johnny come lately”? Is it “Johnnys come lately” or “Johnny come latelys”? My guess is “Johnnys come lately”, but I look forward to correction. While I’m on the subject, I know that it’s “time o… --- ## [What is a 'non-title' state (automotive)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-non-title-state-automotive/381888)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2006, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-non-title-state-automotive/381888 "2006-11-27T14:55:52Z")
Browsing eBay I came across this statement: I understand that the seller does not have title to this (parts) car; but what does he mean that Georgia is a ‘non-title state’? --- ## [Name that Plane](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-that-plane/828328)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2019, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-that-plane/828328 "2019-01-25T21:20:46Z")
Not often I hear a propeller plane in my neck of the woods. But one was (or) is buzzing around the airbase. Sort of a business jet size, but perhaps longer as in a regional airliner. High T-tail. Two engine pods mounte… --- ## [What's the deal with challenge coins?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-challenge-coins/827552)
**Author:** [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2019, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-challenge-coins/827552 "2019-01-25T20:26:30Z")
According to wikipedia, challenge coins became popular in the US military during the 1980s and afterwards. President Trump had a rack of them behind him, during his recent oval office address on immigration. There are v… --- ## [Would an Angler fish explode if it was teleported to the surface?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-an-angler-fish-explode-if-it-was-teleported-to-the-surface/828400)
**Author:** [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2019, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-an-angler-fish-explode-if-it-was-teleported-to-the-surface/828400 "2019-01-25T19:00:33Z")
Angler fish live on the bottom of the ocean and they have recovered specimens and brought them to the surface, looking no more messed up than they did when they were alive. But I assume the hours it took to get the crea… --- ## [Shooting the Moon - an orbital mechanics question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shooting-the-moon-an-orbital-mechanics-question/828385)
**Author:** [@brossa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brossa)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2019, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shooting-the-moon-an-orbital-mechanics-question/828385 "2019-01-25T18:32:56Z")
So I’m an eccentric trillionaire, and I’ve made up my mind that I want to shoot cannonballs and hit the Moon. My gun is buried in a vertical hole at the equator, and shoots straight up, and thanks to handwavium I can fir… --- ## [About the lunar meteorite during the eclipse](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-lunar-meteorite-during-the-eclipse/828314)
**Author:** [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2019, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-lunar-meteorite-during-the-eclipse/828314 "2019-01-25T16:19:54Z")
During the recent total lunar eclipse, a meteorite is seen impacting the darker part of the moon. How is the meteorite visible? Isn’t it also in the earth’s shadow? Or does the impact somehow ignite? --- ## [Is it true government workers are "not getting paid"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-true-government-workers-are-not-getting-paid/827749)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2019, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-true-government-workers-are-not-getting-paid/827749 "2019-01-25T12:18:35Z")
What I mean is: are government workers (that are not furloughed) still earning income and just not receiving their paycheck currently and, when they do, they will get all of their back pay? OR are they not earning any m… --- ## [Dressing out a cat.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dressing-out-a-cat/828180)
**Author:** [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2019, 7:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dressing-out-a-cat/828180 "2019-01-25T07:56:59Z")
No, not dressing up a cat. How much edible meat can I get from a hypothetical 8 lb 6 oz domestic cat? :confused: --- ## [Orthodontics Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orthodontics-question/828356)
**Author:** [@ChrisCash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChrisCash)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2019, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orthodontics-question/828356 "2019-01-25T03:02:49Z")
What is the process for removing a Permanent Bonded Retainer? How long does it take to remove? Is numbing necessary? What tools are needed? --- ## [Does the queen of England have her own mobile phone?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-queen-of-england-have-her-own-mobile-phone/824727)
**Author:** [@Nansbread1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nansbread1)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2019, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-queen-of-england-have-her-own-mobile-phone/824727 "2019-01-24T21:28:46Z")
Does she have her own number. Historically the palaces she lived in would have telephones that were manned by her staff. But a mobile phone is a personal device with a unique number. Does she have this? --- ## [When Should the Word “President” Be Capitalized?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-should-the-word-president-be-capitalized/828331)
**Author:** [@WillFarnaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WillFarnaby)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2019, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-should-the-word-president-be-capitalized/828331 "2019-01-24T20:58:10Z")
I am reading the the Chicago Manual of Style says no. I am also reading that the AP Stylebook says no. Another poster claims something called the Gregg Reference Manual (1992) days something different. I don’t have… --- ## [When did mold become evil?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-mold-become-evil/828250)
**Author:** [@excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/excavating_for_a_mind)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2019, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-mold-become-evil/828250 "2019-01-24T17:36:09Z")
The question is prompted by this thread, about a story where a chiropractor is of the opinion that a patient’s incurable illness resulted from a cup whose top was unclean and contained mold. Although the unidentified il… --- ## [Psychology: the "flat affect"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychology-the-flat-affect/828318)
**Author:** [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2019, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychology-the-flat-affect/828318 "2019-01-24T17:26:41Z")
I am depressed. But I am also curious. My depression at its worst feels as if I have no emotion; my “sadness” is not sad, it is absence of emotion. I can feign “happiness” for a while, but it seems forced, and a bit l… --- ## [How was my video blocked on YouTube?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-was-my-video-blocked-on-youtube/828290)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2019, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-was-my-video-blocked-on-youtube/828290 "2019-01-24T15:09:21Z")
A little background. In 1981, myself and 5 high school classmates took a trip to China to study at a university there. It was a big deal. A local news station sent a camera crew with us and they made a documentary abo… --- ## [AGM Deep cycle batteries need to be exercised if not used?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/agm-deep-cycle-batteries-need-to-be-exercised-if-not-used/828188)
**Author:** [@Loyuod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loyuod)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2019, 7:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/agm-deep-cycle-batteries-need-to-be-exercised-if-not-used/828188 "2019-01-24T07:57:10Z")
For either hybrid (crank/cycle) & true deep cycle AGM bank that is kept on float most of it’s time like in a holiday cabin or caravan that’s used maybe once a year for a week. Then do these need to be exercised by cycli… --- ## [The Vocative Case.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-vocative-case/828224)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2019, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-vocative-case/828224 "2019-01-24T01:17:18Z")
Could someone please explain the vocative case to me? They have it apparently in several languages, including Latin. It’s the noun of direct address, in case you don’t know. In the classic phrase attributed to Julius C… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=495) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=497)