# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=500 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 501 --- ## [Does someone test email campaigns frequency?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-someone-test-email-campaigns-frequency/826682)
**Author:** [@3trew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3trew)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2019, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-someone-test-email-campaigns-frequency/826682 "2019-01-16T03:41:31Z")
Between the Mexicans paying for the wall and Jerry and Pierre coming running, hat in hand, when they realize they might not get their gooseberry jam this spring, there’s been a lot of bluffing lately by people whose hand… --- ## [Whatever happened to vent windows on cars?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatever-happened-to-vent-windows-on-cars/827706)
**Author:** [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2019, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatever-happened-to-vent-windows-on-cars/827706 "2019-01-16T03:09:41Z")
Gone with the cross-wind, I guess. But why? I’m referring to those little triangular hinged windows on either side of the front passenger seat. They were handy when you wanted a little fresh air but didn’t want a strong… --- ## [Transportation in San Francisco?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transportation-in-san-francisco/144994)
**Author:** [@RAWDuke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RAWDuke)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2019, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transportation-in-san-francisco/144994 "2019-01-15T20:10:09Z")
I’m looking for some help from SF dopers, if I may. My wife and I will be stopping in the Bay area for two days on our way to Hawaii. We’re staying at Fishermans Wharf for two nights. We’re flying into the San Francis… --- ## [What did "vegetable" mean in 1960s slang?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-vegetable-mean-in-1960s-slang/827753)
**Author:** [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2019, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-vegetable-mean-in-1960s-slang/827753 "2019-01-15T19:59:01Z")
I decided to reread the “Cat Who…” series, and noticed something in the first book, The Cat Who Could Read Backwards (1966) that hadn’t stuck out to me back when I was a teenager, the odd use of the word vegetable in ref… --- ## [Dealing with Stalker Software?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dealing-with-stalker-software/827698)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2019, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dealing-with-stalker-software/827698 "2019-01-15T18:55:43Z")
A lady friend of mine (who lives abroad) says that while she was dating a guy, once, he had offered to come over and figure out how to set her wifi into secure mode, instead of public mode. He installed something on her … --- ## [What would happen if you released marbles into a \*spinning\* coin funnel?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-you-released-marbles-into-a-spinning-coin-funnel/827745)
**Author:** [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2019, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-you-released-marbles-into-a-spinning-coin-funnel/827745 "2019-01-15T16:03:38Z")
At places like kid museums, you may have seen large coin funnels where you drop a coin into it and spirals around the funnel until it finally drops through a hole on the bottom. They look like this. The funnel is stati… --- ## [Penalty for military personnel who rescue civilians they're not supposed to](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/penalty-for-military-personnel-who-rescue-civilians-theyre-not-supposed-to/827746)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2019, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/penalty-for-military-personnel-who-rescue-civilians-theyre-not-supposed-to/827746 "2019-01-15T12:52:08Z")
I recall a YouTube video from several years ago - a U.S. military helicopter that landed in Yazidi territory (in an area where Yazidis were facing the threat of mass killing by ISIS or something like that) and a Yazidi f… --- ## [When did referring to something as "a thing" become, well, a thing? What were they called before?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-referring-to-something-as-a-thing-become-well-a-thing-what-were-they-called-before/827761)
**Author:** [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2019, 11:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-referring-to-something-as-a-thing-become-well-a-thing-what-were-they-called-before/827761 "2019-01-15T11:05:43Z")
I’m old enough to remember encountering this phrase and thinking of it as a cute novelty. It’s a useful term, but it’s sort of meta that we didn’t have a way to describe something being a thing before “being a thing” bec… --- ## ["RPC server is unavailable" - computer experts, did I royally bork myself?!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rpc-server-is-unavailable-computer-experts-did-i-royally-bork-myself/827668)
**Author:** [@TheStoneyEnd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheStoneyEnd)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2019, 10:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rpc-server-is-unavailable-computer-experts-did-i-royally-bork-myself/827668 "2019-01-15T10:55:01Z")
If this is in the wrong place, please move. (FWIW I had an account here before but could not remember the email I set it up with to get a password reminder! Having to start fresh.) Like subject says. Last night started … --- ## [Roman Empire vs. The Black Death](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roman-empire-vs-the-black-death/827751)
**Author:** [@CaptMurdock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaptMurdock)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2019, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roman-empire-vs-the-black-death/827751 "2019-01-15T04:27:56Z")
Yes, yes, we’ve seen/heard/read the trope about If Rome Had Never Fallen ad nauseum. Gladiators fighting it out on television. “You bring this network’s ratings down, and we’ll do a special on you!” Been there, done t… --- ## [Can you really have your intestines pulled out of your body by a pool drain??](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-really-have-your-intestines-pulled-out-of-your-body-by-a-pool-drain/231353)
**Author:** [@littlebee06](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/littlebee06)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2019, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-really-have-your-intestines-pulled-out-of-your-body-by-a-pool-drain/231353 "2019-01-14T22:31:49Z")
I’ve heard that a person got sucked by a drain in a swimming pool and had their intestines pulled out their rear because of the suction. Is it true? Are drains strong enough that you couldn’t pull away? Would the size … --- ## [Troubleshoot Truck Battery](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/troubleshoot-truck-battery/827604)
**Author:** [@74westy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/74westy)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2019, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/troubleshoot-truck-battery/827604 "2019-01-14T21:40:44Z")
1997 Chev S-10. For months now I have occasionally found the battery dead after not driving for several days. Sometimes down to 3-4 volts. I have in that time replaced the alternator once and battery several times. The … --- ## [What causes "flare" when testing audio equipment?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-causes-flare-when-testing-audio-equipment/827718)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2019, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-causes-flare-when-testing-audio-equipment/827718 "2019-01-14T21:35:21Z")
When people are testing audio stuff at concerts, what causes that sudden deafening “flare” of noise? (Hard to put in words) --- ## [Can Arrowheads be Easily Faked?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-arrowheads-be-easily-faked/827536)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2019, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-arrowheads-be-easily-faked/827536 "2019-01-14T21:11:10Z")
I was looking at a photo of some guy’s collection of stone arrowheads. Being as there are no organics involved, can an arrowhead I made using authentic techniques last week be distinguished from an ancient one? I presum… --- ## [Emergency Temporary Guardianship](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emergency-temporary-guardianship/827747)
**Author:** [@garfieldsdemise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garfieldsdemise)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2019, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emergency-temporary-guardianship/827747 "2019-01-14T18:03:57Z")
If an incapacitated person’s legal guardian were to unexpectedly pass away without any legal arrangements made for the individual’s transference of care to a standby guardian, would that satisfy the requirement for immin… --- ## [What would I be charged with if I ignored my neighbour, the murderer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-i-be-charged-with-if-i-ignored-my-neighbour-the-murderer/827608)
**Author:** [@Mr\_Shine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Shine)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2019, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-i-be-charged-with-if-i-ignored-my-neighbour-the-murderer/827608 "2019-01-14T17:34:45Z")
Assume every so often my neighbour were to murder someone, and I were to spot this from my bathroom window. I didn’t find out by investigating him or spying on him, he is unawre of my knowledge and I am completely uninvo… --- ## [Israel's Jerusalem wall cost per foot](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/israels-jerusalem-wall-cost-per-foot/827643)
**Author:** [@Ignatz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ignatz)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2019, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/israels-jerusalem-wall-cost-per-foot/827643 "2019-01-14T15:15:28Z")
How long is the wall protecting Jerusalem or other area(s) and how much did its construction cost? --- ## [US tax returns and changing citizenship](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-tax-returns-and-changing-citizenship/827655)
**Author:** [@Malden\_Capell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malden_Capell)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2019, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-tax-returns-and-changing-citizenship/827655 "2019-01-14T13:41:56Z")
My wife of six years is American. We live in the UK. She’s looking to acquire British citizenship this year, but we hit a snag of a kind? Basically a few years back she did her taxes (because Americans for some reason … --- ## [Building the Pyramids Today.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/building-the-pyramids-today/827263)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 104\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2019, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/building-the-pyramids-today/827263 "2019-01-14T06:48:59Z")
A lot of amazing structures are around even today. Stonehenge, the Easter island monoliths–and the Pyramids, just to name a few. The Pyramids are so amazing, they even have a place on the US great seal, as a symbol of h… --- ## [(Question about an extremely gruesome murder) Regarding the murdered women in Morocco](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-an-extremely-gruesome-murder-regarding-the-murdered-women-in-morocco/827717)
**Author:** [@MaverocK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaverocK)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2019, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-an-extremely-gruesome-murder-regarding-the-murdered-women-in-morocco/827717 "2019-01-14T04:02:38Z")
My questions is about the two Scandinavian women murdered in Morocco. I watched the video unfortunately. PLEASE DO NOT WATCH IT if you are sensitive like me. It’s extremely bad. I am enraged to the point where no word … --- ## [Does International Investing Help the Country You Invest In?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-international-investing-help-the-country-you-invest-in/827716)
**Author:** [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2019, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-international-investing-help-the-country-you-invest-in/827716 "2019-01-14T02:52:04Z")
Does buying a basket of stocks from a particular country (and maybe gradually selling it 10-30 years later) help the country you invest in? If so, why? The obvious example for the U.S., of such a basket, is one of the i… --- ## [Can acidic foods/etc interact poorly with meds or vitamins/supplements?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-acidic-foods-etc-interact-poorly-with-meds-or-vitamins-supplements/827684)
**Author:** [@squish7](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squish7)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2019, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-acidic-foods-etc-interact-poorly-with-meds-or-vitamins-supplements/827684 "2019-01-13T17:31:36Z")
I can’t find a clear answer for this on the web. So for example, I take creatine HCL which is extremely acidic (mono creatine isn’t). Aside from the obvious that something very acidic can upset the stomach by itself, … --- ## [F. Weiss, 19th Century gunsmith?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/f-weiss-19th-century-gunsmith/827664)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2019, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/f-weiss-19th-century-gunsmith/827664 "2019-01-13T14:02:54Z")
Nevada Smith was on last night. In it, Steve McQueen used an over & under percussion rifle/shotgun. Image and description: Does anyone have any information on the F. Weiss who made it? --- ## [US State Department tracking which US citizens don't make it back from foreign nations](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-state-department-tracking-which-us-citizens-dont-make-it-back-from-foreign-nations/827625)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2019, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-state-department-tracking-which-us-citizens-dont-make-it-back-from-foreign-nations/827625 "2019-01-13T06:21:46Z")
Suppose you’re a US citizen, traveling (legally, with visa) to a not-so-friendly nation such as Iran, Russia, Cuba, etc. And for whatever reason, you end up locked in a basement by the government or rebels/kidnappers or … --- ## [Much v. Mucho.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/much-v-mucho/827663)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2019, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/much-v-mucho/827663 "2019-01-12T22:30:15Z")
Something I have wondered about for some time now. But I didn’t know how to parse it as a Google search. Is there any relationship between the English word ‘much’ and the Spanish word ‘mucho’? They seem to have very si… --- ## [Can scam calls be reported?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-scam-calls-be-reported/827566)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2019, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-scam-calls-be-reported/827566 "2019-01-12T22:07:13Z")
Mrs. L.A. was awakened this morning by a phone call. The answering machine had a robotic voice saying that someone’s Social Security number was being used fraudulently, and it’s important to call back. Obviously it’s a… --- ## [Superfluous "W" in write and wrong etc](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superfluous-w-in-write-and-wrong-etc/827567)
**Author:** [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walken_After_Midnight)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2019, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superfluous-w-in-write-and-wrong-etc/827567 "2019-01-12T21:18:19Z")
Why is there are a silent or redundant “W” in words such as wrap, wring, wrong, write, wrist, wreck, wrath, wraith etc? --- ## [Do Federal workers qualify for unemployment?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-federal-workers-qualify-for-unemployment/827627)
**Author:** [@bizerta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bizerta)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2019, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-federal-workers-qualify-for-unemployment/827627 "2019-01-12T20:02:45Z")
Do unpaid Federal workers qualify for unemployment? What about the workers who are still working under the promise of back pay when the “crisis” is over? If workers get unemployment AND back pay, that’s a bonus for the… --- ## [Tracking UPS trucks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tracking-ups-trucks/827589)
**Author:** [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2019, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tracking-ups-trucks/827589 "2019-01-12T17:30:30Z")
I had an email from UPS notifying me of a delivery. There is a map used to track the truck. I managed to meet the guy at the door so that he didn’t ring the bell and awaken Mrs. Plant (v.3.0). How is the truck tracked? --- ## [If POTUS declares an 'emergency', can Congress compel the presidential cabinet members to justify it](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-potus-declares-an-emergency-can-congress-compel-the-presidential-cabinet-members-to-justify-it/827500)
**Author:** [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2019, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-potus-declares-an-emergency-can-congress-compel-the-presidential-cabinet-members-to-justify-it/827500 "2019-01-12T17:27:34Z")
A commenter on a Politico article made the claim that if Trump declares an emergency, his “cabinet officers will get hauled in front of Congress and will have to testify under oath as to why it’s a national emergency, an… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=499) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=501)