# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=684 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 685 --- ## [If you affect an accent for long enough, does it eventually become your natural accent?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-affect-an-accent-for-long-enough-does-it-eventually-become-your-natural-accent/794407)
**Author:** [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2017, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-affect-an-accent-for-long-enough-does-it-eventually-become-your-natural-accent/794407 "2017-08-25T23:52:12Z")
Actors in movies show that it’s possible to work with a dialect coach to produce an accent that’s convincing even to native speakers. Think Christian Bale in Batman or Hugh Laurie in House. If someone were to continue p… --- ## [Why do they say fixed gear bikes don't have breaks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-they-say-fixed-gear-bikes-dont-have-breaks/794601)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2017, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-they-say-fixed-gear-bikes-dont-have-breaks/794601 "2017-08-25T23:49:15Z")
I rode a standard fixed gear bicycle for most of my childhood. It certainly had a rear brake that engaged with the pedals. I never had any problems stopping my bicycle. I rode my full size bike all over my small hometown… --- ## [Need help with broken garage door opener](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-broken-garage-door-opener/794495)
**Author:** [@Yodalicious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yodalicious)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2017, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-broken-garage-door-opener/794495 "2017-08-25T22:57:23Z")
My garage door opener is a screw drive. It opens about halfway, then there’s a loud “KA-CHUNK!” and it stops moving. It lowers without an issue. I released the garage door from the opener and verified it moves easily … --- ## [Do iguanas have an amygdala?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-iguanas-have-an-amygdala/794592)
**Author:** [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2017, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-iguanas-have-an-amygdala/794592 "2017-08-25T19:56:27Z")
Or the closest equivalent? --- ## [Sun Rotates in 27 Days: How Do They Know?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sun-rotates-in-27-days-how-do-they-know/794504)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2017, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sun-rotates-in-27-days-how-do-they-know/794504 "2017-08-25T18:35:31Z")
How do they know it takes our sun (about) 27 days to rotate once on its axis? Yes, I hear they observe sunspots. But, is that 100% solid logic? a) Sunspots come and go. How do you know you what you’re really following? … --- ## [People like stories. Children like stories. Are there any animals which like stories, too?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-like-stories-children-like-stories-are-there-any-animals-which-like-stories-too/794480)
**Author:** [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2017, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-like-stories-children-like-stories-are-there-any-animals-which-like-stories-too/794480 "2017-08-25T18:22:44Z")
The enjoyment of listening to a story is near universal in humans. Even young children get mesmerized hearing a story. Is that ability only in humans? Are there other animals which seem to enjoy the telling of a tale?… --- ## [Why do welders need eye protection strong enough to guard against sun damage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-welders-need-eye-protection-strong-enough-to-guard-against-sun-damage/794465)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2017, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-welders-need-eye-protection-strong-enough-to-guard-against-sun-damage/794465 "2017-08-25T18:10:43Z")
Welder’s glass #13 (or something like that) can be used to directly view the sun, so I learned with eclipse preparation. What is it about welding that requires such powerful filtering? How can they see what they’re doing… --- ## [Is there any way to date these marble balls?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-to-date-these-marble-balls/794268)
**Author:** [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2017, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-to-date-these-marble-balls/794268 "2017-08-25T18:04:04Z")
Years ago, my Dad was given a set of marble balls as a makeweight in a business deal. He was told they were 4,000 years old and from Afghanistan. He was dubious about this but he liked them and agreed to take them. So n… --- ## [Why do people missing a front tooth look like they're an idiot?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-missing-a-front-tooth-look-like-theyre-an-idiot/794522)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2017, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-missing-a-front-tooth-look-like-theyre-an-idiot/794522 "2017-08-25T17:11:05Z")
I’m talking about adults, not kids. Why does an adult missing a front tooth look like they have an IQ of 5? Every comic strip and movie involving someone with a missing front tooth has them portrayed as a dope. Take a… --- ## [Godel's Incompleteness Theorem](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/godels-incompleteness-theorem/794180)
**Author:** [@abashed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/abashed)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2017, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/godels-incompleteness-theorem/794180 "2017-08-25T16:23:26Z")
I’ve been given this brief description of Godel’s Incompleteness Theorem: “But if I were to give the theorem in a nutshell I would say that if we have a list of axioms which we can enumerate with a computer, and these a… --- ## [Another Solar Eclipse Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-solar-eclipse-question/794457)
**Author:** [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2017, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-solar-eclipse-question/794457 "2017-08-25T15:33:49Z")
I’m not sure if this was asked in the plethora of eclipse threads, so I apologize if this is a repeat: From our perspective on earth, the sun is just slightly larger in the sky than the moon, which presumably creates th… --- ## [Phone charger and hack question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phone-charger-and-hack-question/794357)
**Author:** [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2017, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phone-charger-and-hack-question/794357 "2017-08-25T14:11:41Z")
Lets say at your office they have a built in phone recharging ports at peoples workstations. Nice, you just plug your phone into the charger. They require any phone charger to use only these ports and these ports only. B… --- ## [Why do you need a prescription for Amoxicillin?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-need-a-prescription-for-amoxicillin/582155)
**Author:** [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2017, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-need-a-prescription-for-amoxicillin/582155 "2017-08-25T12:55:30Z")
Every time I’ve ever had any kind of infection, Amoxicillin has made it go away. It’s the most useful medicine ever. Why the hell do you need a prescription from a doctor to get it? I don’t understand why I can’t just bu… --- ## [The funding and administration of UK universities](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-funding-and-administration-of-uk-universities/794486)
**Author:** [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2017, 10:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-funding-and-administration-of-uk-universities/794486 "2017-08-25T10:19:12Z")
How do universities like Oxford and Cambridge get their funding, and how are they run? How are the individual colleges at each university run? In the US, there are public, private, and religious schools. All of the ge… --- ## [How dangerous are deodorant sprays like 'Axe/Lynx'?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dangerous-are-deodorant-sprays-like-axe-lynx/786563)
**Author:** [@femmejean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/femmejean)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2017, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dangerous-are-deodorant-sprays-like-axe-lynx/786563 "2017-05-16T14:37:27Z")
Towards the respiratory system? Apparently, some kids in England who spray these in poorly ventilated rooms for too long die frequently. I understand they contain aerosolized alcohol but not sure how this harms the lun… --- ## [What makes an iPhone personal hotspot stop working?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-an-iphone-personal-hotspot-stop-working/794557)
**Author:** [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2017, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-an-iphone-personal-hotspot-stop-working/794557 "2017-08-25T03:25:55Z")
Okay, I’ve had this iPhone since January, 2012, a Version 4, and I’ve been reliably able to use it as a Personal WiFi Hotspot until about a week ago. I live in South Korea and thought my data plan was exhausted, so I bou… --- ## [Proxy bidding: How can someone trigger my max. bid without outbidding me?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proxy-bidding-how-can-someone-trigger-my-max-bid-without-outbidding-me/794610)
**Author:** [@pohjonen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pohjonen)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2017, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proxy-bidding-how-can-someone-trigger-my-max-bid-without-outbidding-me/794610 "2017-08-25T03:12:00Z")
I am confused about proxy bids in auctions. How can someone trigger my max. bid without outbidding me? The bidding starts at $10. I enter my maximum of $15. I am the only bidder so far and the price is $10. Someone else… --- ## [How does the numbering system of welding glass work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-numbering-system-of-welding-glass-work/794239)
**Author:** [@G.A.Pster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/G.A.Pster)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2017, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-numbering-system-of-welding-glass-work/794239 "2017-08-25T01:09:27Z")
I want to look at the eclipse, and all I have is welding glass, I read that 12 is the minimum, but 14 is better. I’ve got two 10s, a 5 and an 8. I read that just putting a 5 over a 10 would not make 15 because the num… --- ## [Looking for a good combination of high-contrast colors for aerial targets](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-good-combination-of-high-contrast-colors-for-aerial-targets/794473)
**Author:** [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2017, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-good-combination-of-high-contrast-colors-for-aerial-targets/794473 "2017-08-24T18:08:36Z")
So I’m doing some testing with my drones, and I created an aerial target this weekend- it’s 2’ x 2’, with 1’ x 1’ black and white checkerboard. In the center of each white square, I placed a small black target (1" squar… --- ## [Gendered nouns](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gendered-nouns/793099)
**Author:** [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2017, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gendered-nouns/793099 "2017-08-24T17:48:10Z")
Question about languages that use gendered nouns: what actually determines whether a noun is masc, fem or neut? When a new noun enters the language how does it get assigned a gender? Who decides and on what basis? --- ## [Really silly and trivial question -- ornithological information sought](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-and-trivial-question-ornithological-information-sought/794482)
**Author:** [@Sangahyando](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sangahyando)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2017, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-silly-and-trivial-question-ornithological-information-sought/794482 "2017-08-24T16:35:40Z")
As per heading: super-silly-trivial-fiddling-while-Rome-burns enquiry, from one who takes the “ostrich” route and as far as possible, ignores things political. (Am torn between GQ and MPSIMS.) Among the hate-epithets b… --- ## [Hyperthermia from eating hot (temperature) food in summer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hyperthermia-from-eating-hot-temperature-food-in-summer/794150)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2017, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hyperthermia-from-eating-hot-temperature-food-in-summer/794150 "2017-08-24T15:16:41Z")
What’s the straight dope on eating hot (temperature, not spiciness) food in hot weather? (say, 101 F heat wave.) Would you get hyperthermia? --- ## [Who Controls the BBC?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-controls-the-bbc/461285)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2017, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-controls-the-bbc/461285 "2017-08-24T14:01:03Z")
I know people think liberals control the media in the U.S. (something I disagree with–but I digress). But in reality it is independent corporatios. But my question is simply this: who controls the content of the news on … --- ## [How does the water company shut off water?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-water-company-shut-off-water/787417)
**Author:** [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2017, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-water-company-shut-off-water/787417 "2017-08-24T12:46:13Z")
Was talking to someone today about shutting off the water to the house. He had to go to the box near the street and shut it off. I mentioned that my meter and shutoff are in my basement. He was perplexed about how the ut… --- ## [What Is The Maximum Possible Length Of Eclipse Totality?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-maximum-possible-length-of-eclipse-totality/794393)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2017, 8:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-maximum-possible-length-of-eclipse-totality/794393 "2017-08-24T08:59:23Z")
Given optimal placement of the moon, sun, earth, and observer, and if everything works out perfectly, how long could an observer expect to see totality? I don’t mean in any specific eclipse, but in a hypothetical (but po… --- ## [Why does video conversion take so long? Any tweaks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-video-conversion-take-so-long-any-tweaks/600044)
**Author:** [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2011, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-video-conversion-take-so-long-any-tweaks/600044 "2011-10-19T20:33:30Z")
Converting from one format to another (my experience is primarily converting to FLV format with Adobe Media Encoder CS4) takes a relatively gargantuan amount of time. I occasionally see a trivia note on IMDB that such-an… --- ## [When You Call A Suicide Prevention Hotline, What Do They Actually Say? (Don't Need Answer Fast0](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-call-a-suicide-prevention-hotline-what-do-they-actually-say-dont-need-answer-fast0/793809)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2017, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-call-a-suicide-prevention-hotline-what-do-they-actually-say-dont-need-answer-fast0/793809 "2017-08-24T06:02:18Z")
As Og is my witness, I am just asking academically. I am not suicidal. I promise! Anyway, what, actually, do they say? Do they just give you platitudes about how people will miss you and life is precious and all that? D… --- ## [500 pound bomb, what does that mean?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/500-pound-bomb-what-does-that-mean/794477)
**Author:** [@Foggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Foggy)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2017, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/500-pound-bomb-what-does-that-mean/794477 "2017-08-24T04:36:16Z")
I hear bombs (not nukes) often referred to by weight, but what does that mean to people like me, who knows almost nothing about explosives? I get that the heavy the bomb, the more powerful it is, but I have no frame of r… --- ## [Why did they take the guns off B-52s instead of upgrading them to shoot down missiles?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-they-take-the-guns-off-b-52s-instead-of-upgrading-them-to-shoot-down-missiles/793988)
**Author:** [@SamuelA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SamuelA)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2017, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-they-take-the-guns-off-b-52s-instead-of-upgrading-them-to-shoot-down-missiles/793988 "2017-08-24T01:40:45Z")
It just seems like the obvious thing to do. If the enemy SAMs are getting harder to evade, shoot them down instead of trying to outrun them. As I understand it, the radar controlled gun mounts were removed from B-52s t… --- ## [Will my habanero pepper plant be dangerous to my cats if I move it indoors for the winter?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-my-habanero-pepper-plant-be-dangerous-to-my-cats-if-i-move-it-indoors-for-the-winter/794488)
**Author:** [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2017, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-my-habanero-pepper-plant-be-dangerous-to-my-cats-if-i-move-it-indoors-for-the-winter/794488 "2017-08-24T01:08:31Z")
I bought a habanero pepper plant. it’s doing great, but I live in Michigan and winter gets pretty cold. I read that you can, with luck, move it inside for the winter and replant it the next spring. I have two cats and … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=683) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=685)