# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=564 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 565 --- ## [Pupil function after 2+ weeks in a cave](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pupil-function-after-2-weeks-in-a-cave/817647)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2018, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pupil-function-after-2-weeks-in-a-cave/817647 "2018-07-11T19:34:01Z")
The Thai boys being brought out of the cave are reportedly being fitted with blindfolds and/or sunglasses to limit their exposure to ambient light. How long will they continue to do this? What happens if they don’t do … --- ## [How is it possible to verify an email address without sending to it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-it-possible-to-verify-an-email-address-without-sending-to-it/632083)
**Author:** [@andrea\_green](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andrea_green)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2012, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-it-possible-to-verify-an-email-address-without-sending-to-it/632083 "2012-08-20T19:52:11Z")
I always thought that since the VRFY smtp command is no-longer honoured by most servers (due to spammers abusing it) it is not possible to verify email addresses without actually sending something to them and seeing if t… --- ## [Can my phone charging system be changed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-my-phone-charging-system-be-changed/817643)
**Author:** [@JakeRS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JakeRS)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2018, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-my-phone-charging-system-be-changed/817643 "2018-07-11T17:27:09Z")
My old charger was broken and didn’t work most of the time, so I had to nudge it here and there to get the phone (Galaxy S4) to actually register it and start charging, by doing that I apparently damaged the phone itself… --- ## [Cooling an apt with one AC?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cooling-an-apt-with-one-ac/817351)
**Author:** [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2018, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cooling-an-apt-with-one-ac/817351 "2018-07-11T16:45:40Z")
There is a wall mount AC in the living room, 14,000 BTU. I need to cool 640 sq feet, which goes also to to the open kitchen, the bath, but also into the bedroom. I use a stand up fan to move air near the bedroom door. I… --- ## [Constitutional originalist's opinion of judicial review](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/constitutional-originalists-opinion-of-judicial-review/817421)
**Author:** [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2018, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/constitutional-originalists-opinion-of-judicial-review/817421 "2018-07-11T16:14:55Z")
Since the concept of judicial review is not spelled out in the US constitution, but rather was established by John Marshall in Marbury v Madison, would a strict originalist reject the concept as unconstitutional? Or is t… --- ## [How easily do dropped handguns fire? (The Dancing FBI Agent)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-easily-do-dropped-handguns-fire-the-dancing-fbi-agent/815534)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 100\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2018, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-easily-do-dropped-handguns-fire-the-dancing-fbi-agent/815534 "2018-07-11T15:17:08Z")
See query. Proximate cause of query: a G-Man busting some serious moves. Was he carrying (I use the term loosely) a weapon with a safety off? Or one in the chamber and that’s the way it is? How much does the possibility… --- ## [Could there be a Queen Meghan?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-there-be-a-queen-meghan/814691)
**Author:** [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Replies:** 158\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2018, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-there-be-a-queen-meghan/814691 "2018-07-11T14:16:23Z")
Suppose one night William, Prince of Wales and his wife and kids get some bad romaine lettuce in their Caesar salad and everyone keels over dead. It could happen. That places the new Duke of Sussex, aka Henry, aka Prin… --- ## [What is the outcome of a matter-antimatter explosion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-outcome-of-a-matter-antimatter-explosion/817567)
**Author:** [@drewder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewder)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2018, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-outcome-of-a-matter-antimatter-explosion/817567 "2018-07-11T13:24:06Z")
So let’s say you develop a matter- antimatter bomb and explode it out in deep space. What do you have at the end? I know it would lead to total annihilation of both particles and a release of massive amounts of energy bu… --- ## [New Facebook layout? Unable to logout](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-facebook-layout-unable-to-logout/817702)
**Author:** [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2018, 10:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-facebook-layout-unable-to-logout/817702 "2018-07-11T10:06:49Z")
Important options (“Settings”, recent notifications; edit privacy settings, etc.) were at the top of every Facebook page IIRC, toward the right. Now they appear in none of the Facebook pages. I use a laptop, not a smar… --- ## [Average/Median car dealership profit margins](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/average-median-car-dealership-profit-margins/817158)
**Author:** [@Caldazar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caldazar)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2018, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/average-median-car-dealership-profit-margins/817158 "2018-07-11T03:33:40Z")
For U.S. car dealerships, is there any data regarding typical profit margins for cars sold, assuming “typical” consumer vehicles being sold (purchase prices less than, say, $35000 USD; or choose your own definition of “t… --- ## [Are online CDs safe?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-online-cds-safe/817694)
**Author:** [@jaycat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jaycat)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2018, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-online-cds-safe/817694 "2018-07-11T03:23:58Z")
OK, maybe I’m a hopeless luddite, but for whatever reason I’m more secure with having my money in a CD at a local brick-and-mortar bank. However, I can get an online rate that’s much higher, up to a whole point or more. … --- ## [What were these night runners wearing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-these-night-runners-wearing/817693)
**Author:** [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2018, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-these-night-runners-wearing/817693 "2018-07-11T02:48:43Z")
I’ve seen groups of runners wearing these things twice, and it defies my ability to tell google what they are so I can learn more about them. I would guess that they’re made of something like silicon, and they’re sort o… --- ## [Why does some medicines say "take with food"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-some-medicines-say-take-with-food/817608)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2018, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-some-medicines-say-take-with-food/817608 "2018-07-11T02:15:03Z")
I’m taking Macrobid for a UTI. It has a take with food sticker. I dutifully trotted down to Kroger for a box of crackers. Eat 5 or 6 crackers, then swallow the pill. What does that accomplish? Why does some medicines … --- ## [Would Seals typically have any Cave Diving experience?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-seals-typically-have-any-cave-diving-experience/817674)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2018, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-seals-typically-have-any-cave-diving-experience/817674 "2018-07-11T00:00:16Z")
I’m using the term Seals broadly for various navies around the world. I know Seals are trained for underwater warfare. That would include diving. But, are they typically certified as deep sea divers or cave divers? Ar… --- ## [Why aren't obligate carnivores all constipated?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-obligate-carnivores-all-constipated/817626)
**Author:** [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [July 10, 2018, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-obligate-carnivores-all-constipated/817626 "2018-07-10T23:37:08Z")
That is to say, what biological mechanisms to they have that humans don’t, that allows them to forgo roughage? --- ## [What kind of (American English) accent is this? Is it an accent or an affectation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-american-english-accent-is-this-is-it-an-accent-or-an-affectation/804358)
**Author:** [@Lamoral](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamoral)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [July 10, 2018, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-american-english-accent-is-this-is-it-an-accent-or-an-affectation/804358 "2018-07-10T23:35:19Z")
From Blood in the Face, a 1991 documentary about white supremacists. The documentary is both horrifying and hilarious. There are a variety of kooks depicted, explaining their heartfelt racist beliefs with some of the mos… --- ## [I'd rather you buy or I'd rather you bought (grammar question)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-rather-you-buy-or-id-rather-you-bought-grammar-question/817585)
**Author:** [@PlaceboTarget](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlaceboTarget)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 10, 2018, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-rather-you-buy-or-id-rather-you-bought-grammar-question/817585 "2018-07-10T22:08:44Z")
I’m traveling at the moment and the other day I heard a British man telling his female companion to buy something else. I’m pretty sure his words were: “I rather you buy something else.” I was confused for a minute. I sa… --- ## [Can a rich man completely stiff their lawyer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-rich-man-completely-stiff-their-lawyer/817673)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 10, 2018, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-rich-man-completely-stiff-their-lawyer/817673 "2018-07-10T21:55:12Z")
Back during the Hulk Hogan lawsuit against Gawker, one of the accusations that came out against Hulk Hogan was that he completely stiffed his divorce lawyer because he didn’t like how much money he was forced to pay in t… --- ## [Why is the Thailand rescue taking so long?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-thailand-rescue-taking-so-long/817605)
**Author:** [@puddleglum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puddleglum)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [July 10, 2018, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-thailand-rescue-taking-so-long/817605 "2018-07-10T21:37:13Z")
According to articles I have read the rescuers are taking 4 boys at a time and then resting and doing it again the next day. Why are they only taking 4 out at a time? The articles say they have 30 experienced cave divers… --- ## [Germs/parasites that roadkill (in America) would be most likely to have](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/germs-parasites-that-roadkill-in-america-would-be-most-likely-to-have/817547)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 10, 2018, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/germs-parasites-that-roadkill-in-america-would-be-most-likely-to-have/817547 "2018-07-10T20:07:15Z")
Say the usual dead opossums, skunks, deer, etc. What sort of germs/parasites are they likely to carry? --- ## [Id this snake? (Coastal South Carolina--had baby snakes inside)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-snake-coastal-south-carolina-had-baby-snakes-inside/817548)
**Author:** [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 10, 2018, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-snake-coastal-south-carolina-had-baby-snakes-inside/817548 "2018-07-10T16:39:28Z")
Pic. Forwarded to me from a friend. --- ## [My teeth are killing me (historical dental question)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-teeth-are-killing-me-historical-dental-question/817504)
**Author:** [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [July 10, 2018, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-teeth-are-killing-me-historical-dental-question/817504 "2018-07-10T16:38:35Z")
Is there any good data about how common it was for people to die from dental related illnesses such as abscesses and other infections? I’m speaking of a time before antibiotics and modern dentistry. Were certain eras wor… --- ## [Why do motorcycles stop slower and follow further behind than cars?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-motorcycles-stop-slower-and-follow-further-behind-than-cars/817199)
**Author:** [@dstarfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dstarfire)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [July 10, 2018, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-motorcycles-stop-slower-and-follow-further-behind-than-cars/817199 "2018-07-10T16:31:45Z")
Lately, on my daily commute, whenever I end up behind a motorcycle, they not only leave a noticeably larger gap in front of them (than I would in a car), they also slow down much more gradually and over a longer distance… --- ## [So, \[Nugenix\] endorsed by Frank Thomas is a complete scam, right?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-nugenix-endorsed-by-frank-thomas-is-a-complete-scam-right/817368)
**Author:** [@russian\_heel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/russian_heel)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [July 10, 2018, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-nugenix-endorsed-by-frank-thomas-is-a-complete-scam-right/817368 "2018-07-10T14:44:55Z")
The ads are myriad. A middle aged couple spots former MLB star Frank Thomas with 24" pythons, approach him and he cheerfully pronounces he is in great shape because of this testosterone supplement. He even reveals on the… --- ## [People of Praise, Opus Dei, Focolare, Comm. and Lib.: Is there a recognized name for these groups?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-of-praise-opus-dei-focolare-comm-and-lib-is-there-a-recognized-name-for-these-groups/817576)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 10, 2018, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-of-praise-opus-dei-focolare-comm-and-lib-is-there-a-recognized-name-for-these-groups/817576 "2018-07-10T14:38:01Z")
These groups—Opus Dei, People of Praise, Focolare, Communion and Liberation, are organizations of Christians sharing and doing their Christian things. Opus Dei is the most well known due to its age and impact, and, in di… --- ## [Homosexuality Before Homosexuality, Masochism Before Masochism?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homosexuality-before-homosexuality-masochism-before-masochism/817221)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [July 10, 2018, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homosexuality-before-homosexuality-masochism-before-masochism/817221 "2018-07-10T14:28:44Z")
What did they call homosexuality and masochism before there was a word for each? I know the word homosexuality came into being in the 19th century. I don’t know exactly when. And I assume masochism is an equally more re… --- ## [Is it rare for an adult son to be significantly shorter than his mother?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-rare-for-an-adult-son-to-be-significantly-shorter-than-his-mother/817560)
**Author:** [@EricaRoche](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EricaRoche)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [July 10, 2018, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-rare-for-an-adult-son-to-be-significantly-shorter-than-his-mother/817560 "2018-07-10T11:29:54Z")
I have heard this is incredibly rare and can only happen if the father is shorter than the mother, otherwise their male child will always be the same height or taller than the mother. An example would be an adult son wh… --- ## [Mt Italian bread starts to smell of fermentation after abut a week - Is that normal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mt-italian-bread-starts-to-smell-of-fermentation-after-abut-a-week-is-that-normal/817639)
**Author:** [@ambushed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ambushed)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 10, 2018, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mt-italian-bread-starts-to-smell-of-fermentation-after-abut-a-week-is-that-normal/817639 "2018-07-10T04:39:45Z")
I understand that fermentation is involved in most bread making, but my bread doesn’t smell of it when fresh, which seems to be more likely than when older, so what I’m smelling seems counterintuitive. Is this common no… --- ## [Do all new cars have a 'parasitic' drain on the battery?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-all-new-cars-have-a-parasitic-drain-on-the-battery/817491)
**Author:** [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [July 10, 2018, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-all-new-cars-have-a-parasitic-drain-on-the-battery/817491 "2018-07-10T02:46:51Z")
My Wife’s 2016 Subaru Outback has all the bells and whistles. There seems to be a parasitic drain on the battery. The battery will go dead in a week. It has had the original battery, and now two more batteries replace… --- ## [Do different species of little birds ever hump and/or have eggs together?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-different-species-of-little-birds-ever-hump-and-or-have-eggs-together/817570)
**Author:** [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [July 10, 2018, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-different-species-of-little-birds-ever-hump-and-or-have-eggs-together/817570 "2018-07-10T02:09:31Z")
Yesterday, My Beautiful Wife and I were enjoying beers in our backyard when a stunning red cardinal appeared on our back fence. He was chirping and hopping and clearly was looking to score. Along came a finch or some o… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=563) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=565)