# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=624 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 625 --- ## [Native American sovereignty and immigration](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/native-american-sovereignty-and-immigration/807828)
**Author:** [@Thing\_Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing_Fish)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2018, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/native-american-sovereignty-and-immigration/807828 "2018-02-02T02:13:43Z")
Just saw on my FB feed someone suggesting that Native tribes should grant Dreamers permanent residency on their tribal lands, thus protecting them from deportation. Without getting into whether this would be a GOOD idea… --- ## [When are alphabetized lists of names first recorded](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-are-alphabetized-lists-of-names-first-recorded/807664)
**Author:** [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2018, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-are-alphabetized-lists-of-names-first-recorded/807664 "2018-02-02T01:13:51Z")
Reading some history about immigrants and their name changes (not at Ellis Island, obviously, since that never happened) made me suddenly wonder about alphabetized lists of names. It existed by 1880. The first London te… --- ## [At what age could I collect Social Security benefits frtom 1957 on?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-age-could-i-collect-social-security-benefits-frtom-1957-on/807979)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2018, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-age-could-i-collect-social-security-benefits-frtom-1957-on/807979 "2018-02-02T00:57:31Z")
I’ve tried searching several different ways, but the only responses I seem to get are variations of “What are your Social Security benefits if you were born in 1957?”. --- ## [When did Supreme Court justices start attending the State of the Union?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-supreme-court-justices-start-attending-the-state-of-the-union/807937)
**Author:** [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2018, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-supreme-court-justices-start-attending-the-state-of-the-union/807937 "2018-02-01T21:25:06Z")
I know that George Washington and John Adams gave addresses to Congress in person, but Thomas Jefferson thought that was too monarchical and sent written reports instead (every President did the same until Woodrow Wilson… --- ## [Baking Science](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baking-science/807934)
**Author:** [@Contemplation](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contemplation)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2018, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baking-science/807934 "2018-02-01T20:14:19Z")
So iirc, the ingredients that cause bread to rise and become fluffy is simply a reaction between an alkaline and an acid. Raw eggs are slightly alkaline. So knowing this, the possible combinations that can cause bread… --- ## [Churchilll and Macaulay](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/churchilll-and-macaulay/807914)
**Author:** [@APB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/APB)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2018, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/churchilll-and-macaulay/807914 "2018-02-01T16:54:33Z")
This is prompted by the problematic Underground scene in Darkest Hour. Churchill quotes the famous lines from Macaulay’s Horatius (‘For the ashes of his fathers, And the temples of his gods’). The thing is that exactly t… --- ## [Looking for a specific show/video on how viruses work](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-specific-show-video-on-how-viruses-work/807951)
**Author:** [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2018, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-specific-show-video-on-how-viruses-work/807951 "2018-02-01T15:28:01Z")
A while back I saw a show or video of how viruses work inside a cell with great graphics. It showed stuff like the pathway threads that the virus moves along on it’s way to the nucleus, and the stuff that is trying to d… --- ## [What if English was a lost ancient language?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-english-was-a-lost-ancient-language/807802)
**Author:** [@sciurophobic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciurophobic)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2018, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-english-was-a-lost-ancient-language/807802 "2018-02-01T14:00:19Z")
If English was an ancient untranslated language and the Latin alphabet unknown, how hard would it be for linguists to translate it? Would the inconsistent spellings and pronunciations cause problems, not to mention word… --- ## [Shamrock Shakes(tm)...What flavor are they supposed to be?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shamrock-shakes-tm-what-flavor-are-they-supposed-to-be/163457)
**Author:** [@martin\_ibn\_martin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/martin_ibn_martin)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2018, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shamrock-shakes-tm-what-flavor-are-they-supposed-to-be/163457 "2018-02-01T12:45:46Z")
I get lime and mint in about equal measure. It was described to me by a McDonald’s employee as a “Sorta lime, sorta mint, kinda thing.” Top Secret Recipes claims that it is fully mint. I’m not buyin’ it. Anyone else h… --- ## [Why Do These Birds Roost On Just ONE Pole?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-these-birds-roost-on-just-one-pole/807845)
**Author:** [@mechaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mechaman)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2018, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-these-birds-roost-on-just-one-pole/807845 "2018-02-01T05:23:02Z")
I drive a route through Cicero, IL, on 16th Street, through an industrial area (mostly), and the light poles are on one side of the street through part of the route. Noticed the other day that a flock of pigeons all roos… --- ## [Was there ever an historic foot-braced hand-drawn bow and arrow?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-there-ever-an-historic-foot-braced-hand-drawn-bow-and-arrow/807830)
**Author:** [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2018, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-there-ever-an-historic-foot-braced-hand-drawn-bow-and-arrow/807830 "2018-02-01T03:30:44Z")
Apologies in advance to people who actually know about this stuff because I’m about to mangle terms and definitions. Basically I was wondering if a ‘bow and arrow’ setup was ever designed with the user sitting down, bra… --- ## [EKG home unit advise](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ekg-home-unit-advise/807665)
**Author:** [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2018, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ekg-home-unit-advise/807665 "2018-02-01T03:26:58Z")
I’m thinking of getting a portable EKG unit for home use and I’m wondering what the advantage is of multi line EKG’s are vs single. Apparently I have a history of afib that created some serious blood clots. I’m on blo… --- ## [Does all bread not contain yeast?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-all-bread-not-contain-yeast/805723)
**Author:** [@TheUser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheUser)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2018, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-all-bread-not-contain-yeast/805723 "2018-02-01T02:30:58Z")
I’m not very clear on brewer’s yeast vs. baker’s yeast but I was under the impression that all bread contained yeast. Recently I bought a Sourdough rustic loaf from Whole Foods and was surprised that yeast wasn’t mentio… --- ## [RetroGeekery: Primordial Mac on a LAN?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retrogeekery-primordial-mac-on-a-lan/805468)
**Author:** [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2018, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retrogeekery-primordial-mac-on-a-lan/805468 "2018-02-01T00:26:39Z")
TL/DR version: How do I get a LocalTalk System 6 Mac onto an ethernet-based LAN as an AppleTalk and TCP-IP client? I have an AsantéPrint LocalTalk to Ethernet bridge but can’t get it working. details: I maintain a “c… --- ## [Advancing through the ranks by killing your superior](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advancing-through-the-ranks-by-killing-your-superior/807624)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2018, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advancing-through-the-ranks-by-killing-your-superior/807624 "2018-01-31T21:01:56Z")
In a lot of sci fi and fantasy, cultures are depicted in which one way, or even the only way, to advance through the ranks of society (or of some segment of it) is by killing a superior–thereby taking their place. I am … --- ## [How do you say in Spanish (other languages also) "I'm in the doghouse" and its offshoots?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-say-in-spanish-other-languages-also-im-in-the-doghouse-and-its-offshoots/807771)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2018, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-say-in-spanish-other-languages-also-im-in-the-doghouse-and-its-offshoots/807771 "2018-01-31T06:25:14Z")
See query. I’m not even sure if it’s Anglo-wide or just American. Usage: “I had a tiff with my wife, and now I’m in the doghouse” ie, she’s pissed at me–usually when this is said there’s some sort of acknowledgment that… --- ## [What accent is this, and does it still exist? (Howard Hughes)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-accent-is-this-and-does-it-still-exist-howard-hughes/807772)
**Author:** [@Lamoral](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamoral)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2018, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-accent-is-this-and-does-it-still-exist-howard-hughes/807772 "2018-01-31T04:50:16Z")
Here is a clip of Howard Hughes speaking. He was from Texas originally, but this doesn’t sound like any Texas accent I’ve ever heard. It does sound kind of like the “Mid-Atlantic”, “Old-Timey Movie” accent, but it’s mor… --- ## [Was Sir Isaac Newton gay?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-sir-isaac-newton-gay/335965)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2018, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-sir-isaac-newton-gay/335965 "2018-01-30T22:08:36Z")
Neal Stephenson’s Baroque Cycle – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The\_Baroque\_Cycle\_(novel) – which features Sir Isaac Newton as a major character, assumes (or at least very, very strongly implies) that he was homosexual; i… --- ## [What are some characteristics of places with high murder rates?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-characteristics-of-places-with-high-murder-rates/807762)
**Author:** [@Contemplation](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contemplation)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2018, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-characteristics-of-places-with-high-murder-rates/807762 "2018-01-30T19:14:00Z")
Its often said that murder is the most reliable crime statistic because it is more likely to be reported when it happens than assault, rape, robbery and etc. So if the murder rate is high, its likely that other crimes a… --- ## [Windows question: icons above app icons on taskbar](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-question-icons-above-app-icons-on-taskbar/807809)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2018, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-question-icons-above-app-icons-on-taskbar/807809 "2018-01-30T18:57:52Z")
I had some computer troubles and IT had to do a re-build of my profile. That’s caused a minor glitch that I can’t solve. I’ve got Windows 7. I have Word and Outlook pinned on my taskbar. If I’ve got more than on documen… --- ## [Firefox tries to download a JPG file](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefox-tries-to-download-a-jpg-file/807478)
**Author:** [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2018, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefox-tries-to-download-a-jpg-file/807478 "2018-01-30T18:40:34Z")
I’ve seen this happen a few times before, and I’m not sure why, but now there’s an example over in this thread. There’s a link to a file of a type that Firefox understands, in this case .JPG . Ordinarily, when you clic… --- ## [Vegans and pollinated food](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vegans-and-pollinated-food/807721)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2018, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vegans-and-pollinated-food/807721 "2018-01-30T17:44:59Z")
Vegans do not consume animal products. AIUI, it has something to do with ‘exploitation of the animal’. Given that bees are used to pollinate many crops, and that transporting them has adverse effects on their hypophary… --- ## [Facebook/People Following Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facebook-people-following-question/807781)
**Author:** [@SanDiegoTim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanDiegoTim)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2018, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facebook-people-following-question/807781 "2018-01-30T16:41:32Z")
I just learned about “following,” specifically how to block FB users who have been following me. In doing so I found 30 or so names that’s are obviously not real people. Who are these users and why would they want to fo… --- ## [Question about my car battery](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-my-car-battery/807736)
**Author:** [@ethelbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ethelbert)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2018, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-my-car-battery/807736 "2018-01-30T15:53:25Z")
Lately my car batteries last about two years. The first battery on my 2014 Mazda 6 went after two years. The dealer replaced it (giving me something off because of the warranty) and now my battery is going again. I don’t… --- ## [Brits: What's the distinction being made in "paying rates and taxes?" What's a "rate?" Also: cops](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brits-whats-the-distinction-being-made-in-paying-rates-and-taxes-whats-a-rate-also-cops/807704)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2018, 8:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brits-whats-the-distinction-being-made-in-paying-rates-and-taxes-whats-a-rate-also-cops/807704 "2018-01-30T08:20:29Z")
See query. A character in a Wodehouse story huffs at a (supposedly) bumbling cop “…and for this we pay rates and taxes.” I don’t have the date offhand, but can get it. Come to think of it, I think I’ve seen the word “ra… --- ## [Grammar question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question/807684)
**Author:** [@copperwindow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/copperwindow)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2018, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question/807684 "2018-01-30T04:44:09Z")
Is "Can you call me when you get a chance, I have something to ask you. “, or us it " Can you call me when you get a chance , I have something to ask you?” the correct was to ask? --- ## [Is it possible to find my Bitcoins?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-find-my-bitcoins/807593)
**Author:** [@Lakai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lakai)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2018, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-find-my-bitcoins/807593 "2018-01-30T01:16:04Z")
In October of 2014 I bought .1 BTC, which is now worth around $1,000. Back then it was around $35. I used it to see if I could buy something on the dark web market place. Not because I wanted to buy slave children, but b… --- ## [Navigation in outer space](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/navigation-in-outer-space/648097)
**Author:** [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2018, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/navigation-in-outer-space/648097 "2018-01-30T00:08:22Z")
So we have managed to invent a propulsion system which allows us to travel between the stars. Now, how do we navigate and get where we want to go. Do we…use the stars? As which star is where in our horizon will keep chan… --- ## [At what age did Mary become pregnant with Jesus?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-age-did-mary-become-pregnant-with-jesus/807729)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2018, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-age-did-mary-become-pregnant-with-jesus/807729 "2018-01-29T23:33:35Z")
Is there a definite answer to this question? --- ## [Is vodka a surfactant?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-vodka-a-surfactant/807734)
**Author:** [@Deflagration](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deflagration)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2018, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-vodka-a-surfactant/807734 "2018-01-29T22:33:34Z")
I’ve just put a 50/50 mix in my water bottle. Shook it to mix. Had a definate foam. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=623) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=625)