# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=513 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 514 --- ## [Investigations or legal proceedings involving titled Peers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/investigations-or-legal-proceedings-involving-titled-peers/825233)
**Author:** [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 6, 2018, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/investigations-or-legal-proceedings-involving-titled-peers/825233 "2018-12-06T04:44:22Z")
(Inspired by an Agatha Christie story) I’ve been listening Lord Edgeware Dies, which is mostly about the murder of the fourth Baron Edgeware. Naturally, this being a classic British mystery story, Edgeware’s nephew, no… --- ## [Too late to get a flu shot?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/too-late-to-get-a-flu-shot/824722)
**Author:** [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [December 6, 2018, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/too-late-to-get-a-flu-shot/824722 "2018-12-06T01:22:32Z")
… if there’s any point ar this late date, what’s the cheapest option for the uninsured? (I live in Texas if that matters.) Does anyone provide them free, regardless of insurance? --- ## [Finding the original person who "pinned" something on Pinterest.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-the-original-person-who-pinned-something-on-pinterest/825624)
**Author:** [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2018, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-the-original-person-who-pinned-something-on-pinterest/825624 "2018-12-05T22:37:39Z")
I’m trying top find the original person who took the shot and pinned it. But when I click around I just keeping getting sent from board to board that has included that pin. Is there a way to see who took the shot and pin… --- ## [Could people use your mail against you?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-people-use-your-mail-against-you/825606)
**Author:** [@JakeRS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JakeRS)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2018, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-people-use-your-mail-against-you/825606 "2018-12-05T19:59:30Z")
Let’s say that you wrote your email on some public space and everyone can see it, your facebook, your youtube, website or whatever, is there a way someone can use that against you? If the people had your credit card inf… --- ## [German: \[verb\]-en vs. \[verb\]-et](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/german-verb-en-vs-verb-et/775449)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2018, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/german-verb-en-vs-verb-et/775449 "2018-12-05T17:25:54Z")
'Tis the season to think about Christmas carols. Here’s one: Herbei, O ihr Gläubigen, fröhlich triumphierend, O kommet, O kommet nach Bethlehem! Sehet das Kindlein uns zum Heil geboren! O laßet uns anbeten, O laßet … --- ## [Do gifts from work get taxed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-gifts-from-work-get-taxed/825504)
**Author:** [@Gedd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gedd)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2018, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-gifts-from-work-get-taxed/825504 "2018-12-05T17:11:31Z")
Weird tax question. At work they found a way to make people happy. With this website everyone gets points each quarter and can then give them to other people as a “Thank you.” You can use those points to get rewards f… --- ## [Quora hack](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quora-hack/825561)
**Author:** [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2018, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quora-hack/825561 "2018-12-05T16:21:35Z")
Apparently Quora was hacked recently and its users accounts were compromised. If I registered at Quora using my Gmail account, can I assume the latter is now compromised as well? Thanks --- ## [Question regarding trade winds in South America](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-trade-winds-in-south-america/825587)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2018, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-trade-winds-in-south-america/825587 "2018-12-05T11:10:44Z")
Hi I presume that trade winds have local names. I’m interested in knowing the name the trade winds in Venezuela, particularly Maracaibo. I look forward to your feedback. --- ## [Optimum loading of heat transfer compounds not necessarily maxed out](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/optimum-loading-of-heat-transfer-compounds-not-necessarily-maxed-out/825494)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2018, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/optimum-loading-of-heat-transfer-compounds-not-necessarily-maxed-out/825494 "2018-12-05T04:38:42Z")
Heat transfer compounds are the pastes, greases, and adhesives intended to increase the thermal conductivity across a joint between two solid objects. The idea is that the compound will fill irregularities in the joint b… --- ## [Is there anything in UCMJ or international law the prevents the use of booby traps](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anything-in-ucmj-or-international-law-the-prevents-the-use-of-booby-traps/825557)
**Author:** [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2018, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anything-in-ucmj-or-international-law-the-prevents-the-use-of-booby-traps/825557 "2018-12-05T04:36:41Z")
Dealing with booby traps in recently-occupied territory is a constant theme of accounts of WW1 and WW2 (explosives triggered by automatic trigger, not directly by a human with a detonator), particularly in occupying terr… --- ## [I would like to install permeant LED lights on the exterior of my garage: any ideas?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-install-permeant-led-lights-on-the-exterior-of-my-garage-any-ideas/825224)
**Author:** [@Kamaski](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamaski)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2018, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-install-permeant-led-lights-on-the-exterior-of-my-garage-any-ideas/825224 "2018-12-05T00:10:18Z")
So this has been a dream of mine for a while and every Christmas I get excited to it but never have. I used to put Christmas lights on my backyard detached garage, both string lights and icicle lights. Now I don’t do tha… --- ## [PayPal payment "denied by card issuer," but I didn't charge it to my card!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paypal-payment-denied-by-card-issuer-but-i-didnt-charge-it-to-my-card/825299)
**Author:** [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2018, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paypal-payment-denied-by-card-issuer-but-i-didnt-charge-it-to-my-card/825299 "2018-12-04T23:25:05Z")
I’m trying to get some money to Belgium via PayPal. PP won’t let it happen and says “denied by card issuer,” altho I asked to debit my bank account, not charge my credit card (which is the backup payment source). I’ve c… --- ## [Disclosing prior convictions to jury](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disclosing-prior-convictions-to-jury/825530)
**Author:** [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2018, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disclosing-prior-convictions-to-jury/825530 "2018-12-04T22:11:16Z")
I’m trying to figure out how I got the idea that during a trial, a defendant’s prior criminal record could never be disclosed to the jury (before sentencing). I now see that it’s not the case in Canada from this article … --- ## [Bush's Avenger crew](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-avenger-crew/825399)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2018, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-avenger-crew/825399 "2018-12-04T21:45:21Z")
20-year-old George H.W. Bush was shot down in his Grumman Avenger in 1944. AIUI, he and one other crewman bailed out, but the other crewman’s parachute did not open. Do we know why the third crewman didn’t bail out, an… --- ## [UPS/USPS & Online Retailer Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ups-usps-online-retailer-question/825555)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2018, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ups-usps-online-retailer-question/825555 "2018-12-04T21:21:04Z")
I’m sure this must have been asked before, but I can’t find the answer. I live in a rural area and rely heavily on Amazon, Ebay and other online retailers for many of my purchases. It’s a 45 minute drive into town,even … --- ## [A company in Texas is trying to transmit wireless power around the Earth.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-company-in-texas-is-trying-to-transmit-wireless-power-around-the-earth/825477)
**Author:** [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2018, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-company-in-texas-is-trying-to-transmit-wireless-power-around-the-earth/825477 "2018-12-04T20:13:21Z")
There’s a company in Texas that is trying to build a Tesla-like system to transmit wireless power around the Earth. It will supposedly use something called “Zenneck surface waves.” Here is a paper they published. Here … --- ## [Personal Zepplin](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personal-zepplin/572193)
**Author:** [@Dominus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dominus)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2018, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personal-zepplin/572193 "2018-12-04T18:04:22Z")
With the rising fashion and awareness in steampunk and gaslamp fantasy, I, being a proactive and greenminded sort, want to invest in a personal aircraft. I was wondering about legal limitations, and if there are limits o… --- ## [How many strains of common cold are usually active at once?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-strains-of-common-cold-are-usually-active-at-once/825423)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2018, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-strains-of-common-cold-are-usually-active-at-once/825423 "2018-12-04T16:52:52Z")
To couch it in my reasons for asking, if on the last night of a ten day vacation far from home, I start to feel cold symptoms, come home and battle a full fledged cold, and four days later interact with my friend and my … --- ## [Patent that made most money. Individual patent.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patent-that-made-most-money-individual-patent/825511)
**Author:** [@Nansbread1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nansbread1)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2018, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patent-that-made-most-money-individual-patent/825511 "2018-12-04T16:52:26Z")
Which individual, one person, patent has made its inventor the most money. Not interested in patents filed by big companies. Interested in the backyard inventor who struck it lucky after the patent was filed. --- ## [How quickly can a president pardon/be impeached.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-quickly-can-a-president-pardon-be-impeached/825503)
**Author:** [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2018, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-quickly-can-a-president-pardon-be-impeached/825503 "2018-12-04T16:29:02Z")
So I don’t actually think this would happen, but I have a scenario in my mind where the final votes in the senate impeachment hearings are taking place, and have the 67 votes needed to remove Trump from office, but befor… --- ## [What's the point of suppressing names in news stories...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-suppressing-names-in-news-stories/825532)
**Author:** [@Aspidistra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspidistra)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2018, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-suppressing-names-in-news-stories/825532 "2018-12-04T11:41:33Z")
…in cases where all a person’s friends and colleagues know who they are? Inspired by this story of a barrister becoming a police informant, which is all over the local newspapers today. Now, I don’t know what this woma… --- ## [Why is there no Mizrahi Chief Rabbi of Israel?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-no-mizrahi-chief-rabbi-of-israel/825492)
**Author:** [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2018, 10:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-no-mizrahi-chief-rabbi-of-israel/825492 "2018-12-04T10:07:18Z")
Israel is home to Jews of many different ethnic origins, including the Ashkenazim (with proximate roots in Central Europe), the Sephardim (with proximate roots in the Iberian peninsula), and the Mizrahim (with proximate … --- ## [Calling Auto Mechanics about possible scam](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-auto-mechanics-about-possible-scam/825317)
**Author:** [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2018, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-auto-mechanics-about-possible-scam/825317 "2018-12-04T04:26:34Z")
My daughter just proudly messaged me that she had gotten her car ready for winter by taking it to a service station. She lives in WI, so I applaud her taking care of the vehicle. Something caught my eye, however. She wr… --- ## [Liposuction while 100 pounds overweight](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liposuction-while-100-pounds-overweight/825500)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2018, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liposuction-while-100-pounds-overweight/825500 "2018-12-04T03:23:09Z")
This is not a discussion for calories in vs calories out or liposuction to get rid of all 100 lb. Suppose a woman is looking to lose about 100 pounds and is dieting and exercising. I picked that number as many plastic … --- ## [What kind of truck is this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-truck-is-this/825527)
**Author:** [@zombywoof](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zombywoof)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2018, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-truck-is-this/825527 "2018-12-04T02:41:11Z")
What’s that behind the cab? \[Album\] imgur.com --- ## [Military uniform with no hat](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-uniform-with-no-hat/825528)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2018, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-uniform-with-no-hat/825528 "2018-12-04T02:02:29Z")
Watching Bush arrive at the capitol. One of the flag bearers has no hat. It is windy, I guess his hat blew off and he is not allowed to stop and pick it up? He is a sailor in dress uniform. --- ## [Why don't fighter jets have missiles that fire backward?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-fighter-jets-have-missiles-that-fire-backward/245909)
**Author:** [@Incubus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Incubus)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2018, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-fighter-jets-have-missiles-that-fire-backward/245909 "2018-12-04T01:38:40Z")
This might seem silly, but I recently heard about a fighter jet which was capable of launching air-to-air missiles in different directions, so that it could fire one at a pursuing plane. This made me wonder- why did it … --- ## ["Core i9-7000X has about 6.5–7 B transistors". Are You Kidding me???](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/core-i9-7000x-has-about-6-5-7-b-transistors-are-you-kidding-me/825485)
**Author:** [@Man\_About\_Town](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Man_About_Town)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 3, 2018, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/core-i9-7000x-has-about-6-5-7-b-transistors-are-you-kidding-me/825485 "2018-12-03T23:03:39Z")
Why is it nesessary to use such ridiculously huge number of elements in a logical device? I understand that there’s cash memory that would take at least one element per cell, so that would amount at best to 500-1000 mil… --- ## [what is this thing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing/825418)
**Author:** [@OldMrKnowItAll](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldMrKnowItAll)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 3, 2018, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing/825418 "2018-12-03T22:44:47Z")
What is this and what could it be used for? I found it under my car. It looks like a big plastic screw. Could it have fallen off of something for my car? https://i.postimg.cc/7ZMGxwz6/image3.jpg https://i.postimg.cc… --- ## [How do I make windows system recovery faster in the future?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-make-windows-system-recovery-faster-in-the-future/825522)
**Author:** [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 3, 2018, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-make-windows-system-recovery-faster-in-the-future/825522 "2018-12-03T22:40:35Z")
So, my Windows 10 box has died. It takes forever to boot, and when it does finally boot, I get a bunch of errors about missing windows files and nothing will run, even built-in things like cmd.exe. All the hardware seem… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=512) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=514)