# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=584 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 585 --- ## [What would happen if I painted weeds with weed killer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-i-painted-weeds-with-weed-killer/584669)
**Author:** [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [May 20, 2018, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-i-painted-weeds-with-weed-killer/584669 "2018-05-20T18:19:19Z")
My pansy gardens keep becoming infested with the same unwanted plants over and over again: a long stem grass of some sort that grows very sparsely, clover, joe pye weed, ferns, tiny things that look like oak leaves (coul… --- ## [Need answer sorta fast. Can I give money to a prepaid card internationally?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-answer-sorta-fast-can-i-give-money-to-a-prepaid-card-internationally/814469)
**Author:** [@Quintas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quintas)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 20, 2018, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-answer-sorta-fast-can-i-give-money-to-a-prepaid-card-internationally/814469 "2018-05-20T15:35:23Z")
I’ve never used one. I’m googling it but thought i’d also ask here. I’m in US, other person in UK. Can they go get a card, read me off the number or whatever and let me give them a couple hundred dollars instantly? … --- ## [Environmental Impact of online shopping](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/environmental-impact-of-online-shopping/814317)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [May 20, 2018, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/environmental-impact-of-online-shopping/814317 "2018-05-20T13:41:02Z")
I do a lot of online shopping, and have been wondering about this. Does the fact that I don’t have to drive my own car to the store offset the damage from making and disposing of all the packing materials? How many mil… --- ## [Pocket Reference](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pocket-reference/814376)
**Author:** [@zuer-coli](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zuer-coli)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 20, 2018, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pocket-reference/814376 "2018-05-20T06:44:22Z")
Dopers all; Greetings, I’m looking for an Android application similar to the well known Thomas Glovers Pocket Reference© The nearly obligatory Wikipedia article: Pocket Ref - Wikipedia Sequoia Publishing: http://www.se… --- ## [End of companion services??](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/end-of-companion-services/814494)
**Author:** [@Captainfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captainfan)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 20, 2018, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/end-of-companion-services/814494 "2018-05-20T05:34:46Z")
After a long while of not being on “companion” websites I have found that backpage, theeroticreview and many others have been shut down! I have looked all over the internet and the few site I have seen recommended are cl… --- ## [Teachers have to pay to take vacation day?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teachers-have-to-pay-to-take-vacation-day/814244)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [May 20, 2018, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teachers-have-to-pay-to-take-vacation-day/814244 "2018-05-20T00:03:41Z")
NC public school teachers have to pay $50 to take vacation day when classes are in session. Is this common in other states? --- ## [Antique gun question: what's a 32-20?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antique-gun-question-whats-a-32-20/814416)
**Author:** [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 19, 2018, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antique-gun-question-whats-a-32-20/814416 "2018-05-19T21:09:58Z")
Blues pioneer Robert Johnson wrote a song called 32-20 Blues, in which he’s apparently talking about a pistol. I know a little bit about guns, but I’ve never heard of a 32-20, aside from the song. Was it a popular gun in… --- ## [Is telling somebody that they’re one in a million an insult in China?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-telling-somebody-that-they-re-one-in-a-million-an-insult-in-china/814424)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [May 19, 2018, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-telling-somebody-that-they-re-one-in-a-million-an-insult-in-china/814424 "2018-05-19T18:23:38Z")
I remember at some point being told that in China it’s considered a mild insult to tell someone that they are one in a million. The idea is that it’s something you tell someone who is acting like a jerk because they thin… --- ## [How effective are public service announcements?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-effective-are-public-service-announcements/814396)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 19, 2018, 7:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-effective-are-public-service-announcements/814396 "2018-05-19T07:58:06Z")
Every year around this time, I hear wall-to-wall messages on the radio encouraging drivers to watch out for motorcycles. Do most people take these messages to heart, or just ignore them as background noise? Are there … --- ## [Grouping of files in Windows 7](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grouping-of-files-in-windows-7/814383)
**Author:** [@Daylate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daylate)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [May 19, 2018, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grouping-of-files-in-windows-7/814383 "2018-05-19T03:11:06Z")
I dislike “grouping” of file names in a folder, and for several years since I got this computer (a Dell desktop running Windows 7) have never used them. However, this afternoon, Windows has suddenly decided that I reall… --- ## [Potato Hole Puncher](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potato-hole-puncher/814412)
**Author:** [@molten](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/molten)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2018, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potato-hole-puncher/814412 "2018-05-18T21:10:16Z")
Is there a device for any purpose that will enable me to make multiple holes in a potato quickly and relatively safely? I found something called the “Potato Punch” but it only works on huge potatoes and nothing normal s… --- ## [Men's haircut place that had topless women as stylists and had football on TV's](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-haircut-place-that-had-topless-women-as-stylists-and-had-football-on-tvs/814202)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2018, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-haircut-place-that-had-topless-women-as-stylists-and-had-football-on-tvs/814202 "2018-05-18T19:44:32Z")
I swear this was an actual thing I saw a news story for and was actually a chain of them, but my google-fu is just showing me random one-off barbershops that have done this in the past but are now defunct. I distinctly … --- ## [Was it easy to leave the Ottoman Empire in the early 1900s?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-it-easy-to-leave-the-ottoman-empire-in-the-early-1900s/814408)
**Author:** [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2018, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-it-easy-to-leave-the-ottoman-empire-in-the-early-1900s/814408 "2018-05-18T19:01:51Z")
Doing some local historical research I came across a \*half dozen or so families in my home county who had come from Lebanon/Syria. Apparently all were Christian. What I haven’t determined is whether or not they had emi… --- ## [Any Kitchen Knife Experts in the House?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-kitchen-knife-experts-in-the-house/814371)
**Author:** [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2018, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-kitchen-knife-experts-in-the-house/814371 "2018-05-18T17:53:48Z")
I found a few knives in a back alley, and I’m wondering what brand they are. They have no name on them, but they do have this logo. I’m kind of assuming that they are not any kind of good quality knives (since they were … --- ## [Why has China always had so MANY people?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-has-china-always-had-so-many-people/814260)
**Author:** [@Lizard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lizard)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2018, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-has-china-always-had-so-many-people/814260 "2018-05-18T17:41:54Z")
I was doing some general reading on Wikipedia and came across a chart of world population and distribution. Apparently the proportion of the population in the entire world that is Chinese (or living in what it referred t… --- ## [Copyright question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copyright-question/814313)
**Author:** [@Grim\_Render](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grim_Render)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2018, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copyright-question/814313 "2018-05-18T12:09:17Z")
So I’m setting up a new D&D campaign, and doing world-building. Its been postponed a couple of times, so I had more time than I originally expected, and I’m starting to feel the results are getting pretty good. Its kindo… --- ## [Could the "Battle of Alcatraz" escape have worked if the prisoners had gotten the key to the yard?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-battle-of-alcatraz-escape-have-worked-if-the-prisoners-had-gotten-the-key-to-the-yard/814285)
**Author:** [@Mdcastle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mdcastle)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2018, 8:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-battle-of-alcatraz-escape-have-worked-if-the-prisoners-had-gotten-the-key-to-the-yard/814285 "2018-05-18T08:06:43Z")
So the plan for the escape was Use a bar spreader to gain access to one of the gun galleries Overpower the gun gallery guard, seize his rifle, and then capture and lock up the cellhouse guards Obtain the key to gain ac… --- ## [What is the benefit to being honest about my country of residence? (New data laws)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-benefit-to-being-honest-about-my-country-of-residence-new-data-laws/814345)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2018, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-benefit-to-being-honest-about-my-country-of-residence-new-data-laws/814345 "2018-05-17T22:31:10Z")
For years, I’ve gotten Gallup polling and other information delivered to my email. A couple of weeks ago, and again today, I’ve gotten this message: I read this and think that if I claim to be in France, my data is mor… --- ## [How To Figure Out The Average Number Of Questions An HQ Player Answers Correctly](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-figure-out-the-average-number-of-questions-an-hq-player-answers-correctly/814374)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2018, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-figure-out-the-average-number-of-questions-an-hq-player-answers-correctly/814374 "2018-05-17T22:13:41Z")
If you’re not familiar with HQ, it works like this: during each game, a number of people will compete. For the sake of simplicity in this thought experiment, let’s say it’s a million people. Players are asked 12 (someti… --- ## [Is this double vision, monovision or both?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-double-vision-monovision-or-both/814243)
**Author:** [@JakeRS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JakeRS)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2018, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-double-vision-monovision-or-both/814243 "2018-05-17T17:34:18Z")
Obviously I need to talk with a doctor about this, but for now I’d like a general idea about it. Imagine the eye periphery of a person, left eye covers the left part and the center part in front of the person and the ri… --- ## [Can 2018 Escape rear headrests be pulled off?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-2018-escape-rear-headrests-be-pulled-off/814327)
**Author:** [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2018, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-2018-escape-rear-headrests-be-pulled-off/814327 "2018-05-17T17:23:46Z")
Two of us are taking a long trip this summer in a new Ford Escape, and it would be helpful if the headrests on the rear seats (which will be laid down) could be easily pulled off the seats, like we could on older cars, t… --- ## [Do/Can Hawaiians buy volcano insurance?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-can-hawaiians-buy-volcano-insurance/813747)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2018, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-can-hawaiians-buy-volcano-insurance/813747 "2018-05-17T16:18:24Z")
As we speak, Kilauea is destroying neighborhoods with a flood of molten rock. For homeowners seeking to mitigate risk, volcanoes present a hazard that’s rather different from simple fire or flood. In the latter calamit… --- ## [What kind of rainbow is toward the sun?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-rainbow-is-toward-the-sun/814253)
**Author:** [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2018, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-rainbow-is-toward-the-sun/814253 "2018-05-17T12:53:54Z")
This morning, I saw a rainbow, looking toward the sun. How is that possible? About 90 minutes after sunrise, looking toward the northeast, I saw a small segment of a rainbow. It was a short segment, less than 2x the wi… --- ## [Cats! My god, right?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-my-god-right/814232)
**Author:** [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2018, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-my-god-right/814232 "2018-05-17T06:24:14Z")
Cats have a reputation for being self-absorbed and willing to eat their deceased owners without remorse. This is all probably true. But, usually, they’re compared to dogs. But modern dogs have been artificially select… --- ## [Dashcam features](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dashcam-features/814310)
**Author:** [@A\_Dodgy\_Dude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A_Dodgy_Dude)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2018, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dashcam-features/814310 "2018-05-17T05:46:21Z")
What feature is the important one for seeing license plates clearly: megapixels or frames per second or something else? --- ## [Seeking a completely free laptop based SMS/texting program](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-a-completely-free-laptop-based-sms-texting-program/814198)
**Author:** [@Shinna\_Minna\_Ma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shinna_Minna_Ma)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2018, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-a-completely-free-laptop-based-sms-texting-program/814198 "2018-05-17T05:11:25Z")
Howdy, I’m seeking a completely free SMS/texting program that I can use from my laptop. I need the program to sync incoming and outgoing messages with my phone. I also need the ability to schedule outgoing messages. I … --- ## [New, very basic cars](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-very-basic-cars/664380)
**Author:** [@CoastalMaineiac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CoastalMaineiac)\ **Replies:** 145\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2018, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-very-basic-cars/664380 "2018-05-17T01:54:12Z")
Is it even possible to get a car with “just the basics” for commuting these days? I’m not really in the market, but I was curious. With everyone selling more and more options as standard equipment these days, are there … --- ## [Can a layman check on an active criminal case status?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-layman-check-on-an-active-criminal-case-status/814301)
**Author:** [@aluminumdisc1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aluminumdisc1)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2018, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-layman-check-on-an-active-criminal-case-status/814301 "2018-05-16T23:27:54Z")
I’m in the State of Tennessee. My daughter is the victim of a crime that the state is prosecuting. --- ## [Origins of gendered nouns](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origins-of-gendered-nouns/813635)
**Author:** [@brujaja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brujaja)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2018, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origins-of-gendered-nouns/813635 "2018-05-16T22:07:46Z")
Just now, while contemplating a language wherein hats are “masculine” and bells are “feminine” despite undeniable structural similarities\*\*\*, I find myself wondering if anyone (surely) has explored this business of gende… --- ## [The Age of Planet X!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-age-of-planet-x/743687)
**Author:** [@teflon\_grut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teflon_grut)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2018, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-age-of-planet-x/743687 "2018-05-16T21:31:20Z")
… or Planet 9, or Planet Nine, or whatever you want to call it. The people responsible for the cruel fate that was bestowed upon Pluto have now gone public with the fact that they strongly believe that there is a massiv… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=583) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=585)