# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=831 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 832 --- ## [Need grammar help on "plural" possessives.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-grammar-help-on-plural-possessives/768511)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2016, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-grammar-help-on-plural-possessives/768511 "2016-10-17T04:58:18Z")
Alice and Bob are sister and brother. I want to refer to their kids. Which would be correct? “What about Alice’s and Bob’s kids?” “What about Alice and Bob’s kids?” The first sounds awkward to my ears. The second, … --- ## [Where does this expression come from? (f'er, fighter, wild bull rider)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-this-expression-come-from-fer-fighter-wild-bull-rider/299708)
**Author:** [@Panzram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Panzram)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2016, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-this-expression-come-from-fer-fighter-wild-bull-rider/299708 "2016-10-17T00:14:24Z")
I’m a fucker and a fighter and a wild bull rider, with a pretty fair windmill hand!" Any idears? --- ## [Could Queen Elizabeth Decide to Bypass Prince Charles as her Successor?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-queen-elizabeth-decide-to-bypass-prince-charles-as-her-successor/768288)
**Author:** [@NeonMadman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NeonMadman)\ **Replies:** 125\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2016, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-queen-elizabeth-decide-to-bypass-prince-charles-as-her-successor/768288 "2016-10-17T00:10:50Z")
OK, so this comes from an internet rumor prompted by a fake news story. But reading it got me wondering: is there any provision for a British monarch to retire, or precedent therefor? I suppose she could abdicate, but w… --- ## [kinda weird underwear question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kinda-weird-underwear-question/768670)
**Author:** [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2016, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kinda-weird-underwear-question/768670 "2016-10-16T22:45:39Z")
My son is only 10 years old (he turned 10 last week), but he’s 5’1 and 120lbs. He wears men’s medium boxer briefs, and medium T-shirts, as well as pats and socks from the men’s section. In fact, it’s been over a year sin… --- ## [Why has no car maker done this simple thing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-has-no-car-maker-done-this-simple-thing/768552)
**Author:** [@Nansbread1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nansbread1)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2016, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-has-no-car-maker-done-this-simple-thing/768552 "2016-10-16T22:40:09Z")
I usually miss my favourite TV programmes because i am driving. Why dont car radios have stations that play the soundtrack from what is on the TV at that moment. I will be quite happy to hear it and miss the visuals. Wh… --- ## [What branches of the service could someone get drafted into?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-branches-of-the-service-could-someone-get-drafted-into/645365)
**Author:** [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2016, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-branches-of-the-service-could-someone-get-drafted-into/645365 "2016-10-16T22:37:27Z")
Back when there was a draft in America, what branches of the service could a guy get drafted into? I know the Army was one. How about the Navy? Air Force, post-WWII? I heard once that nobody could get drafted into the Ma… --- ## [Shorts with strings hanging down](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shorts-with-strings-hanging-down/768680)
**Author:** [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2016, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shorts-with-strings-hanging-down/768680 "2016-10-16T22:28:34Z")
…like these. What are the strings supposed to be for? --- ## [What's the most recent NEW city to be established in the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-recent-new-city-to-be-established-in-the-us/768703)
**Author:** [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2016, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-recent-new-city-to-be-established-in-the-us/768703 "2016-10-16T21:08:02Z")
Not counting new created by urban sprawl, what is the most recent new city to be created in the middle of no where? My guess would be some of the towns that have sprung up from the fracking explorations that have occurr… --- ## [Psychological profile and mental illnesses among sex offenders](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychological-profile-and-mental-illnesses-among-sex-offenders/768695)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2016, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychological-profile-and-mental-illnesses-among-sex-offenders/768695 "2016-10-16T16:11:03Z")
What, if any, are the most likely psychological aspects or mental illnesses seen among sex offenders? In another thread I mentioned how only a small minority of men are rapists. This article says 6%. However I’m wond… --- ## [What % of humans can swim?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-of-humans-can-swim/768493)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2016, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-of-humans-can-swim/768493 "2016-10-16T15:19:39Z")
Reading about the old aquatic ape hypothesis, the idea that humans evolved from primates that spent a lot of time in aquatic environments. I don’t think it holds much water (no pun intended) but I was discussing it with… --- ## [Would animals benefit from training for their natural activities?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-animals-benefit-from-training-for-their-natural-activities/768425)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2016, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-animals-benefit-from-training-for-their-natural-activities/768425 "2016-10-16T14:30:22Z")
Understood that an animal can benefit from training if you’re trying to get it to do something that it wouldn’t ordinarily do in the wild. And that’s not just getting it to do tricks, but even physical feats that it migh… --- ## [Defrost does not work in Focus](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defrost-does-not-work-in-focus/768662)
**Author:** [@UCBearcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UCBearcats)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2016, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defrost-does-not-work-in-focus/768662 "2016-10-16T14:01:16Z")
I have had the need to use my defrost setting in my 2010 Focus this past week. Unfortunately it is not working correctly. When I use the defrost or defrost and floor setting it only blows air out of the dash vents. Is th… --- ## [Use of anchors on huge ships?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-anchors-on-huge-ships/607579)
**Author:** [@kaltkalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaltkalt)\ **Replies:** 148\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2016, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-anchors-on-huge-ships/607579 "2016-10-16T02:52:20Z")
So I was watching something about huge nuclear-powered supercarriers on tv last night, and they briefly showed the ship’s impressively huge anchors (this huge Nimitz class carrier has two of them, each link in the chain … --- ## [Web hosting renewal: unstated rate hike; must cancel day before charge posts.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/web-hosting-renewal-unstated-rate-hike-must-cancel-day-before-charge-posts/768669)
**Author:** [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2016, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/web-hosting-renewal-unstated-rate-hike-must-cancel-day-before-charge-posts/768669 "2016-10-16T00:38:44Z")
Complicated header, sorry. I have a site with Bluehost.com which, IIRC, was reasonable to host the first 3 years, but now is up to $500 for the second 3. (They’re charging by the month now.) So I want to get rid of it. … --- ## [Nitrates in Beer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitrates-in-beer/1752)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2016, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitrates-in-beer/1752 "2016-10-15T23:45:08Z")
I’ve heard there are Trinitrates in beer at a level way beyond what is allowed in Bacon for instance. Beers made with steam heat as opposed to direct heat do not possess these nitrates though. Any truth to this? --- ## [George Washington dollar coin?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-washington-dollar-coin/767093)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 105\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2016, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-washington-dollar-coin/767093 "2016-10-15T21:57:52Z")
I got a George Washington dollar coin in change from a machine today. I’ve never seen or even heard of a Washington dollar coin. When did this come out? --- ## [Vietnam reenlistments](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vietnam-reenlistments/768644)
**Author:** [@Shinna\_Minna\_Ma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shinna_Minna_Ma)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2016, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vietnam-reenlistments/768644 "2016-10-15T21:50:50Z")
Reading through this thread got me thinking about something else - reenlistment. During the Vietnam war years, if someone in the armed services wanted to reenlist, was he just automatically taken for another 3 years, or … --- ## [Changing zoom sensitivity for map web sites](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changing-zoom-sensitivity-for-map-web-sites/768050)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2016, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changing-zoom-sensitivity-for-map-web-sites/768050 "2016-10-15T17:17:38Z")
Is there a way to lower how sensitive the zooming function is for web sites in which scrolling accomplishes zooming in and out? Scrolling is most useful for going up and down in text and that works fine, but when the sa… --- ## [FiveThirtyEight Riddler Express October 14 2016](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fivethirtyeight-riddler-express-october-14-2016/768571)
**Author:** [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2016, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fivethirtyeight-riddler-express-october-14-2016/768571 "2016-10-15T14:33:57Z")
FiveThirtyEight’s weekly riddler column has started a shorter version to go along with the longer one. The column is here. I’m not going to give the answer I got here in the OP, in hopes that there will be a better discu… --- ## [How is nutrition extracted from silica encased diatoms by the creatures that eat them?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-nutrition-extracted-from-silica-encased-diatoms-by-the-creatures-that-eat-them/768587)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2016, 10:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-nutrition-extracted-from-silica-encased-diatoms-by-the-creatures-that-eat-them/768587 "2016-10-15T10:28:00Z")
Just curious. Diatomsare encased in what amount to tough glass boxes. How do the creatures that eat them get nutrition from them? --- ## [Is water an issue for a new asphalt driveway?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-water-an-issue-for-a-new-asphalt-driveway/716997)
**Author:** [@edwardcoast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwardcoast)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2015, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-water-an-issue-for-a-new-asphalt-driveway/716997 "2015-04-07T20:34:22Z")
Our asphalt driveway is in need of repair or needs to be replaced. I don’t know a thing about asphalt and not handy, so please be kind in your reply. Does it matter if the ground is wet or gets wet while the asphalt driv… --- ## [What life forms produce poisons that are totally harmless to humans](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-life-forms-produce-poisons-that-are-totally-harmless-to-humans/768487)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2016, 9:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-life-forms-produce-poisons-that-are-totally-harmless-to-humans/768487 "2016-10-15T09:09:58Z")
Since humans are not necessarily the main competition, food source or predator for a lot of life forms, you’d assume a lot of single celled organisms, insects, plants and animals produce poisons and toxins that are deadl… --- ## [Potential resources and life-sustainment under the seas](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potential-resources-and-life-sustainment-under-the-seas/768490)
**Author:** [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2016, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potential-resources-and-life-sustainment-under-the-seas/768490 "2016-10-14T05:46:03Z")
I’ve heard a few times that we know more about space than about what lies beneath the seas. A recent discussion about sustaining life on Mars had me wonder about the extent of the various kinds of resources which are wit… --- ## [License plates in car adverts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/license-plates-in-car-adverts/768319)
**Author:** [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2016, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/license-plates-in-car-adverts/768319 "2016-10-14T21:57:49Z")
I’ve recently noticed that in nearly every (US-market) car commercial I’ve ever seen, the vehicle displayed has a single license plate in the rear position only. Furthermore, the plate carries only a set of stamped lette… --- ## [The wind blew, the s\_\_t flew, and in walked \_\_\_\_\_\_\_.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-wind-blew-the-s__t-flew-and-in-walked-_______/768516)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2016, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-wind-blew-the-s__t-flew-and-in-walked-_______/768516 "2016-10-14T21:32:14Z")
My dad, in the late-'60s (I think) and through the '70s would greet certain visitors by saying ‘The wind blew, the shit flew, and in walked \[visitor’s name\].’ What is the origin of this phrase? --- ## [HDMI to VGA converter](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hdmi-to-vga-converter/768378)
**Author:** [@Gbro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gbro)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2016, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hdmi-to-vga-converter/768378 "2016-10-14T18:37:33Z")
As usual I have bought something and I am not able to operate it!!! The converter I bought is Model No. HDMI2VGA01 witch includes R/L audio converter. It came with only the 5 volt power adapter and no cables. It just… --- ## [Can anyone parse this Arabic(?) graffiti?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-parse-this-arabic-graffiti/768368)
**Author:** [@brossa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brossa)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2016, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-parse-this-arabic-graffiti/768368 "2016-10-14T17:41:10Z")
There’s a news photo of some graffiti on a church in San Antonio here: http://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/Graffiti-defaces-San-Antonio-church-with-No-to-9961331.php Can anyone here read the Arabic (I assume)… --- ## [Mission to Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mission-to-mars/709477)
**Author:** [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Replies:** 115\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2016, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mission-to-mars/709477 "2016-10-14T17:04:05Z")
Inspired by this thread, Lets talk about the possibility of sending and returning humans from Earth to Mars. Personally I think the whole point is fruitless. We can send robots to sniff out whatever we want. Sending h… --- ## [Why is Excel doing this (displays zero instead of blank)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-excel-doing-this-displays-zero-instead-of-blank/768510)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2016, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-excel-doing-this-displays-zero-instead-of-blank/768510 "2016-10-14T16:21:15Z")
I’ve searched extensively and haven’t found any online help about this particular problem, so I hope the Excel gurus here can help. I have an IF function following the standard structure of IF(Argument, resulttrue,resul… --- ## [How did these guys get my unlisted number? And why are they putting on the Internet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-these-guys-get-my-unlisted-number-and-why-are-they-putting-on-the-internet/768332)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2016, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-these-guys-get-my-unlisted-number-and-why-are-they-putting-on-the-internet/768332 "2016-10-14T16:14:55Z")
http://www.keecall.us/ has a page with my name, address, and phone number, with an option to “See full report.” My phone number is unlisted. I can imagine that an unlisted phone number is not exactly Top Secret, but I d… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=830) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=832)