# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=819 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 820 --- ## [Is there such a phrase as "run the inside straight"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-such-a-phrase-as-run-the-inside-straight/771142)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2016, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-such-a-phrase-as-run-the-inside-straight/771142 "2016-11-10T14:02:03Z")
I thought I heard the phrase while discussing Trump’s winning streak in the electoral votes (despite mainstream pollsters predicting a clinton victory) that he “ran the inside straight”. What does that mean? I look forw… --- ## [Buying songs in the itunes store](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-songs-in-the-itunes-store/770921)
**Author:** [@Mangosteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangosteen)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2016, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-songs-in-the-itunes-store/770921 "2016-11-10T12:02:05Z")
I’m logged in, but my only options when I click on the song are: Gift this song Tell a friend Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Copy Link Where’s the BUY IT? --- ## [What are the disadvantages of online banks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-disadvantages-of-online-banks/771250)
**Author:** [@Tzigone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tzigone)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2016, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-disadvantages-of-online-banks/771250 "2016-11-10T07:20:49Z")
I see savings account at online banks like this one with higher interest rates. I do note the limit on the number of withdrawals per month, but that’s not a problem for me. What other disadvantages come with these sort… --- ## [What Are Dogs at Wynn Lass Vegas Sniffing For?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-dogs-at-wynn-lass-vegas-sniffing-for/771119)
**Author:** [@greenpurple](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/greenpurple)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2016, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-dogs-at-wynn-lass-vegas-sniffing-for/771119 "2016-11-10T06:25:48Z")
Please no answers like “bombs or drugs” - because like “no shit!”. Which one or both? --- ## [Do Asians really have longer intestines than honkies?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-asians-really-have-longer-intestines-than-honkies/182126)
**Author:** [@regnad\_kcin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/regnad_kcin)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2016, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-asians-really-have-longer-intestines-than-honkies/182126 "2016-11-10T03:59:12Z")
My Japanese girlfriend tells me that Asians have longer intestines than white people, which causes a higher frequency of constipation (a subject Japanese will publicly discuss unabashedly!) and high rates of cancer when… --- ## [Question regarding electioneering law](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-electioneering-law/771105)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2016, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-electioneering-law/771105 "2016-11-10T01:33:53Z")
Hi I just wanted to fact-check whether or not the following article is exaggerating or is correct in its interpretation of electioneering law. I look forward to your feedback http://www.thepoliticalinsider.com/yes-hil… --- ## [Do external HDs swap easily between Macs and PCs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-external-hds-swap-easily-between-macs-and-pcs/771294)
**Author:** [@Pushkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pushkin)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2016, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-external-hds-swap-easily-between-macs-and-pcs/771294 "2016-11-10T01:19:36Z")
My sister is a teacher and has a need to bring home a few GB of data from PCs at school to her Mac at home. Are external HDs or USB sticks generally able to handle being swapped between the two? I remember trying to use… --- ## [Cellphone recharging port broken - repairable?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cellphone-recharging-port-broken-repairable/771058)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2016, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cellphone-recharging-port-broken-repairable/771058 "2016-11-10T00:23:37Z")
I have a Motorola Droid which is several years old. The micro-USB port on the phone broke, such that I cannot insert a charger. I’m heading out to the store over lunch, but thought I’d ask here first. Is that somethin… --- ## [Moving big things with helium balloons](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-big-things-with-helium-balloons/770792)
**Author:** [@Banksiaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banksiaman)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2016, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-big-things-with-helium-balloons/770792 "2016-11-09T23:41:05Z")
if i wanted to move something big, and the normal options such as trucks or cranes were not feasible, could I use helium balloons to lift them? For the purpose of consistency lets say the load is a 10 tonne (10,000 kg) … --- ## [Unusual sized caskets](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unusual-sized-caskets/770956)
**Author:** [@Shinna\_Minna\_Ma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shinna_Minna_Ma)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2016, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unusual-sized-caskets/770956 "2016-11-09T22:58:43Z")
What happens when a funeral home has a need for an unusual size casket, i.e., for a baby or a very large size person. Do funeral homes usually keep these in their stock, or must they be special ordered from a manufactur… --- ## [What Color Car Gets The Most Tickets From Cops?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-color-car-gets-the-most-tickets-from-cops/770686)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2016, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-color-car-gets-the-most-tickets-from-cops/770686 "2016-11-09T21:36:31Z")
Here’s one for Unca Cecil. There have been rumors for years that Cops pull over & ticket certain color cars more than others. Red is often mentioned. Is this true? Hard fact true? With evidence? And, what color car g… --- ## [IPad Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipad-question/771277)
**Author:** [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2016, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipad-question/771277 "2016-11-09T21:32:35Z")
OK, Time to dig my brother up and kill him again. How can I tell what generation and OS an IPad has? I have absolutely no passwords, and have no idea how to reset or discover the passwords for his IPad \[and actually I t… --- ## [Need a "watchdog" box](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-watchdog-box/770445)
**Author:** [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2016, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-watchdog-box/770445 "2016-11-09T20:48:03Z")
We occasionally have Internet problems at our local town hall, where our TV station originates, and I need to be notified of it ASAP when that happens, day or night. I am looking for a gadget that will monitor our Inter… --- ## [WWII Buffs: Can You Clarify for Me?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwii-buffs-can-you-clarify-for-me/769948)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2016, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwii-buffs-can-you-clarify-for-me/769948 "2016-11-09T17:33:43Z")
How is it that Europe caved to the Nazis and/or Nazi occupation so (seemingly) quickly across most of Europe? For each country listed below, can you tell me if each one: Resisted? Sympathized? Taken by surprise? and/or … --- ## [Absentee ballot reporting](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absentee-ballot-reporting/771034)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2016, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absentee-ballot-reporting/771034 "2016-11-09T17:07:41Z")
Anyone who has watched election returns knows that the media will report both the number of precincts in and the percentages. How do absentee ballots figure into the precinct number? In Maine, all absentee and early ba… --- ## [Queen Elizabeth II and Queen Mother](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/queen-elizabeth-ii-and-queen-mother/770927)
**Author:** [@Mrdeals](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrdeals)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2016, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/queen-elizabeth-ii-and-queen-mother/770927 "2016-11-09T16:44:21Z")
I was watching a video of Elton John performing at Princess Diana’s funeral, and the commentary of the news broadcaster mentions the “Queen Mother.” I didn’t know much about her so i did some wikipedia research and accor… --- ## [Moaning during sex](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moaning-during-sex/770629)
**Author:** [@Nansbread1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nansbread1)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2016, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moaning-during-sex/770629 "2016-11-09T16:34:02Z")
I cannot name any animal that moans during sex. Some may grunt or salivate or make sounds of exertion but loud pleasured moans are not heard in the animal kingdom. I presume it is a survival instinct so as to not give aw… --- ## [Dump trucks at Trump Tower](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dump-trucks-at-trump-tower/771196)
**Author:** [@bizerta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bizerta)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2016, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dump-trucks-at-trump-tower/771196 "2016-11-09T15:59:24Z")
Several live TV reports from Trump Tower this morning shows dump trucks filled with sand parked on the street. Are they there for construction or as a buffer in case someone attempts a terrorist event? --- ## [About when will the US Presidential Election result be known?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-when-will-the-us-presidential-election-result-be-known/770351)
**Author:** [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2016, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-when-will-the-us-presidential-election-result-be-known/770351 "2016-11-09T11:15:30Z")
I could have put this in Elections but this isn’t a question about politics etc but just a simple factual question. By about when is the result usually apparent? I guess if it’s extremely close it could take a while but… --- ## [When was the last time Dems held the White House for three terms in a row?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-dems-held-the-white-house-for-three-terms-in-a-row/771080)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2016, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-dems-held-the-white-house-for-three-terms-in-a-row/771080 "2016-11-09T03:55:38Z")
Title says it all. Thanks. :slight\_smile: --- ## [Will a refrigerator work if either fan goes out? Need Answer Fast](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-a-refrigerator-work-if-either-fan-goes-out-need-answer-fast/592256)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2016, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-a-refrigerator-work-if-either-fan-goes-out-need-answer-fast/592256 "2016-11-09T02:43:24Z")
I’m trying to decide if it’s time to get a repairman over here. Saturday night one of the fans in my Whirlpool refrigerator started making a terrible shrill noise. \*\*At midnight. \*\* We had to get out earplugs to sleep. … --- ## [What happens if a write-in wins popular vote?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-a-write-in-wins-popular-vote/771082)
**Author:** [@Mrdeals](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrdeals)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2016, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-a-write-in-wins-popular-vote/771082 "2016-11-09T02:42:46Z")
Lets say that there is a massive underground voting conspiracy, and tonight millions and millions of people are going to write in: “chuck Norris” From my understanding most states have electors that must follow popular … --- ## [removing tolls from tollroads](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-tolls-from-tollroads/770524)
**Author:** [@crucible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crucible)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2016, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-tolls-from-tollroads/770524 "2016-11-09T00:54:42Z")
What are some examples of highways or bridges that had tolls, and the tolls were removed after some years? --- ## [Is steering a motorcycle different from steering a bicycle?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-steering-a-motorcycle-different-from-steering-a-bicycle/769021)
**Author:** [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Replies:** 88\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2016, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-steering-a-motorcycle-different-from-steering-a-bicycle/769021 "2016-11-08T21:23:35Z")
I’ve never ridden a motorcycle. I’ve ridden a bicycle a lot. Steering a bike wasn’t hard to learn: you just turn the wheel in the direction you want to go. Intuitive and easy. I’ve translated a bunch about motorcycles i… --- ## [Historically, does impeachment power extend to people who MAY hold office?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/historically-does-impeachment-power-extend-to-people-who-may-hold-office/771040)
**Author:** [@Ace309](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ace309)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2016, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/historically-does-impeachment-power-extend-to-people-who-may-hold-office/771040 "2016-11-08T19:17:40Z")
On an imgur thread this morning, a disagreeable fellow posited the following: Congress has the power to impeach individuals who are not currently in office. Impeachment may result in the disqualification of a citizen t… --- ## [Separating brass](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/separating-brass/349075)
**Author:** [@Arjuna34](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arjuna34)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2016, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/separating-brass/349075 "2016-11-08T16:40:13Z")
Brass is a solid solution of copper and zinc. Is there an easy way to take scrap brass metal, and separate it back into copper and zinc? Arjuna34 --- ## [What is going on with these sex spams?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-going-on-with-these-sex-spams/770943)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2016, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-going-on-with-these-sex-spams/770943 "2016-11-08T16:07:23Z")
I have been getting about a dozen spams a day (by actual count) of which the following is typical: Since they have no idea where I am and you cannot email sex, what are they about? This started about a month ago and i… --- ## [Weird car cooling system issue.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-car-cooling-system-issue/770461)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2016, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-car-cooling-system-issue/770461 "2016-11-08T15:51:57Z")
Trying to avoid a new radiator - at least until the end of the month. 2005 Jeep Liberty Renegade. The overflow reservoir is part of the pressurized system. I’ve been losing coolant so I checked my radiator cap. Lots… --- ## [Electrical Panel Question: Need Answer Soonish](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-panel-question-need-answer-soonish/771046)
**Author:** [@Ennui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ennui)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2016, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-panel-question-need-answer-soonish/771046 "2016-11-08T15:38:20Z")
Hello all, I encountered a small issue with my very outdated, fuse type electrical panel. I ~suspect~ some manner of mechanical defect might be causing a break in the circuit on one of my fuses, I replaced the fuse in qu… --- ## [What does this provision of the US Constitution mean?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-this-provision-of-the-us-constitution-mean/770661)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2016, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-this-provision-of-the-us-constitution-mean/770661 "2016-11-08T15:13:00Z")
Article Three (re. the Supreme Court), Section Two, Clause Two (bolding mine): Because a blog I happened upon claims that this means that Congress could make a law with the explicit provision that the SCOTUS cannot rev… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=818) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=820)