# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=842 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 843 --- ## [If you jumped off a tall building, would you feel it when you hit the ground?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-jumped-off-a-tall-building-would-you-feel-it-when-you-hit-the-ground/182948)
**Author:** [@by-tor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/by-tor)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2016, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-jumped-off-a-tall-building-would-you-feel-it-when-you-hit-the-ground/182948 "2016-09-20T22:30:13Z")
Let’s say you jumped off a 10 story building and your knees were the first thing to hit the ground. Would you feel the pain or would the impact be so fast that your brain wouldn’t have time to register it before you were… --- ## [Did any Germans fight for the Allies in WWII?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-any-germans-fight-for-the-allies-in-wwii/766306)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2016, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-any-germans-fight-for-the-allies-in-wwii/766306 "2016-09-20T22:16:40Z")
Given the numbers, scope and scale of the conflict I’m sure the answer has to be ‘yes’, but I’m having a tricky time finding the details. Suppose you’re a German infantryman who wants an end to the war ASAP and figures t… --- ## [Are bottled smoothies as healthy as they claim?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bottled-smoothies-as-healthy-as-they-claim/762789)
**Author:** [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2016, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bottled-smoothies-as-healthy-as-they-claim/762789 "2016-09-20T21:28:37Z")
I occasionally buy smoothies from Supermarkets. You know the type: 100% fruit, with labels covered in claims about healthy lifestyles. The one I have here is a 750ml “super smoothie” which I will drink a portion of at so… --- ## [Has any country that banned abortion ever given women equal rights?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-any-country-that-banned-abortion-ever-given-women-equal-rights/766159)
**Author:** [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2016, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-any-country-that-banned-abortion-ever-given-women-equal-rights/766159 "2016-09-20T20:39:19Z")
Near as I can tell, the answer is a resounding “Absolutely not.” --- ## [What power of arrest does a non-citizen have?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-power-of-arrest-does-a-non-citizen-have/766446)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2016, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-power-of-arrest-does-a-non-citizen-have/766446 "2016-09-20T20:37:27Z")
We often hear the term “citizen’s arrest”, but what about non-citizens? Do they (in your jurisdiction) have no power of arrest? Say someone is a foreign tourist in your jurisdiction and has the opportunity to detain som… --- ## [What's the deal with Cody the screaming dog?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-cody-the-screaming-dog/766359)
**Author:** [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2016, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-cody-the-screaming-dog/766359 "2016-09-20T19:33:45Z")
My first guess is that he (or she) is basically barking, but for some reason keeping his or her mouth open during the whole barking jag. My second is that he or she has seen some things. Some bad things. --- ## [Laptop shuts down when starting and keyboard disabled](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laptop-shuts-down-when-starting-and-keyboard-disabled/766417)
**Author:** [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2016, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laptop-shuts-down-when-starting-and-keyboard-disabled/766417 "2016-09-20T19:18:26Z")
My laptop had a fan issue for a while. So, on starting, it was telling me that a fan was not working, and asked me to confirm by hitting the “enter” key that I really wanted to start it. I’ve been doing that for a while. … --- ## [How Long a Period of Going Without Water is Unsafe?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-a-period-of-going-without-water-is-unsafe/766452)
**Author:** [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2016, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-a-period-of-going-without-water-is-unsafe/766452 "2016-09-20T18:10:06Z")
On a mailing list someone is saying his wife will be going on a vision quest without food or water for four days. Four days without water seems dangerous to me. Anyone know? --- ## [Law enforcement using UPC barcode to find a suspect](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/law-enforcement-using-upc-barcode-to-find-a-suspect/766368)
**Author:** [@rainy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rainy)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2016, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/law-enforcement-using-upc-barcode-to-find-a-suspect/766368 "2016-09-20T17:48:53Z")
I let me say up front that I saw this on one of those ‘reality’ shows about game wardens, so my source material is questionable at best. In the show, they find an arrow used by a poacher. The arrow still had the UPC ba… --- ## [Calling all sheep lovers, shepherds, AstroTurf experts, and other experts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-all-sheep-lovers-shepherds-astroturf-experts-and-other-experts/766385)
**Author:** [@GO\_FOR\_JOE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GO_FOR_JOE)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2016, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-all-sheep-lovers-shepherds-astroturf-experts-and-other-experts/766385 "2016-09-20T17:00:03Z")
Calling all sheep lovers, shepherds, AstroTurf specialists, and other experts. Today, when I was walking my high school’s field, I was struck with a question. If I would set a sheep out in the middle of the field, would … --- ## [French fry oil temperature](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/french-fry-oil-temperature/333758)
**Author:** [@Nature\_s\_Call](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nature_s_Call)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2016, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/french-fry-oil-temperature/333758 "2016-09-20T16:08:23Z")
Whilst partaking of a fine meal at McDonalds, my brother offered this nugget of trivia: He’d read that the temperature of the oil used to fry the fries was a closely guarded trade secret. Is this true? Do you know wha… --- ## [Eating bugs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eating-bugs/766296)
**Author:** [@copperwindow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/copperwindow)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2016, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eating-bugs/766296 "2016-09-20T15:37:53Z")
Is it dangerous to eats bugs in your house? --- ## [When short-sellers lock in their winnings, stock price falls more?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-short-sellers-lock-in-their-winnings-stock-price-falls-more/766376)
**Author:** [@tim314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim314)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2016, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-short-sellers-lock-in-their-winnings-stock-price-falls-more/766376 "2016-09-20T15:33:11Z")
The stock market isn’t something I understand very well. I’m trying to understand something I read here about a biotech company. I think I understand the last line. If the price goes up because of good drug trial res… --- ## [Last Living US Slave Owner](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-living-us-slave-owner/662090)
**Author:** [@tvguy1979](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tvguy1979)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2016, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-living-us-slave-owner/662090 "2016-09-20T14:53:14Z")
I am a huge fan of American history up to the Civil War, and, after reading about the last living American slaves, I am curious as to who was the last living American slave owner. I would guess someone born in the 1840s … --- ## [400-500 points removed from NASDAQ every day?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/400-500-points-removed-from-nasdaq-every-day/766013)
**Author:** [@cprattm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cprattm)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2016, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/400-500-points-removed-from-nasdaq-every-day/766013 "2016-09-20T13:21:48Z")
Does anybody know why various sites, including CNBC and Bloomberg, list the DJIA and S&P 500 as their closing values, but cut 400-500 points off the NASDAQ after hours? The points reappear the next morning, but it’s wei… --- ## [Did Protestants burn Catholics at the Stake?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-protestants-burn-catholics-at-the-stake/766138)
**Author:** [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2016, 7:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-protestants-burn-catholics-at-the-stake/766138 "2016-09-20T07:22:36Z")
I’m reading a book on the history of the Reformation, and not much enjoying the parts about burnings. One of the aphorisms in the book was that Protestants burned libraries, but Catholics burned people. Did the Protest… --- ## [Did Roahl Dahl coin any adjectives that are now part of mainstream English?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-roahl-dahl-coin-any-adjectives-that-are-now-part-of-mainstream-english/765085)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2016, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-roahl-dahl-coin-any-adjectives-that-are-now-part-of-mainstream-english/765085 "2016-09-20T06:44:56Z")
Hi Did Roahl Dahl coin any adjectives that are now part of mainstream English? I though that he may have but I can’t find any offhand. I couldn’t find any websites listing adjectives he may have coined. I look forward … --- ## [Cickbait: how does it work](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cickbait-how-does-it-work/766102)
**Author:** [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2016, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cickbait-how-does-it-work/766102 "2016-09-20T04:44:02Z")
Somebody’s got to be getting rich or no one would bother. What type of financial arrangement is usually involved? --- ## [What is the heaviest metal available to consumers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-heaviest-metal-available-to-consumers/343611)
**Author:** [@Jayrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jayrot)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2016, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-heaviest-metal-available-to-consumers/343611 "2016-09-20T04:27:57Z")
Here’s the background. I build and fly a lot of model airplanes and we often balance them with a piece of lead in the nose. Lead is used, I think, because it’s heavy and can be melted down easily and shaped. Out of curi… --- ## [Hotel ice bucket question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hotel-ice-bucket-question/201518)
**Author:** [@Ringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ringo)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2016, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hotel-ice-bucket-question/201518 "2016-09-20T03:16:12Z")
I’m staying n a hotel tonight, and am once again confronted with a situation I do not understand. The hotel provides a set of drinking glasses and an ice bucket. For several years now, the ice bucket has included a plas… --- ## [Why doesn't plastic food wrap film cling to aluminum?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-plastic-food-wrap-film-cling-to-aluminum/766352)
**Author:** [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2016, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-plastic-food-wrap-film-cling-to-aluminum/766352 "2016-09-20T00:30:24Z")
Working as a cook for decades now, this has always kind of bugged me. I can cover a stainless steel or glass container with plastic film wrap, and it “clings” and seals the top of the pan/container. Trying to do the same… --- ## [Did Obama veto the 9/11 Bill allowing victims to sue the Saudi Government?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-obama-veto-the-9-11-bill-allowing-victims-to-sue-the-saudi-government/766353)
**Author:** [@Barack\_Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barack_Obama)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2016, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-obama-veto-the-9-11-bill-allowing-victims-to-sue-the-saudi-government/766353 "2016-09-20T00:22:53Z")
There has been no news on this for over a week. Does anyone know if he has, or when he will make a decision on it? --- ## [Why does Mrs Piper's iPhone battery drain more quickly than mine?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-mrs-pipers-iphone-battery-drain-more-quickly-than-mine/766161)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2016, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-mrs-pipers-iphone-battery-drain-more-quickly-than-mine/766161 "2016-09-19T23:43:05Z")
We both have relatively new iPhones, but we’ve noticed that her battery drains really quickly compared to mine. I’ve opened the “Privacy - Location” section on her phone and turned off the automatic location for most th… --- ## [9/11- did any of the people hanging out the windows of the WTC survive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/9-11-did-any-of-the-people-hanging-out-the-windows-of-the-wtc-survive/765661)
**Author:** [@snopes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snopes)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2016, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/9-11-did-any-of-the-people-hanging-out-the-windows-of-the-wtc-survive/765661 "2016-09-19T23:20:49Z")
I know none of them who fell or jumped survived. And I also know that no one from above the impact site on the North Tower (and possibly the South tower) survived. But in footage you can see that some of the people hangi… --- ## [Are genius children notably smarter as adults?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-genius-children-notably-smarter-as-adults/764670)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2016, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-genius-children-notably-smarter-as-adults/764670 "2016-09-19T19:02:17Z")
The precocious children who have masters degrees by the time they’re twelve. Do they have high IQs and exceptional accomplishments as adults, or are they simply reaching their maximum potential faster? --- ## [Gaelic translation, please (need answer fast-ish)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gaelic-translation-please-need-answer-fast-ish/749781)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2016, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gaelic-translation-please-need-answer-fast-ish/749781 "2016-09-19T15:45:34Z")
I’m doing a newsletter and noting the death of an Irish priest. This Gaelic sentence was included in his obituary on the website of the funeral home. Ar deis Dê go raib a anam dílis. Can someone translate this for me? … --- ## [Are planets and stars things on the same "spectrum"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-planets-and-stars-things-on-the-same-spectrum/766295)
**Author:** [@Yersenia\_Pestis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yersenia_Pestis)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2016, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-planets-and-stars-things-on-the-same-spectrum/766295 "2016-09-19T14:42:14Z")
Are stars and planets essentially the same things in the same spectrum? Meaning planets, and it probably sounds crazy, given sufficient additional mass could potentially “convert” into a star like object? Are there any … --- ## [Why don't ropes come untwisted?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-ropes-come-untwisted/766320)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2016, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-ropes-come-untwisted/766320 "2016-09-19T13:10:35Z")
I was looking at a rope today and, like all ropes, it was made with strands that are twisted together. I grabbed it and tried to see if it would untwist, and the strands didn’t even separate. So not only do ropes not co… --- ## [Electric boats](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-boats/766127)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2016, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-boats/766127 "2016-09-19T12:46:09Z")
Has there been much research and development into them? Are they frequently used anywhere. I went to a historical exhibit about my town today, and it mentioned that one of the towns parks was once a resort. Around 191… --- ## [A little facebook help, please](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-little-facebook-help-please/766329)
**Author:** [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2016, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-little-facebook-help-please/766329 "2016-09-19T12:19:16Z")
I find Facebook’s terminology a little ambiguous – it seems “friend request” can be one sent TO me or one sent FROM me. I’m trying to find with certainty which these are: The column is titled “Respond to Your \[number\] F… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=841) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=843)