# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=506 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 507 --- ## [Could I get a simple explanation as to why some HDTVs make movies look WORSE?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-get-a-simple-explanation-as-to-why-some-hdtvs-make-movies-look-worse/826803)
**Author:** [@Lamoral](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamoral)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2018, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-get-a-simple-explanation-as-to-why-some-hdtvs-make-movies-look-worse/826803 "2018-12-28T05:27:49Z")
Went to a friend’s recently and watched some movies. He has a gigantic new top-of-the-line flatscreen TV. We watched Fargo. It looked like it was filmed with a home video camera. We watched Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. It l… --- ## [Brand on British soldier's forehead?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brand-on-british-soldiers-forehead/826762)
**Author:** [@TSBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TSBG)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2018, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brand-on-british-soldiers-forehead/826762 "2018-12-28T04:51:38Z")
This question is prompted by a novel, but I believe it has a factual answer. In the second volume of the “Octavian Nothing” series, Octavian encounters a British soldier who has “GR” branded on his forehead. What would… --- ## [Can you train a dog to become a picky eater?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-train-a-dog-to-become-a-picky-eater/826813)
**Author:** [@Jay\_Z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jay_Z)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2018, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-train-a-dog-to-become-a-picky-eater/826813 "2018-12-28T04:43:40Z")
Many if not all dogs will gobble food down as soon as it is presented to them. Can you train them to become more choosy? Suppose you regularly set 10 plates of food in front of a dog, well more than the dog can gobble … --- ## [Why "Rocker Panel"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-rocker-panel/108267)
**Author:** [@SavageNarce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SavageNarce)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2018, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-rocker-panel/108267 "2018-12-27T22:23:08Z")
Where did the Rocker Panel on a car get its name? I seriously doubt that it was ever intended as a place to “rock” the car. A friend suggested that it may have been a corruption from some description that this is the p… --- ## [Is it ever a good idea to put lithium ion and NiMH batteries in series?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ever-a-good-idea-to-put-lithium-ion-and-nimh-batteries-in-series/826780)
**Author:** [@Saffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saffer)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2018, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ever-a-good-idea-to-put-lithium-ion-and-nimh-batteries-in-series/826780 "2018-12-27T21:37:53Z")
Not that I actually have a need for something like this, just curious about it. Let’s say you wanted a 5 volt power source, but you only have lithium ion and NiMH batteries lying around. The lithium ion is 3.7 volts an… --- ## [Does feeding dogs cheese cause them to lose their sense of smell?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-feeding-dogs-cheese-cause-them-to-lose-their-sense-of-smell/826700)
**Author:** [@40below](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/40below)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2018, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-feeding-dogs-cheese-cause-them-to-lose-their-sense-of-smell/826700 "2018-12-27T21:23:13Z")
So it’s xmas, I’m at my dads and he sees me feeding my border collie a piece of cheese. My dad is from the Scottish borderlands, his dads were Shepards and sheepdog handlers and he said if a gamekeeper had seen me feedin… --- ## [Old-time religion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-time-religion/826656)
**Author:** [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2018, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-time-religion/826656 "2018-12-27T19:53:17Z")
Nothing past the Bronze Age (though even that is a big new-fangled). Which ones are still going strong? There are still quite a few Zoroastrians, but does the cult of Horus still celebrate the winter solstice? Do pilgrim… --- ## [Not to be a Grinch, but...(NORAD Santa tracking)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-to-be-a-grinch-but-norad-santa-tracking/826663)
**Author:** [@zombywoof](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zombywoof)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2018, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-to-be-a-grinch-but-norad-santa-tracking/826663 "2018-12-27T18:38:57Z")
Aren’t non-essential US government operations supposed to be shut down? How is this feel-good/PR stunt funded? --- ## [Can POWs be forced to give name, rank and serial# (Geneva)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-pows-be-forced-to-give-name-rank-and-serial-geneva/826597)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2018, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-pows-be-forced-to-give-name-rank-and-serial-geneva/826597 "2018-12-27T13:12:48Z")
AIUI, the Geneva Conventions compel POWs to divulge name, rank and serial number, but nothing more. But what if a POW refuses to give even that - do the Conventions allow any coercion to be applied to get that info out o… --- ## [That smell in new clothes and fabrics, and how to get rid of it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-smell-in-new-clothes-and-fabrics-and-how-to-get-rid-of-it/826771)
**Author:** [@edwardcoast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwardcoast)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2018, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-smell-in-new-clothes-and-fabrics-and-how-to-get-rid-of-it/826771 "2018-12-27T06:34:05Z")
Often when I purchase new clothes or my wife buys fabric to sew something, there is a chemical smell in it. I did some searching and it looks like they use Formaldehyde in the process of these materials. Sometimes a sin… --- ## [Please explain this comment regarding \[Michael Cohen\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-this-comment-regarding-michael-cohen/826708)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2018, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-this-comment-regarding-michael-cohen/826708 "2018-12-27T03:27:05Z")
Hi With reference to Trump’s personal ‘fixer’ Michael Cohen, I came across this comment in: 'Trump VERY STUNNED After WSJ Reveals 'His Inauguration Spending Under Criminal Investigation’ 15.27 minutes into the program. … --- ## [Why does my HP printer show offline?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-hp-printer-show-offline/826542)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2018, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-hp-printer-show-offline/826542 "2018-12-27T03:01:04Z")
I don’t think this is unique to my setup because I had this same problem at work with a different printer. The issue is Win7, drivers and HP laser printers. The printer shows as offline and because there is no way to t… --- ## [Why Does Part of My Memory Seem to Work Like ROM?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-part-of-my-memory-seem-to-work-like-rom/826639)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2018, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-part-of-my-memory-seem-to-work-like-rom/826639 "2018-12-27T02:41:08Z")
By which I mean ‘read only memory’. I’ll tell you what happened. A couple of years ago, it just popped into my head. ‘Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto’. Our nine planets. Or what was … --- ## [When You Work For A Manufacturer, Do You Still Have To Go Through Retail Channels To Buy Its Product](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-work-for-a-manufacturer-do-you-still-have-to-go-through-retail-channels-to-buy-its-product/826530)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2018, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-work-for-a-manufacturer-do-you-still-have-to-go-through-retail-channels-to-buy-its-product/826530 "2018-12-27T02:26:52Z")
Let’s say I worked at the Miracle Whip bottling plant in Ypsilanti (or wherever the hell it is). Let’s say further that my fridge is devoid of Miracle Whip, and that my wife has been nagging me for days to bring some hom… --- ## [What would be a historically accurate costume for one of the Wise Men (aka Magi)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-a-historically-accurate-costume-for-one-of-the-wise-men-aka-magi/477795)
**Author:** [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2018, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-a-historically-accurate-costume-for-one-of-the-wise-men-aka-magi/477795 "2018-12-27T02:13:38Z")
In my church’s little Christmas pageant I was volunteered to be one of the Magi ( CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Magi - 1917 Catholic Encyclopedia ). It’s my choice whether I will be Gaspar, Balthasar or Melchior. If I understan… --- ## [Are Bathroom vent fans hard to install?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bathroom-vent-fans-hard-to-install/826510)
**Author:** [@Tempe\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tempe_Jeff)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2018, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bathroom-vent-fans-hard-to-install/826510 "2018-12-27T01:16:25Z")
I have a ceiling exhaust fan making noise and, squeaking at start-up. Are they standardized in size? Is installation complicated? --- ## [Did the water recede on this last Indonesian Tsunami?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-water-recede-on-this-last-indonesian-tsunami/826659)
**Author:** [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2018, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-water-recede-on-this-last-indonesian-tsunami/826659 "2018-12-26T20:09:27Z")
Recall from the huge tsunami from 2004, that the ocean receded significantly just prior to it returning with such devastating effects On this recent one a few days ago that occurred “without warning”, did the water rece… --- ## [What is an 'Octave' (Religious Calendar)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-an-octave-religious-calendar/826741)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2018, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-an-octave-religious-calendar/826741 "2018-12-26T18:00:06Z")
I always get a religious calendar from my local church every year. I was brought up Catholic, and I just like to know what is going on that particular day. Anyways, one thing that has vexed me ever since I saw it as a c… --- ## [How did they deal with money back in the old days?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-they-deal-with-money-back-in-the-old-days/754265)
**Author:** [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2018, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-they-deal-with-money-back-in-the-old-days/754265 "2018-12-26T13:51:29Z")
The thought crossed my mind while watching shows like Outlander or Game of Thrones but the scenario could apply to any time period before the invention of wire transfers, ATMs, or even electricity. Specifically, say I’m… --- ## [Soaking in hot bath while having a fever](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soaking-in-hot-bath-while-having-a-fever/826694)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2018, 8:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soaking-in-hot-bath-while-having-a-fever/826694 "2018-12-26T08:07:51Z")
Soaking a hot bath or taking a prolonged hot shower feels good when one is flu-ing or cold-ing, but with the fever of the illness, does this make the body temperature rise even further? Never heard of anyone having issu… --- ## [Does the English language have many more words than, say, Hindi/Urdu?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-english-language-have-many-more-words-than-say-hindi-urdu/595987)
**Author:** [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2018, 8:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-english-language-have-many-more-words-than-say-hindi-urdu/595987 "2018-12-26T08:04:59Z")
I frequently see claims to the effect that English has by far the largest vocabulary of all languages, given that it has over 170,000 words theoretically in current use (although something over 98% of all written English… --- ## [How important are trees for advanced intelligence](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-important-are-trees-for-advanced-intelligence/826412)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2018, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-important-are-trees-for-advanced-intelligence/826412 "2018-12-26T03:12:33Z")
I was listening to a science podcast the other day from which I learned that our brain took a big leap in intelligence when we started walking erect. The idea being that it freed up our hands. I realize that there is not… --- ## [Tsunami Relief](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsunami-relief/826703)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2018, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsunami-relief/826703 "2018-12-26T01:34:01Z")
Tsunami Relief–what is a good charity to help the tsunami victims? --- ## [The Strength of Materials](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-strength-of-materials/826571)
**Author:** [@Steven\_Estes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steven_Estes)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2018, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-strength-of-materials/826571 "2018-12-25T19:46:28Z")
The Strength of Materials I realize that this question is somewhat oversimplified, but perhaps it is still amenable to an answer. Let’s say you have a simple bridge over a stream. The bridge is made of wood. The bridge … --- ## [Is there a name for measurement units having this property?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-name-for-measurement-units-having-this-property/826589)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2018, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-name-for-measurement-units-having-this-property/826589 "2018-12-25T17:59:35Z")
Measurement units can, possibly, describe some agency that already has other units including SI units, but be an island unto themselves regarding relative accuracy better than the accuracy with which their conversion fac… --- ## [Question about electrical conversion when travelling](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-electrical-conversion-when-travelling/826680)
**Author:** [@velomont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velomont)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2018, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-electrical-conversion-when-travelling/826680 "2018-12-25T16:56:55Z")
I am a Canadian who travels a few times each year, often to Europe and occassionally to the UAE. One thing that is a bit of a pain is dealing with electrical conversion for recharging and powering devices. I am current… --- ## [DHS Police in Airports](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dhs-police-in-airports/826679)
**Author:** [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2018, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dhs-police-in-airports/826679 "2018-12-25T13:58:41Z")
Earlier this year I flew out of Philadelphia and noted DHS Police in the terminal near the gates, just sort of standing/walking around as if on patrol. It struck me as odd but I don’t fly that often and shrugged it off… --- ## [Extremely long term environmental changes and evolution](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extremely-long-term-environmental-changes-and-evolution/826372)
**Author:** [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2018, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extremely-long-term-environmental-changes-and-evolution/826372 "2018-12-25T13:32:03Z")
So I went down the rabbit hole on wiki’s Timeline of the Far Future Hey, it’s fun. OK, then. So look at 800 million years from now. So I’m thinking…what prevents life from adapting, over those many millions of yea… --- ## [Were there ever any serious initiatives to federalise the British Empire](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-there-ever-any-serious-initiatives-to-federalise-the-british-empire/826534)
**Author:** [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2018, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-there-ever-any-serious-initiatives-to-federalise-the-british-empire/826534 "2018-12-25T00:27:54Z")
The colonial policy of the British Empire was willing, though on a selective basis, to grant far-reaching autonomy to many of its colonies. Starting from the 19th century, many territories were allowed to elect their own… --- ## [Why "dram shop" laws, and the expression "dram drinking"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dram-shop-laws-and-the-expression-dram-drinking/826471)
**Author:** [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2018, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dram-shop-laws-and-the-expression-dram-drinking/826471 "2018-12-25T00:12:52Z")
For anyone unaware, dram shop laws exist to make bars and other establishments selling liquor potentially liable for damages, if they knowingly serve intoxicated patrons, or if they reasonably should have known. I belie… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=505) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=507)