# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=592 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 593 --- ## [Has anyone sucessfully gotten out of a "bait car" theft using entrapment as a reason?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-sucessfully-gotten-out-of-a-bait-car-theft-using-entrapment-as-a-reason/416332)
**Author:** [@dnooman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dnooman)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [April 25, 2018, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-sucessfully-gotten-out-of-a-bait-car-theft-using-entrapment-as-a-reason/416332 "2018-04-25T15:03:01Z")
There’s a new show on Court TV called Bait Car. Basically they leave a vehicle in a high crime area, usually with the keys in the ignition. The car is equipped with cameras and an engine kill switch that is remotely acti… --- ## [The Speedy Gonzales sound effect](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-speedy-gonzales-sound-effect/813018)
**Author:** [@Clothes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothes)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [April 24, 2018, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-speedy-gonzales-sound-effect/813018 "2018-04-24T23:34:48Z")
Here is a photograph of a device supposedly used by Warner Brothers’ sound genius Treg Brown to create the sound (he describes it as “P-T-Z-s-s-s-s-s-!”) of a mouse dashing along at supersonic speed, for the 1955 cartoon… --- ## [Can a new resident to MD bring in "assault weapons" or "high capacity" magazines?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-new-resident-to-md-bring-in-assault-weapons-or-high-capacity-magazines/813014)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 24, 2018, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-new-resident-to-md-bring-in-assault-weapons-or-high-capacity-magazines/813014 "2018-04-24T21:10:51Z")
Let’s say that I live in a state where “assault weapons” and “high capacity” (\>10 rounds) magazines are legal. I want to move to MD and become a permanent resident. From the laws I have read, it is only the purchase of… --- ## [Physics question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/physics-question/813005)
**Author:** [@JHuff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JHuff)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [April 24, 2018, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/physics-question/813005 "2018-04-24T20:35:55Z")
If I were to connect a standard sized copper pipe to the Baltimore City water that comes into my house, and run that pipe straight up in the air, how tall would it have to be before the water pressure isn’t sufficient to… --- ## [How find witnesses for signed wills?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-find-witnesses-for-signed-wills/812884)
**Author:** [@Anise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anise)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [April 24, 2018, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-find-witnesses-for-signed-wills/812884 "2018-04-24T17:50:37Z")
Hey all, So I need to do a new will, I’m getting it from legalzoom, but the problem is that they need two witnesses to sign it. My sister can’t do it because she’s in the will, and I honestly just don’t want to ask anyo… --- ## [How do people’s fingers get bigger?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-people-s-fingers-get-bigger/812921)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [April 24, 2018, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-people-s-fingers-get-bigger/812921 "2018-04-24T16:37:27Z")
Given that there are no muscles in the fingers, how is it that people who work with their hands have big fingers? For instance, my father in law is a farmer of short stature but his hands and fingers are large (and rock… --- ## [Plant ID question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plant-id-question/812830)
**Author:** [@slalexan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slalexan)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [April 24, 2018, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plant-id-question/812830 "2018-04-24T15:34:14Z")
We have this plant growing in front of our house in south east Michigan. It sprouted out of the snow earlier this year and seems to have survived. It hasn’t gotten any bigger. The leaves have an almost furry, velvety tex… --- ## [Is there a website checker that does more than ping?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-website-checker-that-does-more-than-ping/812883)
**Author:** [@Doug\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_K)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 24, 2018, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-website-checker-that-does-more-than-ping/812883 "2018-04-24T15:22:18Z")
Sites like Down for Everyone or Just Me appear to do no more than ping the server and say “It’s just you” if they get a response. They don’t appear to check if the server is actually serving up pages. A while back I test… --- ## [How does the Scrabble app find the best word?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-scrabble-app-find-the-best-word/812926)
**Author:** [@blood63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blood63)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [April 24, 2018, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-scrabble-app-find-the-best-word/812926 "2018-04-24T13:25:24Z")
I love my Scrabble app. After I pick a word, it finds the best word I could have made with my tiles. I have some rudimentary program skills so it has puzzled me as to how the app can do this so quickly. I have broken … --- ## [Why does Google Maps give varying satellite images?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-google-maps-give-varying-satellite-images/812973)
**Author:** [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [April 24, 2018, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-google-maps-give-varying-satellite-images/812973 "2018-04-24T12:22:47Z")
More specifically: I was bored, and googled my house from work using Chrome. It showed a very recent overhead view. I could tell by the arrangement of the pots on the patio. When I tried to show the view to my wife at ho… --- ## [Why did the Federal judge make Cohen name his clients in open court?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-federal-judge-make-cohen-name-his-clients-in-open-court/812552)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [April 24, 2018, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-federal-judge-make-cohen-name-his-clients-in-open-court/812552 "2018-04-24T03:34:51Z")
One of the accounts I read indicated that Cohen volunteered to write the names down and hand them to the judge. That seems more consistent with protecting client confidential information. Did the judge explain why she … --- ## [Is there an actual economic principle on success attracting incompetence and corruption?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-actual-economic-principle-on-success-attracting-incompetence-and-corruption/812869)
**Author:** [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [April 24, 2018, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-actual-economic-principle-on-success-attracting-incompetence-and-corruption/812869 "2018-04-24T01:12:49Z")
The Peter Principledescribes organizations becoming mediocre as a result of policies where people are rewarded for competence with promotions into roles they may or may not be competent at or even interested in. Often r… --- ## [A dumb question about cell phone battery rechargers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-dumb-question-about-cell-phone-battery-rechargers/812895)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [April 23, 2018, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-dumb-question-about-cell-phone-battery-rechargers/812895 "2018-04-23T22:49:33Z")
The question: Cell phone battery rechargers - at least, the dozen or so I’ve looked at online - have two contacts. The battery of my cell phone (a Kyocera Kona from Virgin Mobile) has three. Do I need a recharger with … --- ## [Is there a word for a combination of words that are redundant,, such as" free gift"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-word-for-a-combination-of-words-that-are-redundant-such-as-free-gift/812783)
**Author:** [@Steven\_Estes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steven_Estes)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 23, 2018, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-word-for-a-combination-of-words-that-are-redundant-such-as-free-gift/812783 "2018-04-23T22:20:18Z")
An “oxymoron” is the combination of conflicting words, such as “liberal Republican” or “old news”. Is there a word for a combination of words that are redundant, rather than conflicting, such as “free gift”? --- ## [Does a Line Have Twice as Many Numbers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-line-have-twice-as-many-numbers/812907)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [April 23, 2018, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-line-have-twice-as-many-numbers/812907 "2018-04-23T19:36:25Z")
For some time now, I thought I understood infinity. On \*Wayne’s World \* a lá SNL, they had a joke. “Infinity plus one”. The joke being, you say infinity. But I will up your statement even by one. When I first heard this… --- ## [Who was 'Dr. Roland,' German 'head of tank production' in WW2](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-dr-roland-german-head-of-tank-production-in-ww2/812974)
**Author:** [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 23, 2018, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-dr-roland-german-head-of-tank-production-in-ww2/812974 "2018-04-23T16:45:28Z")
Another question from the 1976 documentary Memory of Justice. In one scene, the filmmaker and Albert Speer are watching home movie and Speer is identifying numerous people in the film. He points out a man identified on… --- ## [Hygiene in the 1700's](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hygiene-in-the-1700s/707203)
**Author:** [@sara20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sara20)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [April 23, 2018, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hygiene-in-the-1700s/707203 "2018-04-23T12:24:19Z")
How often did people in the 1700’s in America and Europe wash their hair in the 1700’s --- ## [Crescent Moon and near-the-cusps Venus: When last? When next?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crescent-moon-and-near-the-cusps-venus-when-last-when-next/812812)
**Author:** [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 23, 2018, 9:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crescent-moon-and-near-the-cusps-venus-when-last-when-next/812812 "2018-04-23T09:02:11Z")
Every so many years Venus is close enough to the cusps of a crescent moon to have a reasonably close appearance to the crescent and star motifs found in Islamic iconography. When was the last time, and when will be the … --- ## [When DNA testing companies (for ancestry) see non-XX non-XY, what do they tell the customer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-dna-testing-companies-for-ancestry-see-non-xx-non-xy-what-do-they-tell-the-customer/812908)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 23, 2018, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-dna-testing-companies-for-ancestry-see-non-xx-non-xy-what-do-they-tell-the-customer/812908 "2018-04-23T04:22:27Z")
Something like a percent of people have neither XX nor XY chromosomes. They have other combinations. The great majority do not know this, unless there is some other reason they wind up getting genetic testing. For that … --- ## [How does your body stop glycation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-your-body-stop-glycation/812911)
**Author:** [@Contemplation](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contemplation)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 23, 2018, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-your-body-stop-glycation/812911 "2018-04-23T04:00:58Z")
Does the human body have a way of preventing glycation? I read that sugar in your blood reacts to and damages everything it touches. --- ## [Plumbing question, where to tie in for a drain?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbing-question-where-to-tie-in-for-a-drain/812886)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2018, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbing-question-where-to-tie-in-for-a-drain/812886 "2018-04-22T23:26:56Z")
I need an old fashioned slop sink in the garage. I bought the sink, faucet, and other items. I need to prep for the plumber. I have to tie into the plumbing behind the washing machine. The slop sink will be in the garag… --- ## [This really happen? DJ boxes female listeners for concert tickets...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-really-happen-dj-boxes-female-listeners-for-concert-tickets/230663)
**Author:** [@Uncommon\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncommon_Sense)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2018, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-really-happen-dj-boxes-female-listeners-for-concert-tickets/230663 "2018-04-22T18:27:49Z")
I heard, second hand, that there was a Reality Show on TV this weekend that had one of the segments showing Female listeners of a radio station boxing a (male) DJ for concert tickets. The female listeners (boxers) wore … --- ## [Hanging heavy pictures with Command hooks/strips](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hanging-heavy-pictures-with-command-hooks-strips/812841)
**Author:** [@Nonsuch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nonsuch)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2018, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hanging-heavy-pictures-with-command-hooks-strips/812841 "2018-04-22T17:59:49Z")
So my wife and I are looking to hang some pictures in our new apartment. Our landlord charges us to patch nail holes, so we’re looking to avoid putting any nails in the walls. Most of our pictures are under eight pounds… --- ## [What does "football" or "football shaped" mean outside North America?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-football-or-football-shaped-mean-outside-north-america/778379)
**Author:** [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2018, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-football-or-football-shaped-mean-outside-north-america/778379 "2018-04-22T17:24:48Z")
(When referring to things that aren’t footballs, I mean.) Every so often in British writing I come across the word football used to describe the shape of something, or to say that a thing resembles a football. So for e… --- ## [Weird text message from someone I don't know-and I got a contact added?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-text-message-from-someone-i-dont-know-and-i-got-a-contact-added/812880)
**Author:** [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2018, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-text-message-from-someone-i-dont-know-and-i-got-a-contact-added/812880 "2018-04-22T15:24:13Z")
\[Android 7.0 Samsung SM-G920V\] From someone named “Lisa.” It was rather short and undetailed, said she was eating at a local pizzeria (national chain tho note), said that she saw my info in her notes (?), decided to sa… --- ## [Proxy servers, how does that work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proxy-servers-how-does-that-work/812885)
**Author:** [@bardos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bardos)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2018, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proxy-servers-how-does-that-work/812885 "2018-04-22T12:32:15Z")
I watch a film in which some high level government official’s child is kidnapped in Washington D.C. and the kidnapper calls to talk about his demands. Naturally every three-lettered agency in D.C. is listening in with an… --- ## [Why was my ATM withdrawal refused?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-my-atm-withdrawal-refused/812876)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2018, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-my-atm-withdrawal-refused/812876 "2018-04-22T01:12:49Z")
One of those small ATMs in a restaurant that has to dial up and then waits forever to complete the transaction. But this time it read, “Reversal unsuccessful”. So what (didn’t) happen)? Dennis --- ## [Why do semiconductor-wafer foundries/fabs advance so slowly from 300mm to 400mm to 450mm, etc.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-semiconductor-wafer-foundries-fabs-advance-so-slowly-from-300mm-to-400mm-to-450mm-etc/812664)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2018, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-semiconductor-wafer-foundries-fabs-advance-so-slowly-from-300mm-to-400mm-to-450mm-etc/812664 "2018-04-22T00:07:10Z")
Layman question about semiconductor manufacturers - it seems that they’ve taken years, maybe even decades, to slowly go from 300mm fabs/foundries to 400mm wafers and 450mm wafers. What prevents them from just manufactur… --- ## [Geology Question: "Ribs" on the surface of the Earth (US Southwest)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/geology-question-ribs-on-the-surface-of-the-earth-us-southwest/812833)
**Author:** [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 21, 2018, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/geology-question-ribs-on-the-surface-of-the-earth-us-southwest/812833 "2018-04-21T22:52:04Z")
A recent co-worker reminded me of some of my drives through the local area. I had forgotten, but realized there are these earthen “ribs” around here, most prominent in some of the links below. I suspect they’re from an… --- ## [Do sneakers really have a short shelf life?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-sneakers-really-have-a-short-shelf-life/812846)
**Author:** [@edwardcoast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwardcoast)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 21, 2018, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-sneakers-really-have-a-short-shelf-life/812846 "2018-04-21T20:54:08Z")
I’ve heard that sneakers have a short shelf life. For example, you shouldn’t buy several of the same pairs because they have a short shelf life, you should buy new ones from current inventory as you need them. Does anyo… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=591) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=593)