# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=827 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 828 --- ## [Does burned plastic in the oven leave a toxic residue?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-burned-plastic-in-the-oven-leave-a-toxic-residue/769469)
**Author:** [@Alia\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alia_S)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2016, 10:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-burned-plastic-in-the-oven-leave-a-toxic-residue/769469 "2016-10-25T10:38:43Z")
New here, found thisthread, similar question. I preheated the oven to 425, forgetting that I’d left a bread pan with a knife in it in the oven. The knife handle melted and may have burned a little. I don’t know what kind… --- ## [The Physics of "Lucille" (from "The Walking Dead" -- Negan's bat)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-physics-of-lucille-from-the-walking-dead-negans-bat/769601)
**Author:** [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2016, 10:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-physics-of-lucille-from-the-walking-dead-negans-bat/769601 "2016-10-25T10:36:03Z")
Last night’s episode of “The Walking Dead” featured an assault with a barbwire-covered bat : http://www.toyhypeusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/McFarlane-Toys-The-Walking-Dead-Negans-Bat-Lucille-Replica-800x500\_c.jpg … --- ## [MN laws governing state police driving](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mn-laws-governing-state-police-driving/769504)
**Author:** [@erpa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erpa)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2016, 8:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mn-laws-governing-state-police-driving/769504 "2016-10-25T08:34:03Z")
I was traveling northbound on I-35E last night when a marked state police car passed me on the right. I would conservatively estimate he was traveling at 120 mph. The shock wave pushed me around in my little Prius C an… --- ## [Keys that read "Do not duplicate"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keys-that-read-do-not-duplicate/219348)
**Author:** [@DirtyKash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DirtyKash)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2014, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keys-that-read-do-not-duplicate/219348 "2014-08-30T15:36:32Z")
I need to make a copy of this key that I have… but it says “Do not duplicate” on it. I’m afraid that if I take it to be made a copy of, the guy will shower me with insults about how it’s illegal. Will that happen? Will… --- ## [Can you help me find a quote?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-help-me-find-a-quote/765226)
**Author:** [@pianodave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pianodave)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2016, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-help-me-find-a-quote/765226 "2016-10-24T23:46:44Z")
Hi SD, I’ve been looking for a quotation. I don’t know what exactly it is or who said it, but I know the gist of the quote. The important point it was making was that “the surest sign that we are all equal is that we … --- ## [Using "well" grammatically](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-well-grammatically/769285)
**Author:** [@Peanuthead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peanuthead)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2016, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-well-grammatically/769285 "2016-10-24T23:06:01Z")
What is it called when an author writes a sentence such as this: They call him Tiny because he is , well, tiny. or The gloomy day turned out to be, well, gloomy. I just finished a book in which the author does this a… --- ## [Jury Summons--How do they know that you received it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jury-summons-how-do-they-know-that-you-received-it/489482)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2016, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jury-summons-how-do-they-know-that-you-received-it/489482 "2016-10-24T21:20:30Z")
I just got a jury summons in the mail today. It came regular mail, no service, and not certified. I could see how someone could very easily mistake it for solicitations and throw it away. My question: IANAL, but I ca… --- ## [250,000 year old alien Aluminum gadget](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/250-000-year-old-alien-aluminum-gadget/769277)
**Author:** [@Nansbread1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nansbread1)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2016, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/250-000-year-old-alien-aluminum-gadget/769277 "2016-10-24T20:25:08Z")
https://www.davidicke.com/article/389931/mysterious-piece-aluminium-part-ancient-ufo-visited-earth-250000-years-ago-claims-investigator So what is the straight dope on this recent news article. --- ## [Bill Clinton's executive orders?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-clintons-executive-orders/769612)
**Author:** [@Frankenstein\_Monster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frankenstein_Monster)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2016, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-clintons-executive-orders/769612 "2016-10-24T20:16:44Z")
This WaPo article says: This “abortion info” site begins: So I went looking for a list of Bill Clinton executive orders. This page at the National Archives is supposed to be a list of them. I don’t see such executi… --- ## [How dangerous would a lion-sized household cat be?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dangerous-would-a-lion-sized-household-cat-be/769223)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2016, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dangerous-would-a-lion-sized-household-cat-be/769223 "2016-10-24T19:22:39Z")
Strange question I was musing: From a behavior perspective - if the average household pet cat were the size of a full-grown adult lion, would it pose just as dangerous a threat to humans as a lion would? I understand t… --- ## [AC130OU Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ac130ou-question/769609)
**Author:** [@Potestas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Potestas)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2016, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ac130ou-question/769609 "2016-10-24T19:21:57Z")
Just watched a video: - YouTube How heavy are those rounds for the AC130OU? --- ## [Twitter Question: I get constant tweets from a place I don't follow](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twitter-question-i-get-constant-tweets-from-a-place-i-dont-follow/769610)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2016, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twitter-question-i-get-constant-tweets-from-a-place-i-dont-follow/769610 "2016-10-24T18:54:57Z")
I only use Twitter for a very specific purpose, namely to communicate directly with someone, maybe a reporter or company or something. I only “follow” three places. I have no followers of my own. I have tweeted directly… --- ## ["Can't ship to this address" error (Amazon)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cant-ship-to-this-address-error-amazon/769300)
**Author:** [@InnerCircle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InnerCircle)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2016, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cant-ship-to-this-address-error-amazon/769300 "2016-10-24T18:32:11Z")
I’m trying to buy a set of audiobooks (DVD-ROMs) from Amazon, but it won’t let me continue with my order. I proceed to checkout and get error “Sorry, this item can’t be shipped to your selected address. Learn more. You m… --- ## [Do mental health professionals treat personality disorders? How?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-mental-health-professionals-treat-personality-disorders-how/769521)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2016, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-mental-health-professionals-treat-personality-disorders-how/769521 "2016-10-24T17:59:06Z")
I have occasionally seen claims that a certain presidential candidate has Narcissistic personality disorder. Assuming such a thing exists, and he really has it, or somebody has it, how is this normally identified and tre… --- ## [Internet outage, and can I prepare for it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-outage-and-can-i-prepare-for-it/769250)
**Author:** [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2016, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-outage-and-can-i-prepare-for-it/769250 "2016-10-24T17:39:16Z")
First the cite: Internet outage swoops across the US - CNET I understand these things happen, and something like a DoS attack will take out a particular site, but sometimes the outages seem to be regional. I’ve heard … --- ## [A Facebook Question re defamation.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-facebook-question-re-defamation/769447)
**Author:** [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2016, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-facebook-question-re-defamation/769447 "2016-10-24T14:49:56Z")
OK…not me, but on a ‘members only’ page today, someone I know was kicked out with proclamations that the person had threatened another member. Without going into great detail, the person I know seems to have been set up… --- ## [Why is xylene used for this application and?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-xylene-used-for-this-application-and/769432)
**Author:** [@G.A.Pster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/G.A.Pster)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2016, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-xylene-used-for-this-application-and/769432 "2016-10-24T12:54:24Z")
I’ve got an aircraft bubble sextant with a dried out bubble chamber, so I need to refill it. Basically it’s a very precice bulls eye level The manual (from 75 years ago) says to refill with "Xylene CP (chemically pure… --- ## [Could a high school grad from the 70's pass a GED test today?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-high-school-grad-from-the-70s-pass-a-ged-test-today/769396)
**Author:** [@Claude\_Remains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claude_Remains)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2016, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-high-school-grad-from-the-70s-pass-a-ged-test-today/769396 "2016-10-24T01:59:38Z")
Need answer fast! --- ## [iMac issue with iTunes and Sonos](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/imac-issue-with-itunes-and-sonos/769340)
**Author:** [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2016, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/imac-issue-with-itunes-and-sonos/769340 "2016-10-24T01:57:47Z")
I recently updated my iMac 27 to the new Sierra OS. I also have a Sonos music system installed that, among other things, is linked to my iTunes music library in a file called “Chefguy’s iMac - My Music”. I tried to play… --- ## [Spiderweb fossils?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spiderweb-fossils/769103)
**Author:** [@brujaja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brujaja)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2016, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spiderweb-fossils/769103 "2016-10-24T01:06:20Z")
This XKCD comic got me thinking – As I understand it, many fossils are not actual ossified bone matter, but rather a leaf or creature or whatever’s impression in mud that has been preserved in some similar way. So, assu… --- ## [ID the fallacy: We can send a man to the moon ...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-the-fallacy-we-can-send-a-man-to-the-moon/769508)
**Author:** [@Arkcon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arkcon)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2016, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-the-fallacy-we-can-send-a-man-to-the-moon/769508 "2016-10-24T00:21:20Z")
We do this 'round here from time to time, right? We try to break down an incorrect statement, into what logical fallacy, or collection of fallacies it is, right? Its a very old cliche, but it never really stops. Some … --- ## [Why do we refer to realtors as "Realtors"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-refer-to-realtors-as-realtors/769166)
**Author:** [@TXSlug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TXSlug)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2016, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-refer-to-realtors-as-realtors/769166 "2016-10-24T00:01:03Z")
How did realtors convince everyone that they are actually “Realtors”? As far as I’m aware, we don’t treat any other professionals (doctors, lawyers, engineers, etc.) as worthy of proper nouns. And, no offense to realto… --- ## [JW Player. Do I need it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jw-player-do-i-need-it/769524)
**Author:** [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2016, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jw-player-do-i-need-it/769524 "2016-10-23T22:33:28Z")
I listen to NPR music. When I click on the links they provide, I get a message that says, “Error loading media: File can not be played”. When I double click on the triangle with an exclamation point, it says, “Powered… --- ## [How easy to replace a burned-out oven element?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-easy-to-replace-a-burned-out-oven-element/769303)
**Author:** [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2016, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-easy-to-replace-a-burned-out-oven-element/769303 "2016-10-23T21:59:03Z")
I’ve got a bog-standard oven in my kitchen, and the lower element has burned out. Is this something that I can easily and safely replace myself? --- ## [Anyway To Tell Which Program Is Disconnecting My Internet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyway-to-tell-which-program-is-disconnecting-my-internet/769354)
**Author:** [@Carryon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carryon)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2016, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyway-to-tell-which-program-is-disconnecting-my-internet/769354 "2016-10-23T19:13:21Z")
About a week ago, I noticed my Internet was disconnecting, then I noticed something odd, it was disconnecting once per hour at exactly the same time. So I figured it was the ISP and called them. They could not find anyt… --- ## [What would happen if you ate a bunch of cocaine?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-you-ate-a-bunch-of-cocaine/769332)
**Author:** [@Dr.Arthias](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Arthias)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2016, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-you-ate-a-bunch-of-cocaine/769332 "2016-10-23T18:56:15Z")
So, I’m a writer. In my current script, there’s a scene where someone is supposed to be murdered by having a large amount of cocaine (let’s say 10x more than an individual dose) secretly dumped into their food (or drink… --- ## [Sending space-probes vertically above or below the solar-system?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sending-space-probes-vertically-above-or-below-the-solar-system/769274)
**Author:** [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2016, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sending-space-probes-vertically-above-or-below-the-solar-system/769274 "2016-10-23T16:54:18Z")
Space-probes like Voyager etc are sent outwards towards the outer planets for obvious reasons but I was wondering if there would be any point in launching a probe vertically above or below the plane of the ecliptic? Are … --- ## [Uses for rice coal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uses-for-rice-coal/769425)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2016, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uses-for-rice-coal/769425 "2016-10-23T12:26:13Z")
I have several large boxes of rice coal in my basement. I got them for my friend who does blacksmithing. It doesn’t really work for smithing. So now, I am stuck with it. I tried burning it in my outdoor fire pit, and … --- ## [Neutralizing salt and sugar](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neutralizing-salt-and-sugar/183042)
**Author:** [@Susma\_Rio\_Sep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Susma_Rio_Sep)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2016, 10:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neutralizing-salt-and-sugar/183042 "2016-10-23T10:09:05Z")
What chemical substances or chemical procedures or kitchen tricks can be employed to neutralize sugar or salt? Here are the situations: Cooked or prepared dish or drink happen to contain too much sugar or salt; Yo… --- ## [Any presidents/heads of state that actually fought eachother?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-presidents-heads-of-state-that-actually-fought-eachother/768975)
**Author:** [@JakeRS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JakeRS)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2016, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-presidents-heads-of-state-that-actually-fought-eachother/768975 "2016-10-23T03:35:10Z")
We occasionally see fighting in parliaments, specially in Ukraine, Taiwan, India,etc. However, was there a case in history of leaders of two different countries fighting each other? For example at a UN meeting or someth… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=826) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=828)