# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=553 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 554 --- ## [Does cooking potatoes lower potassium?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-cooking-potatoes-lower-potassium/819080)
**Author:** [@squish7](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squish7)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2018, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-cooking-potatoes-lower-potassium/819080 "2018-08-07T16:01:13Z")
Every time I google something like this I just get an infinite string of articles on how to LOWER potassium in potatoes. The RDA for potassium is practically unreachable. It’s like 8 bananas or something or 7 potatoes… --- ## [European shoe and boot tradition](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/european-shoe-and-boot-tradition/819099)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2018, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/european-shoe-and-boot-tradition/819099 "2018-08-07T13:36:04Z")
Reading recently about the debate among hikers over traditional hiking boots vs. lighter footwear, I got to thinking: Is it true that Europeans were nearly unique in developing extremely heavy thick-soled shoes and boots… --- ## [How much difference did the size of the pilot make to a WW2 Piston-Engined Fighter?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-difference-did-the-size-of-the-pilot-make-to-a-ww2-piston-engined-fighter/819106)
**Author:** [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2018, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-difference-did-the-size-of-the-pilot-make-to-a-ww2-piston-engined-fighter/819106 "2018-08-07T03:07:18Z")
I’ve just finished reading Johnny Red: The Hurricane, a modern update of a classic British comic strip (and very good it is btw) and one aspect made me wonder. The title character is a man of about average height and bu… --- ## [What does "int'l collect" mean, for a (presumed) phone number?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-intl-collect-mean-for-a-presumed-phone-number/819169)
**Author:** [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2018, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-intl-collect-mean-for-a-presumed-phone-number/819169 "2018-08-07T00:24:06Z")
I need some doper help… I’ve traveled to Sweden from the USA. One of my credit cards (citibank) says, on the back: “contact us: 1-800-842-6596 | Int’l collect: 904-954-4321”. I’ve got a temporary Swedish phone plan for … --- ## [Can humans destroy the planet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-humans-destroy-the-planet/818667)
**Author:** [@Barack\_Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barack_Obama)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2018, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-humans-destroy-the-planet/818667 "2018-08-06T21:42:17Z")
By destroy I mean render incapable of sustaining any known life. Is it possible if all of humanity put their efforts towards destroying all life on earth that we could render the planet incapable of sustaining life? --- ## [When did the term midtown come into common use?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-term-midtown-come-into-common-use/818860)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2018, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-term-midtown-come-into-common-use/818860 "2018-08-06T20:10:33Z")
I have lived in Little Rock over 35 years. One day I heard a reference on the local news to a midtown project. I had absolutely no idea where they were talking about. I had to look at a map and realized it was an area … --- ## [Did the Weimar republic in Germany have courts who could overturn all those dictatorial laws](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-weimar-republic-in-germany-have-courts-who-could-overturn-all-those-dictatorial-laws/819139)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2018, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-weimar-republic-in-germany-have-courts-who-could-overturn-all-those-dictatorial-laws/819139 "2018-08-06T19:36:15Z")
The reichstag fire decrees, the enabling act and the merging of president and chancellor are the laws that helped turn Germany into a dictatorship. But did the Weimar republic have any kind of independent judiciary that… --- ## [Is There a Global Chart of Economic & Political Events?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-global-chart-of-economic-political-events/819161)
**Author:** [@human\_extinction](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/human_extinction)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2018, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-global-chart-of-economic-political-events/819161 "2018-08-06T19:20:54Z")
I’m wondering if there’s a graph or chart made such that it is easy to see a pattern in economic failures and policy decisions - by any country - over the last hundred or so years… So for example the US had an economy of… --- ## [Do some people have more muscle cells than others?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-some-people-have-more-muscle-cells-than-others/819183)
**Author:** [@Contemplation](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contemplation)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2018, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-some-people-have-more-muscle-cells-than-others/819183 "2018-08-06T19:20:16Z")
It seems like some people have more muscles cells than others because they gain and retain mass more easily. You don’t grow new muscles after you are born, but it seems like some people are born with more of them. --- ## [Are conferences a tax-deductable work expense?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-conferences-a-tax-deductable-work-expense/819142)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2018, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-conferences-a-tax-deductable-work-expense/819142 "2018-08-06T18:57:50Z")
If there is a conference that I attend for professional development, can I take it as a work expense deduction? It is not required but certainly encouraged by my company and is 100% professional in terms of end my field… --- ## [The Original Pronunciation of 'W'.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-original-pronunciation-of-w/819113)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2018, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-original-pronunciation-of-w/819113 "2018-08-06T18:57:10Z")
I just know from my Latin-English dictionary, the classical pronunciation of ‘V’ would be like our ‘W’, like in the English word ‘water’. To further confuse matters, ‘W’ in Polish and German is pronounced like our ‘V’, l… --- ## [Question regarding Alan Dershowitz's former students. Which of them are Justices today?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-alan-dershowitzs-former-students-which-of-them-are-justices-today/819172)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2018, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-alan-dershowitzs-former-students-which-of-them-are-justices-today/819172 "2018-08-06T17:44:59Z")
Hi About 9 minutes and 17 seconds into this video Alan Dershowitz mentions that his students have been/are Justices/ Supreme Court Justices. Who would they be exactly? I look forward to your feedback. Michael Avenatti… --- ## [Please explain this 9-11 BBC article a "Truther" sent me.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-this-9-11-bbc-article-a-truther-sent-me/818947)
**Author:** [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2018, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-this-9-11-bbc-article-a-truther-sent-me/818947 "2018-08-06T15:22:18Z")
I’m NOT a “Truther”, but I know someone who is, and he sent me this article: I don’t even know how it helps lend credence to his conspiracy, but I still don’t know what the story behind this is either. Thank you. --- ## [People Grow Their Own Cannabis, Why Not Their Own Tobacco?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-grow-their-own-cannabis-why-not-their-own-tobacco/817517)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2018, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-grow-their-own-cannabis-why-not-their-own-tobacco/817517 "2018-08-06T14:31:28Z")
Is there something about growing tobacco, or processing it, that is beyond the scope of what yer average home grower can achieve? Or does the yield from the plants equal so few cigarettes to make it not worthwhile except… --- ## [How different in Quebec French from that of France](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-different-in-quebec-french-from-that-of-france/818882)
**Author:** [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2018, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-different-in-quebec-french-from-that-of-france/818882 "2018-08-06T13:52:29Z")
I am watching a French show on Netflix called Au service de la France. A fine show. I am not a French speaker, so I use subtitles. In one of the episodes two men from Quebec appear, and our French characters find unders… --- ## [Toll Free Phone Number Scam](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toll-free-phone-number-scam/818956)
**Author:** [@Carlarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carlarm)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2018, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toll-free-phone-number-scam/818956 "2018-08-06T03:13:43Z")
A really odd thing has happened twice now regarding toll free phone numbers. Has this happened to anyone else? Several months ago I called the toll free number I got from the website of a car dealer that was supposed to … --- ## [other meanings of 'fag' in UK slang](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-meanings-of-fag-in-uk-slang/817684)
**Author:** [@dstarfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dstarfire)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2018, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-meanings-of-fag-in-uk-slang/817684 "2018-08-05T23:51:06Z")
Twice now, in UK shows, I’ve heard ‘fag’ used for a person, and clearly not in the American sense (demeaning term for gay man). What other meanings does it have? The two examples are “My fag makes the best toast” (parod… --- ## [Large retailers selling custom made cheaper "name brand" products. Does that really happen?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-retailers-selling-custom-made-cheaper-name-brand-products-does-that-really-happen/798483)
**Author:** [@rbroome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rbroome)\ **Replies:** 113\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2018, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-retailers-selling-custom-made-cheaper-name-brand-products-does-that-really-happen/798483 "2018-08-05T21:14:55Z")
A common warning I have heard about Walmart is that they set price-points and quality levels for their suppliers that result in name-brand products being specially manufactured for Walmart with cheaper, lower quality par… --- ## [Facebook is using a lot of power](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facebook-is-using-a-lot-of-power/819042)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2018, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facebook-is-using-a-lot-of-power/819042 "2018-08-05T19:01:52Z")
Something has been happening with Facebook since yesterday. I am using Safari. The page is slow to load, and often doesn’t load completely. If I click on the ‘bell’ icon, it doesn’t always show me the new notification… --- ## [In the Many Worlds theory, what happen when there is--or instead of--collapse](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-many-worlds-theory-what-happen-when-there-is-or-instead-of-collapse/819126)
**Author:** [@Steven\_Estes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steven_Estes)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2018, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-many-worlds-theory-what-happen-when-there-is-or-instead-of-collapse/819126 "2018-08-05T17:45:49Z")
In the Many Worlds theory, what happens when there is–or instead of–collapse? I realize that in the Many Worlds theory–as opposed to traditional theory–at a particle’s “collapse” something amazing happens. But I’ve neve… --- ## [Are Mueller's witnesses in the Mueller probe federally protected?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-muellers-witnesses-in-the-mueller-probe-federally-protected/819083)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2018, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-muellers-witnesses-in-the-mueller-probe-federally-protected/819083 "2018-08-05T15:12:05Z")
Hi Are Mueller’s witnesses in the Mueller Russia probe federally protected? I look forward to your feedback. --- ## [How big is a one kiloton explosion? \[edited title\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-big-is-a-one-kiloton-explosion-edited-title/819092)
**Author:** [@A\_Dodgy\_Dude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A_Dodgy_Dude)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2018, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-big-is-a-one-kiloton-explosion-edited-title/819092 "2018-08-05T13:34:59Z")
I was just reading about the meteor that hit Greenland the other day; it exploded with 2.1 kilotons of force. Nobody gave a simple explanation for what 2.1 kilotons of force means, only that a kiloton is the equivalent … --- ## [Where to find estimates of Medicare premiums?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-find-estimates-of-medicare-premiums/818589)
**Author:** [@Anny\_Middon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anny_Middon)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2018, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-find-estimates-of-medicare-premiums/818589 "2018-08-05T01:02:49Z")
I’m turning 65 before the end of the year. This Medicare stuff is way more complicated than I thought. Right now all I want is a decent estimate of what Medicare Part F will cost. It seems to me I ought to be able to … --- ## [Sick cat - help sought](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sick-cat-help-sought/819033)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2018, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sick-cat-help-sought/819033 "2018-08-04T22:41:05Z")
For the last 3 nights my cat has gotten sick sometime during the night. The expelled stuff in question is almost odorless. While still wet it has exactly the same properties as clay. When dry it turns to fine powder. Th… --- ## [How does evolution make the eye?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-evolution-make-the-eye/819050)
**Author:** [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2018, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-evolution-make-the-eye/819050 "2018-08-04T22:15:03Z")
I’m trying to imagine all of the properties of a human coming into being step by step over time. How does the eye evolve? I hope this is not a bugaboo question that creationists ask. I’m not one of those. How do we ima… --- ## [Clocks lose 4 min a day relative to the sun...why doesn't the sun rise at 6pm after 180 days?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clocks-lose-4-min-a-day-relative-to-the-sun-why-doesnt-the-sun-rise-at-6pm-after-180-days/819062)
**Author:** [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2018, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clocks-lose-4-min-a-day-relative-to-the-sun-why-doesnt-the-sun-rise-at-6pm-after-180-days/819062 "2018-08-04T22:14:47Z")
partly inspired by a response in this thread that the earth make one rotation in 23.97 hours https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=859519 If the earth rotates once every 23 hours 56 minutes it is rotati… --- ## [Is some smoke alkaline when mixed with water?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-some-smoke-alkaline-when-mixed-with-water/819024)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2018, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-some-smoke-alkaline-when-mixed-with-water/819024 "2018-08-04T17:14:53Z")
AIUI, acid rain is only when some smoke compounds - industrial chemicals - get into rain, but otherwise smoke (like that from wood/campfire) should make for alkaline water when it touches water, right? (Because ashes no… --- ## [Civil War generals: Union got better ones time went on?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/civil-war-generals-union-got-better-ones-time-went-on/818726)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2018, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/civil-war-generals-union-got-better-ones-time-went-on/818726 "2018-08-04T14:15:57Z")
I’ve been reading a bit about the Late Unpleasantness, and one comment I saw was that the CSA started out with better generals, but as time went on, they didn’t develop new ones, while the USA generals weren’t very good … --- ## [OpSec/classified regulations and people in the military telling family](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opsec-classified-regulations-and-people-in-the-military-telling-family/818524)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2018, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opsec-classified-regulations-and-people-in-the-military-telling-family/818524 "2018-08-04T12:31:15Z")
Curious how hard the US military (and other world militaries in general) enforces the rules about OpSec and information being classified. Do they really enforce it hard - “You must not tell your wife anything about this… --- ## [Serotonin Syndrome](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serotonin-syndrome/353728)
**Author:** [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2018, 10:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serotonin-syndrome/353728 "2018-08-04T10:49:19Z")
So here I am taking my SSRI antidepressant medication. :gulp: As I understand it, the drug keeps what precious little serotonin I already make from being absorbed and metabolized so it continues to bounce around in my … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=552) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=554)