# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=967 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 968 --- ## [Has anyone entered the Paris and/or Roman catacombs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-entered-the-paris-and-or-roman-catacombs/743213)
**Author:** [@the\_diego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_diego)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2016, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-entered-the-paris-and-or-roman-catacombs/743213 "2016-01-20T01:31:01Z")
Preferably deep inside, beyond what is normally open to the public. Is it true that the deeper you go, the colder it gets? That’s what a friend who visited the one in Rome says (also what JK Rawling wrote about the Gring… --- ## [Possible to turn a refrigerator into a freezer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-to-turn-a-refrigerator-into-a-freezer/743387)
**Author:** [@Mrdeals](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrdeals)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2016, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-to-turn-a-refrigerator-into-a-freezer/743387 "2016-01-20T00:16:42Z")
Getting ready to open up store #2! Came into an offer to buy up 8 commercial refrigerators, however i would like to have 4 refrigerators and 4 freezers. Is it possible to convert them by installing a thermostat that al… --- ## [Can I add wireless speakers to a conventional audio system?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-add-wireless-speakers-to-a-conventional-audio-system/743628)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2016, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-add-wireless-speakers-to-a-conventional-audio-system/743628 "2016-01-19T23:35:30Z")
I have a conventional amp, phono, radio, cd player, wired speakers set-up in my living room. I’d like to have a speaker or two in a room that’s about 40 feet away and not easily reached by running wires to it - to say n… --- ## [How Do You Remove Deep Rust Stains From A Toilet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-remove-deep-rust-stains-from-a-toilet/141975)
**Author:** [@Largo62](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Largo62)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2016, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-remove-deep-rust-stains-from-a-toilet/141975 "2016-01-19T21:15:41Z")
I came to live in my stepmother’s mobile home to care for her. The toilets are brown. They look filthy when they are clean. Is there any way to get them white again, or do I have to replace them? New toilets are expensiv… --- ## [Best caliber weapon for apocalypse scrounging](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-caliber-weapon-for-apocalypse-scrounging/743200)
**Author:** [@Kedikat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kedikat)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2016, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-caliber-weapon-for-apocalypse-scrounging/743200 "2016-01-19T18:33:33Z")
If society collapses. And the ammo factories are idle. What caliber weapon would you want to have, to be able to scrounge the most ammo? I am thinking long barrel preference. But is there a particular ammo that has both… --- ## [Flash Storage; External HD; WII U - Which is better, and why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flash-storage-external-hd-wii-u-which-is-better-and-why/743257)
**Author:** [@sangfroid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sangfroid)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2016, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flash-storage-external-hd-wii-u-which-is-better-and-why/743257 "2016-01-19T18:23:52Z")
No love in the Game Room for this question; we’ll try it here: Mod(s) feel free to delete or merge the dupe thread. Thanks. Researching the subject of external memory storage for my kids’ WII U has yielded rather confus… --- ## [NYC- How far can I park from a marked crosswalk at an intersection?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-how-far-can-i-park-from-a-marked-crosswalk-at-an-intersection/743250)
**Author:** [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2016, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-how-far-can-i-park-from-a-marked-crosswalk-at-an-intersection/743250 "2016-01-19T18:19:37Z")
I haven’t received a ticket for parking too close to a crosswalk. I’m asking this more out of curiosity and ticket prevention. NY state law says the following: "Parking or standing is not allowed: Within 20 feet (6 m)… --- ## [artificially oxygenating blood](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artificially-oxygenating-blood/743580)
**Author:** [@Whammo72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whammo72)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2016, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artificially-oxygenating-blood/743580 "2016-01-19T17:07:52Z")
I’g going to play a 5 year old “what if” game. If your blood could be removed, oxygenated and replaced and say your diaphram paralized. Would you still have that panic feeling of not being able to breath and the desire … --- ## [Home heating question: testing for common wire at thermostat](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-heating-question-testing-for-common-wire-at-thermostat/743285)
**Author:** [@arseNal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/arseNal)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2016, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-heating-question-testing-for-common-wire-at-thermostat/743285 "2016-01-19T16:37:32Z")
Is there a way to test for the existence of a common wire at the thermostat using a multimeter, or does it have be tested at the furnace itself? The system is pretty old (heat only); the current thermostat uses only 2 w… --- ## [Could this be bakelite?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-this-be-bakelite/743486)
**Author:** [@BACI](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BACI)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2016, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-this-be-bakelite/743486 "2016-01-19T15:30:09Z")
I have this cocktail shaker which appears to be made of bakelite. It feels like bakelite but when I search online for similar examples they appear to be extremely rare. The mottled pattern is also something I haven’t see… --- ## [My keyless entry fob doesn't work](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-keyless-entry-fob-doesnt-work/680290)
**Author:** [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2014, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-keyless-entry-fob-doesnt-work/680290 "2014-02-01T20:27:00Z")
I have one of those key fobs to unlock the doors, trunk, etc. I replaced the battery but all that works is the horn/panic button. The power locks all work fine. Is the fob bad? Need to be reprogrammed/replaced? What’s t… --- ## [Need help writing a phrase](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-writing-a-phrase/743515)
**Author:** [@Shinna\_Minna\_Ma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shinna_Minna_Ma)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2016, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-writing-a-phrase/743515 "2016-01-19T11:58:39Z")
Friends of ours are being honored by our previous synagogue, and I’m trying to write an ad for the journal. Is there another way to say “being honored” (as in, “your being honored tonight”)? It just doesn’t seem to sound… --- ## [Refrigerating then thawing non-perishable food](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refrigerating-then-thawing-non-perishable-food/743533)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2016, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refrigerating-then-thawing-non-perishable-food/743533 "2016-01-19T07:38:39Z")
I have several boxes of non-perishable granola bars in sealed wrappers. They didn’t need to be refrigerated, but I put them in the fridge anyway. Now I’m wondering, would moisture condense inside the wrappers if I took t… --- ## [Howard Hughes' estate--current status](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/howard-hughes-estate-current-status/2423)
**Author:** [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2016, 7:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/howard-hughes-estate-current-status/2423 "2016-01-19T07:12:09Z")
In “More of the Straight Dope” Cecil Adams (1988) said that, while the staes involed, CA and TX, have settled with Hughes’ heirs and assigns, the IRS had not yet settled. How about now? What’s the Straight Dope now after… --- ## [Do you use a space heater under your house during.....](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-a-space-heater-under-your-house-during/743453)
**Author:** [@jerry\_smissingfinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jerry_smissingfinger)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2016, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-a-space-heater-under-your-house-during/743453 "2016-01-19T06:27:21Z")
Cold weather? I rent out one of my homes to a couple that is using a space heater in the crawl space. The heater is a small electric heater with a thermostat that is set on low. My concern is fire more than freezing pi… --- ## [Is a street fight legal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-street-fight-legal/743227)
**Author:** [@Ryanmiaku](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryanmiaku)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2016, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-street-fight-legal/743227 "2016-01-19T04:44:22Z")
Specifically, where both parties agree to the fight and duke it out. I could understand a charge along the lines of causing a disruption, but could either of them be charged with assault? --- ## [Rechargeable batteries dont work with PIR lights](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rechargeable-batteries-dont-work-with-pir-lights/743487)
**Author:** [@Nansbread1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nansbread1)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2016, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rechargeable-batteries-dont-work-with-pir-lights/743487 "2016-01-19T04:17:02Z")
By a process of trail and error I worked out why my LED lights activated by motion sensors stopped working. They worked fine for a few months. Replaced the batteries with rechargeable ones and the lights kept coming on … --- ## [Dark Matter and Dark Energy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dark-matter-and-dark-energy/743344)
**Author:** [@Cainwhip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cainwhip)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2016, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dark-matter-and-dark-energy/743344 "2016-01-19T03:56:01Z")
Scientist theorize that dark matter makes up most of the universe and that it is made up of particles that do not reflect light so it can’t be seen. They do not know much of anything about dark energy (where it comes fro… --- ## [How often to charge a Trac Fone?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-to-charge-a-trac-fone/743523)
**Author:** [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2016, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-to-charge-a-trac-fone/743523 "2016-01-19T02:57:29Z")
I was given a bare-basic Trac Fone for emergencies to keep in the car. It’s up and running. I get 30 minutes a month. I have used it only once. I am wondering, I leave it out in the car in case I have to call AAA whi… --- ## [Soak dirty pan with dryer sheet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soak-dirty-pan-with-dryer-sheet/743462)
**Author:** [@EmbarrassingDad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmbarrassingDad)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2016, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soak-dirty-pan-with-dryer-sheet/743462 "2016-01-19T00:05:27Z")
My wife read on the internet that if you have a pot or pan with burnt food stuck on it, to soak it with a dryer sheet overnight. If you google it, there’s tons of “life hack” links with this little gem. I don’t think a… --- ## [What does "Broheem" mean?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-broheem-mean/328587)
**Author:** [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2016, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-broheem-mean/328587 "2016-01-18T23:29:09Z")
In A History of Violence, Richie keeps calling Joey “broheem.” The two men are brothers so I assume it is some kind of word for brother, like “bro” or whatever. But I’ve never, ever heard it before, or even heard about p… --- ## [I'm selling a car--is this a scam?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-selling-a-car-is-this-a-scam/743322)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2016, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-selling-a-car-is-this-a-scam/743322 "2016-01-18T23:12:55Z")
I got this message from a potential buyer. Is it possible to commit fraud through a PayPal account? I would think once the money is there, it’s there, but this smells fishy. --- ## [Name for this avian behavior? (foregoing elimination overnight)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-for-this-avian-behavior-foregoing-elimination-overnight/742492)
**Author:** [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2016, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-for-this-avian-behavior-foregoing-elimination-overnight/742492 "2016-01-18T22:57:34Z")
We have an African Grey Parrot. Rocco has many interesting behaviors, one of which involves not eliminating overnight. When I take him out of his cage for breakfast he dumps a huge load. I assume that in the wild this… --- ## [What are the + signs on moon pictures?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-signs-on-moon-pictures/743340)
**Author:** [@Shinna\_Minna\_Ma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shinna_Minna_Ma)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2016, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-signs-on-moon-pictures/743340 "2016-01-18T22:15:39Z")
Why are there + signs all over the pictures of the various astronauts walking on the moon? --- ## [Law: racism as a disability?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/law-racism-as-a-disability/743418)
**Author:** [@WF\_Tomba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WF_Tomba)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2016, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/law-racism-as-a-disability/743418 "2016-01-18T21:40:28Z")
Has anyone ever tried to argue that their pathological fear of black people is a psychiatric condition, and demanded accommodation from employers, restaurants, etc.? --- ## [Call Center Telemarketers in PHOENIX AZ area- How much do you make?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/call-center-telemarketers-in-phoenix-az-area-how-much-do-you-make/743519)
**Author:** [@jenlatta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jenlatta)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2016, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/call-center-telemarketers-in-phoenix-az-area-how-much-do-you-make/743519 "2016-01-18T21:11:24Z")
We are trying to figure out what telemarketing/lead generation callers in the Phoenix area actually make. We’ve gathered salary reports from several paid databases but they are all over the map and I would really like fe… --- ## [Is SAAB About To Rise From The Grave?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-saab-about-to-rise-from-the-grave/743501)
**Author:** [@botsgotme](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/botsgotme)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2016, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-saab-about-to-rise-from-the-grave/743501 "2016-01-18T20:32:56Z")
I heard that the Chinese Dongfeng Automotive group is prepared to invest upwards of $500 million, to restart the Saab Plant in Trolhattan, Sweden. presumably, the new models would be electric vehicles for export. Is the … --- ## [Question about my new Apple iMac](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-my-new-apple-imac/743513)
**Author:** [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2016, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-my-new-apple-imac/743513 "2016-01-18T19:19:43Z")
Sorry the title can’t be more specific. I bought my iMac 27 in December after folks in another thread helped me make the decision. I’m really liking it, but I’m having one minor and annoying problem. I had to download A… --- ## [Famous Door, New Orleans. WTF is with the Popemobile drum set?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-door-new-orleans-wtf-is-with-the-popemobile-drum-set/742139)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2016, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-door-new-orleans-wtf-is-with-the-popemobile-drum-set/742139 "2016-01-18T18:53:15Z")
I spent the the last 5 days down in New Orleans for New Years Eve holiday. At the Famous Door the drum location has an odd Plexiglas wall around it. It’s a permanent fixture so it’s there regardless of who’s playing. He… --- ## [Why can't under 18s who are EU citizens use automatic gates at European airports?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-under-18s-who-are-eu-citizens-use-automatic-gates-at-european-airports/743334)
**Author:** [@GlowingDarkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GlowingDarkness)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2016, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-under-18s-who-are-eu-citizens-use-automatic-gates-at-european-airports/743334 "2016-01-18T18:29:26Z")
I heard from friend of mine who was travelling with her son to Los Angeles from London transiting through Amsterdam that she wanted to go outside the airport and take her son to see the city. Their transit time was 5 hou… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=966) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=968)