# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=952 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 953 --- ## [Is it possible to read replies to your comments on Yahoo?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-read-replies-to-your-comments-on-yahoo/746145)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2016, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-read-replies-to-your-comments-on-yahoo/746145 "2016-02-15T18:18:35Z")
Before they changed formats, there was a little red disc that popped up by your username that indicated there were replies or ‘thumbs up’ to your comments. The new format doesn’t do that. Obviously you could scroll thr… --- ## [Lexicology or Lexicography Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lexicology-or-lexicography-question/746051)
**Author:** [@Cabin\_Fever\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cabin_Fever_1)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2016, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lexicology-or-lexicography-question/746051 "2016-02-15T18:17:58Z")
I venture out my usual forum haunts in MPSIMS and IMHO to ask an actual factual question. And one minor one. I just finished the book Undaunted Courage by Stephen E. Ambrose. It is about the Lewis and Clark Expedition i… --- ## [Does darkness have a speed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-darkness-have-a-speed/741197)
**Author:** [@TheNerdiestNerdAlive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheNerdiestNerdAlive)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2016, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-darkness-have-a-speed/741197 "2016-02-15T17:18:09Z")
Is it possible (or proven) that there is anything faster than light? If light is the fastest speed and dark is the opposite of light, does dark have a speed? Does ‘dark’ even exist, If so what is darkness? If you can’t … --- ## [Help with Hebrew Translation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-hebrew-translation/746048)
**Author:** [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2016, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-hebrew-translation/746048 "2016-02-15T15:34:23Z")
I had a great friend. We aren’t friends anymore. When we were, he used to call me a name that has somehow gotten away from me. It was a Hebrew word and started with, I think, “MO…” It meant the same as “poor pobrecit… --- ## [How many different types of uniforms must a typical armed forces service person own?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-different-types-of-uniforms-must-a-typical-armed-forces-service-person-own/744865)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2016, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-different-types-of-uniforms-must-a-typical-armed-forces-service-person-own/744865 "2016-02-15T14:08:39Z")
I’m sure that they all have what we civilians would think of as “camo” uniforms but what about dress uniforms? When I google “dress uniforms”, I see many different varieties. Surely Joe Private isn’t required to own al… --- ## [How can one safely get stoned?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-one-safely-get-stoned/746199)
**Author:** [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2016, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-one-safely-get-stoned/746199 "2016-02-15T13:29:01Z")
I’ve always been a pretty clean guy. Never smoked, never gotten drunk, never did drugs. But I’d really like to try getting stoned. I’m getting some marijuana laced brownies soon from Colorado and am eager to try. I’d tr… --- ## [Knickers!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knickers/746100)
**Author:** [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2016, 9:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knickers/746100 "2016-02-15T09:59:09Z")
Now that I have your attention, I need a clarification on the term from those who speak Brit instead of Mercan. Does knickers mean strictly women’s underclothing or is it used for men’s as well? Does knickers mean stri… --- ## [At what point is it illegal for a layman to give legal counsel?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-point-is-it-illegal-for-a-layman-to-give-legal-counsel/745998)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2016, 8:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-point-is-it-illegal-for-a-layman-to-give-legal-counsel/745998 "2016-02-15T08:57:27Z")
Pretty much everyone knows certain common-sense legal wisdom - like,\* “If arrested, use your Miranda Rights - don’t talk to the cops, especially not until you have a lawyer,” \*etc., or things like, “Suing that departmen… --- ## [BEyond Youtube: Replacing a Dimmer Switch...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beyond-youtube-replacing-a-dimmer-switch/746134)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2016, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beyond-youtube-replacing-a-dimmer-switch/746134 "2016-02-15T03:51:54Z")
Two-Part Question: A) We have a faulty dimmer switch we want to replace with a toggle switch. However, there is an existing toggle switch on the same circuit in an adjacent room. As such, I imagine I will need to buy a… --- ## [Silver paper](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silver-paper/746025)
**Author:** [@Triviamind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Triviamind)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2016, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silver-paper/746025 "2016-02-15T02:12:42Z")
I am currently reading books set in Ireland in the 1950s. In one of them, parochial school children save “silver paper” for the benefit of missionary priests. Does anyone know, exactly, what “silver paper” is? --- ## [Easy way to measure eyeglasses power ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/easy-way-to-measure-eyeglasses-power/746169)
**Author:** [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2016, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/easy-way-to-measure-eyeglasses-power/746169 "2016-02-15T01:40:26Z")
New to the world of wearing prescription eyeglasses. Early, in the year I got prescribed eyeglasses with the right side power of -0.75 spherical and -0.25 Cylindrical and the left side with -0.25 spherical. I got my expe… --- ## [What are the primary sources for Claudia Procula (aka Mrs. Pilate)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-primary-sources-for-claudia-procula-aka-mrs-pilate/231686)
**Author:** [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2016, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-primary-sources-for-claudia-procula-aka-mrs-pilate/231686 "2016-02-15T01:11:25Z")
Pilate’s wife is mentioned briefly in the Gospel of Matthew, though not by name (and she doesn’t make an actual appearance but sends her husband a letter). However, she is given the name Claudia Procula in most accounts… --- ## [Gravity Waves: Chance of Gravity Tsunami?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gravity-waves-chance-of-gravity-tsunami/746081)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2016, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gravity-waves-chance-of-gravity-tsunami/746081 "2016-02-15T01:04:16Z")
I used to have time to follow astronomy news very closely, but those days are long gone. I must find time to read the articles on the whole gravity wave “thing”, but I understand one black hole swallowed another proving … --- ## [Is alcohol by volume calculated differently in the United Kingdom than the United States?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-alcohol-by-volume-calculated-differently-in-the-united-kingdom-than-the-united-states/745995)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2016, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-alcohol-by-volume-calculated-differently-in-the-united-kingdom-than-the-united-states/745995 "2016-02-15T00:55:00Z")
Here’s a link to a pub drink list in London. https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/drink/menu?pub=7c67d31da97848e68e473f606bf522bd Greene King IPA with an ABV of 3.6%? Carlsberg has an ABV of 3.8%, less than Coors Light? Foster… --- ## [Car Heater Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-heater-question/746090)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2016, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-heater-question/746090 "2016-02-15T00:22:40Z")
I used to live in California, but I now live in Montana, which I love. The only downside is that the winters are long and cold, but after 7 years of living here I’ve gotten quite used to the winter weather. We have a 20… --- ## [Bank notes & promissory notes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bank-notes-promissory-notes/745826)
**Author:** [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2016, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bank-notes-promissory-notes/745826 "2016-02-14T23:33:06Z")
I have no education in economics beyond the required high school class. Lately I’ve been wondering about how the heck banks worked in the 18th and 19th centuries. At a time when people were mobile over long distances, bu… --- ## [Advice on Disassembling/repairing Kitchen Cabinet Door](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-on-disassembling-repairing-kitchen-cabinet-door/746023)
**Author:** [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2016, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-on-disassembling-repairing-kitchen-cabinet-door/746023 "2016-02-14T20:33:02Z")
Hi Everyone I have a kitchen cabinet door which has a raised center panel which has split along the grain. The crack runs the length of the panel and is probably just wide enough to pass a piece of paper through. It see… --- ## [What options are available for President Obama w.r.t. nominating a replacement for Scalia?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-options-are-available-for-president-obama-w-r-t-nominating-a-replacement-for-scalia/746069)
**Author:** [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2016, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-options-are-available-for-president-obama-w-r-t-nominating-a-replacement-for-scalia/746069 "2016-02-14T15:31:57Z")
Must he do anything for the present, or can he simply leave things for his successor (if he is confident that the next POTUS will be Hillary or Bernie)? OTOH, if he and his team believe there’s a significant chance of a… --- ## [How much evidence to suspect the "dice are loaded"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-evidence-to-suspect-the-dice-are-loaded/745997)
**Author:** [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2016, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-evidence-to-suspect-the-dice-are-loaded/745997 "2016-02-14T13:47:14Z")
We all know the odds of giving birth to a boy are roughly 50%. But that number is for the population in general and doesn’t necessarily apply to a particular couple. First question, do some men make significantly more g… --- ## [Does immunity void confessions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-immunity-void-confessions/745920)
**Author:** [@bomberswarm2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bomberswarm2)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2016, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-immunity-void-confessions/745920 "2016-02-14T13:23:13Z")
If someone is given immunity from prosecution, then they confess to police as they are immune, but then the immunity is revoked, is their confession inadmissible? --- ## [copyright on a flag?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copyright-on-a-flag/745904)
**Author:** [@Mr\_Downtown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Downtown)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2016, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copyright-on-a-flag/745904 "2016-02-14T12:35:51Z")
I’ve been musing this week about whether a flag could be copyrighted under US law. We tend to say that any pictorial work can be copyrighted, but most flags can be described with a few words (“horizontal stripes of blac… --- ## [Why is Zika being spelled with a capital "z?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-zika-being-spelled-with-a-capital-z/745536)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2016, 10:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-zika-being-spelled-with-a-capital-z/745536 "2016-02-14T10:48:01Z")
See query. Malaria, cancer influenza, scoliosis, Lyme because it’s a place, Schmidt-Noodle-Joh-Doe syndrome because people names (lucky e.e. cummings wasn’t a doctor). zika? --- ## [2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee Cruise Control](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2002-jeep-grand-cherokee-cruise-control/746064)
**Author:** [@Mdcastle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mdcastle)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2016, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2002-jeep-grand-cherokee-cruise-control/746064 "2016-02-14T04:53:59Z")
Light goes on and off randomly and none of the buttons on the steering wheel have any effect. Any ideas? --- ## [Eliminating Capital Gains taxes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eliminating-capital-gains-taxes/745581)
**Author:** [@Clu-Me-In](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clu-Me-In)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2016, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eliminating-capital-gains-taxes/745581 "2016-02-14T04:16:01Z")
I curious to know how eliminating Capital Gains taxes would hurt or help the economy? Would it not help repatriate all of the Billions overseas? --- ## [Stress on Roads](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stress-on-roads/745953)
**Author:** [@watchwolf49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/watchwolf49)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2016, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stress-on-roads/745953 "2016-02-14T01:19:26Z")
This is directly related to The Master’s column If cars go electric, how do we pay for highways without a gas tax?. What few weighmasters I’ve talked with over the years generally tell me it’s the semi-trucks that tear … --- ## [About those time machines that you can "make"...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-those-time-machines-that-you-can-make/745537)
**Author:** [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2016, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-those-time-machines-that-you-can-make/745537 "2016-02-14T00:09:58Z")
I have seen my fair share of pop science articles about time travel and the like. And it often comes up that in THEORY you can build a time machine of sorts. Not something useful and ful like a Dr Who Tardis, but a time … --- ## [To what extent does the skin permit germs to pass through?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-does-the-skin-permit-germs-to-pass-through/746003)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2016, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-does-the-skin-permit-germs-to-pass-through/746003 "2016-02-13T23:33:12Z")
Let’s say someone with intact skin stepped in raw sewage. (Not on purpose, of course.) Now to what extent would the intact skin allow the germs to pass through? What if the person’s feet were immersed in the sewage fo… --- ## [Are there different types of denim within the same brand/style?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-different-types-of-denim-within-the-same-brand-style/745838)
**Author:** [@Quintas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quintas)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2016, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-different-types-of-denim-within-the-same-brand-style/745838 "2016-02-13T18:11:56Z")
I bought a pair of Levi’s about 2 years ago. They aged perfect except now they are getting holes in them. I bought another pair a few months back and although they are the same size and same style number they aren’t the … --- ## [This claim about library funding is BS right?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-claim-about-library-funding-is-bs-right/745991)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2016, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-claim-about-library-funding-is-bs-right/745991 "2016-02-13T05:13:24Z")
Was just shown a facebook comment wherein someone claims, based on their having worked at a college library, that funding for libraries typically stems in part from how many books were looked at. Not checked out–looked a… --- ## [How does a "smart" key know the keys are not inside the car](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-smart-key-know-the-keys-are-not-inside-the-car/745871)
**Author:** [@Enola\_Gay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Gay)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2016, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-smart-key-know-the-keys-are-not-inside-the-car/745871 "2016-02-13T00:11:03Z")
I carpooled last night with a friend who has a car that doesn’t require putting a key in to start the car. She was explaining how great it was because she never takes her keys out of her purse anymore. She said the car c… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=951) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=953)