# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=812 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 813 --- ## [antonym of "OPTIMAL"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antonym-of-optimal/159072)
**Author:** [@criminalcatalog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/criminalcatalog)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2016, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antonym-of-optimal/159072 "2016-11-26T03:41:06Z")
I haven’t been able to get a good answer yet, that’s why I come to the true minds of the web - the sdmb. What’s the opposite of “optimal”, when used in the context of “most efficient”? In other words, what is a word for… --- ## [Bicycle involved in crash](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-involved-in-crash/772566)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2016, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-involved-in-crash/772566 "2016-11-26T02:50:09Z")
Earlier this year, I was in a serious accident while riding my bicycle. I had to be taken from the hospital in an ambulance, although fortunately my bicycle was not significantly damaged. As it happens, the accident was … --- ## [Is it "toute suite" or "tout de suite"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-toute-suite-or-tout-de-suite/199529)
**Author:** [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2016, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-toute-suite-or-tout-de-suite/199529 "2016-11-26T02:14:45Z")
Sometimes you hear people use a French expression in English pronounced “toot sweet”. The meaning is like Spanish pronto or rural American English right quick. Often, when spelled out, this expression is spelled as the t… --- ## [How do I update Android on my S3 Galaxy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-update-android-on-my-s3-galaxy/772893)
**Author:** [@JakeRS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JakeRS)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2016, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-update-android-on-my-s3-galaxy/772893 "2016-11-26T02:02:52Z")
I bought an S3 recently, its my first smartphone and I am still figuring out the basics, so I was wondering, how do I update the android version? I currently have 4.3 and I would like to have at least 4.4. If I go to ,a… --- ## [US state governments working together?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-state-governments-working-together/772879)
**Author:** [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2016, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-state-governments-working-together/772879 "2016-11-25T20:25:31Z")
\*\*Arising out of the thread on states acting together to organise a common healthcare reform plan, it occurs to me to ask to what extent state governors and governments explore and develop policy and administrative ideas… --- ## [SCOTUS emeritus?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotus-emeritus/772932)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2016, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotus-emeritus/772932 "2016-11-25T18:01:12Z")
Is there a way for a retired SCOTUS justice to be recalled to the SCOTUS? Or to have a justice semi-retired and able to be recalled to serve? It seems to me that this would be a way around any vacancy issues such as the… --- ## [Can my family simply sponsor a poor family in a poor country?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-my-family-simply-sponsor-a-poor-family-in-a-poor-country/618253)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2016, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-my-family-simply-sponsor-a-poor-family-in-a-poor-country/618253 "2016-11-25T17:36:19Z")
Is there a program that lets someone here in the US simply pick a poor family from a poor nation, and simply send that particular family money every year? $1000 a year, I take it, is large but affordable to me, while it… --- ## [When did Black Friday start?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-black-friday-start/772882)
**Author:** [@Brodi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brodi)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2016, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-black-friday-start/772882 "2016-11-25T17:27:10Z")
When did the Friday after Thanksgiving become known as Black Friday and was it always this insane? You know, people lining up at like 5:00am, stampedes that sometimes end in fatalities, etc. --- ## [Were there any photos of the Milky Way taken from the moon?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-there-any-photos-of-the-milky-way-taken-from-the-moon/772334)
**Author:** [@Algernon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algernon)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2016, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-there-any-photos-of-the-milky-way-taken-from-the-moon/772334 "2016-11-25T17:01:54Z")
From any of the Apollo moon missions, I do not recall seeing any photos of the Milky Way. I scrolled through the archive, but admittedly did not look at every photo. https://www.flickr.com/photos/projectapolloarchive/a… --- ## [Adjusting the sync on youtube?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adjusting-the-sync-on-youtube/772943)
**Author:** [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2016, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adjusting-the-sync-on-youtube/772943 "2016-11-25T12:35:56Z")
Is this possible on a video that’s 10 seconds or more out of sync? --- ## [Delta-V requirements to travel from the Sun-Earth Lagrange point L3 to L4 or L5?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/delta-v-requirements-to-travel-from-the-sun-earth-lagrange-point-l3-to-l4-or-l5/772960)
**Author:** [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2016, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/delta-v-requirements-to-travel-from-the-sun-earth-lagrange-point-l3-to-l4-or-l5/772960 "2016-11-25T11:18:29Z")
Like it says in that mouthful of a title. Unfortunately, I’m both too tired and have way too little faith in my math or Orbiter 2010 skills to figure out a halfway correct answer. Either minimum Delta-V, or the minimum … --- ## [How is a new President's appointments confirmed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-a-new-presidents-appointments-confirmed/772925)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2016, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-a-new-presidents-appointments-confirmed/772925 "2016-11-25T01:07:08Z")
Yes I know by the Senate but that’s not my question. Are they all voted on as a slate (subject to a Motion for Division of course) or is each nominee voted on separately? Does the Senate do any vetting or is it mostly … --- ## [Why does it take so long for a battery to charge the last few percent?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-it-take-so-long-for-a-battery-to-charge-the-last-few-percent/772870)
**Author:** [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2016, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-it-take-so-long-for-a-battery-to-charge-the-last-few-percent/772870 "2016-11-24T20:00:04Z")
Hello Everyone, I have a Samsung Note 3 and I Orchard extra batteries and a stand alone battery charger. It sends that the batteries charge to 90-95% fairly quickly, but the last 5 or 10% seem to take much longer. Wh… --- ## [Medical Marijuana](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-marijuana/772871)
**Author:** [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2016, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-marijuana/772871 "2016-11-24T19:11:00Z")
In a state that has medical marijuana, are non-residents allowed to obtain a prescription/medicine within the state? Say someone from Oklahoma decides to visit Arkansas once they get up and running. I assume once they … --- ## [What are the specific laws protecting Jews/Jewish rights in Germany today?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-specific-laws-protecting-jews-jewish-rights-in-germany-today/772620)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2016, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-specific-laws-protecting-jews-jewish-rights-in-germany-today/772620 "2016-11-24T18:39:07Z")
Hi What are the specific laws protecting Jews/Jewish rights in Germany today? I know Germany passed a law protecting the right of circumcision. But I couldn’t find specifics on actual laws protection Jews. I look forwar… --- ## [Bluetooth headphone audio quality](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bluetooth-headphone-audio-quality/772833)
**Author:** [@K364](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K364)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2016, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bluetooth-headphone-audio-quality/772833 "2016-11-24T18:12:56Z")
I’m assuming (haha, I know) the following takes place in Bluetooth connected devices. Let’s say a Smart Phone and Bluetooth headphones. The phone knows it is bluetooth connected, so the DAC conversion to its speakers i… --- ## [Shining a flashlight into the sky. Do any photons make it out of the atmosphere?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shining-a-flashlight-into-the-sky-do-any-photons-make-it-out-of-the-atmosphere/772862)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2016, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shining-a-flashlight-into-the-sky-do-any-photons-make-it-out-of-the-atmosphere/772862 "2016-11-24T17:31:43Z")
Assuming a clear sky and an average flashlight, would any of the photons make it out of the atmosphere or would they all be absorbed? If they did escape, how far could they reasonably travel before getting absorbed? --- ## [Turning on OK Google](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turning-on-ok-google/772855)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2016, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turning-on-ok-google/772855 "2016-11-24T16:22:59Z")
I found this page that tells how to turn on OK Google. Um… OK. I tapped on Play Store. It displayed a bunch of apps, I don’t know what they were. So I clicked the microphone and said, ‘Google app.’ It brought up so… --- ## [Why doesn't the FBI investigate police killings?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-the-fbi-investigate-police-killings/772884)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2016, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-the-fbi-investigate-police-killings/772884 "2016-11-24T14:53:38Z")
Americans - particularly black Americans - are in the news for being killed by police. In this thread it was established that Americans are citizens of the US first and the state (Alabama, NY, Texas, etc) second. Therefo… --- ## [Saturn SL2 transmission](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saturn-sl2-transmission/772825)
**Author:** [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2016, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saturn-sl2-transmission/772825 "2016-11-24T12:23:29Z")
I have a 2001 Saturn SL2 purchased new at the time and it’s served me well over the years. Recently though, the transmission (automatic) has gotten very clunky as it’s switching gears and when I’m in reverse. I’ve done s… --- ## [How does the US know you've overstayed your visa](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-us-know-youve-overstayed-your-visa/772851)
**Author:** [@Rusalka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rusalka)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2016, 9:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-us-know-youve-overstayed-your-visa/772851 "2016-11-24T09:18:18Z")
I have met and know of many people who have overstayed their visa, and are terrified of leaving the US to go home because they can’t get a new visa for a number of years if they’ve overstayed a previous visa. This means… --- ## [Is there any tech which will enable non-backlit color screens?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-tech-which-will-enable-non-backlit-color-screens/772756)
**Author:** [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2016, 8:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-tech-which-will-enable-non-backlit-color-screens/772756 "2016-11-24T08:45:44Z")
It seems that all color screens must be backlit for you to see the image. Color screens on watches, phones, digital frames, monitors, TV’s, etc. all have a light behind the screen that either produces colored light dire… --- ## [How was Loretta Lynch fired? By letter? By the President-Elect in person?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-was-loretta-lynch-fired-by-letter-by-the-president-elect-in-person/772796)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2016, 7:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-was-loretta-lynch-fired-by-letter-by-the-president-elect-in-person/772796 "2016-11-24T07:29:58Z")
Hi, http://yournewswire.com/trump-fires-attorney-general-loretta-lynch/ How was Loretta Lynch fired? Did Trump fire her in person? How are Government department heads usually fired? Do DOJ heads have any term limits… --- ## [Why don't hotels have central HVAC systems?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-hotels-have-central-hvac-systems/772638)
**Author:** [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2016, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-hotels-have-central-hvac-systems/772638 "2016-11-24T05:24:38Z")
It seems most hotels I stay at have a noisy heater/AC unit. Why don’t they have central HVAC systems? Don’t most office buildings have them? --- ## [cash for home equity: why not refinance primary mortage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cash-for-home-equity-why-not-refinance-primary-mortage/772316)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2016, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cash-for-home-equity-why-not-refinance-primary-mortage/772316 "2016-11-24T04:13:26Z")
To get cash using your home equity as collateral, I only ever hear of getting a home equity loan or a home equity line of credit. Question: why not refinance the primary mortgage so that it’s larger, and the lender hand… --- ## [Dishwasher question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dishwasher-question/772655)
**Author:** [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2016, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dishwasher-question/772655 "2016-11-24T02:35:46Z")
Okay… so I have a dishwasher that’s somewhere between 3 and 4 years old (Maytag MDB8959SAS1, if you’re curious). What I’m trying to figure out is when the detergent cup is supposed to open in the wash cycles. I’ve neve… --- ## [Google map routing: does it predict traffic conditions ahead?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-map-routing-does-it-predict-traffic-conditions-ahead/772738)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2016, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-map-routing-does-it-predict-traffic-conditions-ahead/772738 "2016-11-24T01:48:26Z")
This morning I drove 60 miles. I had a choice of two routes: one is slightly longer but has more reliable traffic flow, while the other is shorter but with highly variable traffic conditions. Knowing of this, I opted f… --- ## [What's the largest popular vote possible without being elected President?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-largest-popular-vote-possible-without-being-elected-president/772370)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2016, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-largest-popular-vote-possible-without-being-elected-president/772370 "2016-11-24T00:48:20Z")
Hillary Clinton won the popular vote by about 1 million votes, but will not be our next President because of the way the Electoral college works. Presumably her margin could have been even larger if voters in the states… --- ## [Could vegetarianism be making me constipated?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-vegetarianism-be-making-me-constipated/772813)
**Author:** [@Kyomara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyomara)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2016, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-vegetarianism-be-making-me-constipated/772813 "2016-11-24T00:44:39Z")
Hi all. I went vegetarian about a week ago. Before I went full vegetarian I had generally kept my meat intake down to one serving a day, and the rest of my diet has always included lots of whole grains, fruits, and leaf… --- ## [Another dishwasher thread - not draining](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-dishwasher-thread-not-draining/772760)
**Author:** [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2016, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-dishwasher-thread-not-draining/772760 "2016-11-23T19:44:58Z")
My dishwasher (Kenmore Elite, about 8 years old), has stopped draining. I’ve cleaned the filters, and run the garbage disposal. In the past, this would occasionally happen and one of the above actions would fix it. I … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=811) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=813)