# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=920 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 921 --- ## [Help Determine What Insect Keeps Biting Me](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-determine-what-insect-keeps-biting-me/752212)
**Author:** [@ChrisCash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChrisCash)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2016, 10:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-determine-what-insect-keeps-biting-me/752212 "2016-04-15T10:02:35Z")
I will give some background about it. In the last couple months I have been getting these weird insect bites and they always occur in the same fashion. I will feel an itchy sensation on an area of skin usually covered by… --- ## [Mr. Christie, you make good (pirate) cookies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-christie-you-make-good-pirate-cookies/752248)
**Author:** [@Renton\_lvr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renton_lvr)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2016, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-christie-you-make-good-pirate-cookies/752248 "2016-04-15T07:51:21Z")
In Canada, amongst the Oreos and Chips Ahoy, we have these oatmeal/peanut butter confections known as Pirate cookies. I am trying to find out a little history about them, particularly with regards to the name. Peanut but… --- ## [Best way to transfer money to another person's account](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-transfer-money-to-another-persons-account/752126)
**Author:** [@Darryl\_Lict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darryl_Lict)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2016, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-transfer-money-to-another-persons-account/752126 "2016-04-15T06:05:16Z")
I’m a landlord and I need to try to figure out the best way to get my tenant to pay me electronically. I’m currently using paypal, but the fee is considerable if you are a business. I have two bank accounts, one at B of … --- ## [Need a creative solution for an 'unsupportive' sofa bed!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-creative-solution-for-an-unsupportive-sofa-bed/751870)
**Author:** [@teddybound](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teddybound)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2016, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-creative-solution-for-an-unsupportive-sofa-bed/751870 "2016-04-15T04:43:00Z")
Hi guys, I will need creative solutions again… I just inherited a sofa bed from the previous tenant of the apartment. It was just 1 year old and in good condition. He said it was from Ikea but I could not find it in an… --- ## [Help with some Latin](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-some-latin/752117)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2016, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-some-latin/752117 "2016-04-15T02:10:36Z")
What is the difference between “equitas” and “aequalitas” when translated from the English “equality”? --- ## [Lack of insurance tax penalty mitigation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lack-of-insurance-tax-penalty-mitigation/752219)
**Author:** [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2016, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lack-of-insurance-tax-penalty-mitigation/752219 "2016-04-14T23:56:24Z")
How does one go about getting a partial break on the tax penalty for failing to have health insurance? Situation: The company I worked at for most of last year provided insurance, but I did not manage to get signed up i… --- ## [Hicks chewing on wheat?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hicks-chewing-on-wheat/542511)
**Author:** [@antonio107](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/antonio107)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2016, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hicks-chewing-on-wheat/542511 "2016-04-14T23:32:26Z")
I’m watching an episode of Rocko’s Modern Life (loved that show), and they’re showing some country bumpkin giving him directions, complete with the stereotypical straw hat, and wheat blade sticking out of his mouth. But… --- ## [What is the real scope of the human trafficking industry in the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-real-scope-of-the-human-trafficking-industry-in-the-us/748418)
**Author:** [@Sam\_Lowry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Lowry)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2016, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-real-scope-of-the-human-trafficking-industry-in-the-us/748418 "2016-04-14T22:00:16Z")
I’ve heard multiple times about how Houston is a big hub of human trafficking, since we are a big city with two airports, a port, and near Mexico. There’s an organization named Elijah Rising that has a Museum of Modern D… --- ## [Probability question...figuring percentage chances](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probability-question-figuring-percentage-chances/751966)
**Author:** [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2016, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probability-question-figuring-percentage-chances/751966 "2016-04-14T20:55:50Z")
I just recently had an interview for a new job, so hurrah for me. The thing about this job is, they’re interviewing 18 people for 5 positions. They’re probably not picking randomly, but if they were, what’s the chance … --- ## [How do I compress a PDF?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-compress-a-pdf/752176)
**Author:** [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2016, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-compress-a-pdf/752176 "2016-04-14T20:29:27Z")
Gotta 25 megabyte PDF file that needs to go out in emails. I’ve tried with two different recipients. No love. I am guessing it is too large. How do I compress it to a workable size? It can be locked if that helps. Than… --- ## [Sync Calendars: Windows Live Mail / Android. How do?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sync-calendars-windows-live-mail-android-how-do/752120)
**Author:** [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2016, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sync-calendars-windows-live-mail-android-how-do/752120 "2016-04-14T19:57:50Z")
We have one Windows Live Mail account running on three computers- one with Win7, two with Win10. We also have two Galaxy S4 phones, sharing one account. HOW does one sync the WLM Calendar with the Android calendar? I… --- ## [I don't understand Subtraction via Addition in computing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-understand-subtraction-via-addition-in-computing/751733)
**Author:** [@TipTapTwo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TipTapTwo)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2016, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-understand-subtraction-via-addition-in-computing/751733 "2016-04-14T18:57:39Z")
Please see this MinutePhysics video to see what I am talking about: And this forum thread on math.stackexchange: Normally when we do long form subtraction we do it this way (apologies in advance for ugly/disjointed… --- ## [Ecuador Peru dispute](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ecuador-peru-dispute/752210)
**Author:** [@blood63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blood63)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2016, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ecuador-peru-dispute/752210 "2016-04-14T18:50:23Z")
I am heading to Minga Lodge https://www.google.ca/maps/place/Rio+Napo/@-2.0102008,-75.4622759,8z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x91dce6e9573b7663:0x854b729273c49090 in Ecuador. It is several hours drive from Quito into the Am… --- ## [EGG+EGG=? \[Puzzle clue\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/egg-egg-puzzle-clue/751810)
**Author:** [@Calavera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Calavera)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2016, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/egg-egg-puzzle-clue/751810 "2016-04-14T18:50:00Z")
A puzzle in yesterday’s Sun newspaper in the UK, EGG+EGG=? The Sun is not exactly a bastion of ultrahard brainteasers, but it’s almost always fair. It gives the puzzle and provides a suggested answer. I have no idea how … --- ## [Q About Rank & Working In The Puzzle Palace \[Pentagon\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/q-about-rank-working-in-the-puzzle-palace-pentagon/752191)
**Author:** [@Hocus\_Pocus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hocus_Pocus)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2016, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/q-about-rank-working-in-the-puzzle-palace-pentagon/752191 "2016-04-14T17:45:05Z")
Are there many, if any, captains who work at the Pentagon. Is it plausible for a cpt. to be in a position to brief the JCOS? Or carry the football? --- ## [Are there any major newspapers that still publish two editions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-major-newspapers-that-still-publish-two-editions/752161)
**Author:** [@bomberswarm2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bomberswarm2)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2016, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-major-newspapers-that-still-publish-two-editions/752161 "2016-04-14T15:28:43Z")
I know that many of these papers stopped years ago, but are there any that still do it? I mean in regular use, I know that for big news stories, (in Australia 9/11 is the most recent one I’m certain of) newspapers still … --- ## [Is there a word for \[people that hate religions\]?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-word-for-people-that-hate-religions/751993)
**Author:** [@JakeRS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JakeRS)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2016, 10:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-word-for-people-that-hate-religions/751993 "2016-04-14T10:45:53Z")
Is there a word for people that hate religions? For example there is racism which is hatred for different races, chauvinism - hatred for other nations (for example if a Italian hates a German, then that is chauvinism, no… --- ## [Help Diagnosis Car Electrical Problems](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-diagnosis-car-electrical-problems/751904)
**Author:** [@muttrox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muttrox)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2016, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-diagnosis-car-electrical-problems/751904 "2016-04-14T05:37:24Z")
Mods, please move if wrong forum… I got a new car battery in August 2015. From the moment it was installed, the radio has a fairly loud humming noise, in addition to the music. When the car isn’t driven for 2-3 days, … --- ## [Linear Transform Possible?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linear-transform-possible/752146)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2016, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linear-transform-possible/752146 "2016-04-14T05:03:28Z")
I have a set of numbers (A) that can be graphed out as a chart. This chart is strongly related to another set (B) and I want to use it to predict B. So, for example, I know sales history for wombats and I know that for e… --- ## [How can I automate this hack to prevent Windows 10 from restarting automatically?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-automate-this-hack-to-prevent-windows-10-from-restarting-automatically/751968)
**Author:** [@bldysabba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bldysabba)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2016, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-automate-this-hack-to-prevent-windows-10-from-restarting-automatically/751968 "2016-04-14T04:03:53Z")
Reddit user Nyxryu posted this solution to a problem that many people have with Windows 10 - that once updated, it will restart on its own if the appointed time crops up. I’d like to automate this sequence of steps (so… --- ## [How do self-driving cars deal with stoplights?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-self-driving-cars-deal-with-stoplights/751031)
**Author:** [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Replies:** 123\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2016, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-self-driving-cars-deal-with-stoplights/751031 "2016-04-14T03:29:51Z")
How do they know that particular object is actually a stoplight? How do they, then, react to Red, Yellow, Green? --- ## [Easy way to remove all paragraph breaks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/easy-way-to-remove-all-paragraph-breaks/752087)
**Author:** [@Mr\_Shine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Shine)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2016, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/easy-way-to-remove-all-paragraph-breaks/752087 "2016-04-13T21:34:49Z")
Recently I’ve had to copy a lot of text thet when copied looks like this. So each line I have to go to the end, press the “delete” key until the next line comes up a line, then add back the space. Is there a way, … --- ## [Is there any scientific way of deducing if homsexuality is increasing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-scientific-way-of-deducing-if-homsexuality-is-increasing/751923)
**Author:** [@nansbread](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nansbread)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2016, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-scientific-way-of-deducing-if-homsexuality-is-increasing/751923 "2016-04-13T21:00:43Z")
Are there more homosexuals on the planet than say 1000 years ago, after correcting for population growth. This question may suffer from lack of historic and accurate scientific data. If the answer reached is no then why… --- ## [Walking downstairs: Does it burn more or less calories than walking on level ground?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walking-downstairs-does-it-burn-more-or-less-calories-than-walking-on-level-ground/752046)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2016, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walking-downstairs-does-it-burn-more-or-less-calories-than-walking-on-level-ground/752046 "2016-04-13T20:13:35Z")
I’m sure that the difference, if there is one, is negligible. But this is the Dope. What’s the Dope? --- ## [Did The Wobblies Really Break a Jail?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-wobblies-really-break-a-jail/606942)
**Author:** [@captnkurt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/captnkurt)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2016, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-wobblies-really-break-a-jail/606942 "2016-04-13T19:44:55Z")
Singer/storyteller Utah Phillips used to tell the story of how a bunch of IWW union members (aka “Wobblies”) were jailed in 1916 at the Snohomish County Jail. The full story is rather long, and perhaps the easiest entry … --- ## [Genies and Arabic culture](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genies-and-arabic-culture/752034)
**Author:** [@Ornery\_Bob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ornery_Bob)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2016, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genies-and-arabic-culture/752034 "2016-04-13T19:35:46Z")
On a recent television show, it was stated that the Arabic word for “genie” is the same word used for demon and in Arabic cultures, genies are evil tricksters, not benevolent blonds in harem attire eager to grant your ev… --- ## [FMLA - how serious does the medical condition have to be?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fmla-how-serious-does-the-medical-condition-have-to-be/752064)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2016, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fmla-how-serious-does-the-medical-condition-have-to-be/752064 "2016-04-13T19:06:10Z")
How serious does a medical condition have to be to qualify for FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act), and is it a state-by-state thing or an overall rule that applies pretty much to all 50 states? --- ## [Windshield placard of airplane](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windshield-placard-of-airplane/752106)
**Author:** [@John\_Bredin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Bredin)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2016, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windshield-placard-of-airplane/752106 "2016-04-13T19:05:36Z")
I have seen around downtown Chicago a few times a placard in a car windshield of the standard sign for “airport” (abstract jetliner on a blue background) with some word beneath it, but the car drives past too fast to rea… --- ## [Could i be banned please/](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-be-banned-please/752093)
**Author:** [@escaped](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/escaped)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2016, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-be-banned-please/752093 "2016-04-13T17:42:30Z")
I would like to be banned from this forum. --- ## [Vacuum Launch?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vacuum-launch/751867)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2016, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vacuum-launch/751867 "2016-04-13T16:06:37Z")
There’s a science demonstration thing where a ping pong ball is accelerated to mach 1 speeds by the simple process of letting a vacuum rapidly re-pressurize. If scaled up, how would the physics react? Would the ultima… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=919) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=921)