# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=686 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 687 --- ## [Deadly soft spot on sides of the skull (Asian martial arts)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deadly-soft-spot-on-sides-of-the-skull-asian-martial-arts/794329)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2017, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deadly-soft-spot-on-sides-of-the-skull-asian-martial-arts/794329 "2017-08-22T17:37:41Z")
I recall this notion from Asian martial arts that there are two “soft spots” on the sides of your skull that, if someone were to press firmly in with their thumbs, or insert a needle or filament into, you would die almo… --- ## [What might these tattoos mean?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-might-these-tattoos-mean/517738)
**Author:** [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2017, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-might-these-tattoos-mean/517738 "2017-08-22T15:00:11Z")
In the gym I saw a guy with a tattoo on each shoulder On the left shoulder was a dot with rectangles radiating left, right, and top, and another dot underneath. Kind of like a plus sign with a dot at center and with the… --- ## [Warranty cite needed](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warranty-cite-needed/794331)
**Author:** [@dauerbach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dauerbach)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2017, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warranty-cite-needed/794331 "2017-08-22T14:43:07Z")
Long story short our Kenmore Elite refrigerator purchased in has a warranty the says there is a 5 year warranty on that part and that it “will be repaired free of charge.” I believe that on the 17th of this month Sears … --- ## [USS John S McCain crash 'unexplained'](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uss-john-s-mccain-crash-unexplained/794354)
**Author:** [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2017, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uss-john-s-mccain-crash-unexplained/794354 "2017-08-22T12:20:37Z")
How come the SD CSI team haven’t been to work on this one. It looks startlingly similar to the Fitzgerald collision but as yet we have no theories? --- ## [Bo-Bo Sneakers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bo-bo-sneakers/56728)
**Author:** [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2017, 9:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bo-bo-sneakers/56728 "2017-08-22T09:36:30Z")
Growing up in Philly, the slang for a no-name brand of sneakers was BO-BOs. What did they call’em in your neck of the woods? Also, did anyone ever trademark the name BO-BO for a brand of sneaker? --- ## [What is the most accurate online translator between English and Spanish?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-accurate-online-translator-between-english-and-spanish/347659)
**Author:** [@dnooman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dnooman)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2017, 9:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-accurate-online-translator-between-english-and-spanish/347659 "2017-08-22T09:07:06Z")
Dictionary.com has a translator, but it kinda sucks. I’m guessing that verb conjugation is the tricky part, but I’m quite possibly wrong. Is there a website that makes more accurate translations? --- ## [Can you use your phone in selfie mode to view the eclipse](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-use-your-phone-in-selfie-mode-to-view-the-eclipse/794220)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2017, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-use-your-phone-in-selfie-mode-to-view-the-eclipse/794220 "2017-08-22T01:50:23Z")
I couldn’t find a pair of eclipse glasses, everyone was sold out. I just saw a comment mentioning how if you use your cell phone, put it in selfie mode and face the forward facing camera towards the eclipse, you can wat… --- ## [How many porn stars molest/sell their children?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-porn-stars-molest-sell-their-children/794313)
**Author:** [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2017, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-porn-stars-molest-sell-their-children/794313 "2017-08-22T01:21:01Z")
I’ve heard somewhere all those drugged out pigs in porn films who have children sell them for this? To child pornographers for $$$ for even more drugs. Do you think this is true? I know most of them are bipolar, have… --- ## [What is the best way to become a Linux professional?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-become-a-linux-professional/794086)
**Author:** [@Mr.Nylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Nylock)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2017, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-become-a-linux-professional/794086 "2017-08-22T00:08:11Z")
Is Redhat the way to go? should I learn basic programming first? Are there other certain languages I should learn to go along with Linux certfication? --- ## [MASH 4077 - the masks they wore](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mash-4077-the-masks-they-wore/794285)
**Author:** [@Pippers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pippers)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2017, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mash-4077-the-masks-they-wore/794285 "2017-08-21T22:53:55Z")
Why do the nurses tie their masks on by crossing the strings over the back of their heads and the doctors don’t? Inquiring minds want to know. --- ## [Locomotives as emergency generators](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/locomotives-as-emergency-generators/793816)
**Author:** [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2017, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/locomotives-as-emergency-generators/793816 "2017-08-21T19:41:58Z")
Suppose we had a Blackout: some crisis has physically knocked out a power station and the City needs juice NOW! Could several Diesel/Electric locomotives be positioned on tracks near step-up/step-down sub-stations and s… --- ## [Washer Starts Agitating Before Filling](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washer-starts-agitating-before-filling/793379)
**Author:** [@74westy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/74westy)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2017, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washer-starts-agitating-before-filling/793379 "2017-08-21T17:41:24Z")
Just filled my washing machine. When I turn the dial to the start of the cycle and pull to start, the machine immediately starts agitating without filling. It should fill with water completely before the agitator starts. … --- ## [Are there regional similarities in finger prints?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-regional-similarities-in-finger-prints/794257)
**Author:** [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tastes_of_Chocolate)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2017, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-regional-similarities-in-finger-prints/794257 "2017-08-21T16:20:42Z")
There are lots of physical traits that are associated with people from certain areas. Skin color, eye shape, eye color, hair color and texture. The list goes on and on. Is there anything like this for fingerprints? Can … --- ## [Streaming service showing black when using "print screen"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/streaming-service-showing-black-when-using-print-screen/794255)
**Author:** [@Mr\_Shine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Shine)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2017, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/streaming-service-showing-black-when-using-print-screen/794255 "2017-08-21T15:11:41Z")
I just asked a question in the Game of Thrones thread. I wanted to upload a relevant screenshot to illustrate who I meant, but my service (Now TV) provides only a black box when I “print screen”. Do you know how they do … --- ## [What's the effect if a female boxer gets hit in the breast?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-effect-if-a-female-boxer-gets-hit-in-the-breast/383913)
**Author:** [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2006, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-effect-if-a-female-boxer-gets-hit-in-the-breast/383913 "2006-12-14T20:49:53Z")
For the sake of argument, I’m talking about a B-C cup female boxer. If she takes a punch to the breast is there extraordinary pain? Is there a potential for temporary or permanant damage? Is there an inherant danger? Sh… --- ## [Liquid moving in helix](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquid-moving-in-helix/793424)
**Author:** [@Kavaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kavaj)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2017, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquid-moving-in-helix/793424 "2017-08-21T12:46:05Z")
Is there a way to make a stream of liquid move so that it describes a helix rather than a straight line or arc? That is to say, the liquid keeps “turning” after leaving the hose or whatever you’re squirting it out of. I … --- ## [Spilled gasoline help needed](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spilled-gasoline-help-needed/794198)
**Author:** [@race\_to\_the\_bottom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/race_to_the_bottom)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2017, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spilled-gasoline-help-needed/794198 "2017-08-21T12:33:33Z")
I spilled some gasoline, maybe a quarter cup or so, into the foot well area, or whatever you call that area in front of the passenger seat. I poured warm soapy water into the area and blotted it up with a sponge, but it … --- ## [How Much does "a Statue" Cost?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-a-statue-cost/794033)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2017, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-a-statue-cost/794033 "2017-08-21T11:29:54Z")
So let’s say some town wants to commission a statue to occupy a suddenly-open space in front of the city hall. Let’s say a standing human figure of a local hero or maybe Winged Victory or something. I duuno, about ten or… --- ## [Question on mortgage-backed securities (raised by the movie "The Big Short")](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-on-mortgage-backed-securities-raised-by-the-movie-the-big-short/794196)
**Author:** [@F.U.Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.U.Shakespeare)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2017, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-on-mortgage-backed-securities-raised-by-the-movie-the-big-short/794196 "2017-08-21T04:46:53Z")
Mortgage-backed securities (MBS’s) are investment vehicles secured by mortgage loans. A later incarnation of the MBS is the Collateralized Debt Obligation, which figured prominently in the 2008 financial collapse. In th… --- ## [Sharpness question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sharpness-question/737910)
**Author:** [@stosh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stosh)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2016, 9:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sharpness-question/737910 "2016-07-08T09:00:16Z")
I have a mandolin, that I use a lot. I, also, have a good set of knives. I use these a lot too. Why does the mandolin seem to stay sharp while I have to sharpen the knives every so often. --- ## [Tax on lottery winnings](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-on-lottery-winnings/793892)
**Author:** [@Bones\_Daley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bones_Daley)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2017, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-on-lottery-winnings/793892 "2017-08-21T03:32:06Z")
An advert appeared on my screen today advising that the US Mega -Millions lottery jackpot tomorrow (ie on 18th August 2017) stands at 401 million GBP , and that for the first time ever, it is possible for overseas resid… --- ## [Why do people spit?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-spit/529987)
**Author:** [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2017, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-spit/529987 "2017-08-21T03:18:43Z")
This is not a question of decency or manners. I understand if you’ve got a wad of gum or a cherry pit, you need to spit it out. What I’m asking about is street-spitters. What makes young men (generally) want to spit i… --- ## [What could this place I found on Google Maps be?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-this-place-i-found-on-google-maps-be/794035)
**Author:** [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2017, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-this-place-i-found-on-google-maps-be/794035 "2017-08-21T03:06:42Z")
I was looking at the maps for the area around where I live and I found this. It’s a place Google identifies as “Mock City”. It consists of slightly over a dozen almost-identical-looking houses connected by unpaved roads… --- ## [Is the MT-WY-SD border really weird like this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-mt-wy-sd-border-really-weird-like-this/516621)
**Author:** [@happywaffle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/happywaffle)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2017, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-mt-wy-sd-border-really-weird-like-this/516621 "2017-08-21T03:04:29Z")
Just doing some Google Maps browsing when I came to this odd sight: http://tinyurl.com/yae7rst Did the cartographers get drunk when they drew these borders? Or the Google Maps cartographers, maybe? Any northerners who … --- ## [What’s the SD on sungazing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-sd-on-sungazing/794194)
**Author:** [@Washoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Washoe)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2017, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-sd-on-sungazing/794194 "2017-08-20T23:34:35Z")
Where I am the eclipse obscuration will be 0.993. There is also likely to be an orange/brown haze from nearby wildfires. Can I really not look at the Sun for just two seconds? There was a thread about this here several y… --- ## [Is Stockholm 3 (STHLM3) testing available in the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-stockholm-3-sthlm3-testing-available-in-the-us/794225)
**Author:** [@edwardcoast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwardcoast)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2017, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-stockholm-3-sthlm3-testing-available-in-the-us/794225 "2017-08-20T22:56:55Z")
I’ve read a couple of articles about Stockholm 3 (STHLM3) testing as being an improvement over PSA for detecting prostate cancer. Is this test available in the US yet? Has anyone had STHLM3 testing here? If my understan… --- ## [Testing the strength of an aquarium stand](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/testing-the-strength-of-an-aquarium-stand/794182)
**Author:** [@Filbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Filbert)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2017, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/testing-the-strength-of-an-aquarium-stand/794182 "2017-08-20T17:55:04Z")
I’m moving house, which involves moving my axolotl tank. Problem is, the (steel framed, school surplus, built like a tank) desk it’s currently on is going to be way too big for the new flat. I do have a little, low, woo… --- ## [Printer problem, lil' help please](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/printer-problem-lil-help-please/793877)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2017, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/printer-problem-lil-help-please/793877 "2017-08-20T17:31:39Z")
If someone can help me resolve this I will buy them a can of Pabst Blue Ribbon. The setup: One desktop, two laptops. One color inkjet printer, one B&W laser printer. Everyone plays nice together except one laptop and … --- ## [Space travel: how does slingshotting work](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/space-travel-how-does-slingshotting-work/794175)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2017, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/space-travel-how-does-slingshotting-work/794175 "2017-08-20T16:38:52Z")
I understand that as a spacecraft approaches a planet, star or moon their gravity speeds up the craft. But why doesn’t exiting the bodies gravity slow it back down with equal force? --- ## [Is there a reason I'm having problems finding the Pinwheel Galaxy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-reason-im-having-problems-finding-the-pinwheel-galaxy/794190)
**Author:** [@D18](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D18)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2017, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-reason-im-having-problems-finding-the-pinwheel-galaxy/794190 "2017-08-20T16:22:51Z")
At the cottage, so I have my annual period of dark skies for some backyard astronomy. :cool: I’m not a bad star-hopper, and have no issue finding, say, Andromeda, Bode’s or the Cigar Galaxy. I’m damned if I can find th… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=685) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=687)