# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=860 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 861 --- ## [what does "pussy" mean in the expression, "Hey man, you're a pussy"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-pussy-mean-in-the-expression-hey-man-youre-a-pussy/302926)
**Author:** [@monkeyfist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monkeyfist)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2016, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-pussy-mean-in-the-expression-hey-man-youre-a-pussy/302926 "2016-08-14T17:58:35Z")
I was thinking about this the other day, and it seems to me that in the expression, “don’t be a pussy,” one could either be implying that the intended target of said barb is behaving like a pussy cat, i.e. a scaredy cat … --- ## [What's in a/c water?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-in-a-c-water/762677)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2016, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-in-a-c-water/762677 "2016-08-14T16:59:31Z")
From the manual: I have no desire to drink water condensed from our portable a/c, and the cats’ water bowl is always at least half-full. I’m curious, though, what contaminants are in the water? Depending on how long … --- ## [Fencing! What do I need to know before signing up for classes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fencing-what-do-i-need-to-know-before-signing-up-for-classes/762503)
**Author:** [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2016, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fencing-what-do-i-need-to-know-before-signing-up-for-classes/762503 "2016-08-14T16:25:44Z")
Ok, as to not hijack ThelmaLou’s thread, here is this one. A bit of background, I’ve taken various forms of martial arts from the time I was 18 up until about 33. I haven’t stepped foot in a gym/dojo in almost 10 yrs a… --- ## [PC freezes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-freezes/762624)
**Author:** [@brujaja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brujaja)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2016, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-freezes/762624 "2016-08-14T14:37:47Z")
A couple days ago, my desktop PC build running Windows 7 developed an unusual problem. Every two or three minutes, it freezes up completely and the mouse pointer will not move at all. Keyboard commands are also nonfuncti… --- ## [A question about UPS trucks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-ups-trucks/361432)
**Author:** [@Danja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danja)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2016, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-ups-trucks/361432 "2016-08-14T02:43:44Z")
A seemingly random question popped into my head when I was running this morning and a nice UPS man waved me through an intersection. Why in the world do the trucks not have doors? Do they really save time by not having t… --- ## [New Mexico Dopers: Do You Remember Your Former Governor, Gary Johnson?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-mexico-dopers-do-you-remember-your-former-governor-gary-johnson/762682)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2016, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-mexico-dopers-do-you-remember-your-former-governor-gary-johnson/762682 "2016-08-13T22:17:44Z")
I’m trying to suss out if the 2016 presidential ticket is going to be an all right-handed ticket. Trump and Clinton are both righties, as you can tell by looking at photos of them signing their books. However, the inter… --- ## [Implosive force power in a sinking ship](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/implosive-force-power-in-a-sinking-ship/680159)
**Author:** [@wei\_ji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wei_ji)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2016, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/implosive-force-power-in-a-sinking-ship/680159 "2016-08-13T21:38:41Z")
I’m reading Ian Toll’s “Pacific Crucible,” and his description of a massive underwater explosion from a sinking Japanese carrier at Midway is the occasion for a question I’ve had for some time. What is the nature and po… --- ## [Screen Brightness](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screen-brightness/762646)
**Author:** [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2016, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screen-brightness/762646 "2016-08-13T19:53:55Z")
I have a Lenovo Ideapad, and it has been fine for the past few years. Tonight for some reason I decided the display was a bit too bright so I turned it down using the f11 key. At first it did nothing so I hit it a few mo… --- ## [What weapons do the National Guard have access to in an Emergency?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-weapons-do-the-national-guard-have-access-to-in-an-emergency/762318)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2016, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-weapons-do-the-national-guard-have-access-to-in-an-emergency/762318 "2016-08-13T16:06:47Z")
Generally when you see any state’s National Guard in the news after a natural disaster or a manhunt they’re always armed with basic rifles or pistols and driving around in Humvees or other similar vehicles. But in the ev… --- ## [Neil Armstrong's Post-Apollo Career](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neil-armstrongs-post-apollo-career/762050)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2016, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neil-armstrongs-post-apollo-career/762050 "2016-08-13T15:25:58Z")
After the Apollo missions, Neil Armstrong retreated into the relative obscurity of a quiet life in academia and business. This paragraph on his Wikipedia page, however, raises some questions for me. In this context, i… --- ## [Whats wrong with my question \[about hot water thermostats\]??](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-my-question-about-hot-water-thermostats/762384)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2016, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-my-question-about-hot-water-thermostats/762384 "2016-08-13T13:51:23Z")
I asked 3 plumbers the same question and they all gave me the same answer which did not answer my question. My thermostat on my hot water heater seems to be bad. No matter hwere I set the temp it comes out at exactly 120… --- ## [What do we know about pre-Christian religious rites?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-we-know-about-pre-christian-religious-rites/735680)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2016, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-we-know-about-pre-christian-religious-rites/735680 "2016-08-13T12:29:57Z")
What were the services to Athena like? To Jupiter/Zeus? To Odin? Do we have any idea about the prayers & practices of these old faiths? BTW–I do not mean the Modern Neo-Pagans, as I have a sneaking suspicion that they… --- ## [What's The Deal With Michael Phelps Teeth?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-michael-phelps-teeth/460846)
**Author:** [@KRSOradio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KRSOradio)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2016, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-michael-phelps-teeth/460846 "2016-08-13T11:22:55Z")
I was looking at photos of him and they seem to be OK, at least from a utility standpoint but something about it doesn’t look right If you look at this pic Phelps Smile It seems like his smile is too big for his mouth … --- ## [What is, or was, a "cathole"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-or-was-a-cathole/762455)
**Author:** [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2016, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-or-was-a-cathole/762455 "2016-08-13T07:10:23Z")
A town near me (in New England) has an “Old Cathole Rd.” I thought it was unique until I drove by another “Cathole Rd.” about a hundred miles away. No one seems to know what a cathole was or might have been in the last … --- ## [My credit card was charged 30 days late](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-credit-card-was-charged-30-days-late/762537)
**Author:** [@chicagowhitesox1173](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chicagowhitesox1173)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2016, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-credit-card-was-charged-30-days-late/762537 "2016-08-13T06:33:08Z")
This has never happened to me, I was at a bar on July 16, I gave the bartender my card to pay my bill, so as far as I knew I paid. Yesterday I see a 80 dollar charge. Why would this place wait so long to process my bill.… --- ## [Is this a scam? (Legal dopers' advice appreciated.)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-scam-legal-dopers-advice-appreciated/495761)
**Author:** [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2009, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-scam-legal-dopers-advice-appreciated/495761 "2009-05-09T19:14:28Z")
Okay, we all know that in 99% of threads with this title, it really \*\*is \*\*a scam. This time it’s not so clear, I promise. I run a small business from my home in Maryland. I’ve never lived, worked, or had a business in … --- ## [Can an ASROC be remote-detonated after launch?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-an-asroc-be-remote-detonated-after-launch/762523)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2016, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-an-asroc-be-remote-detonated-after-launch/762523 "2016-08-13T04:02:39Z")
I was just watching the early episodes of Zipang, a 2004 animated naval sf series about a Japanese destroyer, the Mirai, which goes through a weird electrical storm and ends up back in 1942, near where the Battle of … --- ## [TOSlink cable will not connect into my new Toshiba tv](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toslink-cable-will-not-connect-into-my-new-toshiba-tv/762611)
**Author:** [@cncdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cncdad)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2016, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toslink-cable-will-not-connect-into-my-new-toshiba-tv/762611 "2016-08-13T01:24:41Z")
Hi SDMB, I just got a new Toshiba tv and the Toslink cable will not connect into the tv. It goes most of the way in but wont click into place. I am afraid to push too hard and potentially damage something. Any clue what… --- ## [Floating vs. Treading Water](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floating-vs-treading-water/762327)
**Author:** [@pianodave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pianodave)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2016, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floating-vs-treading-water/762327 "2016-08-13T00:36:33Z")
Hi SD, Is floating on your back a viable option to save energy when stranded in the ocean by yourself? I mean, we always hear about people treading water, and the chances of success are dependent on how long you can ke… --- ## [Can you identify this device? Laser pointer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-device-laser-pointer/762401)
**Author:** [@Turble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turble)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2016, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-device-laser-pointer/762401 "2016-08-12T23:19:35Z")
Forgive the website … it just happens to contain the relevant images. This is not meant as a political statement in any way, just a request for information. http://theralphretort.com/breaking-hillarys-handler-carrying-a… --- ## [What do people with no hands/no use of their hands use instead of a signature?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-people-with-no-hands-no-use-of-their-hands-use-instead-of-a-signature/762424)
**Author:** [@Mops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mops)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2016, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-people-with-no-hands-no-use-of-their-hands-use-instead-of-a-signature/762424 "2016-08-12T22:02:42Z")
Something that I got curious about when a client of my SO had a serious accident when after surgery, sepsis and futher surgery he had one lower arm amputated and the other lower arm practically useless. (He is now in ano… --- ## [Spreadsheet question about incrementing an alphanumeric string (Google Sheets)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spreadsheet-question-about-incrementing-an-alphanumeric-string-google-sheets/761995)
**Author:** [@picker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picker)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2016, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spreadsheet-question-about-incrementing-an-alphanumeric-string-google-sheets/761995 "2016-08-12T21:46:11Z")
Hey folks! I’m hoping someone here can help me out with a confusing (to me) spreadsheet question. I can do most basic operations in Excel or Sheets, but this is a bit trickier, for me at least. I maintain a spreadsh… --- ## [Light flare (?) in theater lights](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/light-flare-in-theater-lights/762506)
**Author:** [@TSBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TSBG)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2016, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/light-flare-in-theater-lights/762506 "2016-08-12T20:54:58Z")
I’ve sometimes noticed that when the lights slowly dim in a theater–not the house lights, but the “cans” that illuminate the stage–there appears to be a slight bump up in the light level just before they go dark complete… --- ## [The etymology of "kike"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-etymology-of-kike/762445)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2016, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-etymology-of-kike/762445 "2016-08-12T19:39:41Z")
Prompted by current thread What do people with no hands/no use of their hands use instead of a signature? (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=801018 As to OP: decades ago I was told exactly what etymon… --- ## [is there published proof that abc mouse educates kids more than say sesame street or anything else](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-published-proof-that-abc-mouse-educates-kids-more-than-say-sesame-street-or-anything-else/762529)
**Author:** [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2016, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-published-proof-that-abc-mouse-educates-kids-more-than-say-sesame-street-or-anything-else/762529 "2016-08-12T17:08:39Z")
For about 2 years or more any kids preschool channel or show has been spammed by abc mouse.com commercials all claiming miracles on how it helped dick and jane start reading and such at age 3 or 4 and put them all in th… --- ## [Economic question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economic-question/762504)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2016, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economic-question/762504 "2016-08-12T16:51:28Z")
Hi Is there a term for a scenario where sellers discriminate between customers in terms of the quality of a product they sell to them (based on the seller’s view of how long he or she can retain them as customers)? The… --- ## [Spray/smoke during taxi/before take-off in plane](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spray-smoke-during-taxi-before-take-off-in-plane/762449)
**Author:** [@Doughbag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doughbag)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2016, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spray-smoke-during-taxi-before-take-off-in-plane/762449 "2016-08-12T14:52:26Z")
During my recently airplane travels with SAS I’ve noticed smoke/spay/vapor pumping through the AC of the airplane once they sealed the cabin during the taxi. It didn’t worry me, since the cabin crew was quite relaxed an… --- ## [Quick question: Looking for aviation/pilot terminology.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-question-looking-for-aviation-pilot-terminology/762536)
**Author:** [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2016, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-question-looking-for-aviation-pilot-terminology/762536 "2016-08-12T14:42:27Z")
I figured that I could more quickly find the answer here than pouring a ton of guesses into Google, so here it is: When a pilot flies across a runway, either to enter a pattern from the other side, or simply because he’… --- ## [Where does the light in the room go to when I switch off the power?.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-the-light-in-the-room-go-to-when-i-switch-off-the-power/762195)
**Author:** [@janeslogin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/janeslogin)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2016, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-the-light-in-the-room-go-to-when-i-switch-off-the-power/762195 "2016-08-12T14:01:49Z")
It is night. I’ve a fine LED lighting the room. I switch off the power and the room is immediately dark. Where does the light in the room go to when I switch off the power? --- ## [How much cadmium is in pastels](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-cadmium-is-in-pastels/762517)
**Author:** [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2016, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-cadmium-is-in-pastels/762517 "2016-08-12T13:14:54Z")
My wife (who has been using them a lot of late) just read about Cadmium poisoning from using dry pastels. How concerned should we be. On the spectrum of toxic stuff from Plutonium, to homeopathic medicines, where do pas… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=859) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=861)