# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=901 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 902 --- ## [Been to Colon, Panama?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/been-to-colon-panama/755424)
**Author:** [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2016, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/been-to-colon-panama/755424 "2016-05-24T19:08:36Z")
I ask because I see more and more articles like the following (which, yeah, is from 2009, but by no means the only article on the subject): Anyone with first-hand experiences with the place? Is it just like any other C… --- ## [Is the Public Trust Doctrine federal common law?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-public-trust-doctrine-federal-common-law/755064)
**Author:** [@Mr\_Downtown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Downtown)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2016, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-public-trust-doctrine-federal-common-law/755064 "2016-05-24T19:07:01Z")
Here in Chicago, we’ve been having a civic discussion about the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. Though a lot of people are confused about the legal principle behind a lawsuit blocking construction, it centers on the publ… --- ## [age of consent](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/age-of-consent/112905)
**Author:** [@koufax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koufax)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2016, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/age-of-consent/112905 "2016-05-24T18:37:34Z")
I am baffled- a friend told me the age of sexual consent in nevada is 16?? A 30 year old can have sex with a 16 year old in nevada but he or she must be 18 across the line in california? What if a 16 year old goes acros… --- ## [Is it possible to sleep for 5-10 minutes without realizing it (insomnia related)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-sleep-for-5-10-minutes-without-realizing-it-insomnia-related/755450)
**Author:** [@Les\_Espaces\_Du\_Sommeil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Les_Espaces_Du_Sommeil)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2016, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-sleep-for-5-10-minutes-without-realizing-it-insomnia-related/755450 "2016-05-24T17:34:14Z")
I’ve had trouble falling asleep for years, well decades now and it’s getting worse. As a matter of fact, I didn’t sleep at all last night. A fortnight ago, I slept something like 5 hours in three days. Typically, I’ll g… --- ## [Reaction to early weather forecasting?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reaction-to-early-weather-forecasting/755463)
**Author:** [@pianodave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pianodave)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2016, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reaction-to-early-weather-forecasting/755463 "2016-05-24T17:14:45Z")
Hi SD, I am not a historian or history buff so I am not sure when this happened, but I’m curious to know the reaction of the general population to the first correctly proven weather prediction. In other words, I want t… --- ## [Why "Do Not Use Fabric Softener"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-not-use-fabric-softener/755514)
**Author:** [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2016, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-not-use-fabric-softener/755514 "2016-05-24T15:46:28Z")
I have some underwear, 96% cotton/4% Lycra, with the quoted instruction. Why would this be recommended? Does it mean liquid softener used in the washing machine, dryer sheets, or both? --- ## [How many US states suffered attacks during WW2](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-us-states-suffered-attacks-during-ww2/755377)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2016, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-us-states-suffered-attacks-during-ww2/755377 "2016-05-24T14:02:57Z")
I know of two. Hawaii, which was the site of Pearl Harbor. Maine, where the USS Eagle was sunk by a German U-boat. Were any other states directly attacked during WW2? --- ## [From small band of Jesus' followers to Christianity, how?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-small-band-of-jesus-followers-to-christianity-how/754926)
**Author:** [@justanothermike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justanothermike)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2016, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-small-band-of-jesus-followers-to-christianity-how/754926 "2016-05-24T06:59:43Z")
I know that I could research here but it’s such a vast topic and I don’t want to just run into Christian perspectives and so many works have their own slant on things. Hopefully some here can enlighten me. From what I … --- ## [What does "foam" mean in "Show me the way to go home"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-foam-mean-in-show-me-the-way-to-go-home/755311)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2016, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-foam-mean-in-show-me-the-way-to-go-home/755311 "2016-05-24T04:06:17Z")
Wherever I may roam, on land or sea or foam… What does “foam” mean here? I’d have thought it meant the ocean, but “sea” already covers that. --- ## [Explanation please: "Throwing shade" ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explanation-please-throwing-shade/755153)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2016, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explanation-please-throwing-shade/755153 "2016-05-24T04:02:23Z")
Bernie has accused Debbie Wasserman Schultz of the DNC of “throwing shade” on his campaign from the beginning. What is “throwing shade”? Not familiar with the phrase. --- ## [why is wifi so lame in a hotel - compared to cell reception?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-wifi-so-lame-in-a-hotel-compared-to-cell-reception/755372)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2016, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-wifi-so-lame-in-a-hotel-compared-to-cell-reception/755372 "2016-05-24T01:52:57Z")
So here we are in a hotel and Mrs. CC can get no updated info, no current news on her phone using the hotel’s wifi. Turn it off, and go with cell reception, and all’s well. Of course, this is the costly way to go. Is … --- ## [How long can goldfish live in a sealed jar?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-can-goldfish-live-in-a-sealed-jar/353087)
**Author:** [@Scruloose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scruloose)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2016, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-can-goldfish-live-in-a-sealed-jar/353087 "2016-05-23T22:04:41Z")
This Friday we’re going to pack the kids, the cats, the dog and two goldfish into the mini-van and move to Chi-town. We bought a plastic jar - about a gallon in size - as temporary housing for the fish. If we seal the… --- ## [6 quarts of dirty motor oil is dumped onto your lawn. How long till dirt microbes eat it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/6-quarts-of-dirty-motor-oil-is-dumped-onto-your-lawn-how-long-till-dirt-microbes-eat-it/755435)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2016, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/6-quarts-of-dirty-motor-oil-is-dumped-onto-your-lawn-how-long-till-dirt-microbes-eat-it/755435 "2016-05-23T21:37:53Z")
Obviously it will vary by soil type and rain. Let’s just say a catch tub of 6 quarts of dirty motor oil is spilled onto your backyard lawn. Your soil is a reasonably well drained standard sandy loam in a mid-Atlantic wea… --- ## [TMI - Human evolution - did we evolve to poop standing up ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tmi-human-evolution-did-we-evolve-to-poop-standing-up/755486)
**Author:** [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2016, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tmi-human-evolution-did-we-evolve-to-poop-standing-up/755486 "2016-05-23T21:24:58Z")
Sorry for the TMI question. I’ve seen gorillas in the zoo squat to do their business. Not sure if the other primates do so also. Also some Asian cultures have the squatting position toilets. I have heard some good argu… --- ## [Origin of 'Run like smoke and oakum'?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-run-like-smoke-and-oakum/755487)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2016, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-run-like-smoke-and-oakum/755487 "2016-05-23T21:21:25Z")
Master And Commander is playing while I work, and ‘Run like smoke and oakum’ is a well-known line from it. What is the origin of the phrase? --- ## [how much is a carton of cigs in nyc?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-is-a-carton-of-cigs-in-nyc/755212)
**Author:** [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2016, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-is-a-carton-of-cigs-in-nyc/755212 "2016-05-23T20:54:38Z")
Ok we just watched a episode of csi ny and they were talking about the Russian mob smuggling counterfeit cigs and the csi guy asked the actual cop character how much a carton cost in nyc and he responded about 130$ The … --- ## [Why would an MP3 sound file drop in bit rate when transferred via Dropbox?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-an-mp3-sound-file-drop-in-bit-rate-when-transferred-via-dropbox/755418)
**Author:** [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2016, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-an-mp3-sound-file-drop-in-bit-rate-when-transferred-via-dropbox/755418 "2016-05-23T20:26:08Z")
Any audio gurus out there? I have an audiobook project I’m working on, and I keep having trouble with ACX’s requirement that the files be at least 192kbps. When the engineer sends them to me (by posting them in a Dropbo… --- ## [iPad not responding to touch input but otherwise working](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipad-not-responding-to-touch-input-but-otherwise-working/755452)
**Author:** [@TwoCarrotSnowman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwoCarrotSnowman)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2016, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipad-not-responding-to-touch-input-but-otherwise-working/755452 "2016-05-23T15:20:37Z")
Hi folks, I have an iPad 3, running IOS 9. Up until this morning it was working fine, but now it has an odd issue. It appears that the touchscreen isn’t responding to input. From the locked, “screen off” state, I can p… --- ## [Rotary drones: Why 4, 6, 8+ rotors?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rotary-drones-why-4-6-8-rotors/755395)
**Author:** [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2016, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rotary-drones-why-4-6-8-rotors/755395 "2016-05-23T14:57:08Z")
It seems that most of the consumer drones available now are quadcopters, though 6- and 8-rotored drones are also quite readily available. What are the advantages of increasing the number of rotors on a craft? There’s mo… --- ## [Effective rat deterrents?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/effective-rat-deterrents/754880)
**Author:** [@TSBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TSBG)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2016, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/effective-rat-deterrents/754880 "2016-05-23T14:40:12Z")
I live in Southern California, and tree rats/roof rats are a fact of life. I’ve always managed to deal with the little outbreaks–sometimes bigger outbreaks–with snap traps. However, something’s going on in the crawl sp… --- ## [Ticket Strategy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ticket-strategy/755273)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2016, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ticket-strategy/755273 "2016-05-23T12:37:06Z")
Mods: If you think this is more IMHO territory feel free to move it I am putting together a multi day film festival, and I am trying to come up with a simple (for the patron and for me) ticketing system. Here are the pa… --- ## [Making a USB voltage output battery output 12V DC. Easy or not?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-a-usb-voltage-output-battery-output-12v-dc-easy-or-not/755438)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2016, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-a-usb-voltage-output-battery-output-12v-dc-easy-or-not/755438 "2016-05-23T05:28:36Z")
Just wondering . I’ve got a few chunky Anker USB batteries (13000 to 26800milli amp hours) that are useful for keeping phones ands tablets going sans AC or car power. Would it be difficult or impractical to make some in… --- ## [Are Fire Horses dangerous in China?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-fire-horses-dangerous-in-china/755430)
**Author:** [@Annoying\_Buzz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annoying_Buzz)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2016, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-fire-horses-dangerous-in-china/755430 "2016-05-23T01:49:09Z")
Ok, pretty much everyone knows the ‘Chinese Zodiac’ of 12 animals, each corresponding to a different year (2016, for example, being the Year of the Monkey). Less well known are the additional 5 elements of Wood, Earth, F… --- ## [Why don't certain living things seem to save energy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-certain-living-things-seem-to-save-energy/755361)
**Author:** [@PlaceboTarget](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlaceboTarget)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2016, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-certain-living-things-seem-to-save-energy/755361 "2016-05-23T01:46:49Z")
When spring comes I keep the windows open and flies often enter the apartment. For hours on end they fly on circumvoluted orbits that they establish in the center of a room. I’m not referring to gnats (which I’m quick to… --- ## [AM radio interference in my house](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-radio-interference-in-my-house/744466)
**Author:** [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2016, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-radio-interference-in-my-house/744466 "2016-05-23T01:40:19Z")
A year or so ago some source of interference with AM radio appeared in my neighbourhood. I have one in the shower that I can rotate to minimise the effect, but it’s always there. The best orientation is roughly, but not … --- ## [The Teamsters Union and the Mafia: Did The Teamsters Lose?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-teamsters-union-and-the-mafia-did-the-teamsters-lose/726957)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2016, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-teamsters-union-and-the-mafia-did-the-teamsters-lose/726957 "2016-05-22T19:34:12Z")
In my readings about the Jimmy Hoffa era of the Teamsters, it seems that the Mafia likes a cosy relationship with the union-the union “invested” large amounts of the pension funds in Mafia run hotels and casinos in Las… --- ## [The Sounds of ough](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sounds-of-ough/755249)
**Author:** [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2016, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sounds-of-ough/755249 "2016-05-22T19:28:28Z")
Does -ough win for four-letter sequence with the most different pronunciations in English? cough/thought tough/enough bough dough/though hiccough (5) --- ## [Jet engine question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jet-engine-question/755214)
**Author:** [@Kiber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiber)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2016, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jet-engine-question/755214 "2016-05-22T15:35:53Z")
I’m sitting in Manchester waiting for my flight and there’s a 747 at the gate getting ready to load. It’s a good 30 minutes before the flight and the one engine I can see into (port side outboard) has been turning consi… --- ## [Question regarding the Battle of Talas and paper](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-the-battle-of-talas-and-paper/755358)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2016, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-the-battle-of-talas-and-paper/755358 "2016-05-22T13:12:42Z")
Hi According to “The Silk Roads” by Peter Frankopan, “Even if the traditional story that Chinese prisoners captured at the battle of Talas in 751 introduced paper-making skills to the Islamic world is overly romantic, i… --- ## [Wild West fonts/typefaces](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wild-west-fonts-typefaces/755349)
**Author:** [@whc.03grady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whc.03grady)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2016, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wild-west-fonts-typefaces/755349 "2016-05-22T06:48:48Z")
How/why did certain similar typefaces (like these, which are apparently called ‘wood fonts’) become associated with the American Wild West? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=900) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=902)