# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=65 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 66 --- ## [Does anyone know how Roman numerals were pronounced?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-know-how-roman-numerals-were-pronounced/1007672)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 88\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2024, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-know-how-roman-numerals-were-pronounced/1007672 "2024-11-30T04:30:43Z")
In English, it’s fairly easy to imagine that, say, XIII could be pronounced “three-ten,” or thirteen. Don’t know about what that might be like in Latin, though - maybe something similar. But then what about XL? How i… --- ## [A basic question about income tax brackets](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-basic-question-about-income-tax-brackets/1010857)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2024, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-basic-question-about-income-tax-brackets/1010857 "2024-11-29T14:24:34Z")
I can’t seem to find a straightforward answer to my straightforward question, so here we are. Suppose I am in the 12% income tax bracket if my Adjusted Gross Income is less than $60,000. And If my AGI is $60,000 or mor… --- ## [Measuring Speed of light One-Way](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/measuring-speed-of-light-one-way/1010723)
**Author:** [@sbright33](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sbright33)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2024, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/measuring-speed-of-light-one-way/1010723 "2024-11-29T01:53:51Z")
It is trivial using an Arduino and laser to measure the speed of light round trip. I’m aware of the Sagnac effect formula I have verified it experimentally. I have 2 atomic clocks. Can I estimate this speed within 1% w… --- ## [What is wrong with my keyboard at work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-my-keyboard-at-work/1010550)
**Author:** [@WalterBishop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WalterBishop)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2024, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-my-keyboard-at-work/1010550 "2024-11-27T20:43:12Z")
My work keyboard has this very annoying glitch. In order to type £, I need to press shift+3. However, frequently, and for no reason at all, pressing shift+3 stops giving me £ and starts giving me #. This is a problem be… --- ## [Running or riding a bike in the rain](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-or-riding-a-bike-in-the-rain/1010799)
**Author:** [@sbright33](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sbright33)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2024, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-or-riding-a-bike-in-the-rain/1010799 "2024-11-27T17:55:17Z")
Let’s say you’re a really tall thin person with a tiny head and shoulders. Almost like a piece of cardboard that runs facing forward. The area from above is Ah. The area from in front is Av. You know the rate of rainfall… --- ## [Connecting with others with a rare medical condition](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/connecting-with-others-with-a-rare-medical-condition/1003904)
**Author:** [@mjmartin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mjmartin)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2024, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/connecting-with-others-with-a-rare-medical-condition/1003904 "2024-11-27T06:28:35Z")
My 8 year old son has been diagnosed with a rare medical condition. It’s not life threatening, but will have a major negative impact on his life, especially over the next few years and quite possibly for the rest of his … --- ## [Nails in a Wood Stove](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nails-in-a-wood-stove/1010668)
**Author:** [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2024, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nails-in-a-wood-stove/1010668 "2024-11-26T19:10:29Z")
I think there’s a FQ to this, but if it should be IMHO then so be it. I’m putting in a new hardwood floor. Occasionally something goes wrong. Could be a bad board or a misfire of the stapler, but every once in a while I… --- ## [How to obtain a military ID?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-obtain-a-military-id/1010485)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2024, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-obtain-a-military-id/1010485 "2024-11-25T18:22:44Z")
My uncle just asked me if I had a military spouse ID. I told him my wife doesn’t have a military ID. She said she wished she had one. So… She has a VA card, and her DD 214. She was in the Army for five years, and wa… --- ## [How to get better reception on portable FM radio?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-better-reception-on-portable-fm-radio/1010712)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2024, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-better-reception-on-portable-fm-radio/1010712 "2024-11-25T14:55:47Z")
I have a portable FM radio that gets less-than-perfect reception in a particular residence. Don’t know if it’s the building itself, or the location in town relative to the broadcast antenna, but I’d like to see if I can… --- ## [How does (did) job assignment/placement happen in Communist countries?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-did-job-assignment-placement-happen-in-communist-countries/690945)
**Author:** [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2024, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-did-job-assignment-placement-happen-in-communist-countries/690945 "2024-11-25T14:12:06Z")
It’s generally considered common wisdom in the US that one of the features of life in places like the USSR and East Germany was that you were pretty much guaranteed a job, with the corresponding meager, but good enough t… --- ## [Formula for #Days Julian Calendar Falls Behind Gregorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/formula-for-days-julian-calendar-falls-behind-gregorian/1010726)
**Author:** [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2024, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/formula-for-days-julian-calendar-falls-behind-gregorian/1010726 "2024-11-25T13:35:23Z")
Fell down a bit of a rabbit hole, starting with reading this site and deciding to amuse myself by implementing a Gregorian-to-Roman conversion field in FileMaker. The bit that ended up being the most difficult to implem… --- ## [Can you get in trouble for threatening to shoot someone who's threatening you?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-get-in-trouble-for-threatening-to-shoot-someone-whos-threatening-you/1010118)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2024, 11:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-get-in-trouble-for-threatening-to-shoot-someone-whos-threatening-you/1010118 "2024-11-25T11:17:55Z")
I imagine YMMV depending on the state. Some YouTube Drama, a YouTuber I’ll call Able is threatening to go to another YouTuber I’ll call Bravo’s house (which is in another state) and Able is being vague about what they’l… --- ## [Yet another black hole question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-black-hole-question/1010627)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2024, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-black-hole-question/1010627 "2024-11-25T07:49:08Z")
Once something has fallen past a black hole’s event horizon, is it that nothing inside can get outside the horizon again, or is it that nothing can move away from the singularity even momentarily? I thought I had read re… --- ## [Speaking of the ancient pharaohs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speaking-of-the-ancient-pharaohs/1010484)
**Author:** [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2024, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speaking-of-the-ancient-pharaohs/1010484 "2024-11-25T04:05:47Z")
How do we know how they pronounced their names? Where do we get “Tutankhamen” or “Ramses” from the writings they left? --- ## [Math history--was calculus was invented before the concept of taking an average?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/math-history-was-calculus-was-invented-before-the-concept-of-taking-an-average/1010671)
**Author:** [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2024, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/math-history-was-calculus-was-invented-before-the-concept-of-taking-an-average/1010671 "2024-11-25T01:21:06Z")
Neal DeGrasse Tyson says so. In a political panel show (Bill Maher), they were discussing polls and statistics about the election. Neal DeGrasse Tyson said that human beings have trouble understanding statistics, and t… --- ## [Grid batteries -- why 4 hours?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grid-batteries-why-4-hours/1010707)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2024, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grid-batteries-why-4-hours/1010707 "2024-11-24T15:22:53Z")
Whenever grid batteries are discussed, it seems that one of their problems is that they’re only good for about four hours. And as a result, the typical installation has 4 hours worth of total energy when discharged at th… --- ## [Why is UFO related stuff classified?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-ufo-related-stuff-classified/804704)
**Author:** [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Replies:** 125\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2024, 8:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-ufo-related-stuff-classified/804704 "2024-11-23T08:44:13Z")
Given how many scientific achievements have serious national security implications and are publicized, what’s the point of keeping classified the fact that our government is even studying this? I could understand if they… --- ## [Car Insurance Payout Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-insurance-payout-question/1009886)
**Author:** [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2024, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-insurance-payout-question/1009886 "2024-11-22T21:29:28Z")
Last Friday as I drove to work at 10:00 pm, a driver pulled into my lane from my right. As might be expected, the passenger side of my Prius was damaged from the front fender, both passenger-side doors, and the quarter p… --- ## [Two questions about things seen on semi trailers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-questions-about-things-seen-on-semi-trailers/1010541)
**Author:** [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2024, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-questions-about-things-seen-on-semi-trailers/1010541 "2024-11-21T22:57:51Z")
While on a road trip on Monday, my friend and I noticed two features on some semi trailers, which neither of us were certain what they were for. I figured that the knowledgeable people here might know more. First, we s… --- ## [How many people, total, died in the Roman Colosseum?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-people-total-died-in-the-roman-colosseum/197036)
**Author:** [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2024, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-people-total-died-in-the-roman-colosseum/197036 "2024-11-21T21:12:02Z")
…I think it’s pretty much “all there” in the thread title. I figure this knowledge would come in handy if I a) Ever manage to visit Rome myself, or b) Want to “make a scene” while watching a romantic movie set in the Et… --- ## [I don't get this Futility Closet post. Anyone care to explain?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-get-this-futility-closet-post-anyone-care-to-explain/1010532)
**Author:** [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2024, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-get-this-futility-closet-post-anyone-care-to-explain/1010532 "2024-11-21T02:16:59Z")
What is the joke or double meaning? --- ## [Energy Enhancement System, scalar waves - is this legit?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/energy-enhancement-system-scalar-waves-is-this-legit/1006310)
**Author:** [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Replies:** 127\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2024, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/energy-enhancement-system-scalar-waves-is-this-legit/1006310 "2024-11-20T02:39:48Z")
my town has one of these places where you pay to use this and I’m not even sure what it is. It really sounds bogus but I wanted to hear what others think. from the website of the inventor The Energy Enhancement System… --- ## [Artwork on loan](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artwork-on-loan/1010432)
**Author:** [@Mark\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mark_Finn)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2024, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artwork-on-loan/1010432 "2024-11-19T23:44:00Z")
Suppose I have inherited a previously unknown Rembrandt or Van Gogh work of art. It has been verified as being genuine. A gallery/museum wants to add my work to a temporary display for the public. Is the gallery/museum e… --- ## [How far back is (US) paper money good?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-back-is-us-paper-money-good/1010359)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2024, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-back-is-us-paper-money-good/1010359 "2024-11-19T01:47:50Z")
Let’s say I found a bunch of post-Civil War $20 paper notes in a forgotten-about safe somewhere. Could I take them to a bank and exchange them for 1:1 new notes? Or would this necessitate a phone call to some federal off… --- ## [LED Bulbs: Do they have generations and...?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/led-bulbs-do-they-have-generations-and/998560)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2024, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/led-bulbs-do-they-have-generations-and/998560 "2024-11-18T22:09:59Z")
We have an LED bulb maybe 6 months old, tops. It has already died. The bulb gets a lot of “brief, on” and “long, off” cycles. I note this is highly likely an older, LED bulb sitting in my garage. It could be that LEDs d… --- ## [Holes cleaned up by Congress post-Trump?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holes-cleaned-up-by-congress-post-trump/1010270)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2024, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holes-cleaned-up-by-congress-post-trump/1010270 "2024-11-18T21:57:07Z")
This is a Factual Question. During the Trump Administration, quite a lot of things that were “norms” but not “laws” were said to have been violated. Between 2020 and today, has Congress passed any Acts that would clean… --- ## [Are 401K contributions significant to the stock market?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-401k-contributions-significant-to-the-stock-market/1009215)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2024, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-401k-contributions-significant-to-the-stock-market/1009215 "2024-11-18T18:50:30Z")
Many people that have “regular paying” jobs, IE - not in the gig economy, put a percentage of their paychecks into company sponsored 401K accounts with each pay period. I think it’s a reasonable assumption that a substa… --- ## [iPhone and pictures: how to send pic as file?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-and-pictures-how-to-send-pic-as-file/1010392)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2024, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-and-pictures-how-to-send-pic-as-file/1010392 "2024-11-18T14:09:30Z")
When I take a picture on my iPhone and forward it to my desktop by e-mail, the pic is reproduced in the body of the e-mail. It doesn’t go as a file and I can’t figure out how to save it as a file on my desktop. What am … --- ## [Changing the arrangement of the numbers on a laptop with a number pad?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changing-the-arrangement-of-the-numbers-on-a-laptop-with-a-number-pad/1010376)
**Author:** [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Ministre_de_l_au-dela)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2024, 8:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changing-the-arrangement-of-the-numbers-on-a-laptop-with-a-number-pad/1010376 "2024-11-18T08:53:23Z")
Hi, everyone. I have a laptop with a ‘full’ keyboard that includes a number pad. I already know how to switch the keyboard layout - I use Dvorak exclusively. What I want to know is - is there a way to change the layou… --- ## [Windows encryted files sent to IOS device](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-encryted-files-sent-to-ios-device/1010367)
**Author:** [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2024, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-encryted-files-sent-to-ios-device/1010367 "2024-11-17T21:26:24Z")
I used the built-in encryption capability on my Windows 10 laptop to lock down some folders and individual files. Today I emailed myself one of those files and found I was able to view it on my phone. No encryption, didn… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=64) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=66)