# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=533 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 534 --- ## [Medics carrying weapons in WWII? And what happened to Jewish soldiers captured by Germans?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medics-carrying-weapons-in-wwii-and-what-happened-to-jewish-soldiers-captured-by-germans/527863)
**Author:** [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2018, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medics-carrying-weapons-in-wwii-and-what-happened-to-jewish-soldiers-captured-by-germans/527863 "2018-10-03T21:08:05Z")
I recently had the pleasure of interviewing a World War II veteran for an oral history project with the National World War II Museum. The man was in the second wave of troops who landed at Normandy; he was in the 84th In… --- ## [On looooong flights wherein there are two crews ...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-looooong-flights-wherein-there-are-two-crews/822270)
**Author:** [@bizerta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bizerta)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2018, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-looooong-flights-wherein-there-are-two-crews/822270 "2018-10-03T21:02:41Z")
On extra long flights, there are two captains and two first officers, etc. Since the “captain” has ultimate authority over the safety of the aircraft, is one senior to the other? Or is the one sitting in the left seat … --- ## [How true are the Angus MacAskill feats of strength](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-true-are-the-angus-macaskill-feats-of-strength/666663)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2018, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-true-are-the-angus-macaskill-feats-of-strength/666663 "2018-10-03T19:36:35Z")
The 19th century strongman was 7’9", and supposedly could lift an anchor weighing 2000-2800 pounds to chest height, as well as walk with it. He had an 80" chest, I think most pro bodybuilders and relatively thin strongm… --- ## [How are tips rung up on a credit card?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-tips-rung-up-on-a-credit-card/822322)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2018, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-tips-rung-up-on-a-credit-card/822322 "2018-10-03T18:21:18Z")
I prefer leaving the waitress’ tip with cash on the table. Yesterday I didn’t have any singles. I added the tip to the credit card ticket. The cc receipt the waitress brings has already been rung up. It’s not clear if t… --- ## [Should I clean my gas fireplace chimney?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-clean-my-gas-fireplace-chimney/822331)
**Author:** [@blood63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blood63)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2018, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-clean-my-gas-fireplace-chimney/822331 "2018-10-03T14:17:21Z")
I just bought a condo for rental purposes. They tenants asked if the chimney was going to be cleaned. I had no idea that a gas fireplace chimney needed cleaning. I have my own and have never cleaned it. A web search … --- ## [Permanent paralysis , why not amputation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/permanent-paralysis-why-not-amputation/700679)
**Author:** [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 2017, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/permanent-paralysis-why-not-amputation/700679 "2017-09-18T15:14:07Z")
I always think about this when in in bathroom at work. It has the bar for someone in a wheelchair to use to get them from the chair to the toilet. It always occurs to me that if a person was permanently paralyzed from t… --- ## [Is a weekly day of rest a Jewish invention?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-weekly-day-of-rest-a-jewish-invention/822172)
**Author:** [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2018, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-weekly-day-of-rest-a-jewish-invention/822172 "2018-10-03T05:18:44Z")
Or do we know of any culture/religion with a concept like the Sabbath predating Jewish custom? Just musing on a lazy Saturday evening after remarking one more time what a great invention the weekend was. :slight\_smile: --- ## [Speak now or forever hold your peace](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speak-now-or-forever-hold-your-peace/798924)
**Author:** [@pianodave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pianodave)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2018, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speak-now-or-forever-hold-your-peace/798924 "2018-10-03T01:05:08Z")
Hi SD, I was at a wedding yesterday. It got me thinking, is this cliche or trope really a real thing? Do officiants say this phrase often? “If anyone has a reason why these two should not be married, speak now or for… --- ## [How often does your tummy rumble and why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-does-your-tummy-rumble-and-why/822310)
**Author:** [@ArrogantAngles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArrogantAngles)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2018, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-does-your-tummy-rumble-and-why/822310 "2018-10-03T00:55:18Z")
Has your tummy ever sometimes made some really crazy sounds, or has it just started grumbling a lot? If so, what causes it to do so and how often does this happen? I want to know the biological reasons as to how it can m… --- ## [Swedish speakers, can you help me parse this word?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swedish-speakers-can-you-help-me-parse-this-word/757758)
**Author:** [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2018, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swedish-speakers-can-you-help-me-parse-this-word/757758 "2018-10-02T13:54:03Z")
I recently had the occasion to come across the Swedish word häpnadsväckande, or “astonishing”, as in Likheten är häpnadsväckandep, or “the resemblence is astonishing”. Based on extensive knowledge of German and English… --- ## [Would it still be accurate to classify certain crime as a massacre, even though nobody died?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-still-be-accurate-to-classify-certain-crime-as-a-massacre-even-though-nobody-died/822165)
**Author:** [@Mislav](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mislav)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2018, 7:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-still-be-accurate-to-classify-certain-crime-as-a-massacre-even-though-nobody-died/822165 "2018-10-02T07:29:10Z")
For example, there is a mass shooting or a terrorist attack where lots of people are seriously injured (10+). But nobody dies. Do you think it would be accurate to describe such a crime as massacre? And have there been a… --- ## [What wiggle room did the French claim they had (if any) with respect to the Treaty of Locarno?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-wiggle-room-did-the-french-claim-they-had-if-any-with-respect-to-the-treaty-of-locarno/822302)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2018, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-wiggle-room-did-the-french-claim-they-had-if-any-with-respect-to-the-treaty-of-locarno/822302 "2018-10-02T05:54:18Z")
Hi What wiggle room did the French claim they had(if any) with respect to the Treaty of Locarno in refuse to assist the Czech resistance to German annexation of the Sudetenland? What articles (if any ) were breached by … --- ## [Android auto correct no longer auto capitalizing "I".](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-auto-correct-no-longer-auto-capitalizing-i/822211)
**Author:** [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2018, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-auto-correct-no-longer-auto-capitalizing-i/822211 "2018-10-02T00:59:57Z")
Hello Everyone, Has the title suggest auto correct no longer capitalizes"I". No big deal in the scheme of things, but a bit annoying to have to re-read a long text or post looking for this and manually correcting it. H… --- ## [What are the historical Appalachian trail speed records](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-historical-appalachian-trail-speed-records/822198)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2018, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-historical-appalachian-trail-speed-records/822198 "2018-10-01T23:02:50Z")
The Appalachian trail is about 2200 miles and there are competitions to run/walk it as fast as possible. The old record was about 45 days, until someone recently did it in 41 days. But I don’t know what the record has b… --- ## [Laser Printer Repair Experts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laser-printer-repair-experts/822071)
**Author:** [@MindsEye\_Watering](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MindsEye_Watering)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2018, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laser-printer-repair-experts/822071 "2018-10-01T20:04:33Z")
I just received a color laser printer from a relative that is brand new in the box. It is a Dell 2150CDN and was purchased in 2011. Today, I opened the box up and set the printer up, and everything works great - except … --- ## [Oil for Briggs and Stratton 500 Series](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oil-for-briggs-and-stratton-500-series/822229)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2018, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oil-for-briggs-and-stratton-500-series/822229 "2018-10-01T19:48:55Z")
I bought VP Small Engine Fuels’ 4 cycle Small Engine Oil for my lawn mower. The back is labeled: “VP Full Synthetic SAE 30W/10W-30 formulation meets the requirements for bot SAE 30W and SAE 10W-30 standards, so it can be… --- ## [Naming bands after book titles](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naming-bands-after-book-titles/822269)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2018, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naming-bands-after-book-titles/822269 "2018-10-01T19:33:37Z")
What permissions(if any) are needed to name a band after the title of a book? Let’s say I wanted to name my band Harold And The Purple Crayon or Cujo-do I need permission to do this? --- ## [Spirit of Halloween ...., How do they do it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spirit-of-halloween-how-do-they-do-it/822032)
**Author:** [@Mrdeals](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrdeals)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2018, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spirit-of-halloween-how-do-they-do-it/822032 "2018-10-01T15:08:47Z")
More specifically, how do they set up and take down 1300 stores in 3 months? I’ve set up 4 stores in my life and it’s a nightmare every time. Setting up leasing, shelving, product, utilities, payment terminals, and a d… --- ## [Explain this joke to me, please. Robots aren't very emotive.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-this-joke-to-me-please-robots-arent-very-emotive/822141)
**Author:** [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2018, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-this-joke-to-me-please-robots-arent-very-emotive/822141 "2018-10-01T11:18:32Z")
This is from a calendar of funny student responses. Many are clearly fake(written by the calendar makers), but most are understandable. Many are puns or overly literal answers. What is the joke on this one? The Q: Wha… --- ## [Why are beer cans only 10 ounces in Puerto Rico?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-beer-cans-only-10-ounces-in-puerto-rico/675072)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2018, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-beer-cans-only-10-ounces-in-puerto-rico/675072 "2018-10-01T03:16:44Z")
I’ve been in PR all week. Beer bottles are 12 ounces but beer cans are only 10. Why? The only answer some locals in Ponce and San Juan told me is that they like their beer colder and the smaller cans allow them to drink … --- ## [How do farmers deal with misplanted fields](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-farmers-deal-with-misplanted-fields/822196)
**Author:** [@Mrdeals](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrdeals)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2018, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-farmers-deal-with-misplanted-fields/822196 "2018-10-01T02:57:49Z")
I’ve been meaning to ask this for some time, but being it’s harvest time, and I still haven’t seen the field that prompted this question get harvested, I turn to you guys. I see every once in a while where a field will … --- ## [Can you find a closed triple point system in nature?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-find-a-closed-triple-point-system-in-nature/822000)
**Author:** [@Sloe\_Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sloe_Moe)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2018, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-find-a-closed-triple-point-system-in-nature/822000 "2018-09-30T22:38:45Z")
For water, that is. Of course you can argue that the Earth IS a closed system and anywhere you have ice, water and steam, you have a triple point. But no, it has to be that precise T-P definition from where you define th… --- ## [MSWord : footnote numbering gone wonky.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/msword-footnote-numbering-gone-wonky/822204)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2018, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/msword-footnote-numbering-gone-wonky/822204 "2018-09-30T22:37:26Z")
Yet another Word question. I’ve got a document with a lot of footnotes. The footnote numbering is skipping one number. It goes from footnote 102 to footnote 104. If I delete 102 entirely, then footnote 104 changes to… --- ## [Does Vitamin B1 (thiamine) HAVE to taste so foul?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-vitamin-b1-thiamine-have-to-taste-so-foul/822175)
**Author:** [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2018, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-vitamin-b1-thiamine-have-to-taste-so-foul/822175 "2018-09-30T20:57:50Z")
The neurologist with whom kaylasmom and I have been consulting about her apparent dementia symptoms ordered blood tests which revealed her to have deficiencies in some vitamins and hormones, including vitamin B1 (aka thi… --- ## [Car pulls lightly to the left](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-pulls-lightly-to-the-left/822202)
**Author:** [@jasonhocky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasonhocky)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2018, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-pulls-lightly-to-the-left/822202 "2018-09-30T20:37:29Z")
Hi all, I noticed the car ̣2008 Prius pulls lightly to the left when braking. i had a tire of about ̣ months of age on the driver front and three original, three years old, 46.000 mile tires everywhere else I had a fl… --- ## [Are there scientifically conducted surveys on the desire of parapalegics for a "cure"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-scientifically-conducted-surveys-on-the-desire-of-parapalegics-for-a-cure/822220)
**Author:** [@Tzigone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tzigone)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2018, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-scientifically-conducted-surveys-on-the-desire-of-parapalegics-for-a-cure/822220 "2018-09-30T19:35:22Z")
Cure is obviously a loaded term to some, at least when the condition is one a person is born with instead of one acquired through injury and/or illness. I’ve on occasion (on the Internet) heard that there is a certain a… --- ## [Sentenced 3 - 10 ... means how long?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sentenced-3-10-means-how-long/822188)
**Author:** [@Tread](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tread)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2018, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sentenced-3-10-means-how-long/822188 "2018-09-30T02:27:10Z")
3-10 years was Cosby’s sentence, but this question applies to all vague sentences like that. What does that mean? How do they know when they have completed sentence and it is time to be released? Who or what determine… --- ## [What fraction of cable news coverage is spent on politics?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fraction-of-cable-news-coverage-is-spent-on-politics/822157)
**Author:** [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2018, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fraction-of-cable-news-coverage-is-spent-on-politics/822157 "2018-09-29T22:33:28Z")
As a fraction of a 24-hour day, how much time do the cable news networks (CNN, MSNBC, Fox) spend covering national politics, as opposed to other topics? I’d also be curious to know how this has changed over time, if any… --- ## [In 1958 would a broken arm get a kid hospitalized for 4 days?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-1958-would-a-broken-arm-get-a-kid-hospitalized-for-4-days/822079)
**Author:** [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2018, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-1958-would-a-broken-arm-get-a-kid-hospitalized-for-4-days/822079 "2018-09-29T16:21:32Z")
I’m re-reading It by Stephen King, and I’m confused by the fact that Eddie’s broken arm lands him in the hospital for four days. It’s not even a complete break - clearly described as a greenstick fracture. I guess I coul… --- ## [Digestion problem/question.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/digestion-problem-question/822145)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2018, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/digestion-problem-question/822145 "2018-09-29T15:18:51Z")
I ate some peanut butter on a piece of toast this morning at about 1130. It’s going on 1800 and I’ve been burping up that goddamned peanut butter all freaking day and still am. So what’s going on? Where is that peanut b… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=532) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=534)