# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=809 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 810 --- ## [Does a cyanide capsule really kill instantly? How?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-cyanide-capsule-really-kill-instantly-how/495925)
**Author:** [@Quintas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quintas)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2015, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-cyanide-capsule-really-kill-instantly-how/495925 "2015-08-11T14:42:38Z")
I’ve wondered this a long time. From what I understand, it prevents cells from utilising oxygen. But I just watched a History show about the final days in Hitler’s bunker, and they describe biting down on the capsule a… --- ## [To whom do you appeal a SCOWDC decision?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-whom-do-you-appeal-a-scowdc-decision/773625)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 3, 2016, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-whom-do-you-appeal-a-scowdc-decision/773625 "2016-12-03T01:14:46Z")
As I understand it, SCOTUS is also the Supreme Court of Washington DC. So to whom do you appeal a decision by that court? Any State’s Supreme Court’s decision can be appealed to SCOTUS, but what happens with Washington? --- ## [Is "fagela" real Yiddish?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-fagela-real-yiddish/773503)
**Author:** [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2016, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-fagela-real-yiddish/773503 "2016-12-02T20:46:01Z")
Fagela is a term used by some northeastern Jews meaning fag or faggot - i.e. a slur for a gay person. But is it an actual Yiddish word or a Yidlish\[sup\]1\[/sup\] backformation from faggot? \[sub\]1. Pretty sure I just inven… --- ## [The pink elastic mystery](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pink-elastic-mystery/773420)
**Author:** [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2016, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pink-elastic-mystery/773420 "2016-12-02T20:41:17Z")
I make beaded jewelry, and I occasionally use clear stretchy string. At least, it starts out clear. I constantly have to adjust or redo parts of my work, and by the time I’m done, the most vigorously used (don’t know if … --- ## [Citizenship question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/citizenship-question/773382)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2016, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/citizenship-question/773382 "2016-12-02T20:37:58Z")
This morning Donald Trump tweeted "“Nobody should be allowed to burn the American flag — if they do, there must be consequences — perhaps loss of citizenship or year in jail!”. Leaving aside all opinions about the man, … --- ## [Google Pixel phone question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-pixel-phone-question/773652)
**Author:** [@sevenwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sevenwood)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2016, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-pixel-phone-question/773652 "2016-12-02T19:32:04Z")
Anyone here have a Google Pixel phone? I have a question about its “as shipped” memory configuration. A bit of background: my current phone (a Samsung Galaxy 5) has 16GB of “internal storage” and 16GB of “portable stora… --- ## [How much intelligence does an incumbent President have to share with a President-Elect?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-intelligence-does-an-incumbent-president-have-to-share-with-a-president-elect/773524)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2016, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-intelligence-does-an-incumbent-president-have-to-share-with-a-president-elect/773524 "2016-12-02T18:17:15Z")
Hi How much intelligence does an incumbent President have to share with a President-Elect? I’m not sure whether Obama and Trump communicate much, if such communication is at the pleasure of Obama or whether there is a … --- ## [Random arrangement of marbles on a surface; how many with neighbors of the same color?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-arrangement-of-marbles-on-a-surface-how-many-with-neighbors-of-the-same-color/773553)
**Author:** [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2016, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-arrangement-of-marbles-on-a-surface-how-many-with-neighbors-of-the-same-color/773553 "2016-12-02T18:08:34Z")
For a (111) surface, sufficiently large to ignore boundary effects, comprising a random arrangement of marbles of two colors, red and black, what is the percent of red marbles with 0, 1 . . . 6 red neighbors as a functio… --- ## [Aleut/Eskimo outerwear](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aleut-eskimo-outerwear/773176)
**Author:** [@ZurBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZurBob)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2016, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aleut-eskimo-outerwear/773176 "2016-12-02T17:33:03Z")
I saw some old B/W film footage today depicting an Aleut whale hunt circa 1940, wherein their outerwear rekindled a question in my mind: What is this material of construction? I am referring to the very white, smooth, no… --- ## [Gum infection dangerous?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gum-infection-dangerous/773549)
**Author:** [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2016, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gum-infection-dangerous/773549 "2016-12-02T15:00:41Z")
Hello Everyone, About ten years ago I developed what can only be described as a bulging blister on my gum line near my molars. It became bothersome, so because I’m an idiot I decided to lance that sucker with a toothpi… --- ## [Amish](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amish/773609)
**Author:** [@jasnooks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasnooks)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2016, 7:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amish/773609 "2016-12-02T07:48:43Z")
I’m seriously considering converting, and trying to blend into the Amish community, but I’m not sure that I can do without internet porn, specificity anal porn. Any advice? --- ## [Intractable physics/trigonometry problem](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intractable-physics-trigonometry-problem/773453)
**Author:** [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2016, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intractable-physics-trigonometry-problem/773453 "2016-12-02T06:49:09Z")
tl;dr The real problem is in bold at the bottom. This is derived from a couple of much simpler problems I gave my students, and which sparked some further discussion. Two balls with equal charge are suspended from very… --- ## [Lawyers and Privilege](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawyers-and-privilege/773378)
**Author:** [@ishamael69](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ishamael69)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2016, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawyers-and-privilege/773378 "2016-12-02T05:50:42Z")
So a guy shows up in your (attorney’s) office. He says, “I really hate my neighbor and have a plan to make him have an accident that I want you to review…” You of course, ask the gentleman to leave, and provide no advi… --- ## [Question regarding the Wisconsin electronic vote recount](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-the-wisconsin-electronic-vote-recount/773559)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2016, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-the-wisconsin-electronic-vote-recount/773559 "2016-12-02T05:01:56Z")
Hi, In every article I’ve read so far, I have seen no details as to how precisely the electronic votes in Wisconsin will be recounted? Is there a paper trail for re-counters to look at? Is the data backed up in files/ca… --- ## [Sounds like f\*\*\* you?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sounds-like-f-you/773525)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2016, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sounds-like-f-you/773525 "2016-12-02T04:14:56Z")
Is there any phrase or words in Japanese that sounds phonetically close to “fuck you” or fuh-kyu, or so forth? --- ## [How do prisoners make alcohol in jail?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-prisoners-make-alcohol-in-jail/240584)
**Author:** [@chefIL11](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chefIL11)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2016, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-prisoners-make-alcohol-in-jail/240584 "2016-12-02T02:49:09Z")
I saw on a documentary that prisoners attempt to make alcohol in their cells… I also saw that they make it in a bag. How do they do this? --- ## [Why does it take so long for Windows show a list of apps?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-it-take-so-long-for-windows-show-a-list-of-apps/773350)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2016, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-it-take-so-long-for-windows-show-a-list-of-apps/773350 "2016-12-02T02:30:47Z")
If I want to uninstall an app, I have to go to Settings, Apps. Then there is a l-o-n-g pause while Windows presumably builds the list of apps dynamically. Why in the world would this not be a microsecond response time? S… --- ## [Hospital scenario pt. 2](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hospital-scenario-pt-2/773542)
**Author:** [@hacim3002](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hacim3002)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2016, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hospital-scenario-pt-2/773542 "2016-12-01T23:37:11Z")
hey! thank you for the answers on the last question, it was extremely helpful and I appreciate it tons! now this one is probably really obvious but thankfully I’ve never been in this situation before. you go to the hosp… --- ## [Question for non-Americans - libraries?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-non-americans-libraries/773273)
**Author:** [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2016, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-non-americans-libraries/773273 "2016-12-01T22:04:41Z")
In the US most communities have public libraries. Buildings where one can go and read and check out books. Most also nowadays have computers with internet access, movies, audio books, magazines, plus they store many pubi… --- ## [Is Samson the father of Goliath?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-samson-the-father-of-goliath/773128)
**Author:** [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2016, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-samson-the-father-of-goliath/773128 "2016-12-01T21:14:56Z")
I heard of a theory/rumor that when the shorn, blinded Samson was imprisoned, “grinding grain” was a wink-wink nudge-nudge biblical codeword for “put out to stud”. :dubious: The logic being, this super-soldier invading… --- ## [Is It Possible to Develop Walnut Allergy by Eatings Too Much Walnuts Too Often?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-develop-walnut-allergy-by-eatings-too-much-walnuts-too-often/773415)
**Author:** [@greenpurple](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/greenpurple)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2016, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-develop-walnut-allergy-by-eatings-too-much-walnuts-too-often/773415 "2016-12-01T20:42:37Z")
thanks… --- ## [Do genetic "throwbacks" actually exist?.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-genetic-throwbacks-actually-exist/773491)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2016, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-genetic-throwbacks-actually-exist/773491 "2016-12-01T20:29:49Z")
I recall this word being used a few times in my youth to describe people who looked kind of brutish or cavemanish. They were described as “throwbacks” as if this were an actual, real thing where the whimsy of nature had … --- ## [Impacts of regular use of antibiotics?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impacts-of-regular-use-of-antibiotics/773274)
**Author:** [@Orville\_mogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orville_mogul)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2016, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impacts-of-regular-use-of-antibiotics/773274 "2016-12-01T15:08:41Z")
A colleague of mine is a nervous traveler, and when she travels to developing countries (every two months or so), she takes antibiotics prophylactically to prevent possible gastrointestinal problems from the local water,… --- ## [Question about a hospital scenario](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-a-hospital-scenario/773518)
**Author:** [@hacim3002](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hacim3002)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2016, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-a-hospital-scenario/773518 "2016-12-01T19:39:22Z")
hey! alright so the scenario is, person A is rushed to the ER and tells the doctors which emergency contact to use. Person B, the emergency contact, gets a phone call. my question is, what is said in that phone call? do… --- ## [VLC Player Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vlc-player-question/773543)
**Author:** [@Jake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jake)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2016, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vlc-player-question/773543 "2016-12-01T18:19:23Z")
I’m running Win 10, 4 Gig memory, and having a problem getting VLC to play a Netflix disc. The error message: “Cannot open dvd:///E:/” where E: is the CD disc directory. Any suggestions? --- ## [A troop = How many people?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-troop-how-many-people/244833)
**Author:** [@singersargent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/singersargent)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2016, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-troop-how-many-people/244833 "2016-12-01T18:11:58Z")
I repeatly seeing the word troop in the news to define the number of soldier performing some action. A troop contains how many soldiers? And while we’re on the subject how many soldiers are in a battilion? Please clea… --- ## [How does a newly minted Lieutenant get posted? (Marine Recon and in general)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-newly-minted-lieutenant-get-posted-marine-recon-and-in-general/773531)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2016, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-newly-minted-lieutenant-get-posted-marine-recon-and-in-general/773531 "2016-12-01T18:03:26Z")
Query prompted by re-watching the superb Generation Kill, which follows a Marine Recon platoon in the Gulf War. Can you be made be a commander right off the bat, after West Point, of a special forces outfit (I’m sure th… --- ## [Saint Nicholas, Bishop of Myra and the release of the slaves](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saint-nicholas-bishop-of-myra-and-the-release-of-the-slaves/773522)
**Author:** [@Aghris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aghris)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2016, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saint-nicholas-bishop-of-myra-and-the-release-of-the-slaves/773522 "2016-12-01T16:54:54Z")
I realize this is an American message board and that most of your are probably unaware of the Dutch tradition of Sinterklaas. He is the model for Santa Clause as you know him, but instead of coming from the North Pole, S… --- ## [Investigative Powers of the Minority Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/investigative-powers-of-the-minority-party/773536)
**Author:** [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2016, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/investigative-powers-of-the-minority-party/773536 "2016-12-01T16:34:00Z")
Hi All Inspired (obviously) by current affairs, but looking for factual answers What powers to conduct investigations into the activities of the President/White House/Agencies etc. does the minority party in Congress h… --- ## [What is the fatality rate for oil pipelines?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-fatality-rate-for-oil-pipelines/773438)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2016, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-fatality-rate-for-oil-pipelines/773438 "2016-12-01T15:25:59Z")
Spurred by the thread in GD about the Dakota Access Pipeline, I have a question which I hope can be considered as a factual issue. How many fatalities can be attributed to shipping oil by pipeline, compared to shipping … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=808) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=810)