# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=536 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 537 --- ## [How Can Geneologists Caregorically Say For Sure.\[last names were not changed at Ellis Island\]..?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-geneologists-caregorically-say-for-sure-last-names-were-not-changed-at-ellis-island/821148)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2018, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-geneologists-caregorically-say-for-sure-last-names-were-not-changed-at-ellis-island/821148 "2018-09-24T02:17:38Z")
I’ve heard a few genealogists say that last names were NOT changed at Ellis Island? As I recall, I think their argument is that names were copied directly from ships’ manifests. Still, is it completely out of the questio… --- ## [How soon into Reagan's presidency did the rumors of dementia start?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-soon-into-reagans-presidency-did-the-rumors-of-dementia-start/821299)
**Author:** [@Yodalicious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yodalicious)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2018, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-soon-into-reagans-presidency-did-the-rumors-of-dementia-start/821299 "2018-09-24T00:42:57Z")
My only experience with dementia is my grandmother’s second husband, which went into full blown Alzheimer’s, and my father. We lost Dad in 2016 from other causes. He was never diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, but definitely… --- ## [bon, c'est bon, bon, bon, c'est bon, bon, what does it mean?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bon-cest-bon-bon-bon-cest-bon-bon-what-does-it-mean/821704)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2018, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bon-cest-bon-bon-bon-cest-bon-bon-what-does-it-mean/821704 "2018-09-23T23:59:32Z")
French lyric from Sweet City Woman. What’s the entire phrase mean? --- ## [How do you remove photos placed with double sided tape?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-remove-photos-placed-with-double-sided-tape/821759)
**Author:** [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2018, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-remove-photos-placed-with-double-sided-tape/821759 "2018-09-23T20:33:32Z")
I have these big cardboard panels that I need to remove the photos from. I thought that tape was friendly. But I can’t think of how to get the things off safely. The ones I have were at risk while I tried, and it’s a pro… --- ## [Lunar eclipse of July 2018](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lunar-eclipse-of-july-2018/821769)
**Author:** [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2018, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lunar-eclipse-of-july-2018/821769 "2018-09-23T14:50:45Z")
Anybody watch it? How bright did the moon appear compared to Mars? --- ## [NY City:How much can a landlord charge for a rent stabilizes apartment when it becomes empty](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-city-how-much-can-a-landlord-charge-for-a-rent-stabilizes-apartment-when-it-becomes-empty/821756)
**Author:** [@Steven\_Estes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steven_Estes)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2018, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-city-how-much-can-a-landlord-charge-for-a-rent-stabilizes-apartment-when-it-becomes-empty/821756 "2018-09-23T13:06:07Z")
A renter who lives alone in a rent stabilized apartment in New York City moves out, leaving the apartment empty. What can the landlord charge a new tenant? I’ve asked his question of a number of people. Most have answ… --- ## [Hold mail "end date"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hold-mail-end-date/821762)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2018, 10:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hold-mail-end-date/821762 "2018-09-23T10:00:27Z")
Wonder when USPS “holds mail”, whether its end date means the day it delivers accumulated mail or the next day that it will deliver? i.e., if hold mail “ends” on 9/25, does it still hold mail through that day and delive… --- ## [Wiring question; four in, two out](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wiring-question-four-in-two-out/821751)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2018, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wiring-question-four-in-two-out/821751 "2018-09-23T04:58:37Z")
When we had the trailer and passageway torn down, they cut the wires that went to a flood light at the front of the house. I’m going to put a new two-socket floodlight over the new, now-exterior, door. The first thing … --- ## [Am I asking for trouble if I activate Windows Defender?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-asking-for-trouble-if-i-activate-windows-defender/821504)
**Author:** [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2018, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-asking-for-trouble-if-i-activate-windows-defender/821504 "2018-09-22T22:04:56Z")
I’m running Windows 7, as well as a malware cleaner called Hitman Pro. But lately, Ive been getting slow response times on my Firefox browsers, which have had me rebooting the system more frequently than I would prefer. … --- ## [Dell Goes Black After Start-Up Logo](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dell-goes-black-after-start-up-logo/821713)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2018, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dell-goes-black-after-start-up-logo/821713 "2018-09-22T20:10:39Z")
I have a Dell Latitude E4310 that won’t boot-up. Once the Dell logo appears, the screen goes black and stays black. There is no way to access safe mode and the F12 “boot options” won’t respond either. Is there anything e… --- ## [Does water retention from salt continuously build up](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-water-retention-from-salt-continuously-build-up/821729)
**Author:** [@squish7](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squish7)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2018, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-water-retention-from-salt-continuously-build-up/821729 "2018-09-22T19:56:39Z")
So salt causes water retention and hence weight gain. Does that build up more and more over time? E.g. if I eat X mg of salt every single day, does that mean that I always weigh one pound more than I otherwise would, a… --- ## [Mold spores and mycotoxins in lungs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mold-spores-and-mycotoxins-in-lungs/821733)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2018, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mold-spores-and-mycotoxins-in-lungs/821733 "2018-09-22T18:01:45Z")
Wonder if a mycologist can chip in with some knowledge here: So I have seen from one source that various molds, such as aspergilus and penicilium, emit mycotoxins essentially willy-nilly and these float about in the air… --- ## [How far could we actually go into the future using relativity?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-could-we-actually-go-into-the-future-using-relativity/821654)
**Author:** [@Teuton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Teuton)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2018, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-could-we-actually-go-into-the-future-using-relativity/821654 "2018-09-22T12:24:41Z")
I’ve just read in my book\* that Russian cosmonaut Sergai Avdeyev holds the record for traveling into the future, after orbiting for 748 days and being hurled 0.02 seconds into the future. Given, say, 20 years, a heap of… --- ## [Chicken pox in adults](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicken-pox-in-adults/821670)
**Author:** [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2018, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicken-pox-in-adults/821670 "2018-09-22T07:25:08Z")
A friend and I were talking about how we each had hchicken pox as adults. I’d always heard chicken pox was unbearably itchy, but in my case, there was no itch but nearly unbearable pain. I’d tell myself to just get throu… --- ## [Using a 401(k) loan to pay for a car?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-a-401-k-loan-to-pay-for-a-car/821590)
**Author:** [@Yarster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yarster)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2018, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-a-401-k-loan-to-pay-for-a-car/821590 "2018-09-22T01:50:17Z")
My wife is getting ready to buy a new car, and as part of the process, is investigating financing options with credit unions, banks, and ultimately with the car company (Toyota) itself. Today she asked me an interesting … --- ## [How do porn aggregators confirm the legal age of all the porn "actors" who upload videos?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-porn-aggregators-confirm-the-legal-age-of-all-the-porn-actors-who-upload-videos/821527)
**Author:** [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2018, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-porn-aggregators-confirm-the-legal-age-of-all-the-porn-actors-who-upload-videos/821527 "2018-09-21T23:45:29Z")
Ive idly wondered this for some time, specifically how do sites like Pornhub make sure they aren’t broadcasting underage porn with all of the seemingly anonymous videos they allow to be uploaded to their sites? I’ve see… --- ## [Question about horses](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-horses/821633)
**Author:** [@split\_p\_j](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/split_p_j)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2018, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-horses/821633 "2018-09-21T22:11:15Z")
I saw a video of a guy trying to pet a wild horse out west. He wound up getting bit, but wasn’t injured. I mean it looked like the horse didn’t even break the skin. It just kind of chomped down on his arm and released qu… --- ## [Nose rings](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nose-rings/821664)
**Author:** [@stosh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stosh)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2018, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nose-rings/821664 "2018-09-21T21:44:39Z")
Does piercing the nose in one nostril or the other mean anything? --- ## [Johnson's Car Nu](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johnsons-car-nu/821303)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2018, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johnsons-car-nu/821303 "2018-09-21T21:24:56Z")
We’re having home repairs done. One of the workmen found this bottle of Johnson’s Car Nu ‘in a corner’. Since it was ‘in a corner’, and since they’ve taken the siding off of the house, I assume it was inside of a wall;… --- ## [Again, what's this gun?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-whats-this-gun/821649)
**Author:** [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2018, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-whats-this-gun/821649 "2018-09-21T20:41:00Z")
Our favorite honeypot again. Maybe an AKS-74 with a fixed stock? What is this thing? --- ## [How accurate are calorie counts in food?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-accurate-are-calorie-counts-in-food/821667)
**Author:** [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2018, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-accurate-are-calorie-counts-in-food/821667 "2018-09-21T20:04:32Z")
AFAIK, calories in food are determined by using a bomb calorimeter. Basically, burning the food, and measuring the heat produced. But, people don’t “burn” food. If you put a chunk of wood into a calorimeter, you will get… --- ## [What's the deal with Jews and color names?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-jews-and-color-names/821127)
**Author:** [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2018, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-jews-and-color-names/821127 "2018-09-21T20:02:26Z")
Silver, Gold, Brown, Black, Green, Diamond for instance a often indicators of Jewish ancestry. Why is that? And how long has that been a trend as opposed to older Middle Eastern traditions of being identified by whom y… --- ## [Do I understand the Big Bang?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-understand-the-big-bang/821588)
**Author:** [@blood63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blood63)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2018, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-understand-the-big-bang/821588 "2018-09-21T19:50:30Z")
Please correct all my mistakes in my understanding of the this event. The Big Bang happened about 13.7 billion years ago. This has been confirmed by two independent studies. The Big Bang created the universe and every… --- ## [What is the expected frequency distribution in this scenario?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-expected-frequency-distribution-in-this-scenario/820777)
**Author:** [@KellyCriterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KellyCriterion)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2018, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-expected-frequency-distribution-in-this-scenario/820777 "2018-09-21T17:44:42Z")
I am trying to work out the expected frequency distribution in the following scenario: Start by randomly picking a whole number between 1 & 10, inclusive. This number will be known as the “comparison” number, and this… --- ## [Is there any one NON-battleship(s) that have guns as large as (or larger than) any one battleship](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-one-non-battleship-s-that-have-guns-as-large-as-or-larger-than-any-one-battleship/821640)
**Author:** [@Steven\_Estes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steven_Estes)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2018, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-one-non-battleship-s-that-have-guns-as-large-as-or-larger-than-any-one-battleship/821640 "2018-09-21T17:25:42Z")
Is there any one (or more) NON-battleship(s) that have guns as large as (or larger than) any one battleship)? --- ## [What's the real name of the "bomb-drop bird"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-real-name-of-the-bomb-drop-bird/818148)
**Author:** [@PipFlory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PipFlory)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2018, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-real-name-of-the-bomb-drop-bird/818148 "2018-09-21T16:32:27Z")
It makes a loud whistling noise descending in pitch; sounds exactly like a bomb dropping. It ends this noise with a short warble or with nothing at all. I’ve been googling it ever since I heard it a week ago, here in Aus… --- ## [How did they tunnel through rock before gunpowder?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-they-tunnel-through-rock-before-gunpowder/821622)
**Author:** [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2018, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-they-tunnel-through-rock-before-gunpowder/821622 "2018-09-21T14:03:10Z")
Humans have been tunneling and digging deep for millenia. Including through solid rock. Its only been in the last 500 or so year that explosives have been available. How did they do the work before explosives? --- ## [Eyeglass prescription - bifocal, progressive, trifocal, etc](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eyeglass-prescription-bifocal-progressive-trifocal-etc/821592)
**Author:** [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2018, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eyeglass-prescription-bifocal-progressive-trifocal-etc/821592 "2018-09-21T12:39:49Z")
My prescription says “+1” under “Reading Addition”, and has check marks next to “trifocal” and “progressive.” Does this mean the middle section of the trifocal would be +1 relative to the distance vision prescription, a… --- ## [Wartime use of artificial intelligence](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wartime-use-of-artificial-intelligence/821584)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2018, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wartime-use-of-artificial-intelligence/821584 "2018-09-21T12:30:55Z")
Related spinoff of existing threads of AI, since I don’t want to hijack the other AI threads: I know AI can be used for a lot of drones or autonomous weapons systems, but what other wartime uses are there for AI? Can i… --- ## [Is there any existing language that is gender neutral?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-existing-language-that-is-gender-neutral/818900)
**Author:** [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2018, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-existing-language-that-is-gender-neutral/818900 "2018-09-21T06:03:05Z")
In all the hundreds of known languages, is there any existing language that is gender neutral? I don’t just mean that nouns are ungendered as in English, but also neutral pronouns, etc.? Is there any language in which … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=535) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=537)