# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=629 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 630 --- ## [Is it taboo in some countries for men to urinate standing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-taboo-in-some-countries-for-men-to-urinate-standing/664777)
**Author:** [@lew\_cody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lew_cody)\ **Replies:** 88\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2018, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-taboo-in-some-countries-for-men-to-urinate-standing/664777 "2018-01-17T22:13:11Z")
I find the weirdest things to ask about. Anyway, I was looking over some German etiquette regulations at this website: http://www.thelocal.de/society/20120510-42465.html …and it seems that sitting is the preferred mode… --- ## [Can you make yourself pass out by holding your breath?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-make-yourself-pass-out-by-holding-your-breath/72056)
**Author:** [@Astroboy14](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Astroboy14)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2016, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-make-yourself-pass-out-by-holding-your-breath/72056 "2016-12-29T15:23:12Z")
I’m sure this has been asked before, but a search revealed nothing… Is it physically possible to hold your breath until you pass out? Could one possibly commit suicide that way? Thanks all! --- ## [When and how did Hahnemann college become a standard medical school?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-and-how-did-hahnemann-college-become-a-standard-medical-school/806850)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2018, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-and-how-did-hahnemann-college-become-a-standard-medical-school/806850 "2018-01-17T19:41:12Z")
Cecil’s column today: What’s the difference between an osteopath and an MD? - The Straight Dope reminded me of the question posed above. By the time I finished college in 1959, Hahnemann was just one of the five medical… --- ## [Legally, what rights does a falsely accused sexual predator have?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legally-what-rights-does-a-falsely-accused-sexual-predator-have/806572)
**Author:** [@Mrdeals](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrdeals)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2018, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legally-what-rights-does-a-falsely-accused-sexual-predator-have/806572 "2018-01-17T15:51:08Z")
Let’s say a man is accused by a women, a group of women as being a sexual predator, or rapist. After all is said and done, no evidence is found, and the accusers are found to have lied. By this point, realistically, th… --- ## [Flu vaccine question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flu-vaccine-question/710194)
**Author:** [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2018, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flu-vaccine-question/710194 "2018-01-17T14:18:11Z")
Something I have wondered about, but can’t find anything that addresses it. So they put three or four common strains of the virus in each year’s batch based on prevalent strains and best guess. It’s pretty widely report… --- ## [Why do commercial jets cruise at 35,000-40,000 feet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-commercial-jets-cruise-at-35-000-40-000-feet/806781)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2018, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-commercial-jets-cruise-at-35-000-40-000-feet/806781 "2018-01-17T13:12:43Z")
I get that flying at lower altitudes causes excess drag - possibly to the point of structural failure if you’re trying to cruise at 500+ MPH somewhere close to sea level. But if flying higher reduces drag, then why stop… --- ## [Why didn't news of the Viking discovery of North America spread to other parts of Europe?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-didnt-news-of-the-viking-discovery-of-north-america-spread-to-other-parts-of-europe/805978)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2018, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-didnt-news-of-the-viking-discovery-of-north-america-spread-to-other-parts-of-europe/805978 "2018-01-17T12:07:16Z")
Hi Why didn’t news of the Viking discovery of North America spread to other parts of Europe? Given that these Vikings had been christianized (to an extent) by 1000 AD and invaded lands far to the south, you’d think tha… --- ## [What is the correct version of events in the Rosa Parks story?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-correct-version-of-events-in-the-rosa-parks-story/806221)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2018, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-correct-version-of-events-in-the-rosa-parks-story/806221 "2018-01-17T08:11:17Z")
Hi What actually transpired on the Montgomery bus? As I understand it, several white passengers boarded the bus and one white male passenger was left standing. Were several seats of one row then available for that one w… --- ## [Grammar question: "I do will..."](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-i-do-will/806048)
**Author:** [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2018, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-i-do-will/806048 "2018-01-17T07:02:47Z")
In Emilia’s song Big Big World, the chorus contains the following line: “…but I do, do feel that I do, do will miss you much”. Is this grammatically correct usage? Can will, which (as I understand) is an auxiliary verb … --- ## [Recording the President](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recording-the-president/806543)
**Author:** [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2018, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recording-the-president/806543 "2018-01-17T04:12:45Z")
Is every person who meets with the President searched first? How hard would it have been for Comey (or anyone else) to hide a recorder and actually use it? Any special law that prohibits it? Normally, under federal law, … --- ## [Pharmaceutical TV commercials: Do not take "X" if allergic to "X" of any of its ingredients](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pharmaceutical-tv-commercials-do-not-take-x-if-allergic-to-x-of-any-of-its-ingredients/751880)
**Author:** [@iceiso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iceiso)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2018, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pharmaceutical-tv-commercials-do-not-take-x-if-allergic-to-x-of-any-of-its-ingredients/751880 "2018-01-17T03:28:44Z")
I appreciate that pharmaceutical TV commercials have a number of disclaimers which warn the consumer of drug interactions or when a certain drug is not indicated, ie. do not take if pregnant or nursing, have a history of… --- ## [Why are backpack leaf blowers and lawn mowers so darn loud?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-backpack-leaf-blowers-and-lawn-mowers-so-darn-loud/603316)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2018, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-backpack-leaf-blowers-and-lawn-mowers-so-darn-loud/603316 "2018-01-17T02:32:08Z")
See subject. Leo --- ## [How much UV light do modern windows block](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-uv-light-do-modern-windows-block/333924)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2018, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-uv-light-do-modern-windows-block/333924 "2018-01-17T01:03:42Z")
Modern windows block UV light (if they didn’t everytime you sat indoors or sat in your car you’d get a sunburn). How much UV light do regular windows block? Expect to find windows off-the-shelf that block more than 75… --- ## [Use of the term blockade as an act of war](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-term-blockade-as-an-act-of-war/806524)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2018, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-term-blockade-as-an-act-of-war/806524 "2018-01-16T20:16:27Z")
Hi My question is a little convoluted. I’m interested in teasing out the differences, if there are any between a ‘blockade’ and a ‘quarantine’. Does the term blockade, necessarily imply blocking necessities to the c… --- ## [US Military executioners](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-military-executioners/806575)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2018, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-military-executioners/806575 "2018-01-16T20:08:59Z")
I read a notice that a new book about John C Woods is coming out. He was famous for hanging 10 Nazi war criminals. Reading up on him I note that he executed quite a few US soldiers, anywhere from 60 to 70 and up. This… --- ## [Auto - what advanced scan tool does this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auto-what-advanced-scan-tool-does-this/806730)
**Author:** [@Fantome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fantome)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2018, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auto-what-advanced-scan-tool-does-this/806730 "2018-01-16T19:41:52Z")
After having an emissions issue fixed on my girlfriend’s 2013 and having the engine light turned off, I still won’t be able to pass NY state inspection until it is driven through a “drive cycle”, or it is re-set with an … --- ## [Dice rolling probability question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dice-rolling-probability-question/806634)
**Author:** [@amarone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarone)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2018, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dice-rolling-probability-question/806634 "2018-01-16T19:33:27Z")
If I roll 12 dice, what are the probabilities that a) exactly 9 are the same (any number), and b) at least 9 are the same? Please provide an equation so I can calculate the answer for different numbers, e.g. 10 of 14. T… --- ## [Advocating For Revolution: Is It A Crime In The U.S.? (Don't Need Answer Fast)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advocating-for-revolution-is-it-a-crime-in-the-u-s-dont-need-answer-fast/806469)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2018, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advocating-for-revolution-is-it-a-crime-in-the-u-s-dont-need-answer-fast/806469 "2018-01-16T19:23:23Z")
I know that advocating specific acts of violence (for example, posting on Facebook that someone should go murder a specific person) are not covered by the First Amendment. But what about mundane platitudes calling for re… --- ## [Mass and Energy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-and-energy/806688)
**Author:** [@UncleFred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleFred)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2018, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-and-energy/806688 "2018-01-16T19:16:15Z")
Apologies up front for my poor grasp of Physics… Quite some time ago I read a claim that any activity that released energy involved the conversion of mass to energy. This seems to me a pretty broad claim and makes me wo… --- ## [Air combat: what does the RIO/WSO do?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-combat-what-does-the-rio-wso-do/806399)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2018, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-combat-what-does-the-rio-wso-do/806399 "2018-01-16T18:09:54Z")
Top Gun has been in heavy rotation on TV lately. The pilots are portrayed as the superstars - flying the planes, making the command decisions, shooting the missiles. OTOH the role of the Radar Intercept Officer (RIO), … --- ## [How did people cut their toenails before clippers were invented?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-people-cut-their-toenails-before-clippers-were-invented/261535)
**Author:** [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2018, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-people-cut-their-toenails-before-clippers-were-invented/261535 "2018-01-16T13:38:58Z")
The question is pretty self-explanatory. I know that people can bite their fingernails if they need or want to but I cannot figure out how one could cut toenails effectively without something like clippers or sharp sciss… --- ## [In the US, can an off-duty rent-a-cop exercise arrest powers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-us-can-an-off-duty-rent-a-cop-exercise-arrest-powers/806657)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2018, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-us-can-an-off-duty-rent-a-cop-exercise-arrest-powers/806657 "2018-01-16T06:13:45Z")
This is a question triggered by the Louisiana school board arrest. If I’ve understood it correctly, the officer who handcuffed the teacher was an off-duty officer who was hired by the school board to provide security. A… --- ## [How do you tell what is or is not OK to freeze?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-tell-what-is-or-is-not-ok-to-freeze/806650)
**Author:** [@Mdcastle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mdcastle)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2018, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-tell-what-is-or-is-not-ok-to-freeze/806650 "2018-01-16T05:10:08Z")
So our my niece was visiting for the weekend. She got in late on Friday and a bag of her stuff got left outside in the car for the night. It got below zero here and in the morning of course everything was frozen solid- h… --- ## [Is there a way to do reverse lookup on UPC codes, to find what it was?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-do-reverse-lookup-on-upc-codes-to-find-what-it-was/806608)
**Author:** [@brakecane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brakecane)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2018, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-do-reverse-lookup-on-upc-codes-to-find-what-it-was/806608 "2018-01-16T05:02:00Z")
I have receipts that I let pile up and then when I have to get reimbursed I can’t figure out what they were for. I have the UPC code on the receipt, but the description is too vague. (Lately I had one that said “white … --- ## [Medics and Priests during WW(x)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medics-and-priests-during-ww-x/806733)
**Author:** [@anomalous1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anomalous1)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2018, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medics-and-priests-during-ww-x/806733 "2018-01-16T04:17:05Z")
During the world wars, were there any documented cases of priests or medics being spared from getting killed in combat or possibly being released after capture or allowed to continue their craft when captured? That pret… --- ## [Does anyone have a bose Wave?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-have-a-bose-wave/806586)
**Author:** [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2018, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-have-a-bose-wave/806586 "2018-01-16T02:53:30Z")
I inherited one. Am I right that there is no tone controls? it does have a talk radio setting supposedly reducing bass. But it’s not ideal to say the least. Is there something I am missing about the use of this radio? D… --- ## [Firefox Problem](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefox-problem/802027)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2018, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefox-problem/802027 "2018-01-16T02:17:04Z")
I’m running win 8.1 & the new Firefox update. The colors in YouTube are out of whack. Images are mostly green with magenta "ghosts\> For brief periods, it works normally. Anybody else got this? --- ## [Canon mx922 direct print to cd/dvd](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canon-mx922-direct-print-to-cd-dvd/806653)
**Author:** [@INFOSEEKER\_II](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/INFOSEEKER_II)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2018, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canon-mx922-direct-print-to-cd-dvd/806653 "2018-01-16T01:45:49Z")
My new Canon mx922 works great on most functions. I wish to make my own layout and print directly onto the printable cd/dvd s. However, the method that they use is very difficult for me. Normal print on cd will allow a c… --- ## [Cosmology/space-time question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosmology-space-time-question/806617)
**Author:** [@velomont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velomont)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2018, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosmology-space-time-question/806617 "2018-01-16T01:04:45Z")
Hi everybody. I have a question about the nature of space-time and the universe. As I understand it, the medium of the universe is space-time, within which everything exists. If, in simplistic terms, this is accurate, a… --- ## [I need some advice installing a gasket on my front door threshold.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-some-advice-installing-a-gasket-on-my-front-door-threshold/806644)
**Author:** [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2018, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-some-advice-installing-a-gasket-on-my-front-door-threshold/806644 "2018-01-15T21:44:06Z")
I purchased a threshold similar to this one at Lowe’s. It is aluminum and has a vinyl insert to form the seal between the bottom of the door and the threshold. Unlike the one in the picture, the screws that fasten to t… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=628) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=630)