# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=666 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 667 --- ## [A question on bump-firing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-on-bump-firing/798011)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2017, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-on-bump-firing/798011 "2017-10-10T04:45:54Z")
I’d never heard of this until the news that the Las Vegas shooter used a bump-fire stock to replicate the action of a machine-gun. I know that there are moves afoot to make these devices illegal. This is confusing. Check… --- ## [Need Facebook message help please](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-facebook-message-help-please/798432)
**Author:** [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2017, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-facebook-message-help-please/798432 "2017-10-10T02:37:38Z")
I composed a message and hit “enter” but it just sits there – no “message sent” indication, no check mark. Can anyone tell me what I’m missing here? Possibly related, while composing the message I hit “shift” and “enter”… --- ## [Why doesn't botulism grow in garbage "juice?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-botulism-grow-in-garbage-juice/797331)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2017, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-botulism-grow-in-garbage-juice/797331 "2017-10-10T02:23:35Z")
You know “trash juice” - that icky, foul-smelling liquid that collects at the bottom of the trash bag in the kitchen garbage can. Isn’t it a prime breeding ground for botulism? It’s anaerobic and much of it is often veg… --- ## [Can you grow taller as an adult?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-grow-taller-as-an-adult/438441)
**Author:** [@tremorviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tremorviolet)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2017, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-grow-taller-as-an-adult/438441 "2017-10-09T23:36:25Z")
When I graduated high school I was 5’ 4.75" measured by a drs office. In 2003, at age 35, I was again measured by a drs office and I was 5’ 5.25". I just got back from a new doctor this morning and I was measured at 5’… --- ## [82mm mortar va. 81mm mortar](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/82mm-mortar-va-81mm-mortar/798356)
**Author:** [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2017, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/82mm-mortar-va-81mm-mortar/798356 "2017-10-09T23:11:49Z")
Or a .51 caliber machine gun vs. a .50 cal. The idea was that the commies could load our ammunition into their weapons On the other hand, their rounds were too big to fit through our barrels. Did this ever happen, to … --- ## [Measuring gravitational waves](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/measuring-gravitational-waves/797876)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2017, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/measuring-gravitational-waves/797876 "2017-10-09T22:15:33Z")
With the awarding of the Nobel prize to the 3 LIGO scientists for spotting gravity waves, I decided to read up it a bit. If I’m understanding it correctly as gravity waves wash through the earth they distort space by st… --- ## [I would like for my remains to be used as a...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-for-my-remains-to-be-used-as-a/795471)
**Author:** [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2017, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-for-my-remains-to-be-used-as-a/795471 "2017-10-09T21:07:48Z")
…medical school cadaver. So a few questions for any current or former med students/professors: (don’t worry, there’s no reason to suppose I need answers fast) Is this still a thing? Do med students still get a cadaver t… --- ## [Is a mass driver/railgun/coilgun legally considered a gun?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-mass-driver-railgun-coilgun-legally-considered-a-gun/471616)
**Author:** [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2017, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-mass-driver-railgun-coilgun-legally-considered-a-gun/471616 "2017-10-09T20:08:48Z")
This is just out of sheer curiosity, honest. I know it probably depends upon state (I’m in Arizona) but I’m wondering generally, non-US country definitions welcome too. Most legal definitions I can find specify an expl… --- ## [How To Stop a Chihuahua From 'Cocking a Leg' In the House](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-stop-a-chihuahua-from-cocking-a-leg-in-the-house/788449)
**Author:** [@GeorgiaGyrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GeorgiaGyrl)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2017, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-stop-a-chihuahua-from-cocking-a-leg-in-the-house/788449 "2017-10-09T20:08:48Z")
First, let me clarify that title. I bought a male Chihuahua when he was about 4 1/2 lbs and 12 weeks old. Being so small I knew that paper training him and letting him go in the house would not be a problem, so that’s wh… --- ## [Buoyancy at different depths.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buoyancy-at-different-depths/798151)
**Author:** [@Kedikat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kedikat)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2017, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buoyancy-at-different-depths/798151 "2017-10-09T17:47:47Z")
Suppose a non compressible container. Is it’s buoyant force the same at 10 feet below the water surface as it is at 100 feet? If it is different. Is it a very small difference? I suspect it is the same. Water being only … --- ## [iPhone: blocking only specific sites](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-blocking-only-specific-sites/798102)
**Author:** [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2017, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-blocking-only-specific-sites/798102 "2017-10-09T15:54:43Z")
I have no need or desire to block all adult content in my iPhone. I just want to block specific sites. Is there any way to do that? Turning on parental restrictions blocks too much. --- ## [Spotify frustration](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spotify-frustration/798381)
**Author:** [@dauerbach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dauerbach)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2017, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spotify-frustration/798381 "2017-10-09T14:28:45Z")
So, I have a spotify family account. I cannot log into spotify to save my life. I clearly do not remember what credentials I used to first create the account. If I try to sign in with facebook it does not work, when I… --- ## [Can I pause FileVault decryption on a Mac? Need answer fast](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-pause-filevault-decryption-on-a-mac-need-answer-fast/798334)
**Author:** [@TSBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TSBG)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2017, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-pause-filevault-decryption-on-a-mac-need-answer-fast/798334 "2017-10-09T06:01:54Z")
I’ve been having problems with the Carbonite backup on my wife’s laptop and it turned out that FileVault had been enabled (not by her, I gather this is a fairly common MacOS problem). I need to decrypt the files for Car… --- ## [Why Do We Call It "Saint Croix" And Not "Holy Cross"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-call-it-saint-croix-and-not-holy-cross/798163)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2017, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-call-it-saint-croix-and-not-holy-cross/798163 "2017-10-09T02:21:23Z")
Best I can figure, Columbus called it “Santa Cruz” (“Holy Cross”) when he landed there. It changed hands a few times, and by the time the USA annexed it it had become “Saint Croix,” which is stupid, because a) “Saint” is… --- ## [Did loyalists pay taxes during the Revolutionary War and which ones if any did they refuse to pay?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-loyalists-pay-taxes-during-the-revolutionary-war-and-which-ones-if-any-did-they-refuse-to-pay/797254)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2017, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-loyalists-pay-taxes-during-the-revolutionary-war-and-which-ones-if-any-did-they-refuse-to-pay/797254 "2017-10-09T02:15:14Z")
Hi Did loyalists pay taxes during the Revolutionary War and which ones if any did they refuse to pay? I look forward to your feedback. --- ## [How to fix dent in IKEA wall art?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-fix-dent-in-ikea-wall-art/798213)
**Author:** [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2017, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-fix-dent-in-ikea-wall-art/798213 "2017-10-08T23:59:31Z")
We have one of those giant IKEA wall pictures (it’s the shot of the flatiron building in NYC). It consists of a polypropylene “canvas” stretched over an aluminum frame. We recently moved, and in the process, the canvas w… --- ## [Windows 10 instal Problem...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-10-instal-problem/797899)
**Author:** [@Qwakkeddup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qwakkeddup)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2017, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-10-instal-problem/797899 "2017-10-08T23:54:33Z")
My Son turned off the computer, because he didn’t want to wait for the updates. So, using the onboard repair windows function, we wound up with a Log in background, and no login function. Decided to just do a clean ins… --- ## [How long ago did the Moon stop rotating...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-ago-did-the-moon-stop-rotating/522054)
**Author:** [@ivan\_astikov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivan_astikov)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2017, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-ago-did-the-moon-stop-rotating/522054 "2017-10-08T20:42:54Z")
and how would life on Earth have differed before it did? Would the tides have been more, or less predictable and extreme, for instance? --- ## [3D Long base gravitational wave detector.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3d-long-base-gravitational-wave-detector/798303)
**Author:** [@Kedikat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kedikat)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2017, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3d-long-base-gravitational-wave-detector/798303 "2017-10-08T19:49:55Z")
I don’t know if the basic concept will work. But here is the mechanics I envision. 3 or more satellites way the hell out there. Positioned so they can be used for triangulation. Each one has a very high frequency, preci… --- ## [Thinking about the different shades of welding glass for solar eclipse viewing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-about-the-different-shades-of-welding-glass-for-solar-eclipse-viewing/798144)
**Author:** [@wevets](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wevets)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2017, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-about-the-different-shades-of-welding-glass-for-solar-eclipse-viewing/798144 "2017-10-08T12:29:23Z")
It’s been a little while since the recent North American solar eclipse, but I did have a question about the welding glasses often used for viewing it: Does anyone know why the cutoff at Shade 12? Is there a difference … --- ## [Dashboard lights on after disconnecting battery?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dashboard-lights-on-after-disconnecting-battery/798260)
**Author:** [@Mdcastle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mdcastle)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2017, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dashboard-lights-on-after-disconnecting-battery/798260 "2017-10-08T11:15:49Z")
I did some work on my 09 RAV4 today to install heated seats. Since it would involve disconnecting some of the airbags, I removed the negative terminal from the battery and waited for the system to discharge so I wouldn’t… --- ## [Why do we humans like carbonation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-humans-like-carbonation/797963)
**Author:** [@2Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2Bits)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2017, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-humans-like-carbonation/797963 "2017-10-08T06:40:50Z")
Is there anyway to describe the appeal? Do other animals (your dog, say) respond favorably to it? It seems pretty “unnatural.” --- ## [Please, tell me you can't do this! (Warm Refrigerator)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-tell-me-you-cant-do-this-warm-refrigerator/452733)
**Author:** [@brujaja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brujaja)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2017, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-tell-me-you-cant-do-this-warm-refrigerator/452733 "2017-10-07T20:11:30Z")
I can’t believe I’m even asking this… but… my roommate is just plain crazy. I think. Our fridge is on its way out. It is colder than the ambient temperature, but only just. Certainly not the 40 or 45 degrees necessar… --- ## [I'm looking for a video on authentic Manx.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-looking-for-a-video-on-authentic-manx/798113)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2017, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-looking-for-a-video-on-authentic-manx/798113 "2017-10-07T16:25:07Z")
Hi, I’ve been searching for a video of authentic Manx. So far, everything I’ve heard does not sound authentic. I was expecting Manx speakers to sound more like the Welsh or the western Irish. All speakers I’ve heard ha… --- ## [Can I shrink this fedora?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-shrink-this-fedora/798146)
**Author:** [@Rocky89](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rocky89)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2017, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-shrink-this-fedora/798146 "2017-10-07T15:07:13Z")
So, I bought this fedora off this website a couple of months ago because it looks very much like the one I had for years-- then ruined. :confused: I bought an XL, but it’s a tad too big for my head, so I’m asking, is the… --- ## [Blood transfusions from the young to oldsters?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blood-transfusions-from-the-young-to-oldsters/798040)
**Author:** [@bardos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bardos)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2017, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blood-transfusions-from-the-young-to-oldsters/798040 "2017-10-07T12:49:11Z")
Is there any validity that this increases lifespan or strengthens the immune system or anything of that order? --- ## [Did Thomas Jefferson have a vicious sheep that killed a boy outside the White House?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-thomas-jefferson-have-a-vicious-sheep-that-killed-a-boy-outside-the-white-house/798109)
**Author:** [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2017, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-thomas-jefferson-have-a-vicious-sheep-that-killed-a-boy-outside-the-white-house/798109 "2017-10-07T03:27:19Z")
Yes, according to this. But if this was true wouldn’t we know more about the boy? His name, perhaps? Children are not frequently killed at the White House. True story or historical legend? --- ## [Need help identifying symbol](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-identifying-symbol/797970)
**Author:** [@ArrMatey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArrMatey)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2017, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-identifying-symbol/797970 "2017-10-06T23:52:09Z")
A friend of mine works at Quincy University in Illinois, and has said that recently a few marks looking like this have shown up around campus. Can anyone help identify them (and possibly put some security fears to rest)? … --- ## [Checking email](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/checking-email/798143)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2017, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/checking-email/798143 "2017-10-06T23:21:44Z")
This is going to make me sound like a complete Luddite. Or maybe just a simpleton. I have an email address. It’s an AOL email address from way back when AOL was still considered cutting edge. I’ve been using it for arou… --- ## [What would be the environmental cost of just selling VW's cheating cars?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-the-environmental-cost-of-just-selling-vws-cheating-cars/798080)
**Author:** [@Mdcastle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mdcastle)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2017, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-the-environmental-cost-of-just-selling-vws-cheating-cars/798080 "2017-10-06T22:43:13Z")
As opposed to scrapping them and then building new ones to replace them? Is the environmental cost to build a car to replace one of them more than the damage the emissions would do if they were put back into service? Wha… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=665) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=667)