# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=510 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 511 --- ## [Hotel rooms: why no ceiling fan?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hotel-rooms-why-no-ceiling-fan/826041)
**Author:** [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2018, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hotel-rooms-why-no-ceiling-fan/826041 "2018-12-14T16:28:17Z")
Convo with someone who just returned from a sleep-deprived business trip made me realize: no matter how high-end or fancy the place, I don’t think any hotels have overhead (ceiling) fans. Enough people want or need one … --- ## [Migrating I-Phones?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/migrating-i-phones/826004)
**Author:** [@Fir\_na\_tine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fir_na_tine)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2018, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/migrating-i-phones/826004 "2018-12-14T15:49:35Z")
I currently have an Iphone 5. Nephew picked up a 7 on sale and is sending it to me. It’s my general understanding that I need to run the Icloud backup on the 5, pull the SIM card from 5, stick it in 7 and then download… --- ## [Jade Lane, Paradise California?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jade-lane-paradise-california/826111)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2018, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jade-lane-paradise-california/826111 "2018-12-14T11:44:43Z")
As a little girl, my wife spent several happy summers on this cul-de-sac. She would like to know how many (and which) properties there were destroyed. The list published by the county is now weeks old and seems to have b… --- ## [Is This A Legitimate Jury Notification? A Bizarro Fishing Scam?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-legitimate-jury-notification-a-bizarro-fishing-scam/825966)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2018, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-legitimate-jury-notification-a-bizarro-fishing-scam/825966 "2018-12-14T07:41:42Z")
I got the following post card in the mail today. Front Back This is new for me. I’ve been summoned to county jury three times, always via a sealed envelope. And not for nothing, the federal courthouse in question is e… --- ## [The history of third term presidents](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-history-of-third-term-presidents/826043)
**Author:** [@ric62](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ric62)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2018, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-history-of-third-term-presidents/826043 "2018-12-14T07:30:25Z")
We were taught that the founding fathers had a ‘gentle-men’s agreement’ that a person would only serve as president for two terms and then not seek that office again. History class told us that everyone complied until FD… --- ## [How to sort out my Mac storage.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-sort-out-my-mac-storage/825928)
**Author:** [@Petrobey\_Mavromihalis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Petrobey_Mavromihalis)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2018, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-sort-out-my-mac-storage/825928 "2018-12-14T06:01:08Z")
I had to sell my iMac which was my main storage for photos and music. At a guess I’d say there was about 600GB there. I have a Time Machine backup of this computer on a hard drive. More recent photos and music are on my … --- ## [Beard growing at different rates](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beard-growing-at-different-rates/826025)
**Author:** [@Nansbread1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nansbread1)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2018, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beard-growing-at-different-rates/826025 "2018-12-14T04:00:11Z")
Does a mans beard grow at different rates on the face. I think my beard isc much faster growing around the middle of cheek, under jaw and chin. On the periphery of these areas it is slower growing. Is this a correct ass… --- ## [Unique properties of water](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unique-properties-of-water/825851)
**Author:** [@SigMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SigMan)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2018, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unique-properties-of-water/825851 "2018-12-13T22:21:47Z")
Water is plentiful and much needed to sustain life. Water is made up of two simple elements, Hydrogen and Oxygen. Two gases that combine to create a liquid that we call water. Elements expand when heated but not water. … --- ## [Longest surviving President/Vice President?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-surviving-president-vice-president/825929)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2018, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-surviving-president-vice-president/825929 "2018-12-13T20:09:19Z")
Jimmy Carter and Walter Mondale left office in 1981. That’s thirty seven years ago and both men are still alive. Has there been any other pair of a President and Vice President who both survived that long after leaving … --- ## [Failed VP candidates who would have been President](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/failed-vp-candidates-who-would-have-been-president/826064)
**Author:** [@sciurophobic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciurophobic)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2018, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/failed-vp-candidates-who-would-have-been-president/826064 "2018-12-13T20:06:19Z")
Was there ever an instance where the loser of a Presidential election died during what would have been their term of office, second term included? If so who was his VP? --- ## [Can swans take off from dry land?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-swans-take-off-from-dry-land/787534)
**Author:** [@Bones\_Daley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bones_Daley)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2018, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-swans-take-off-from-dry-land/787534 "2018-12-13T18:45:14Z")
In a recent BBC documentary about the life of the police who patrol the 400 mile A1 route in the UK, there occurred an incident in which two swans had landed on the road and had caused a three mile tailback by waddling … --- ## ["I'm a friend of Bill's." You're a friend of Bill's what?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-friend-of-bills-youre-a-friend-of-bills-what/825976)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2018, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-friend-of-bills-youre-a-friend-of-bills-what/825976 "2018-12-13T16:10:40Z")
I don’t understand this construction but I see it a lot. “I’m a friend of Bill.” Possessive formed by “of”. Makes sense. “I’m one of Bill’s friends.” Possessive formed by noun plus apostrophe “a”, another possessive… --- ## [Remaining Standing after Death?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remaining-standing-after-death/825959)
**Author:** [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2018, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remaining-standing-after-death/825959 "2018-12-13T16:06:37Z")
I overheard a conversation at lunch a few days ago. Some people were talking about a guy who died propped up against a wall, and remained standing after death. I’m pretty sure that’s not possible, but I thought I would c… --- ## [Kroger Rx Card thru Good Rx](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kroger-rx-card-thru-good-rx/826051)
**Author:** [@DummyGladHands](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DummyGladHands)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2018, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kroger-rx-card-thru-good-rx/826051 "2018-12-13T13:51:18Z")
So I got an email to sign up for a Kroger Rx card, offered thru Good Rx. $35 for the year. I researched and it was legit, and before I paid I could check my current prescriptions and see the savings. Wow. So I took it t… --- ## [What was the first manned supersonic aircraft that could take off under its own power?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-first-manned-supersonic-aircraft-that-could-take-off-under-its-own-power/825963)
**Author:** [@whc.03grady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whc.03grady)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2018, 9:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-first-manned-supersonic-aircraft-that-could-take-off-under-its-own-power/825963 "2018-12-13T09:50:18Z")
My google-fu has apparently left me for the day. The question is the title. --- ## [Londoners/Brits: explain why BFI's ad was offensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/londoners-brits-explain-why-bfis-ad-was-offensive/826021)
**Author:** [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2018, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/londoners-brits-explain-why-bfis-ad-was-offensive/826021 "2018-12-13T02:49:14Z")
According to this story in the Daily Mail, a lot of people were offended by an ad for The Grinch on the BFI IMAX theater that said: ‘Welcome to South London, this is your last chance to turn around.’ Another one said, ‘Y… --- ## [Probation and Cooking Alcohol.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probation-and-cooking-alcohol/825902)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2018, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probation-and-cooking-alcohol/825902 "2018-12-13T01:11:43Z")
Can people on probation or parole use cooking alcohol, cooking Sherry, cooking Brandy and the like? The reason why I ask is sometime back, while she was still on probation parole or whatever, I saw Martha Stewart use co… --- ## [Copyright vs. Terms of Use/Service (on the internet)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copyright-vs-terms-of-use-service-on-the-internet/825952)
**Author:** [@Edward\_The\_Head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edward_The_Head)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2018, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copyright-vs-terms-of-use-service-on-the-internet/825952 "2018-12-12T22:52:52Z")
This topic has come up a number of times that I’ve seen while doing genealogical research, but I’ve also seen some examples in other areas. I understand copyright, and I mostly understand Terms of Use/Services on variou… --- ## ["faisez bien gaffe parce que moi j'ai mon super gilet jaune"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/faisez-bien-gaffe-parce-que-moi-jai-mon-super-gilet-jaune/825703)
**Author:** [@Mangosteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangosteen)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2018, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/faisez-bien-gaffe-parce-que-moi-jai-mon-super-gilet-jaune/825703 "2018-12-12T22:26:22Z")
Anyone care to translate this bumper sticker I saw? “faisez bien gaffe parce que moi j’ai mon super gilet jaune” --- ## [Know where I can get a copy of a doll from a horror movie?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-where-i-can-get-a-copy-of-a-doll-from-a-horror-movie/825984)
**Author:** [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2018, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-where-i-can-get-a-copy-of-a-doll-from-a-horror-movie/825984 "2018-12-12T21:10:42Z")
Just watched Curse of the Witch’s Doll with my girlfriend today. She loves horror more than me I think. Anyway, the 2 things that get her most are creepy kids and dolls. I want to see if a copy of the doll is available b… --- ## [What is the most amount of calories ever eaten in one sitting by a human](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-amount-of-calories-ever-eaten-in-one-sitting-by-a-human/825652)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2018, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-amount-of-calories-ever-eaten-in-one-sitting-by-a-human/825652 "2018-12-12T21:08:00Z")
I’m watching Matt Stonie and his competitive eating challenge videos on youtube. They are interesting but he usually limits his intake during his youtube challenges to around 10,000 calories. For the hot dog eating comp… --- ## [In Countries With Mandatory Military Service, What Happens If You're Too Fat, Too Sick, Too Dumb...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-countries-with-mandatory-military-service-what-happens-if-youre-too-fat-too-sick-too-dumb/825749)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2018, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-countries-with-mandatory-military-service-what-happens-if-youre-too-fat-too-sick-too-dumb/825749 "2018-12-12T18:50:45Z")
If you live in, say, South Korea, and you are required to do x years of military service, what do they do for you if you are just not cut out for the military? Like if you have a developmental disability, or have some ch… --- ## [What does "tiger hunt" translate to in Latin?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-tiger-hunt-translate-to-in-latin/825975)
**Author:** [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2018, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-tiger-hunt-translate-to-in-latin/825975 "2018-12-12T18:17:06Z")
Can anybody here tell me what the phrase “tiger hunt” (that is, a hunt for tigers) translates to in Latin? Someone I know is making a logo and wants to put that phrase in Latin on it. They were going to put “tigris ven… --- ## [What's the point of "Buy One Get One for a Penny/Nickel/Dime/Dollar" sales?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-buy-one-get-one-for-a-penny-nickel-dime-dollar-sales/825839)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2018, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-buy-one-get-one-for-a-penny-nickel-dime-dollar-sales/825839 "2018-12-12T15:43:51Z")
Basically any “Buy One Get One Free” style sale where instead of getting the second free you basically get the second for 99% off. (Note this only applies for getting stuff at 99% off, buy a burger get a second for a dol… --- ## [A math checkerboard question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-math-checkerboard-question/825937)
**Author:** [@Steven\_Estes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steven_Estes)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2018, 8:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-math-checkerboard-question/825937 "2018-12-12T08:32:08Z")
A math checkerboard question Suppose you have an infinite row of squares and two checkers. The checkers take turns responding to coin tosses; heads a checker moves right and tails a checker moves left. Wherever the chec… --- ## [What was Sneaky Pete?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-sneaky-pete/825796)
**Author:** [@TGWATY](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TGWATY)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2018, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-sneaky-pete/825796 "2018-12-12T03:51:40Z")
I was listening to an old Jean Shepherd radio show from 1963 and in it he talks about things for sale at the checkout counter that stores try to lure you into buying at the last minute while you are waiting: cigarettes, … --- ## [If the Sun were to suddenly disappear...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-sun-were-to-suddenly-disappear/825757)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2018, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-sun-were-to-suddenly-disappear/825757 "2018-12-12T00:30:18Z")
Not collapse, but disappear, as in: “poof!” it’s magically gone. Would we know it immediately, or would it take eight minutes? --- ## [So if Tokyo Rose had broadcast from the USA...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-if-tokyo-rose-had-broadcast-from-the-usa/825901)
**Author:** [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2018, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-if-tokyo-rose-had-broadcast-from-the-usa/825901 "2018-12-12T00:27:03Z")
…would she have been protected by free speech laws. Yes, on one hand you could argue that she’s ‘lending aid to the enemy’. But she might be able to skirt that by expressing opinion and speculation. Different Q: Lets as… --- ## [Anyone remember a podcast about the Russian couple with the large Russian flag?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-remember-a-podcast-about-the-russian-couple-with-the-large-russian-flag/825973)
**Author:** [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2018, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-remember-a-podcast-about-the-russian-couple-with-the-large-russian-flag/825973 "2018-12-12T00:18:28Z")
They got involved with the protests against the 3-day coup in 1991, partly because they had the largest Russian flag anyone could find, and their friend (I think it was) persuaded the tank officer charged with breaking u… --- ## [Grammar--which is correct: "his" or "him..."](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-which-is-correct-his-or-him/820479)
**Author:** [@birchtree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/birchtree)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2018, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-which-is-correct-his-or-him/820479 "2018-12-12T00:08:10Z")
I don’t recall his ever telling me about that. I don’t recall him ever telling me about that. “him” seems correct, but I vaguely recall from grade-school grammar that “his” is correct for that kind of sentence, though … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=509) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=511)