# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=820 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 821 --- ## [How old can US currency be and still be legal tender?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-old-can-us-currency-be-and-still-be-legal-tender/770753)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2016, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-old-can-us-currency-be-and-still-be-legal-tender/770753 "2016-11-08T14:29:00Z")
Lets day you find $100 in coins and cash in very good condition hidden away in an old barn and it’s not Confederate money. What is the maximum age that the found money can and still be currently spendable US currency? --- ## [Sites that open your browser uninvited](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sites-that-open-your-browser-uninvited/770959)
**Author:** [@Qwakkeddup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qwakkeddup)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2016, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sites-that-open-your-browser-uninvited/770959 "2016-11-08T13:46:02Z")
Ever updated a program, only for it to finish and promptly open a browser to their site so you can peruse the plethora of useless junk you don’t want, or need. It is even worse in windows 10. No matter what browser I us… --- ## [Getting An Unbiased Dental 2nd Opinion?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-an-unbiased-dental-2nd-opinion/770946)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2016, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-an-unbiased-dental-2nd-opinion/770946 "2016-11-08T07:21:09Z")
I am not asking for medical advice. How can one go about getting a second opinion from another dentist? We need an unbiased opinion if a root canal is really necessary. It sounds extreme when our doctor’s secretarial sta… --- ## [What would the Secret Service do in this scenario?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-the-secret-service-do-in-this-scenario/770938)
**Author:** [@starbase89](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/starbase89)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2016, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-the-secret-service-do-in-this-scenario/770938 "2016-11-08T05:41:47Z")
This must have been asked before, but I did search and came up with zilch. Here it goes: How would the Secret Service respond to two of their protectorates about to harm one another? In other words, Donald Trump and Hil… --- ## [Illegal to mail a package with deliberately wrong return address?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/illegal-to-mail-a-package-with-deliberately-wrong-return-address/771043)
**Author:** [@moodman1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moodman1)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2016, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/illegal-to-mail-a-package-with-deliberately-wrong-return-address/771043 "2016-11-08T04:25:48Z")
I’ve written a book about someone I was in a relationship with several years ago. It’s not a very complimentary book about this person but it’s not a hit job either. I simply relate events as they occurred. This person i… --- ## [Sas proc sql - null](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sas-proc-sql-null/770527)
**Author:** [@AllShookDown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AllShookDown)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2016, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sas-proc-sql-null/770527 "2016-11-08T03:43:33Z")
Good morning. I’m a SAS data step person, not a PROC SQL person but I have to deal with this this morning because my co-worker is off today and no one else is in yet and I have a bazillion jobs to re-run because of this… --- ## [People who made significant contributions to math/science yet received no education in those fields.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-made-significant-contributions-to-math-science-yet-received-no-education-in-those-fields/770113)
**Author:** [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2016, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-made-significant-contributions-to-math-science-yet-received-no-education-in-those-fields/770113 "2016-11-07T20:58:43Z")
(Mods, please feel free to move this thread to a more appropriate forum. I wasn’t sure where to put it.) I am intrigued by people who have contributed great things to math and science yet received little or no formal e… --- ## [Can HDL Cholesterol be TOO high?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-hdl-cholesterol-be-too-high/719291)
**Author:** [@Enola\_Gay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Gay)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2016, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-hdl-cholesterol-be-too-high/719291 "2016-11-07T20:36:48Z")
I first had my cholesterol tested in my 20s and my HDL was 92. I am 50 now and just got it tested again (hadn’t had a test since my 20s!). Anyway my numbers now are as follows: HDL 121, LDL 90, for a total of 211. My do… --- ## [How do trees make so many leaves in 4 months](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-trees-make-so-many-leaves-in-4-months/770870)
**Author:** [@Nansbread1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nansbread1)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2016, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-trees-make-so-many-leaves-in-4-months/770870 "2016-11-07T18:45:14Z")
A large oak tree has about half a million leaves. After they drop in winter, the tree has from April to july to make another half a million leaves. All it uses are dissolved nutrients from the earth and sunlight. Now hal… --- ## [Comcast DVRs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comcast-dvrs/696131)
**Author:** [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2016, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comcast-dvrs/696131 "2016-11-07T16:04:12Z")
Twice we have found our recordings replaced by programs we do not record. Rebooting the modem and the DVR remedy the situation and bring our recordings back. Is it truly a DVR with the recordings on our box, or just lin… --- ## [Questions about fuel bottle](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-fuel-bottle/770151)
**Author:** [@Johnegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnegee)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2016, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-fuel-bottle/770151 "2016-11-07T15:35:06Z")
October 30, 2016 I bought a 1-liter Laken fuel bottle a few weeks ago from Amazon for the sole purpose of carrying spare gasoline in case my motorcycle runs out. I intend to store the bottle lying sideways and bouncing… --- ## [Any factual reason why wine would get me buzzed faster?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-factual-reason-why-wine-would-get-me-buzzed-faster/421169)
**Author:** [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2016, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-factual-reason-why-wine-would-get-me-buzzed-faster/421169 "2016-11-07T13:38:45Z")
I’ve noticed lately, when I drink, that wine will get me buzzed much faster than beer or hard liquor. According to everything I’ve read, two (5oz.) glasses of wine is equivalent to 2 (12oz.) beers or 2 shots of hard liqu… --- ## [Deer Hunter: Giddy Mao! What were they saying?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deer-hunter-giddy-mao-what-were-they-saying/246978)
**Author:** [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2016, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deer-hunter-giddy-mao-what-were-they-saying/246978 "2016-11-07T13:26:34Z")
The VC in the Russian Roulette scene seem to be saying something along the lines of “Giddy Mao!” to De Niro’s and Walken’s character when commanding them to fire the pistol. What does that mean? Bart Simpson- “What pa… --- ## [Can you give yourself brain damage from headbanging?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-give-yourself-brain-damage-from-headbanging/770423)
**Author:** [@J0HN\_TIT0R](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/J0HN_TIT0R)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2016, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-give-yourself-brain-damage-from-headbanging/770423 "2016-11-07T12:40:22Z")
Hey all, So for Halloween I was an 80s rockstar, and needless to say I was headbanging all night. Now today, I had a mild headache, and I’m not sure if it’s related. All of the sources that say damage is possible cite… --- ## [How do you solve this paradox about killing someone then?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-solve-this-paradox-about-killing-someone-then/766737)
**Author:** [@Dunmurry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunmurry)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2016, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-solve-this-paradox-about-killing-someone-then/766737 "2016-11-07T12:19:52Z")
Well now let’s say that someone wants to kill someone who they feel has ruined their life and they want kill them as a form of revenge. There seems to be a paradox because “if he kills them his liberty will be at risk” b… --- ## [Which World Leader(s) Were The Quickest To Be Assassinated?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-world-leader-s-were-the-quickest-to-be-assassinated/770581)
**Author:** [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2016, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-world-leader-s-were-the-quickest-to-be-assassinated/770581 "2016-11-07T05:39:07Z")
Which world leader(s) - that we’ll define as the head of their country, be the president, prime minister, king/queen, or dictator etc. - was the quickest to be assassinated after assuming power? Human assassins only, ple… --- ## [Etymology question about music](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/etymology-question-about-music/770446)
**Author:** [@Victor\_Charlie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Victor_Charlie)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2016, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/etymology-question-about-music/770446 "2016-11-06T22:49:13Z")
If the Muses represented multiple disciplines of the arts, how and why did the word music come to represent only, well, music. Why aren’t poetry, dance or comedy considered music. Would Calliope and Clio be pissed at thi… --- ## [Bodybuilders Muscle Mass question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bodybuilders-muscle-mass-question/770813)
**Author:** [@Potestas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Potestas)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2016, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bodybuilders-muscle-mass-question/770813 "2016-11-06T21:31:34Z")
If a bodybuilder were to stop bodybuilding and just maintain a regular healthy lifestyle (but not work out constantly) would their muscle mass evaporate into flab? I’m assuming it would because a bodybuilder who has hug… --- ## [How to choose a dentist](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-choose-a-dentist/770554)
**Author:** [@Cayuga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cayuga)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2016, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-choose-a-dentist/770554 "2016-11-06T20:21:22Z")
I have to pick a dentist from a list on my insurance company’s website. After narrowing them down based on distance from my house, I’m left with a dozen or more to choose from. There are enough other dentists between my … --- ## [Slingshot thechnology in space travel](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slingshot-thechnology-in-space-travel/770287)
**Author:** [@komolono](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/komolono)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2016, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slingshot-thechnology-in-space-travel/770287 "2016-11-06T15:26:11Z")
I’m bad in mechanics. I have a huge ship in space with only nuclear power based electronics as my last reservoir. Can the ship be moved, if I shoot a ton of crap to a slingshot and it will bounce back (to whatever ther … --- ## [Is this a safety feature (electric kettle)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-safety-feature-electric-kettle/770696)
**Author:** [@Dahu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dahu)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2016, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-safety-feature-electric-kettle/770696 "2016-11-06T11:54:44Z")
I have an electric kettle similar to this one - If I fill it nearly to the top, put the lid down, then tip it backwards, water pours out of the bottom. At first I thought this was a fault, that it was leaking where th… --- ## [Benevolent Dictatorships?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benevolent-dictatorships/770707)
**Author:** [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2016, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benevolent-dictatorships/770707 "2016-11-06T03:29:52Z")
I know the above terms seem to be at odds with each other but I wonder, has there been instances of countries ruled by someone who really does seem to be a good ruler who sees to the needs of their people, yet the people… --- ## [Mouse trap - Is this a mouse or small rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mouse-trap-is-this-a-mouse-or-small-rat/770644)
**Author:** [@LiveFree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LiveFree)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2016, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mouse-trap-is-this-a-mouse-or-small-rat/770644 "2016-11-06T01:22:31Z")
I live in the sticks, and pretty much can’t stop the mice from entering the basement or garage. Usually they are lighter in color and smaller than this one. Is this a darker colored mouse or small rat? --- ## [Would urushiol spray work like I imagine it would?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-urushiol-spray-work-like-i-imagine-it-would/770667)
**Author:** [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2016, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-urushiol-spray-work-like-i-imagine-it-would/770667 "2016-11-05T23:48:43Z")
According to Google, “urushiol spray” is a spray you use to detect urushiol, which is such a massive example of missing the point I cannot believe my eyes. I mean, what’s Skippy the Lab Assistant for? In case you don’t… --- ## [The Truth About Mail-Order Brides](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-truth-about-mail-order-brides/307937)
**Author:** [@IgnorantinWV](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IgnorantinWV)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2016, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-truth-about-mail-order-brides/307937 "2016-11-05T23:38:17Z")
I have recently been looking at some mail-order bride websites and have had several friends tell me that they are a scam. Some of them seem to be legitimate businesses and I now realize that I need the straight dope. A… --- ## [Fair and unbiased appraisals of Obamacare.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fair-and-unbiased-appraisals-of-obamacare/770674)
**Author:** [@Memnon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Memnon)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2016, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fair-and-unbiased-appraisals-of-obamacare/770674 "2016-11-05T22:13:47Z")
Disclaimer: Mods, I’m not entirely sure this qualifies as a general question so if it doesn’t fit in here then feel free to move/close. Anyway, I was just wondering if anybody knew of any fair, impartial, unbiased, war… --- ## [Can cancer spread between species through consumption of infected foods](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-cancer-spread-between-species-through-consumption-of-infected-foods/770744)
**Author:** [@Nansbread1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nansbread1)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2016, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-cancer-spread-between-species-through-consumption-of-infected-foods/770744 "2016-11-05T19:53:32Z")
We eat all kinds of foods stuff. Meats, vegetables, fruits. Most of them can have cancers of one kind or another. For eg. Trees can get cancers so i am assuming fruits do too. This question therefore asks can cancers fr… --- ## [Help ID a car model](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-id-a-car-model/669951)
**Author:** [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2016, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-id-a-car-model/669951 "2016-11-05T19:10:27Z")
Twice now, I’ve encountered a summer car in my area that to my great gearheaded shame I can’t identify. The first time, the driver drove past me and parked and I had a few moments to look the car over, but it was dark. T… --- ## [Cubs World Series celebration ranks as 7th largest gathering in human history (?)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cubs-world-series-celebration-ranks-as-7th-largest-gathering-in-human-history/770652)
**Author:** [@Temper70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Temper70)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2016, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cubs-world-series-celebration-ranks-as-7th-largest-gathering-in-human-history/770652 "2016-11-05T16:30:06Z")
Today’s Chicago Cubs parade and rally has been widely report to be attended by upwards of 5 million people. . . I live in the Chicago Loop not far from where the rally took place and am very familiar with the parade rout… --- ## [Easy cure for cell phone traffic accidents.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/easy-cure-for-cell-phone-traffic-accidents/770493)
**Author:** [@DtypeJag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DtypeJag)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2016, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/easy-cure-for-cell-phone-traffic-accidents/770493 "2016-11-05T16:11:08Z")
With all the talk about crashes caused by texting and talking on cell phones while driving I have heard no mention of what seems to me a simple cheap fix. There has been a rise in traffic deaths after several decades of… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=819) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=821)