# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=715 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 716 --- ## [Why does paper dull knives/blades?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-paper-dull-knives-blades/789218)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2017, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-paper-dull-knives-blades/789218 "2017-06-19T19:23:49Z")
I have repeatedly heard that slicing paper with a knife is a sure way to dull that knife. My question is why? How? Clearly the metal of the knife is far harder than the paper. So how can paper possibly have any effec… --- ## [Are there any countries where truth in politics is legally enforced?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-countries-where-truth-in-politics-is-legally-enforced/788444)
**Author:** [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2017, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-countries-where-truth-in-politics-is-legally-enforced/788444 "2017-06-19T18:24:53Z")
“How do you tell if a politician is lying?” “His lips are moving.” In the US, that truism certainly holds. Lying on the campaign trail and in office are both so normalized that we’ve become numb to it. Except under threa… --- ## [Hot day, not much water to put on dog: which best parts of his body to cool him?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-day-not-much-water-to-put-on-dog-which-best-parts-of-his-body-to-cool-him/787013)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2017, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-day-not-much-water-to-put-on-dog-which-best-parts-of-his-body-to-cool-him/787013 "2017-06-19T18:05:10Z")
See query: small bottle, or half bottle left of water after he’s finished drinking. Golden retriever, i.e., double coat. I’ve been putting it on his ears and rubbing it into his head, and if any left rubbing it through … --- ## [New Iphone 7 won't sync](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-iphone-7-wont-sync/789376)
**Author:** [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2017, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-iphone-7-wont-sync/789376 "2017-06-19T17:40:48Z")
Itunes sees the phone, and when I right click it and hit sync, it goes through the 3 steps, gets to “waiting for changes to be applied”, stays there for a few seconds, and then flashes “preparing to copy items”, then doe… --- ## [He may do it, he might do it](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/he-may-do-it-he-might-do-it/788747)
**Author:** [@SigMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SigMan)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2017, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/he-may-do-it-he-might-do-it/788747 "2017-06-19T02:11:45Z")
How do you know which to say? Do both words mean the same? --- ## [What causes a physical speech impediment?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-causes-a-physical-speech-impediment/789134)
**Author:** [@The\_wind\_of\_my\_soul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_wind_of_my_soul)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2017, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-causes-a-physical-speech-impediment/789134 "2017-06-19T01:37:10Z")
I was trying to Google search this, but either I don’t know what to type in the search field, or the information isn’t out there. Occasionally, I meet adults who cannot make the r sound or cannot make the s sound. Thes… --- ## [Why can't I eat rotten meat?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-eat-rotten-meat/315316)
**Author:** [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2017, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-eat-rotten-meat/315316 "2017-06-19T00:29:09Z")
Let’s say I have a big ol’ hunk of steak. I decide to leave it on the counter for a couple weeks, but covered very well so no bugs get on it (by bugs I mean insects and so forth, lots of bacteria will still get on it, b… --- ## [Provigil class action settlement](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/provigil-class-action-settlement/789331)
**Author:** [@phxjcc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phxjcc)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2017, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/provigil-class-action-settlement/789331 "2017-06-19T00:01:54Z")
I am posting this here as a public service to this board. Here is the notice: http://www.stateagprovigilsettlement.com/ Not much in terms of real $ in your pocket, but it is something. /disclaimer… I am not a litiga… --- ## [Mechanic seeking advice from other mechanics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mechanic-seeking-advice-from-other-mechanics/789256)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [June 18, 2017, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mechanic-seeking-advice-from-other-mechanics/789256 "2017-06-18T23:09:24Z")
I am a retired truck mechanic. About 5 years ago I sent my 1988 ford f250 out for a complete motor over haul because of a bad rod nock. It now runs great. The problem is that maybe 1 out of 3 starts the starter hangs up … --- ## [Gateway laptop](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gateway-laptop/789327)
**Author:** [@Tclarey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tclarey)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [June 18, 2017, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gateway-laptop/789327 "2017-06-18T23:04:48Z")
I have a gateway laptop that the inverter board went out on it had a part number of YNV-W10 for the heck of it I replaced it with one from a long gone HP with a part number of YNV-W15 and it came on I shut it off right … --- ## [Gateway laptop](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gateway-laptop/789324)
**Author:** [@Tclarey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tclarey)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [June 18, 2017, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gateway-laptop/789324 "2017-06-18T22:38:29Z")
I have a gateway laptop that the inverter board went out on it had a part number of YNV-W10 for the heck of it I replaced it with one from a long gone HP with a part number of YNV-W15 and it came on I shut it off right … --- ## [If the entire known universe were the size of the earth...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-entire-known-universe-were-the-size-of-the-earth/789142)
**Author:** [@Nansbread1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nansbread1)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [June 18, 2017, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-entire-known-universe-were-the-size-of-the-earth/789142 "2017-06-18T21:47:36Z")
How big would the earth be in it. The size of an atom? --- ## [Any chances of a good, cheap and lightweight but powerful external laptop battery?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-chances-of-a-good-cheap-and-lightweight-but-powerful-external-laptop-battery/788921)
**Author:** [@dude\_robert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dude_robert)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [June 18, 2017, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-chances-of-a-good-cheap-and-lightweight-but-powerful-external-laptop-battery/788921 "2017-06-18T18:35:47Z")
So I have noticed that my laptop’s battery tends to disappear pretty quickly when it’s being used. I wonder if there are any premade, cheap, powerful yet lightweight lithium type batteries out there. I’ve heard that lith… --- ## [When did "allergic" become reserved to life-threatening reactions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-allergic-become-reserved-to-life-threatening-reactions/789041)
**Author:** [@dstarfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dstarfire)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [June 18, 2017, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-allergic-become-reserved-to-life-threatening-reactions/789041 "2017-06-18T13:08:31Z")
For the longest time, “allergy” referred to a range of reactions that varied from mild irritation to life-threatening (and even then only if it caused your throat or mouth to swell shut). However, several people I’ve ta… --- ## [Need Excel help please](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-excel-help-please/789180)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2017, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-excel-help-please/789180 "2017-06-17T23:52:43Z")
I want to create a database in which one of the columns will contain a 12-digit account number. I currently have the info in a Word document and I have messed around a little with copying and pasting the data into Excel. … --- ## [Kitchen Faucets with Standard Connectors?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kitchen-faucets-with-standard-connectors/789222)
**Author:** [@Baal\_Houtham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baal_Houtham)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2017, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kitchen-faucets-with-standard-connectors/789222 "2017-06-17T23:17:35Z")
The side sprayer on our kitchen faucet needs replacement – the pull out hose has split, and we’d like a longer hose. (The faucet is a Delta. The pull out hose is about 48".) Longer hoses are available on Amazon, but the … --- ## [How was my credit card number stolen?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-was-my-credit-card-number-stolen/788956)
**Author:** [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2017, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-was-my-credit-card-number-stolen/788956 "2017-06-17T17:33:57Z")
To start with, everything seems fine now—my bank caught the fraud immediately, refunded the small amt. of the illegal charge, and has since replaced the card. But I want to know more about the whole process of how my cre… --- ## [Strange electrical problem?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-electrical-problem/789178)
**Author:** [@dude\_robert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dude_robert)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2017, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-electrical-problem/789178 "2017-06-17T17:33:05Z")
So recently a friend had told me about a weird problem they’ve been having with their lights and AC units. They said that one night, some, and only some, not all of their lights suddenly stopped working, add well as all… --- ## [Climate Change Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/climate-change-questions/789010)
**Author:** [@Reddy\_Mercury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reddy_Mercury)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2017, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/climate-change-questions/789010 "2017-06-17T16:09:54Z")
If you accept Climate Change, you know Africa and the Middle East will be uninhabitable Many coastal cities and countries will be underwater, lost forever. My questions are: What will happen to the great monu… --- ## [Killing integer; a clerk's nightmare (weird till incident)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killing-integer-a-clerks-nightmare-weird-till-incident/788992)
**Author:** [@Moris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moris)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2017, 9:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killing-integer-a-clerks-nightmare-weird-till-incident/788992 "2017-06-17T09:37:58Z")
I work in a small corner shop. Today, both our tills stopped working. And it baffles me. My co-worker was behind the counter when that happened. He tried the scan an item, till changed its display color like it’s in a w… --- ## [Hampstead Mexico Road in Maryland?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hampstead-mexico-road-in-maryland/789123)
**Author:** [@Ornery\_Bob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ornery_Bob)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2017, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hampstead-mexico-road-in-maryland/789123 "2017-06-17T04:51:21Z")
Why the reference to Mexico for what seems to be a fairly major road in Hampstead Maryland? Maryland seems awfully far away from Mexico for any sort of cultural influence. --- ## [sound reason to stop hormone replacement?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sound-reason-to-stop-hormone-replacement/789157)
**Author:** [@brujaja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brujaja)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2017, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sound-reason-to-stop-hormone-replacement/789157 "2017-06-17T03:21:21Z")
I’m 54. The only way I know I went thru menopause is, my periods stopped. Otherwise, I feel exactly the same as I ever did. However, my good friend is in her 70s. She’s been on hormones since she was 53. Recently, her d… --- ## [At what point does a victim of a crime have to pursue criminal charges?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-point-does-a-victim-of-a-crime-have-to-pursue-criminal-charges/788982)
**Author:** [@femmejean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/femmejean)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2017, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-point-does-a-victim-of-a-crime-have-to-pursue-criminal-charges/788982 "2017-06-17T03:04:04Z")
Excuse me for my extreme inadequate knowledge of the basic aspects of criminology specifically dealing with the law of the Western world, but watching Law and Order and the SVU version of the show,I’ve seen victims not p… --- ## [how strong is the tendency for stratification in gas mixtures?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-strong-is-the-tendency-for-stratification-in-gas-mixtures/788932)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2017, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-strong-is-the-tendency-for-stratification-in-gas-mixtures/788932 "2017-06-17T02:51:39Z")
The atmosphere is composed primarily of oxygen and nitrogen. These gases have different molar weights; molecular diffusion and bulk convection endeavor to keep them homogenously mixed, but gravity, working on their diff… --- ## [Is there simple layman's definition of integration that doesn't refer to a graph?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-simple-laymans-definition-of-integration-that-doesnt-refer-to-a-graph/788863)
**Author:** [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2017, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-simple-laymans-definition-of-integration-that-doesnt-refer-to-a-graph/788863 "2017-06-17T00:45:30Z")
While differentiation can be defined as the “the gradient of a graph at a point”, it can also defined in generic, abstract, terms without referring to a graph at all. i.e.:“it is the rate of change of one variable w.r.t.… --- ## [Is it possible for no one to have standing to bring a lawsuit under a law?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-for-no-one-to-have-standing-to-bring-a-lawsuit-under-a-law/789045)
**Author:** [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2017, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-for-no-one-to-have-standing-to-bring-a-lawsuit-under-a-law/789045 "2017-06-16T17:23:32Z")
And, a corollary, when a court dismisses a case for lack of standing, does the decision generally indicate what sort of party might have standing? This is vaguely related to the various emoluments clause lawsuits in the… --- ## [How to soften a wool/acrylic sweater?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-soften-a-wool-acrylic-sweater/788288)
**Author:** [@femmejean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/femmejean)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2017, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-soften-a-wool-acrylic-sweater/788288 "2017-06-16T17:20:35Z")
I have a black sweater which I have to wear next week for a formal purpose; given that it’s the summer here and along with my previous experiences wearing the sweater, I know it will definitely be uncomfortable. I was w… --- ## [Undocumented people](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/undocumented-people/789065)
**Author:** [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2017, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/undocumented-people/789065 "2017-06-16T16:23:55Z")
What do they (especially USA but curious about other countries too) do when someone without documentation is detained, but refuses or doesn’t know their country of origin? How do they deport someone if they can’t be sure… --- ## [Why is Daytona Beach so hard?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-daytona-beach-so-hard/788820)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2017, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-daytona-beach-so-hard/788820 "2017-06-16T15:06:55Z")
Recently spent a few days on Daytona Beach. I’ve never seen a beach quite like it. I’m more used to the soft, white sands along the gulf. At Daytona, the sand is hard enough to drive on. Pretty wild to have cars driv… --- ## [Are there any statistics on Moderate muslims ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-statistics-on-moderate-muslims/788882)
**Author:** [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2017, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-statistics-on-moderate-muslims/788882 "2017-06-16T11:49:59Z")
I hear the phrase “moderate Muslim” a lot in the media nowadays. Are there any non-biased statistics or polls on the median beliefs/values of moderate muslims - apart from the obvious one that they don’t believe in terro… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=714) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=716)