# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=54 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 55 --- ## [At what alcohol content does a beverage indefinitely remain 'safe' to drink](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-alcohol-content-does-a-beverage-indefinitely-remain-safe-to-drink/1014649)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2025, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-alcohol-content-does-a-beverage-indefinitely-remain-safe-to-drink/1014649 "2025-02-25T02:26:13Z")
So its my understand that if you drink 80 proof liquors like whiskey or vodka that were opened and then resealed, they are still safe to drink decades later. The taste may not be as good due to things like oxidation, but… --- ## [Arson in NY and NJ in the 1970s & 80s](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arson-in-ny-and-nj-in-the-1970s-80s/1014676)
**Author:** [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2025, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arson-in-ny-and-nj-in-the-1970s-80s/1014676 "2025-02-24T20:55:03Z")
I am poring through old issues of the New York Times. Having used key words like “4 killed,” I have now turned to “arson.” Wow there were a lot of arsons in New York and New Jersey in these decades. (Of course the Times… --- ## [Unauthorized Paypal transaction. A scam?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unauthorized-paypal-transaction-a-scam/1014645)
**Author:** [@Newtosite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Newtosite)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2025, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unauthorized-paypal-transaction-a-scam/1014645 "2025-02-24T20:10:31Z")
I received this email today: Unauthorized Payment Processed from Your PayPal Account. Your PayPal account was used for an unauthorized transaction of $654.92 to Coinbase, and you must immediately contact PayPal’s Fraud… --- ## [Correlation and percent of error](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/correlation-and-percent-of-error/1014583)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2025, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/correlation-and-percent-of-error/1014583 "2025-02-24T14:25:33Z")
I don’t think there is a natural relationship between the correlation coefficient and expected percent of error but maybe here is. Specifically using R^2 is there a general rule (does not have to be mathematically preci… --- ## [Trying to find out about chimney theory](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-find-out-about-chimney-theory/1014633)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2025, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-find-out-about-chimney-theory/1014633 "2025-02-23T16:21:19Z")
There is a type of side draft forge hood used by blacksmiths who burn coal called a “super sucker” and I’ve never understood the theory of its construction. I gather it uses the Venturi effect to create a natural draft … --- ## [Universal Yardsticks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/universal-yardsticks/1014612)
**Author:** [@EnolaStraight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EnolaStraight)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2025, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/universal-yardsticks/1014612 "2025-02-23T16:04:23Z")
Suppose we wish to send a message to the stars (via radio signal or mechanical probe) and attempt to describe various measurements understandable to extra-terrestrial intelligences. We cannot use such distances known to… --- ## [Whatsapp for overseas travel](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatsapp-for-overseas-travel/1014457)
**Author:** [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2025, 8:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatsapp-for-overseas-travel/1014457 "2025-02-23T08:08:48Z")
I’ll be in Europe (from the US) in a few months with my phone. I’m exploring possible ways to keep in touch back home without incurring a lot of costs. Someone said use WhatsApp. I understand I just need to have inter… --- ## [Evaporative cooling?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evaporative-cooling/1014455)
**Author:** [@oligArchie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/oligArchie)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2025, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evaporative-cooling/1014455 "2025-02-23T03:38:51Z")
I keep a dish of water outside on the back deck for the birds/squirrels. Currently, there’s a layer of ice forming on the surface of the dish, but ambient temp is 39F on the nearby thermometer. Is evaporative cooling cau… --- ## [CFMs- 3 blade box fan vs 5 blade](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cfms-3-blade-box-fan-vs-5-blade/1014531)
**Author:** [@a6ka97](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a6ka97)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2025, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cfms-3-blade-box-fan-vs-5-blade/1014531 "2025-02-23T03:00:44Z")
Recently “inherited” an older 20"(?) box fan. It has 3 larger (surface area) metal blades. My newer 20" box fan has 5 smaller (surface area) plastic blades. Got me thinking… if the motors are running at the same RPMs is … --- ## [Security for Elon Musk](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/security-for-elon-musk/1014268)
**Author:** [@Ynnad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ynnad)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2025, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/security-for-elon-musk/1014268 "2025-02-22T02:52:00Z")
Does the Secret Service provide protection for Elon Musk when he is performing tasks for the President? Does Elon Musk have his own private security service? Is there a potential conflict between Elon Musk’s private s… --- ## [Another tax question. This one for identity theft victims](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-tax-question-this-one-for-identity-theft-victims/1014585)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2025, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-tax-question-this-one-for-identity-theft-victims/1014585 "2025-02-22T00:21:14Z")
Mrs Cad got a 1099G. Didn’t think to much about it and didn’t look at it yet but Colorado is warning residents that if you got a 1099G but did not collect unemployment last year, you may be a victim of identity theft. … --- ## [Is there a term for the dialect or accent in English in which a typically one-syllable word becomes two syllables?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-term-for-the-dialect-or-accent-in-english-in-which-a-typically-one-syllable-word-becomes-two-syllables/1013578)
**Author:** [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Replies:** 103\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2025, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-term-for-the-dialect-or-accent-in-english-in-which-a-typically-one-syllable-word-becomes-two-syllables/1013578 "2025-02-21T20:32:20Z")
A specific example is a certain type of accent, of which I think the Northern Irish accent is an example, where words such as ‘home’ become ‘hey-ome’. Or a youtuber whose channel I follow-- I can’t identify specific acce… --- ## ["Gold is a hedge against inflation." Meaning?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gold-is-a-hedge-against-inflation-meaning/1010458)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 129\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2025, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gold-is-a-hedge-against-inflation-meaning/1010458 "2025-02-21T19:04:58Z")
Subject line is pretty much my question. Suppose I’m concerned about inflation eroding my purchasing power, and want to protect how many Egg McMuffins I can buy with my best egg. Why would I choose gold over, say, bonds… --- ## [Where is the S.S. United States?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-s-s-united-states/958834)
**Author:** [@RadioWave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RadioWave)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2025, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-s-s-united-states/958834 "2025-02-21T05:49:13Z")
Ever since I built a model of the ocean liner S.S. United States way back in olden days, I’ve been in love with the ship. It and the S.S. Normandie are simply magnificent pieces of machinery harking back to a golden age… --- ## [Fatal Fentanyl?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fatal-fentanyl/1014539)
**Author:** [@DtypeJag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DtypeJag)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2025, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fatal-fentanyl/1014539 "2025-02-21T01:20:03Z")
We keep hearing about all these people dying after unwittingly taking a lethal amount of fentynal. As I understand it, pill makers are putting fentynal in pills that are sold to unsuspecting customers who think they ar… --- ## [Musical marbles, real or fake?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musical-marbles-real-or-fake/1014452)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2025, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musical-marbles-real-or-fake/1014452 "2025-02-20T22:41:54Z")
There are a ton of videos out there where a marble or ball bearing falls vertically, going down small ramps and hitting little tone bars at just the right time to create elaborate music. Are any of these videos for real… --- ## [Tesla armored vehicle availability](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-armored-vehicle-availability/1014304)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2025, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-armored-vehicle-availability/1014304 "2025-02-20T20:11:22Z")
Recent news has brought up the possibility of Tesla armored vehicles. Do they actually exist? Are they in a stage of development? Are they just an idea? Please, no politics and/or Musk background noise-Just info on t… --- ## [What is the longest "issued" suppressor/silencer for a gun?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-longest-issued-suppressor-silencer-for-a-gun/1014367)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2025, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-longest-issued-suppressor-silencer-for-a-gun/1014367 "2025-02-20T18:59:37Z")
Both pistol and rifle. “Issued” meaning anything that wasn’t a one-off or made specifically for a gimmick. Putting “Longest Suppressors” in Google gives up a bunch of results of people specifically making suppressors as… --- ## [LED lights \[for pinewood derby cars\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/led-lights-for-pinewood-derby-cars/1014473)
**Author:** [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2025, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/led-lights-for-pinewood-derby-cars/1014473 "2025-02-20T00:22:55Z")
My boys are working on their pinewood derby cars, and they want to install LED lights on them. I don’t have any idea where to start to get them started on this. I ran by MicroCenter, and they have a strip of lights that … --- ## [Anyone recognize this probable aerospace debris?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-recognize-this-probable-aerospace-debris/1002055)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2025, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-recognize-this-probable-aerospace-debris/1002055 "2025-02-19T21:53:12Z")
--- ## [FCC rules regarding CallerID packet information](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fcc-rules-regarding-callerid-packet-information/1012537)
**Author:** [@bodangus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bodangus)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2025, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fcc-rules-regarding-callerid-packet-information/1012537 "2025-02-19T21:21:57Z")
Looking for the FCC ‘chapter and verse’ rules regarding that little packet of data that is sent with every phone call. The one that has the originating caller, the originating number and the destination phone numbers cur… --- ## [Car Body Damage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-body-damage/1014503)
**Author:** [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2025, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-body-damage/1014503 "2025-02-19T16:36:38Z")
I’m putting this in “Factual Questions” because I’m truly hoping for a factual answer that works, but there may be more than one solution. A week or so ago, I was driving home from work on the interstate at approximatel… --- ## [Intentionally distorted flags as backdrops](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intentionally-distorted-flags-as-backdrops/1014464)
**Author:** [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2025, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intentionally-distorted-flags-as-backdrops/1014464 "2025-02-19T12:05:40Z")
So Wikipedia tells me that when French politicians attend photo ops with a national flag standing in the background, that flag will often have a white stripe that’s much narrower than the blue and red ones. The reason is… --- ## [How much firepower would be required to reduce the faces on Mt. Rushmore to rubble?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-firepower-would-be-required-to-reduce-the-faces-on-mt-rushmore-to-rubble/1014132)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2025, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-firepower-would-be-required-to-reduce-the-faces-on-mt-rushmore-to-rubble/1014132 "2025-02-19T05:38:36Z")
Let’s say Dr. Evil gets in into his head to destroy Mt. Rushmore because reasons. Could he pull it off with a single, well-aimed tomahawk missile? Or would it require an entire barrage (as in, dozens)? --- ## [Question about Eyesafe 2.0 certification for laptops](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-eyesafe-2-0-certification-for-laptops/1014474)
**Author:** [@Newtosite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Newtosite)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2025, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-eyesafe-2-0-certification-for-laptops/1014474 "2025-02-19T00:27:14Z")
According to Lenovo’s Product Specifications Reference, the display on the Thinkpad T16 Gen 2 (AMD, build your own) can be upgraded to low blue light Eyesafe certified 2.0. I purchased this upgrade. It’s my understanding… --- ## [New laptop quandary and query](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-laptop-quandary-and-query/1014460)
**Author:** [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2025, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-laptop-quandary-and-query/1014460 "2025-02-18T23:51:22Z")
I’ve replaced my aging and failing HP laptop with a new one. That’s the good news. The changeover was very easy, as the new computer basically ‘sees’ whatever is on the old one and installed it. The problem is in gettin… --- ## [EU and open Norway-Sweden border](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eu-and-open-norway-sweden-border/1014330)
**Author:** [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2025, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eu-and-open-norway-sweden-border/1014330 "2025-02-18T21:05:31Z")
There was (is I guess) concern about the open border between Northern Ireland and Ireland and the fact that only the latter is in the EU. This problem already existed with the Norway-Sweden border. How did they hadn’t … --- ## [Misunderstanding on purpose](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misunderstanding-on-purpose/1014416)
**Author:** [@vbob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vbob)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2025, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misunderstanding-on-purpose/1014416 "2025-02-18T18:04:51Z")
My father claimed that one of the early 20th century US Presidents had a ‘Misunderstander-in-Chief’ whose job was to preview various proclamations and put the worst possible construction on them - presumably so they coul… --- ## [What would it take to directly make carbohydrates?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-it-take-to-directly-make-carbohydrates/1014272)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2025, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-it-take-to-directly-make-carbohydrates/1014272 "2025-02-18T14:21:46Z")
Is photosynthesis using chlorophyll the only way? If you can run that process in a test tube what type of carbohydrates might you end up with - anything useful? --- ## [Android WebView: Default to Browser possible?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-webview-default-to-browser-possible/1014407)
**Author:** [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Half_Man_Half_Wit)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2025, 10:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-webview-default-to-browser-possible/1014407 "2025-02-17T10:17:17Z")
I have a minor annoyance that I thought would have an easy fix, but apparently doesn’t. Opening any link from within an app or from the discover feed on my mobile device doesn’t open the full browser, but only the (Chrom… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=53) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=55)