# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=586 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 587 --- ## [Electricity question about charging iPads in the U.K.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electricity-question-about-charging-ipads-in-the-u-k/813990)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2018, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electricity-question-about-charging-ipads-in-the-u-k/813990 "2018-05-14T10:39:46Z")
I am in London now, with an iPad that I have bought in Chicago. It is plugged into a U.K. electrical outlet, there’s a plug adapter, then the usual Apple plug where you use the cable to charge with an electrical outlet. … --- ## [How do you maintain hardscaping (gravel path)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-maintain-hardscaping-gravel-path/813935)
**Author:** [@JcWoman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JcWoman)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2018, 10:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-maintain-hardscaping-gravel-path/813935 "2018-05-14T10:24:42Z")
A few years ago we hired a contractor to install a nice hardscape path in our back yard. It’s a combination of 1" river rock and large, flat Virginia blue stone pavers. They did put landscape fabric under the rock, but… --- ## [Number of words distinguishable only by vowel sounds (in English)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/number-of-words-distinguishable-only-by-vowel-sounds-in-english/814021)
**Author:** [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2018, 9:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/number-of-words-distinguishable-only-by-vowel-sounds-in-english/814021 "2018-05-14T09:13:07Z")
I was idly thinking this morning about b\_d words: \[ol\] \[li\]bid\[/li\]\[li\]bed\[/li\]\[li\]bad\[/li\]\[li\]bode\[/li\]\[li\]bead\[/li\]\[li\]bod (as in “has a hot bod”)\[/li\]\[li\]bud\[/li\]\[li\]bead\[/li\]\[li\]boo’d (past tense of the verb “to bo… --- ## [Fine white powder on (organic) pitted prunes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fine-white-powder-on-organic-pitted-prunes/634454)
**Author:** [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2018, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fine-white-powder-on-organic-pitted-prunes/634454 "2018-05-14T07:41:09Z")
I like my prunes. Alas, there may be a problem with my favourite brand of pitted prunes (= Organic House - containing no preservatives etc.). Within days of opening the sealed plastic bag they come in, the prunes become… --- ## [An old social studies book I played with as a kid](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-old-social-studies-book-i-played-with-as-a-kid/45410)
**Author:** [@tsarina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tsarina)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2012, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-old-social-studies-book-i-played-with-as-a-kid/45410 "2012-12-18T18:43:26Z")
OK, this is a long shot, but can anyone identify this book? A lady my mom cleaned for gave me an old school textbook when I was a kid - it was a geography or social studies book aimed for the upper elementary grades and… --- ## [Which animals have the biggest babies relative to their mother's size?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-animals-have-the-biggest-babies-relative-to-their-mothers-size/814090)
**Author:** [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2018, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-animals-have-the-biggest-babies-relative-to-their-mothers-size/814090 "2018-05-14T00:30:40Z")
My question is not which animals have the largest baby. That’s a blue whale. Instead, I’d like to know which baby animals are the largest at birth compared to the size of their mother. If we include birds, that’d be bab… --- ## [Which special forces in the US is closely associated with training of foreign special forces](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-special-forces-in-the-us-is-closely-associated-with-training-of-foreign-special-forces/814059)
**Author:** [@MaverocK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaverocK)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2018, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-special-forces-in-the-us-is-closely-associated-with-training-of-foreign-special-forces/814059 "2018-05-13T19:14:05Z")
There are different special forces in the US. Do all of them train special forces of foreign countries (NATO and non-NATO countries)? If all of them do it, which one does it mostly and why are they most frequently assign… --- ## [Near Earth Object 2010 WC9 flyby -- how to determine future flybys?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/near-earth-object-2010-wc9-flyby-how-to-determine-future-flybys/814088)
**Author:** [@2nd\_Law](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2nd_Law)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2018, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/near-earth-object-2010-wc9-flyby-how-to-determine-future-flybys/814088 "2018-05-13T19:04:54Z")
News article: ‘Lost’ asteroid to pass closely May 15 On wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010\_WC9 How accurately can the future path of this (or any) object passing 1/2 the distance of the moon from earth be pr… --- ## [Why is this painting called Sleep and His Half-Brother Death when Thanatos and Hypnos are twins?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-painting-called-sleep-and-his-half-brother-death-when-thanatos-and-hypnos-are-twins/813658)
**Author:** [@StarsApart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarsApart)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2018, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-painting-called-sleep-and-his-half-brother-death-when-thanatos-and-hypnos-are-twins/813658 "2018-05-13T17:09:53Z")
I was doing some research on Wikipedia yesterday and came across the entry for Thanatos, which mentions his twin brother, Hypnos. Throughout the article, and the sources, including Homer, they are referred to as twins. H… --- ## [A different Keno odds question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-different-keno-odds-question/814082)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2018, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-different-keno-odds-question/814082 "2018-05-13T05:25:17Z")
I don’t gamble at all but Keno is always playing in the sports bars so I idly watch. 80 numbers, they draw 20. Those 20 numbers can be grouped as low numbers (1 to 40) or high numbers (41 to 80). When the results are in… --- ## [Jelly jar necks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jelly-jar-necks/814012)
**Author:** [@justmeetee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justmeetee)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2018, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jelly-jar-necks/814012 "2018-05-13T01:05:40Z")
Of course jelly jars are not the only ones that are made this way but being as I was just trying to get the last grape jelly out of a jar, the question comes to mind. With the opening of the jar about 25% smaller then th… --- ## [Horse Experts: Implications of riding a horse of a certain gender?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/horse-experts-implications-of-riding-a-horse-of-a-certain-gender/813993)
**Author:** [@gonzoron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzoron)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2018, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/horse-experts-implications-of-riding-a-horse-of-a-certain-gender/813993 "2018-05-13T00:36:26Z")
Mods: This question came about through reading fiction, but I’m looking for a factual answer, so I’m putting it in GQ instead of CS. I’m re-reading The Wheel of Time series, and noticed Jordan pointing out the genders o… --- ## [GPU supply questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gpu-supply-questions/813302)
**Author:** [@JakeRS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JakeRS)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2018, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gpu-supply-questions/813302 "2018-05-12T21:42:47Z")
As I am searching for gpu’s, I found out that they have some pins that go directly from the power supply, so I have 2 questions. Does my current Radeon 7730 2gb even have a 6 pin connector or is it too weak to need one… --- ## [Vitamin A and D2 Skin Lotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vitamin-a-and-d2-skin-lotion/814062)
**Author:** [@molten](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/molten)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2018, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vitamin-a-and-d2-skin-lotion/814062 "2018-05-12T20:50:37Z")
Is there a cheap cream / lotion or one available in large containers that is not an ointment? A product maybe for babies or another purpose that contains these ingredients? I have used the ointment buy it is very hard a… --- ## [What North American plants and animals are invasive species elsewhere?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-north-american-plants-and-animals-are-invasive-species-elsewhere/812007)
**Author:** [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2018, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-north-american-plants-and-animals-are-invasive-species-elsewhere/812007 "2018-05-12T19:18:13Z")
I stumbled over this story of snapping turtles being an invasive species in Japan. I am familiar with many species of plants and animals being invasive to N. America but know little about N. A. species invading other con… --- ## [How do these guys do this? (Telemarket calls from a nearby suburb)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-these-guys-do-this-telemarket-calls-from-a-nearby-suburb/813594)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2018, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-these-guys-do-this-telemarket-calls-from-a-nearby-suburb/813594 "2018-05-12T18:03:32Z")
We keep getting calls that our caller ID tells us are from Northbrook, a nearby suburb. Every time I get one on my cell phone, I block it. As of now, I have 23 blocked phone numbers. Were I to accept one of these, I’d… --- ## [Why are dogs such adventurous eaters?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-dogs-such-adventurous-eaters/813678)
**Author:** [@Mrdeals](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrdeals)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2018, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-dogs-such-adventurous-eaters/813678 "2018-05-12T04:34:03Z")
At least mine is anyway, two favorite foods on Earth for him is peanut butter and cheese. Neither of which would occur naturally for them. When I introduce a new food to him, he gives a quick sniff and then swallows it … --- ## [How do Indian airports handle security WRT turbans?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-indian-airports-handle-security-wrt-turbans/813995)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2018, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-indian-airports-handle-security-wrt-turbans/813995 "2018-05-12T03:10:30Z")
After a recent incident in which a Canadian diplomat was asked to remove his turban during a security check at a US airport, I got to wondering: How do security staff at airports in India deal with turban-wearing passen… --- ## [Facebook Video Messenger quirk](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facebook-video-messenger-quirk/814024)
**Author:** [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2018, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facebook-video-messenger-quirk/814024 "2018-05-12T00:56:43Z")
Until recently, my external Logitech webcam with mic worked just great on Facebook. Now, no bueño. My Mac recognizes it and it works find with Skype. But with no other video applications running, when on Facebook, I can… --- ## [Bee Sting, no pain](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bee-sting-no-pain/813944)
**Author:** [@Delicious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Delicious)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2018, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bee-sting-no-pain/813944 "2018-05-11T19:41:53Z")
It’s been nice and sunny round here recently so I’ve been spending a good amount of time in the garden with the family. After chasing young master Delicious around for a few hours, I plop down on the grass and feel a sh… --- ## [How long can police trail a car and still issue a citation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-can-police-trail-a-car-and-still-issue-a-citation/813488)
**Author:** [@Mrdeals](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrdeals)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2018, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-can-police-trail-a-car-and-still-issue-a-citation/813488 "2018-05-11T19:16:11Z")
I was on a lonely backroad and had a sheriff trail me for 30 miles. Now, no one is perfect and the longer he trailed me the more likely I would be to mess up. What if he trailed me for 50 miles and he caught me doing 5… --- ## [Torpedo firing procedure in World War 2 / Lieut JG](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/torpedo-firing-procedure-in-world-war-2-lieut-jg/813932)
**Author:** [@JasperGray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JasperGray)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2018, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/torpedo-firing-procedure-in-world-war-2-lieut-jg/813932 "2018-05-11T17:42:25Z")
It is my understanding that on a United States Navy submarine, the chain of commander for launching a torpedo is the Commanding Officer (CO) gives the order to the Officer of the Deck (OOD), who gives the order to the Fi… --- ## [Phone number spoofing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phone-number-spoofing/812707)
**Author:** [@Kelevra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kelevra)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2018, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phone-number-spoofing/812707 "2018-05-11T16:13:19Z")
I get one or two sales calls on my cell phone every day. I know they are “cardmember services” calls because they have the same prefix number as mine. The company spoofs their number to make it look like mine. So my q… --- ## [Are Bond Rating Changes Negotiated/Discussed Upfront?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bond-rating-changes-negotiated-discussed-upfront/761845)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2018, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bond-rating-changes-negotiated-discussed-upfront/761845 "2018-05-11T14:16:05Z")
Very frequently, bond ratings agencies adjust their ratings for companies due to deliberate actions by the companies. For example, the company might take on a lot of new debt, or might increase dividend payouts, and incr… --- ## [Infinite Zooming (from the movie Limitless)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/infinite-zooming-from-the-movie-limitless/813866)
**Author:** [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2018, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/infinite-zooming-from-the-movie-limitless/813866 "2018-05-11T10:59:15Z")
Several times during the movie and during the opening credits (see link) the camera zooms and zooms and zooms and zooms without a break. What sort of trickery did they do to do this? --- ## [Handicapped toilet stalls and metal handrails](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-toilet-stalls-and-metal-handrails/813844)
**Author:** [@TSBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TSBG)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2018, 10:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-toilet-stalls-and-metal-handrails/813844 "2018-05-11T10:48:07Z")
I’ve always wondered about the metal handrails in handicapped toilet stalls. I can see that they would help someone with limited agility, perhaps someone who needed a cane to walk, to support herself as she sat down and… --- ## [Is there a term for the feeling....](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-term-for-the-feeling/813916)
**Author:** [@simply\_cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simply_cats)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2018, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-term-for-the-feeling/813916 "2018-05-11T01:58:49Z")
when it is one day (say, Thursday), and it feels like another (say, Friday)? I feel like there must be a term for this feeling. Thanks, Dopers. --- ## [Carbonation in soft drinks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carbonation-in-soft-drinks/813901)
**Author:** [@ZurBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZurBob)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2018, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carbonation-in-soft-drinks/813901 "2018-05-11T01:52:19Z")
Years (decades) ago, the carbonation in soft drinks was more prominent… The effervescence lasted long after the pour, and “fizzed” every time you took a drink. Now, the carbonation is literally gone within seconds after … --- ## ["Ecosse" stickers on Scottish cars?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ecosse-stickers-on-scottish-cars/132677)
**Author:** [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2018, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ecosse-stickers-on-scottish-cars/132677 "2018-05-11T00:07:26Z")
Here’s something that’s been puzzling me for a while. I quite often see cars, presumably owned by Scottish people, with stickers reading “ECOSSE”, sometimes with the blue cross of St Andrew as well. I’m well aware that … --- ## [When Is the Next El Niño?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-the-next-el-nino/813931)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2018, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-the-next-el-nino/813931 "2018-05-10T23:54:19Z")
I just know it was all they talked about, about 20 years ago. Every seven (-?) years or so, prevailing winds come off the Pacific. And we have El Niño. A very mild winter. The only thing is, they have stopped talking a… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=585) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=587)