# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=579 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 580 --- ## [Epson Scanner problem after Win 10 update](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epson-scanner-problem-after-win-10-update/815325)
**Author:** [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2018, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epson-scanner-problem-after-win-10-update/815325 "2018-06-03T21:26:27Z")
Well the latest ‘improvement’ to Windows 10 has managed to tank my scanner, which was working fine before. Its an Epson Perfection V39 and I’ve tried researching solutions, the only one I haven’t been able to try is whe… --- ## [Embassies, emergencies, and Assange](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/embassies-emergencies-and-assange/815163)
**Author:** [@DemonTree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DemonTree)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2018, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/embassies-emergencies-and-assange/815163 "2018-06-03T21:20:18Z")
Assange has been in the Ecuadorian embassy for nearly six years now, and I was thinking today that if the UK government had really wanted to get him out they just needed to arrange a convenient gas leak nearby. But what … --- ## [EMP range](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emp-range/815333)
**Author:** [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2018, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emp-range/815333 "2018-06-03T17:16:53Z")
People are talking about what, to me, seem like a cartoonish version of the threat posed by an EMP attack on the US. The story goes something like this: a rogue state like N. Korea decides it is tired of the US and its m… --- ## [Cops and donuts.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cops-and-donuts/815295)
**Author:** [@CastletonSnob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CastletonSnob)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2018, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cops-and-donuts/815295 "2018-06-03T11:43:29Z")
In fiction, cops are often seen eating donuts. What is the origin of this stereotype? --- ## ["Universal" power adapters. OK for high current appliances?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/universal-power-adapters-ok-for-high-current-appliances/815322)
**Author:** [@Mdcastle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mdcastle)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2018, 10:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/universal-power-adapters-ok-for-high-current-appliances/815322 "2018-06-03T10:50:42Z")
I’m planning to use a British tea kettle in my kitchen, rated at 12.5 amps. I see these, which will take any type of plug imaginable, including British, and adapt it to the North American NEMA 6-15 or 6-20 receptacle I p… --- ## [Y1.8K.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/y1-8k/814987)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2018, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/y1-8k/814987 "2018-06-03T03:24:19Z")
I hope I am not the only person on these boards who remembers Y2K. It wasn’t that long ago, was it? Anyway, in case you forgot, as a shortcut, in the 20th century, they started representing years as two digits, instead … --- ## [French grammar question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/french-grammar-question/815191)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2018, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/french-grammar-question/815191 "2018-06-03T00:20:15Z")
Hi Wherever I look, French people always talk about drinking “une tasse de thé”, never “une tasse du thé”. Yet all grammar books in English (I couldn’t find any helpful explanation in French) tell you that when you’re b… --- ## [Could The US/Western Europe Weather Another "Year Without A Summer"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-us-western-europe-weather-another-year-without-a-summer/815335)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2018, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-us-western-europe-weather-another-year-without-a-summer/815335 "2018-06-03T00:14:05Z")
1816 was The Year Without a Summer, as the 1815 eruption of Tambora sent detritus into the atmosphere, wreaking havoc on temperatures and, by extension, agriculture. The U.S. and Western Europe did not escape its wrath -… --- ## [What exactly causes skin rubbing against skin to have so much friction?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-causes-skin-rubbing-against-skin-to-have-so-much-friction/815274)
**Author:** [@Contemplation](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contemplation)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2018, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-causes-skin-rubbing-against-skin-to-have-so-much-friction/815274 "2018-06-02T22:35:45Z")
Everything has friction, but why is it that when skin is rubbing on skin the friction is so great? Think of what happens to a person’s inner thigs when running a long distance. There’s a lot of differant theories about… --- ## [A Space and Galaxy question.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-space-and-galaxy-question/815294)
**Author:** [@Silver\_lining](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silver_lining)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2018, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-space-and-galaxy-question/815294 "2018-06-02T21:54:33Z")
It seems to me most stars and galaxies appear to me more EAST- WEST than NORTH TO SOUTH. Is this accurate? If so why? --- ## [Math & systems theory question: Nodes, links, systems](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/math-systems-theory-question-nodes-links-systems/815247)
**Author:** [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2018, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/math-systems-theory-question-nodes-links-systems/815247 "2018-06-02T20:00:14Z")
Let’s say you have Nodes which are the basic building blocks (A, B, C). Then you have Links which are connections between Nodes (AB, BC, CD). Then you have Systems which are patterns of connections (ABC). Presume that 1)… --- ## [Exterior Door Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exterior-door-threshold/815321)
**Author:** [@dauerbach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dauerbach)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2018, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exterior-door-threshold/815321 "2018-06-02T19:45:39Z")
We are having someone replace our exterior door sill. It is 73 inches by about 8 inches (includes an extension). The people who are replacing it are trying to use an aluminum saddle sill that seems made for interior do… --- ## [WWII: When Hitler lied about the size of his battleships did we know he was lying?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwii-when-hitler-lied-about-the-size-of-his-battleships-did-we-know-he-was-lying/814890)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2018, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwii-when-hitler-lied-about-the-size-of-his-battleships-did-we-know-he-was-lying/814890 "2018-06-02T18:28:00Z")
Between WWI and WWII treaties were put in place to limit the size of military ships to no more than 35,000 tons (battleships basically although it gets fuzzy with some heavy cruisers and battlecruisers). Various nations… --- ## [Trying to find a court citation - Something about restraint or temperance](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-find-a-court-citation-something-about-restraint-or-temperance/815220)
**Author:** [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2018, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-find-a-court-citation-something-about-restraint-or-temperance/815220 "2018-06-02T15:39:21Z")
I don’t think those are the precise words, but there was a SCOTUS decision I read I believe from this term, that referenced an older opinion. The gist of the statement said that the court wouldn’t allow vague rules that… --- ## [What engineering challenges were there in converting weaving factories into a paper mills?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-engineering-challenges-were-there-in-converting-weaving-factories-into-a-paper-mills/815242)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2018, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-engineering-challenges-were-there-in-converting-weaving-factories-into-a-paper-mills/815242 "2018-06-02T14:28:12Z")
Hi I’ve read quite a few articles on 19th century American weaving factories being converted into paper mills. I have yet to come across any articles that tell me how it was done? I look forward to your feedback. What … --- ## [Is it possible to see stars in the daytime from the bottom of a deep and narrow shaft?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-see-stars-in-the-daytime-from-the-bottom-of-a-deep-and-narrow-shaft/815244)
**Author:** [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2018, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-see-stars-in-the-daytime-from-the-bottom-of-a-deep-and-narrow-shaft/815244 "2018-06-02T13:53:47Z")
I can’t remember where and I can’t give a cite, but I once read that the Great Pyramid of Khufu had a shaft aligned parallel to the celestial pole, and that from the bottom of this shaft one could see the North Star (Alp… --- ## [Why no interest in negative triangular numbers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-interest-in-negative-triangular-numbers/815262)
**Author:** [@Crane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crane)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2018, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-interest-in-negative-triangular-numbers/815262 "2018-06-02T13:34:07Z")
Googling about for negative triangular numbers doesn’t yield any responses. Yet it is easy to generate the series by summing negative integers just as you do the positive ones: 0 -1 -3 -6 -10 etc. There is an interesti… --- ## [What accounting device makes this mark on checks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-accounting-device-makes-this-mark-on-checks/815264)
**Author:** [@KMS94](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KMS94)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2018, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-accounting-device-makes-this-mark-on-checks/815264 "2018-06-02T05:26:30Z")
I have one client with a monthly recurring charge that is always the same amount. Every time we receive a check, this red printing is on the amount line. It is always this illegible/smudged, and there is no red ink any… --- ## [Are presidential pardons reversible by a subsequent president?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-presidential-pardons-reversible-by-a-subsequent-president/815229)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2018, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-presidential-pardons-reversible-by-a-subsequent-president/815229 "2018-06-02T02:46:16Z")
Hi Are presidential pardons reversible by a subsequent incumbent president? Has this ever occurred? I look forward to your feedback. --- ## [Is the evidence for a single domestication of the dog now stronger than a double domestication?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-evidence-for-a-single-domestication-of-the-dog-now-stronger-than-a-double-domestication/814720)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2018, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-evidence-for-a-single-domestication-of-the-dog-now-stronger-than-a-double-domestication/814720 "2018-06-02T02:17:10Z")
Hi Is the evidence for a single domestication of the dog now stronger than a double domestication (as many websites have recently been touting)? I look forward to your feedback. --- ## [Background noise in an audio file](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/background-noise-in-an-audio-file/815225)
**Author:** [@Weedy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weedy)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2018, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/background-noise-in-an-audio-file/815225 "2018-06-02T01:19:29Z")
I used my phone to record someone reciting a poem. Unfortunately there is a lot of background noise from other people talking. Is there a way to get rid of that? --- ## [Who would have been at fault in this hypothetical car accident?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-have-been-at-fault-in-this-hypothetical-car-accident/815227)
**Author:** [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [June 1, 2018, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-have-been-at-fault-in-this-hypothetical-car-accident/815227 "2018-06-01T23:25:24Z")
Note, this is a question of legal fault, not moral. I’m in New Hampshire if that matters. Yesterday morning I was driving the speed limit (50mph) when I noticed someone ahead on my right waiting to turn left. There was … --- ## [monkey fuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monkey-fuck/815283)
**Author:** [@C1a19904ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C1a19904ever)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [June 1, 2018, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monkey-fuck/815283 "2018-06-01T21:55:27Z")
in the spirit of settleing a debate… could anyone tell me the oringal orgin of the slang monkey fuck…or tell me where you may have been told it originated…opinions? --- ## [Role of potassium and phosphorus in plants and animals](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/role-of-potassium-and-phosphorus-in-plants-and-animals/815258)
**Author:** [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [June 1, 2018, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/role-of-potassium-and-phosphorus-in-plants-and-animals/815258 "2018-06-01T18:56:39Z")
When describing plant food (fertilizers), N-P-K (Nitrogen- Phosphorus - Potassium) are the basic metrics. There are others too, but these are the most important ones. When describing animal food (and I know only about h… --- ## [Questions about hanging drywall](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-hanging-drywall/814979)
**Author:** [@blood63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blood63)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [June 1, 2018, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-hanging-drywall/814979 "2018-06-01T16:51:47Z")
I will be hanging drywall over the next few weeks. I’ve done this before but this time I am taking extra care so that when the mudder comes in, there will be no problems. Here are some questions. Most videos show the… --- ## [Pluto may be a Giant Comet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pluto-may-be-a-giant-comet/814978)
**Author:** [@Mr.Bill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Bill)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [June 1, 2018, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pluto-may-be-a-giant-comet/814978 "2018-06-01T16:11:15Z")
Poor Pluto - downgraded from planet status to dwarf planet. Now they are saying it may just be a giant comet. But here’s my question. So what if it was formed by accretion of a bunch of comets? Isn’t that essentiall… --- ## [Kia Forte5 Power Seats question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kia-forte5-power-seats-question/815199)
**Author:** [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 1, 2018, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kia-forte5-power-seats-question/815199 "2018-06-01T03:17:56Z")
My wife just bought a Kia Forte5 and I’m trying to figure out something about the power seats, and maybe you folks with a similar type of power seat configuration could help: Is there a way to disable or reset the “open… --- ## [Landing Ship, Tank - Desota Class question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/landing-ship-tank-desota-class-question/814995)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [June 1, 2018, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/landing-ship-tank-desota-class-question/814995 "2018-06-01T02:30:18Z")
Here is a photo of the LSS Lorain County, a Desoto County Class LST. She was launched from Lorain, Ohio in 1957. Heck, I probably saw her being built although I was only 11. The street we lived on then ended at Colorado … --- ## ["Mawage" - speech impediment or just English dialect?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mawage-speech-impediment-or-just-english-dialect/815069)
**Author:** [@CurtC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CurtC)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [May 31, 2018, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mawage-speech-impediment-or-just-english-dialect/815069 "2018-05-31T23:57:54Z")
Until just a few years ago, I thought I was hearing a speech impediment when I heard someone with a certain English dialect, because they pronounce their “th” sounds in words as “f” or “v”. For a while I subscribed to a … --- ## [Drilling into a brick house](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drilling-into-a-brick-house/814964)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [May 31, 2018, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drilling-into-a-brick-house/814964 "2018-05-31T22:01:46Z")
I am buying a wall-mounted garden hose reel that I will mount onto my brick house. I have a hammer drill and masonry bits, and I know to use stainless steel sleeve anchors. I do have a couple of things I’m not sure about… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=578) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=580)