# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=644 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 645 --- ## [name of antenna wire gizmo hat goes outside the house?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-of-antenna-wire-gizmo-hat-goes-outside-the-house/803581)
**Author:** [@Doubting\_Robert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doubting_Robert)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2017, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-of-antenna-wire-gizmo-hat-goes-outside-the-house/803581 "2017-12-05T22:24:47Z")
I don’t have cable or satellite TV. I rely on over-the-air broadcasts. This has worked fine until lately. I paid someone to go up on the roof and re-aim the antenna and check the wiring. This fixed things fairly well… --- ## [USPS package delivered at 10:45pm tonight. Who's doing the delivery?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usps-package-delivered-at-10-45pm-tonight-whos-doing-the-delivery/803613)
**Author:** [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2017, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usps-package-delivered-at-10-45pm-tonight-whos-doing-the-delivery/803613 "2017-12-05T22:01:09Z")
Hello Everyone, I ordered an item from Amazon and got a text at 10:45 this evening saying it was delivered. Sure enough i go to our mailbox and it’s there. It wasn’t there at 6pm when I got our regular mail from the bo… --- ## [Czech uranium WWII and Germany](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/czech-uranium-wwii-and-germany/803594)
**Author:** [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2017, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/czech-uranium-wwii-and-germany/803594 "2017-12-05T20:50:19Z")
I just read in Roosevelt’s Centurions that when Szilard presented Einstein’s letter to FDR to built the atomic bomb, he mentioned that Germany had acquired Czechoslovakia’s uranium mines and had ceased exporting uranium. … --- ## [How do you research historical laws or penal codes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-research-historical-laws-or-penal-codes/803312)
**Author:** [@ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2017, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-research-historical-laws-or-penal-codes/803312 "2017-12-05T20:07:39Z")
I know I can easily find the current California Penal Code on the state government website. But suppose I know the law has changed and I want to see what the code was 20 or 30 or 60 years ago. Where can I look? Online re… --- ## [So, Can I Take a Bath With My Space Heater? (Don't need answer fast)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-can-i-take-a-bath-with-my-space-heater-dont-need-answer-fast/803266)
**Author:** [@Lare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lare)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2017, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-can-i-take-a-bath-with-my-space-heater-dont-need-answer-fast/803266 "2017-12-05T19:37:28Z")
I was thinking of GFCI circuits because I just don’t have that much going on in my life. As I understand it, a ground fault interrupter senses the current going out, decides if the same is coming back, and if it isn’t r… --- ## [How to co-exist with coyote pack?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-co-exist-with-coyote-pack/803558)
**Author:** [@Socalk9](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Socalk9)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2017, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-co-exist-with-coyote-pack/803558 "2017-12-05T18:57:49Z")
I live in Southern Ca on a private, extremely manicured golf course that backs up to a protected wilderness reserve. (Sorry 4 the novel but the details are important) The “food” chain here is plentiful. We have rabbit, … --- ## [When did the American accent become dominant?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-american-accent-become-dominant/803449)
**Author:** [@NineToTheSky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NineToTheSky)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2017, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-american-accent-become-dominant/803449 "2017-12-05T17:31:04Z")
When what is now the USA was first populated by Europeans, there must have been pockets where a particular European country’s language was spoken - some, but not all, English. When did the English language become the dom… --- ## ['Splice the Main Brace'](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/splice-the-main-brace/803514)
**Author:** [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2017, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/splice-the-main-brace/803514 "2017-12-05T15:05:08Z")
It’s an old naval term meaning ‘Break out the Booze’. How did that happen? --- ## [Law Question: Judges issuing gag orders](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/law-question-judges-issuing-gag-orders/803633)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2017, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/law-question-judges-issuing-gag-orders/803633 "2017-12-05T14:56:58Z")
This relates to the gag order issued in the Manafort case, and any such similar gag orders. I don’t get the rationale for this type of gag order. I had thought of gag orders as being about people closely connected with … --- ## [Question about aircraft engines.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-aircraft-engines/803561)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2017, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-aircraft-engines/803561 "2017-12-05T13:38:04Z")
From the Wright Brothers first flyer to the pinnacle of piston-engine technology that was reached by the end of World War Two, aircraft engines advanced enormously in both absolute and power-to-weight ratio output. I was… --- ## [Was the ship that brought slaves to Point Comfort in 1619 a Dutch Man-of-War or a British ship?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-ship-that-brought-slaves-to-point-comfort-in-1619-a-dutch-man-of-war-or-a-british-ship/803564)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2017, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-ship-that-brought-slaves-to-point-comfort-in-1619-a-dutch-man-of-war-or-a-british-ship/803564 "2017-12-05T12:59:31Z")
Hi Was the ship that brought slaves to Point Comfort (Jamestown) in 1619 a Dutch Man-of-War or a British ship? I’d like to know which version serious scholars accept as correct? I look forward to your feedback. I’ve s… --- ## [Why didn't Cumulus Media stock go to zero?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-didnt-cumulus-media-stock-go-to-zero/803186)
**Author:** [@whitetho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whitetho)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2017, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-didnt-cumulus-media-stock-go-to-zero/803186 "2017-12-05T04:31:24Z")
No unexpectedly, Cumulus Media filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy/reorganization yesterday evening. As part of the filing, the company stated that “Based upon the terms of the agreement that has been reached with our secure… --- ## [Is this a scam, or is ID theft going on?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-scam-or-is-id-theft-going-on/803026)
**Author:** [@Patch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patch)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2017, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-scam-or-is-id-theft-going-on/803026 "2017-12-05T03:56:36Z")
Got an e-receipt today from PetSmart for about $20 for a credit card purchase. The purchase is in a state I don’t live in, and the last 4 numbers on the card don’t match any of mine. Ran a free credit report, and the o… --- ## [Pronunciation of names](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pronunciation-of-names/475062)
**Author:** [@NineToTheSky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NineToTheSky)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2017, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pronunciation-of-names/475062 "2017-12-05T02:46:53Z")
Something that puzzled me for most of my life: I have loved the music of, and read about certain artists for a very long time, but I’ve never heard their names pronounced. So, is David Freiberg (Quicksilver etc) Free-b… --- ## [What is the utility of taxing a university tuition waiver?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-utility-of-taxing-a-university-tuition-waiver/801635)
**Author:** [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Replies:** 106\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2017, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-utility-of-taxing-a-university-tuition-waiver/801635 "2017-12-05T01:19:21Z")
There’s been a fair amount of outraged ink spilled over the revelation that the proposed republican tax bill will tax tuition waivers to grad students. Those opposed argue that treating waivers as taxable income severely… --- ## [How do skydivers hit their marks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-skydivers-hit-their-marks/803436)
**Author:** [@Mrdeals](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrdeals)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2017, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-skydivers-hit-their-marks/803436 "2017-12-05T00:39:20Z")
I found that the average skydive lasts 5 minutes. With the earth spinning at 1000mph, why don’t the divers end up in the next county? Does the atmosphere travel at the same pace as the ground? --- ## [This can't be true, can it (Belt around the earth)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-cant-be-true-can-it-belt-around-the-earth/802948)
**Author:** [@Zyanthia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyanthia)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2017, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-cant-be-true-can-it-belt-around-the-earth/802948 "2017-12-05T00:04:51Z")
Please help me understand why this is true. Assume the earth is a perfect sphere. The circumference of the earth in feet (rounded to tens of millions) is 130,000,000. If I make a belt is 3 feet longer than the circumf… --- ## [Can't connect to VPN](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cant-connect-to-vpn/803545)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2017, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cant-connect-to-vpn/803545 "2017-12-04T20:17:19Z")
This should be resolved when IT starts working. (It’s annoying to me though, because I like to start at 0630.) Yesterday I tried to connect to VPN and my browser told me the certificate expired. I told my browser to t… --- ## [I am looking for info on GE SurfRadio](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-looking-for-info-on-ge-surfradio/803501)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2017, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-looking-for-info-on-ge-surfradio/803501 "2017-12-04T19:42:17Z")
I have seen pictures in the past of a boombox called the GE SurfRadio(or maybe Surf Radio). It had two large speakers, a tape deck and supposedly the AM radio sensitivity of the renown GE SuperRadio. Googling it has tu… --- ## [Why can't nuclear weapons be used to stop incoming ICBMs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-nuclear-weapons-be-used-to-stop-incoming-icbms/803477)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2017, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-nuclear-weapons-be-used-to-stop-incoming-icbms/803477 "2017-12-04T18:59:07Z")
The argument I’ve heard against stopping a missile with a missile is it is like you are ‘hitting a bullet with a bullet’. But even if an ICBM is going mach 10, why can’t you create a cluster bomb consisting of multiple … --- ## ["How was your flight?" - "A bit bumpy above the Azores, but fine otherwise."](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-was-your-flight-a-bit-bumpy-above-the-azores-but-fine-otherwise/803320)
**Author:** [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2017, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-was-your-flight-a-bit-bumpy-above-the-azores-but-fine-otherwise/803320 "2017-12-04T18:48:47Z")
You hear this kind of dialogue occasionally in old films from the 1950s and 1960s, when air travel, especially intercontinentally, was still firmly the province of the wealthy. I’m quite certain I remember it being used … --- ## [Question about the jawline](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-the-jawline/803550)
**Author:** [@TheSundial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheSundial)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2017, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-the-jawline/803550 "2017-12-04T17:33:42Z")
Why is it that women have very nice square jawlines a lot of the time? Is that because they are shorter and they are always looking up at taller men everyday? Men can also have square jaws just like women except it see… --- ## [Where to get statisitics on individual surgeons?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-get-statisitics-on-individual-surgeons/803551)
**Author:** [@Anny\_Middon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anny_Middon)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2017, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-get-statisitics-on-individual-surgeons/803551 "2017-12-04T17:00:21Z")
A client I do research for wants statistics on a few surgeons. He is possibly facing a prostatectomy, and is the careful kind of person who wants all sorts of data in advance so that if he does need the surgery he knows… --- ## [Argh! Foreign postage question. Test your skills!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/argh-foreign-postage-question-test-your-skills/803531)
**Author:** [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2017, 11:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/argh-foreign-postage-question-test-your-skills/803531 "2017-12-04T11:09:05Z")
Argh! Ventured from Long Beach on Phu Quoc, into the little town today to do a little money changing, get some stamps, and a few other errands that got cancelled due to rain! But I did get stamps. Through only fractured… --- ## [Sleeping for 24 hours straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleeping-for-24-hours-straight/803515)
**Author:** [@Toxii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toxii)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2017, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleeping-for-24-hours-straight/803515 "2017-12-04T05:07:29Z")
Before I go into this, I want to say that this is not to be taken out of context. I have made a post like this once, and it got locked bc it was taken extremely far out of context from what I really meant. Ive been want… --- ## [The Irresistible Urge To Sing - What's The Psychological Mechanism?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-irresistible-urge-to-sing-whats-the-psychological-mechanism/803465)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2017, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-irresistible-urge-to-sing-whats-the-psychological-mechanism/803465 "2017-12-04T04:51:35Z")
This video and thousands like it are quite popular on YouTube. The concept is that you have to listen to a song, and fight your urge to sing along. What’s the psychological mechanism that causes that almost-irresistible… --- ## [The use of 'me' as a possessive pronoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-use-of-me-as-a-possessive-pronoun/801715)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2017, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-use-of-me-as-a-possessive-pronoun/801715 "2017-12-04T04:15:35Z")
Is ‘me’ as a possessive pronoun limited to northern England? I’ve only heard it in Liverpool and Newcastle. This usage has been made famous in The Beatles song, “Can’t Buy Me Love.” --- ## [Gas stations where you paid after you pumped](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-stations-where-you-paid-after-you-pumped/802935)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2017, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-stations-where-you-paid-after-you-pumped/802935 "2017-12-04T02:42:02Z")
I’m fairly young but I can’t be crazy in remembering there used to be gas stations where you’d pump your gas first, then go inside and pay at the register right? Basically it seemed like the pumps were always “On” and yo… --- ## ["The door was on the latch" - what does that mean?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-door-was-on-the-latch-what-does-that-mean/803106)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 3, 2017, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-door-was-on-the-latch-what-does-that-mean/803106 "2017-12-03T20:53:12Z")
I hear this in British movies and tv shows set prior to, say, 1970-ish. Usually, because “the door is on the latch,” people are able to enter the house and murder, burgle, or rescue someone. (Yeah, it’s mostly crime show… --- ## [Rubber earbud tips](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubber-earbud-tips/803293)
**Author:** [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 3, 2017, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubber-earbud-tips/803293 "2017-12-03T20:46:34Z")
I lost a rubber earbud tip. I have no idea of the brand of the headset. It did not come with the phone and i dont recall where and when i purchased the headset. I’ve looked on Amazon at replacements and they have differe… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=643) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=645)