# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=781 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 782 --- ## [How are judges selected for individual cases?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-judges-selected-for-individual-cases/779012)
**Author:** [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2017, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-judges-selected-for-individual-cases/779012 "2017-02-04T22:03:21Z")
I’m guessing (and hoping) by random draw, but do judges with fuller dockets get taken out of the pool? Assuming it’s by random process, what is the actual mechanism? --- ## ["Fake Authorities" being allowed to track cell phones?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fake-authorities-being-allowed-to-track-cell-phones/778860)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2017, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fake-authorities-being-allowed-to-track-cell-phones/778860 "2017-02-04T21:28:22Z")
Okay, there’s a little noticed Reality Show going on called “Hunted”, in which teams of contestants are trying to stay on the run for 30 days to win a quarter million dollars. Against them are 32 (I think it was) hunter… --- ## [Who Is Responsible For The Damage To This Woman's Car?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-responsible-for-the-damage-to-this-womans-car/778939)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2017, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-responsible-for-the-damage-to-this-womans-car/778939 "2017-02-04T21:03:35Z")
This took place in Paramus, New Jersey. 7 On Your Side: 2-ton Target ball rolls through Paramus parking lot - ABC7 Chicago TLDR: You know those big, red, spherical bollards they have outside Target for… whatever reason?… --- ## [Technological developments or non-directional social movements with great impact?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technological-developments-or-non-directional-social-movements-with-great-impact/778992)
**Author:** [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2017, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technological-developments-or-non-directional-social-movements-with-great-impact/778992 "2017-02-04T20:41:14Z")
Some discussions on the polarization of politics are pointing at least the little finger at changes in media and the arrival of social media. But that’s not a GQ thing. My question is about history. How did the world cha… --- ## [Phones on planes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phones-on-planes/778832)
**Author:** [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2017, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phones-on-planes/778832 "2017-02-04T19:49:47Z")
Somewhat similar thread from 2007 The rules about using cellphones on a plane don’t make a lot of sense, and what just wondering what the straight dope is. Before anyone gets the wrong impression, I wouldn’t complain ab… --- ## [Why insane words for food?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-insane-words-for-food/778960)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2017, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-insane-words-for-food/778960 "2017-02-04T19:14:36Z")
Insanity Wings Crazy Fries Nutty as a fruitcake Wacky Tacos (Moderator - Probably needs to be moved) Dennis --- ## [Potato Chips (and ants) in Spaaaaaaaaaace!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potato-chips-and-ants-in-spaaaaaaaaaace/778958)
**Author:** [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2017, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potato-chips-and-ants-in-spaaaaaaaaaace/778958 "2017-02-04T17:26:30Z")
In “The Simpons” episode “Deep Space Homer”, Averagnaut Homer Simpson stows a bag of potato chips on the space shuttle. He opens the bag and potato chips fly everywhere. One of the astronauts exclaims “They’ll clog the i… --- ## [Is the use of the word "caveat" increasing, and incorrectly?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-use-of-the-word-caveat-increasing-and-incorrectly/778886)
**Author:** [@Shamozzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shamozzle)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2017, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-use-of-the-word-caveat-increasing-and-incorrectly/778886 "2017-02-04T16:22:06Z")
Over the last year or so, I’ve noticed that the word “caveat” is being used with increasing frequency, and it seems that almost everyone is using it incorrectly. The word used to be obscure, with almost no one using it.… --- ## [Serious Question About CD's....](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serious-question-about-cds/778941)
**Author:** [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2017, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serious-question-about-cds/778941 "2017-02-04T15:59:58Z")
From Amazon,I recently ordered the cd “How Long?” by the group ACE which I have not yet received. Checking out the reviews, one person gave the cd only a one star rating. Curious, I read the guy’s review and he wrote (i… --- ## [Mistakes were made, in latin](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mistakes-were-made-in-latin/778871)
**Author:** [@K2500](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K2500)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2017, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mistakes-were-made-in-latin/778871 "2017-02-04T15:29:52Z")
So, I was playing with Google Translate as I sometimes do, and I put in the phrase “mistakes were made”. It shows the Latin translation to be “facta sunt peccata” which seems to literally translate to -facts are sins-. S… --- ## [Can You Take The GED or SAT Just For The Lulz?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-take-the-ged-or-sat-just-for-the-lulz/778003)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2017, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-take-the-ged-or-sat-just-for-the-lulz/778003 "2017-02-04T15:02:32Z")
That’s it, really. If you pay the fees and, you know, don’t make a nuisance of yourself, can they stop you from taking the tests? --- ## [Onlookers for DJT's EO signings, relevant, random or PR?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/onlookers-for-djts-eo-signings-relevant-random-or-pr/778977)
**Author:** [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2017, 8:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/onlookers-for-djts-eo-signings-relevant-random-or-pr/778977 "2017-02-04T08:46:30Z")
So after Donald Trump’s signing of the Global Gag Rule some memetic hay was made about the fact that his … scenery were all male. I just noticed in this picture from signing … whatever he was signing that pertains to Dod… --- ## [Hawaii Issued Zero Gun Permits in 2016?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hawaii-issued-zero-gun-permits-in-2016/778957)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2017, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hawaii-issued-zero-gun-permits-in-2016/778957 "2017-02-04T06:16:33Z")
Can this be true? Hawaii has famously strict gun laws. Minor media outlets are reporting no permits were issued in 2016. I can fund no reliable source. What I did find was the local paper reporting on the 2014 figures. … --- ## [How long does it take a to train a chicken to peck at a light?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-it-take-a-to-train-a-chicken-to-peck-at-a-light/778940)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2017, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-it-take-a-to-train-a-chicken-to-peck-at-a-light/778940 "2017-02-04T03:24:15Z")
See query. Please stand and remove your hat. --- ## [File Cabinet drawers stuck - help!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/file-cabinet-drawers-stuck-help/444352)
**Author:** [@Amazon\_Floozy\_Goddess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amazon_Floozy_Goddess)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2017, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/file-cabinet-drawers-stuck-help/444352 "2017-02-04T02:21:55Z")
I have a file cabinet that looks almost exactly like this: Yesterday, all the drawers were open a bit so I pushed them closed. Not really hard, just enough so it slammed just a bit. … --- ## [Launch Delay raw data.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/launch-delay-raw-data/778956)
**Author:** [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2017, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/launch-delay-raw-data/778956 "2017-02-04T02:16:57Z")
The FAA has a huge database of Airline On-Time Statistics and Delay Causes for commercial airlines. Does a similar database exist for space launches? I am interested to learn of any database that might exist, whether it … --- ## [Atomic Seeds--POSEYS OF DDDOOOOOOM!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atomic-seeds-poseys-of-dddoooooom/778721)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2017, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atomic-seeds-poseys-of-dddoooooom/778721 "2017-02-04T01:23:13Z")
Atomic seeds were irradiated seeds, sold during the 50s-60s. The radiation caused mutations. These seed packets were available from science supply catalogs, & from the backs of some comic books. Were there health risks… --- ## [Question for magicians of all stripes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-magicians-of-all-stripes/778912)
**Author:** [@Darth\_Hamsandwich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Hamsandwich)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2017, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-magicians-of-all-stripes/778912 "2017-02-03T21:53:28Z")
This question is mainly for magicians or for people who study sleight of hand. Are magicians just naturally more dexterous than the average schmoe? If so, do they regularly apply their nimble skills to everyday mundane t… --- ## [What happens to all the President's photos](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-all-the-presidents-photos/777472)
**Author:** [@sciurophobic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciurophobic)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2017, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-all-the-presidents-photos/777472 "2017-02-03T21:35:30Z")
When a President leaves office what happens to all his photos in all the government office buildings? Are they thrown out, or sent into storage? Or is there a procedure for giving them away? --- ## [The postage stamp test for impotency](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-postage-stamp-test-for-impotency/778724)
**Author:** [@buddha\_david](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buddha_david)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2017, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-postage-stamp-test-for-impotency/778724 "2017-02-03T20:25:50Z")
Rather than bump this ancient thread thought I’d start a new one. Used to be, there was a common test for impotency in which you wrapped a roll of postage stamps around your Mr. Happy before bedtime, and in the morning,… --- ## [Legal question - child custody](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-question-child-custody/778862)
**Author:** [@Squallous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squallous)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2017, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-question-child-custody/778862 "2017-02-03T17:21:57Z")
You aren’t a lawyer, I’m not your client, and this isn’t actual legal advice. Person 1 and Person 2 are married in the state of Maryland (MD) and have a child (while married). They get divorced, in MD, Person 1 is awar… --- ## [Linux people: Can you help me rename a bunch of files?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linux-people-can-you-help-me-rename-a-bunch-of-files/778843)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2017, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linux-people-can-you-help-me-rename-a-bunch-of-files/778843 "2017-02-03T15:44:15Z")
Suppose that I have a directory listing that looks like this: 123CAT.sql 456CAT.sql 789CAT.sql XYZ.SQL I would like to be able to run a script that replaces every instance of CAT with DOG in the filename only so tha… --- ## [When was the last time a President fired a member of his cabinet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-a-president-fired-a-member-of-his-cabinet/544249)
**Author:** [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Replies:** 101\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2017, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-a-president-fired-a-member-of-his-cabinet/544249 "2017-02-03T14:51:25Z")
When I say fired, I mean just that. They didn’t get the opportunity to do a face saving “resignation.” --- ## [Hardwood and Building Code](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hardwood-and-building-code/778716)
**Author:** [@dauerbach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dauerbach)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2017, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hardwood-and-building-code/778716 "2017-02-03T12:47:04Z")
We are replacing carpet with hardwood. In the corridor the current hardwood is perpendicular to the hall. We wanted the same pattern where the two meet but the floor guy insists that according to code the wood must be … --- ## [Extension cord will harm treadmill?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extension-cord-will-harm-treadmill/778530)
**Author:** [@Mangosteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangosteen)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2017, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extension-cord-will-harm-treadmill/778530 "2017-02-03T04:43:10Z")
The electric cord that came attached to my treadmill is about four feet short of where I want to plug it in to the wall. The manual says no extension cords should be used. Will a short (four foot) heavy duty extension … --- ## [Odds problem - roll a pair of dice](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odds-problem-roll-a-pair-of-dice/767763)
**Author:** [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Replies:** 485\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2017, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odds-problem-roll-a-pair-of-dice/767763 "2017-02-03T01:28:39Z")
A math teacher friend of mine shared this problem on Facebook and we are disagreeing about the solution. Here is the problem verbatim: “Two fair dice are rolled together, and you are told that ‘at least one of the dice … --- ## [Email Issue--Blocked Attached Images--NEED ANSER QUICK!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/email-issue-blocked-attached-images-need-anser-quick/778715)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2017, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/email-issue-blocked-attached-images-need-anser-quick/778715 "2017-02-03T01:10:46Z")
I use Hotmail, & run Firefox 51.0.1. For some dammed reason, it wont accept new images as attachments. I need to get photos from my crummy cell phone to my home computer. Really urgent. I need to sell my old clunker,… --- ## [Why don't cats, small dogs and other small pets protect us like a canary in a mine?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-cats-small-dogs-and-other-small-pets-protect-us-like-a-canary-in-a-mine/778469)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2017, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-cats-small-dogs-and-other-small-pets-protect-us-like-a-canary-in-a-mine/778469 "2017-02-02T23:15:38Z")
Miners relied on canarys to warn them when dangerous gasses are present. It seems like a small pet would do the same. Yet this couple and the cats died of CO poisoning. Comparing body weights. You’d think the cats de… --- ## [How can you die of pancreatitis?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-you-die-of-pancreatitis/707460)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2017, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-you-die-of-pancreatitis/707460 "2017-02-02T22:16:16Z")
Just heard of an acquaintance who went into hospital with pancreatitis and died. Is it normally fatal? I thought it was just extremely painful and draining. --- ## [why food words for insanity?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-food-words-for-insanity/19978)
**Author:** [@gold1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gold1)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2017, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-food-words-for-insanity/19978 "2017-02-02T22:13:44Z")
I know the reason may be the obvious, e.g., someone spotted someone else chowing down on say, bananas, and then acting all freaky, but where do these things come from??? Crackers, bananas, fruity, nutty, flaky, fruitloop… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=780) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=782)