# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=497 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 498 --- ## [Can nuclear missile subs set their own targets arbitrarily?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-nuclear-missile-subs-set-their-own-targets-arbitrarily/828104)
**Author:** [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2019, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-nuclear-missile-subs-set-their-own-targets-arbitrarily/828104 "2019-01-24T00:14:11Z")
When a nuclear missile sub receives a fire order, it will receive a fire plan alongside it. There are thousands of pre-programmed fire plans that can be referenced in code as part of the fire order to tell the sub where … --- ## [Do some people get combative on marijuana similar to consuming alcohol?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-some-people-get-combative-on-marijuana-similar-to-consuming-alcohol/828237)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2019, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-some-people-get-combative-on-marijuana-similar-to-consuming-alcohol/828237 "2019-01-23T23:11:09Z")
Some people who drink think they can fight everybody in the bar. Jekyll & Hyde transformation. I saw a few bar fights and decided it wasn’t worth going. How about smoking marijuana? My main point of reference is Cheech… --- ## [does losing weight produce dramatic facial changes ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-losing-weight-produce-dramatic-facial-changes/828257)
**Author:** [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2019, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-losing-weight-produce-dramatic-facial-changes/828257 "2019-01-23T21:20:29Z")
on the msn page theres this story MSN But it looks like a totally different woman if you look at the pics …… ive seen relatives lose dramatic amounts of weight but they still looked the same more or less …. So is it a … --- ## [Do visiting sports teams usually dine at the White House?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-visiting-sports-teams-usually-dine-at-the-white-house/828292)
**Author:** [@Lubricious\_Integument](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lubricious_Integument)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2019, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-visiting-sports-teams-usually-dine-at-the-white-house/828292 "2019-01-23T20:55:55Z")
The president, per tradition, invited the Clemson Tigers to the White House for a photo-op and famously treated them to McDonald’s. Did any past visiting teams (keep this to professional or collegiate league champions) … --- ## [Cities lined up in a row?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cities-lined-up-in-a-row/827780)
**Author:** [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2019, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cities-lined-up-in-a-row/827780 "2019-01-23T18:40:21Z")
I just noticed something odd about the US northern east coast… Washington D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, and Boston all seem to lie on a straight line. Coincidence or design? --- ## [Is prime factorization by simple algorithm impossible?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-prime-factorization-by-simple-algorithm-impossible/828159)
**Author:** [@WernhamHogg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WernhamHogg)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2019, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-prime-factorization-by-simple-algorithm-impossible/828159 "2019-01-23T18:39:39Z")
I am not a mathemetician and don’t comprehend abstract math well, so bear with me. I have a pretty simple question but am havinng trouble finding an answer because I’m either led to simple prime factor problems for kids … --- ## [Why can't dogs see in 2D?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-dogs-see-in-2d/828169)
**Author:** [@vperry1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vperry1)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2019, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-dogs-see-in-2d/828169 "2019-01-23T18:06:48Z")
So I’m playing this video of my dog (Chihuahua) swimming at the beach with my brother’s dog (black lab), and my dog’s head nearly spins off his head watching it. I realized that my dog was only reacting to the voices an… --- ## [How do standups keep track of "their" jokes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-standups-keep-track-of-their-jokes/827958)
**Author:** [@3trew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3trew)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2019, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-standups-keep-track-of-their-jokes/827958 "2019-01-23T15:57:06Z")
Earlier today I told someone that if they were going to have a python they might as well get it reticulated, it’s expensive but worth it in the end. That is a joke, it is not my joke, I have no idea where I stole it. I… --- ## [What's this Old Timey thing in photograph](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-old-timey-thing-in-photograph/828059)
**Author:** [@K364](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K364)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2019, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-old-timey-thing-in-photograph/828059 "2019-01-23T05:53:10Z")
Link That black contraption on the left. Seems to have temperature and/or pressure gauges. And at least one crank. --- ## [Are White House domestic staff considered essential workers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-white-house-domestic-staff-considered-essential-workers/828246)
**Author:** [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2019, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-white-house-domestic-staff-considered-essential-workers/828246 "2019-01-23T04:49:26Z")
So a college sports team visits the White House and the President orders fast food because the usual kitchen staff isn’t able to do the catering because of the shutdown. Still somebody set up the room for the event, put… --- ## [Government shutdowns outside the USA?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/government-shutdowns-outside-the-usa/826448)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2019, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/government-shutdowns-outside-the-usa/826448 "2019-01-22T23:27:07Z")
Every country has a gov. budget. Do any other democratic countries have these constant threats of federal shutdowns or actual shutdowns because parties cannot agree on a topic ? --- ## [Ox house camel door (Hebrew alphabet)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ox-house-camel-door-hebrew-alphabet/650490)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2019, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ox-house-camel-door-hebrew-alphabet/650490 "2019-01-22T22:35:03Z")
Is there a default or standard set of meanings of the Hebrew alphabet? The first four are usually given as ox, house, camel, door, although sometimes “tent” is given instead of “house”. But the rest seem to have all kind… --- ## [How can a cold be contagious a day before you have symptoms?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-a-cold-be-contagious-a-day-before-you-have-symptoms/828140)
**Author:** [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2019, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-a-cold-be-contagious-a-day-before-you-have-symptoms/828140 "2019-01-22T22:03:49Z")
It seems like authorities agree that colds are contagious from the day before you have symptoms to several days later. But if you aren’t yet coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose then touching things without washing y… --- ## [Why is water heavier than air?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-water-heavier-than-air/828143)
**Author:** [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2019, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-water-heavier-than-air/828143 "2019-01-22T21:59:21Z")
Water is made up of two parts hydrogen and one oxygen, which are both gasses, yet water is liquid. Can anyone explain this in a way that would make sense to a ten-year-old? I have a reputation to keep up…:slight\_smile: --- ## [Do I need to toss my Johnson's Baby Powder?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-to-toss-my-johnsons-baby-powder/828091)
**Author:** [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2019, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-to-toss-my-johnsons-baby-powder/828091 "2019-01-22T21:57:29Z")
I used to use Johnson’s baby powder (which is basically talc) twice a day to smell fresh and feel dry and smooth (I’m a sweaty and damp guy). I use it much less now—maybe only one or twice a year—but I still have three n… --- ## [Another “What are these things?” thread.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-what-are-these-things-thread/828085)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2019, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-what-are-these-things-thread/828085 "2019-01-22T17:55:11Z")
Posting for a Facebook friend. She found them in her house and has no idea what they are. Wood screws and rubber make me think that they held something in place, maybe a cable but the long tube confuses me. … --- ## [How old was Mary when Jesus was conceived?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-old-was-mary-when-jesus-was-conceived/827610)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2019, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-old-was-mary-when-jesus-was-conceived/827610 "2019-01-22T17:11:40Z")
Also, how old was Joseph at that time? --- ## [Tachinid fly, bad or good, and how to control?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tachinid-fly-bad-or-good-and-how-to-control/728533)
**Author:** [@stinkz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stinkz)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2019, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tachinid-fly-bad-or-good-and-how-to-control/728533 "2019-01-22T13:55:53Z")
I don’t know how many of you are familiar with the Tachinid fly. It’s been giving me a serious headache because it keeps killing my Monarch caterpillars (and the reality of it is even creepier than Jeff Goldbum in The Fl… --- ## [Where does Pandora download songs to on Android phone?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-pandora-download-songs-to-on-android-phone/828168)
**Author:** [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2019, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-pandora-download-songs-to-on-android-phone/828168 "2019-01-22T00:14:51Z")
This is driving me nuts. Samsung S4 mini, Android ver 4.4.2 Pandora allows me to download locally, or at least it says it’s doing it when I chose to download a song. I can’t find the downloaded songs anywhere on the d… --- ## [The Apple Dock and Browser Window Sorting](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-apple-dock-and-browser-window-sorting/828068)
**Author:** [@BobArrgh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobArrgh)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2019, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-apple-dock-and-browser-window-sorting/828068 "2019-01-21T23:07:20Z")
I’m so sorry if the title is confusing, but I don’t really know how to ask what I need help with. It concerns the Dock utility on a Macbook, and the way it displays the browser windows. First of all, I’ve been a long-t… --- ## [Looking for a definition of 'livery soldier'](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-definition-of-livery-soldier/827964)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2019, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-definition-of-livery-soldier/827964 "2019-01-21T19:37:14Z")
Hi I’ve seen plenty of definitions for ‘livery’ online but none for ‘livery soldiers’ which I’ve read about. I presume they were medieval soldiers wearing their lord’s livery(emblems/colors). Is there more to it than t… --- ## [Illness caused by dirty Yeti cup lids!!!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/illness-caused-by-dirty-yeti-cup-lids/827863)
**Author:** [@freckafree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freckafree)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2019, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/illness-caused-by-dirty-yeti-cup-lids/827863 "2019-01-21T18:59:00Z")
A new alarmist post appeared in my Facebook feed this morning saying “many doctors” were reporting patients with “unexplained infections” that were antibiotic resistant, and it turns out it’s from not removing the sealin… --- ## [How do the adjustable knobs in my car work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-the-adjustable-knobs-in-my-car-work/827995)
**Author:** [@TSBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TSBG)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2019, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-the-adjustable-knobs-in-my-car-work/827995 "2019-01-21T18:54:08Z")
In my car there are, for example: –A knob I can turn to move up and down the radio spectrum. This knob can go infinitely in one direction; if I turn it clockwise until I reach the highest frequency and keep going, it r… --- ## [What would expel more energy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-expel-more-energy/828081)
**Author:** [@Qwertol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qwertol)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2019, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-expel-more-energy/828081 "2019-01-21T16:32:26Z")
Discharging fully charged lithium battery or setting it on fire and using it as a heat source? --- ## [Commercials about car that no one can describe](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-about-car-that-no-one-can-describe/828089)
**Author:** [@CPU\_Sharkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CPU_Sharkey)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2019, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-about-car-that-no-one-can-describe/828089 "2019-01-21T14:45:47Z")
I remember around 2010 or so, there were 2 commercials for a sedan-type car with a boxy-looking rear. The gimmick of the commercials is that everyone had trouble describing it. In the first commercial, there was a Jame… --- ## [Do fighter jets come with training?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-fighter-jets-come-with-training/828036)
**Author:** [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2019, 8:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-fighter-jets-come-with-training/828036 "2019-01-21T08:18:08Z")
Let’s say you’re a mid-sized nation and you buy a foreign country’s fighter jet. I’m assuming it comes with instruction manuals in your native tongue, parts, and instruction manuals for maintaining it. But do fighter pi… --- ## [Cockroaches](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cockroaches/828037)
**Author:** [@Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Face_Intentionally_Left_Blank)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2019, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cockroaches/828037 "2019-01-21T07:36:02Z")
Well, I’m moving into a new apartment, and dead cockroaches were found in the kitchen cabinets. Sigh… What are effective remedies for this? I don’t believe the Walmart roach motels or baits are any good, and sticky trap… --- ## [Purpose of Sputnik's 4 legs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purpose-of-sputniks-4-legs/828137)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2019, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purpose-of-sputniks-4-legs/828137 "2019-01-21T04:51:35Z")
Been searching for this on Google with little success: what did Sputnik have those 4 long thin legs for? --- ## [The story behind Gondwana ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-story-behind-gondwana/828108)
**Author:** [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2019, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-story-behind-gondwana/828108 "2019-01-21T02:11:35Z")
This question is about Gondwana - “a supercontinent that existed from the Neoproterozoic until the Carboniferous” I grew up in India, not far from the tribes of Gond who called their region Gondwana. So I was quite surp… --- ## [Getting highest throughput with two USB 3.0 linked computers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-highest-throughput-with-two-usb-3-0-linked-computers/827902)
**Author:** [@Mr.Nylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Nylock)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2019, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-highest-throughput-with-two-usb-3-0-linked-computers/827902 "2019-01-21T01:17:30Z")
I have sort of a little situation wherein I have a Lenovo Ideacentre flex20, an older Asus laptop, a monitor arm, and a couple oldish monitors I want to set use in a dual screen setup with the previously mentioned monito… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=496) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=498)