# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=978 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 979 --- ## [Did General Pierre T. Beauregard Drink "Old Crow" Whiskey?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-general-pierre-t-beauregard-drink-old-crow-whiskey/741814)
**Author:** [@botsgotme](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/botsgotme)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2016, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-general-pierre-t-beauregard-drink-old-crow-whiskey/741814 "2016-01-01T01:45:40Z")
During the 1950s and 1960s, the Old Crow whiskey company ran magazine ads, showing famous historical persons who drank their product. I ran across such an add, featuring the famous Confederate general Beauregard. Gen. … --- ## [Does anyone own these types of properties?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-own-these-types-of-properties/741783)
**Author:** [@Mrdeals](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrdeals)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2015, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-own-these-types-of-properties/741783 "2015-12-31T22:27:34Z")
Possibly a silly question but… Do private people or companies ever own land that seems undesirable. Such as vast expanses of desert/tundra, Uninhabitable mountains, extremely remote forests (such as in Alaska or Siber… --- ## [Is "how come" used outside of the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-how-come-used-outside-of-the-us/741688)
**Author:** [@Mangosteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangosteen)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2015, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-how-come-used-outside-of-the-us/741688 "2015-12-31T21:58:06Z")
Is “how come” used outside of the US in England, Australia, NZ? And how come one has to switch the “you” and “didn’t” in this and similar questions? How come you didn’t leave? Why didn’t you leave? --- ## [Why didn't the anyone call OJ to the stand?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-didnt-the-anyone-call-oj-to-the-stand/741256)
**Author:** [@bomberswarm2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bomberswarm2)\ **Replies:** 105\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2015, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-didnt-the-anyone-call-oj-to-the-stand/741256 "2015-12-31T20:34:07Z")
OJ refused to testify in his own defense, instead making an unsworn statement from the dock. Of course, had the defense called him, he would of been destroyed in cross examination, as he had changed his story multiple ti… --- ## [Is this a blown head gasket or BCM or something else?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-blown-head-gasket-or-bcm-or-something-else/740482)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2015, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-blown-head-gasket-or-bcm-or-something-else/740482 "2015-12-31T20:33:17Z")
1999 Denali. Checked and topped off the oil 2 weeks ago because of a small leak and kept looking at the oil gauge. This morning wife tries to run the truck. After 5 minutes it started running rough - almost no power an… --- ## [Question about knife-throwing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-knife-throwing/528103)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2015, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-knife-throwing/528103 "2015-12-31T18:27:25Z")
Sometimes in the movies a thrown knife features as a murder or combat weapon. I’m wondering if that’s actually possible. A knife is not a dart or a javelin. When you throw it, it does not fly straight but tumbles end-… --- ## [Moving an obstacle off the road - is that littering?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-an-obstacle-off-the-road-is-that-littering/741829)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2015, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-an-obstacle-off-the-road-is-that-littering/741829 "2015-12-31T17:13:22Z")
This morning I crested a hill in a difficult spot and was very startled by a big box blocking much of my lane, so I pulled over and moved it off the road. It could very easily have caused a head on collision or a car rol… --- ## [Windows 10 kills my internet speed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-10-kills-my-internet-speed/741444)
**Author:** [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2015, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-10-kills-my-internet-speed/741444 "2015-12-31T16:19:37Z")
Question for the PC gurus: I have a bunch of computers running on the same WiFi network to my single broadband connection. As soon as I installed Windows 10 on my main laptop, its internet connectivity slowed way the hel… --- ## [Finding information about property](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-information-about-property/741736)
**Author:** [@cher3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cher3)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2015, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-information-about-property/741736 "2015-12-31T14:47:24Z")
My dad died somewhat unexpectedly a couple of months ago and I am trying to help my mom pick up the pieces. He was in poor health for a long time, but he actually died from a fall, so no one was really prepared. For a … --- ## [Engine Compartment Temp Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/engine-compartment-temp-question/741778)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2015, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/engine-compartment-temp-question/741778 "2015-12-31T14:40:05Z")
I have a 2010 Toyota Tundra that has a full size snow plow on it for much of the Winter season. The truck and the plow work great, but I’ve noticed something odd. The truck has a built-in thermometer that measures the ou… --- ## [Are lawyers supposed to follow a code of ethics?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-lawyers-supposed-to-follow-a-code-of-ethics/741288)
**Author:** [@bomberswarm2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bomberswarm2)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2015, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-lawyers-supposed-to-follow-a-code-of-ethics/741288 "2015-12-31T13:52:06Z")
On L&O every defense lawyer is a sleazebag, always trying to get their clients confessions thrown out, trying to get all evidence against them thrown out. I get that a lawyer is paid to do some of this, but aren’t they n… --- ## [Ammonia in a dryer machine](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ammonia-in-a-dryer-machine/741808)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2015, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ammonia-in-a-dryer-machine/741808 "2015-12-31T12:26:16Z")
Why is it that vinegar doesn’t corrode a steel and paint drum (i.e., dryer - it’s even recommended for cleaning ,) but ammonia does corrode steel and paint? Different pH? --- ## [Did Westerners Think The Soviets Were Going To Nuke The Moon?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-westerners-think-the-soviets-were-going-to-nuke-the-moon/741697)
**Author:** [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2015, 8:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-westerners-think-the-soviets-were-going-to-nuke-the-moon/741697 "2015-12-31T08:04:07Z")
Reading up on Sputnik in 1957 and I found an article (“Red Rocket To Moon”, Connacht Sentinel, Nov 5th, 1957) that claims: This was in a regional newspaper in at the time not exactly on the pulse Ireland so I am willin… --- ## ["Hillary Tolak Minta Maaf kepada Donald Trump"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-tolak-minta-maaf-kepada-donald-trump/741782)
**Author:** [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2015, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-tolak-minta-maaf-kepada-donald-trump/741782 "2015-12-31T07:38:34Z")
What in the heck is this? For the past week or so, at seemingly random intervals, MSN news homepage includes a grotesquely doctored photo of Ms. Clinton, with this caption: “Hillary Tolak Minta Maaf kepada Donald Trum… --- ## [Is this normal American food labelling/marketing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-normal-american-food-labelling-marketing/741525)
**Author:** [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2015, 7:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-normal-american-food-labelling-marketing/741525 "2015-12-31T07:34:43Z")
I bought some imported American mustard yesterday. The front label includes the following blurb: “100% natural, gluten free, zero calories”. Zero calories? Bullshit I think. So I look at the nutrition information on the … --- ## [Little sponge I found in my printer, about an inch square, and loaded with ink](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/little-sponge-i-found-in-my-printer-about-an-inch-square-and-loaded-with-ink/741159)
**Author:** [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2015, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/little-sponge-i-found-in-my-printer-about-an-inch-square-and-loaded-with-ink/741159 "2015-12-31T07:28:58Z")
Today I was trying to use my HP Photosmart C7280 printer and I kept getting error messages about a carriage jam, and this is the first tme I’ve ever had that error message. Paper jams I have seen aplenty, but never a ca… --- ## [How do tracks limit the speed of a train?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-tracks-limit-the-speed-of-a-train/741709)
**Author:** [@mandala](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mandala)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2015, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-tracks-limit-the-speed-of-a-train/741709 "2015-12-31T04:53:16Z")
I have heard that it is railway tracks, and not necessarily the locomotive and coach limitations, that usually limit speed in a particular section. Of course the physical capabilities of the loco and coach present an ab… --- ## [How did the ancients people track time accurately to know the solstice ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-the-ancients-people-track-time-accurately-to-know-the-solstice/741126)
**Author:** [@davida03801](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davida03801)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2015, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-the-ancients-people-track-time-accurately-to-know-the-solstice/741126 "2015-12-31T04:40:55Z")
I see on the newscast the last couple nights that yesterday was 1 minute more daylight than the day before, and today 1 minute and some seconds more. I know that the Winter solstice has been celebrated for thousands of… --- ## [Bank loan rates vs. investment returns](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bank-loan-rates-vs-investment-returns/741732)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2015, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bank-loan-rates-vs-investment-returns/741732 "2015-12-31T03:26:30Z")
I am looking at new cars and I could pay cash for the car. I also got a quote from my bank for a loan at 2.04% (48 months). My cash flow could support the loan payments. I am doing some analysis to see whether I should t… --- ## [If someone is clearly guilty, why would they plead not guilty?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-someone-is-clearly-guilty-why-would-they-plead-not-guilty/741284)
**Author:** [@pianodave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pianodave)\ **Replies:** 97\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2015, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-someone-is-clearly-guilty-why-would-they-plead-not-guilty/741284 "2015-12-31T02:04:17Z")
Hi SD, Recently Oliver Lee, the man who shot one person while attempting to steal an $18000 watch from a Long Island Mall, pled not guilty in his first court appearance. Why would he do this? Everyone saw him do it. … --- ## [Attn zoologists/zookeepers! Do big cats...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attn-zoologists-zookeepers-do-big-cats/741691)
**Author:** [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2015, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attn-zoologists-zookeepers-do-big-cats/741691 "2015-12-31T00:36:46Z")
…go nuts for laser pointers like the idiots that live in our houses? Related question: How much would I be hated by the staff at the zoo for conducting such experiments? --- ## [Rhythmdvl's failure to use Google maps 'search nearby'](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rhythmdvls-failure-to-use-google-maps-search-nearby/741769)
**Author:** [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2015, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rhythmdvls-failure-to-use-google-maps-search-nearby/741769 "2015-12-30T21:26:19Z")
Once upon a time I could put in an address/PoI, look at a map, then put in something like “restaurant near:address” and get a map that showed both the original starting point and the things I was interested in. Now, whe… --- ## [Is Snopes wrong? (Statistical Significance)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-snopes-wrong-statistical-significance/741487)
**Author:** [@El\_Zagna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Zagna)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2015, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-snopes-wrong-statistical-significance/741487 "2015-12-30T20:53:28Z")
Snopes addresses the Australian gun buyback program here: Australian Guns. In it they make a statement that doesn’t seem right to me: My statistics is pretty rusty, but my gut is telling me that this is incorrect. The … --- ## [Knuckle cracking: good or bad?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knuckle-cracking-good-or-bad/741705)
**Author:** [@Enola\_Gay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Gay)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2015, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knuckle-cracking-good-or-bad/741705 "2015-12-30T20:32:03Z")
I have read numerous conflicting information on knuckle cracking. It is bad and causes arthritis, instability in the joint, weakened grip strength, etc. Conversely I’ve read it is good for you. The collapse of the air … --- ## [What's the "right way" to drive a stick shift?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-right-way-to-drive-a-stick-shift/593944)
**Author:** [@typoink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/typoink)\ **Replies:** 121\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2015, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-right-way-to-drive-a-stick-shift/593944 "2015-12-30T19:54:21Z")
Note to mods: if this is better suited to IMHO, feel free to move, but I’m really seeking as close to a factual, objective answer as possible. So, I’m shopping for cars and have found a couple that are near perfect for … --- ## [FedEx question "On FedEx vehicle for delivery"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fedex-question-on-fedex-vehicle-for-delivery/587889)
**Author:** [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2011, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fedex-question-on-fedex-vehicle-for-delivery/587889 "2011-07-06T14:12:57Z")
I see that the tracking gives the status" On FedEx vehicle for delivery" at 7:49 AM. But it still says delivery by 7pm today. Does being on the vehicle mean it will be delivered sooner rather then later today? Or ano… --- ## [Means of enjoying clickbait content while avoiding clickbait torture?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/means-of-enjoying-clickbait-content-while-avoiding-clickbait-torture/741733)
**Author:** [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2015, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/means-of-enjoying-clickbait-content-while-avoiding-clickbait-torture/741733 "2015-12-30T19:18:23Z")
Click bait slideshows of varying kinds can often contain very fun and interesting images, that is why they are clickbait. But like everybody with half a brain I have lost all patience with actually clicking through the … --- ## [Without the Sun Would All Life on Earth Really End?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-the-sun-would-all-life-on-earth-really-end/741729)
**Author:** [@lalaith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lalaith)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2015, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-the-sun-would-all-life-on-earth-really-end/741729 "2015-12-30T18:51:22Z")
It’s a frequently stated fact that without the sun (meaning the light and heat from the sun\*) all life on Earth would end. But I wonder, would it really? I tried Googling it. Apparently the surface of the Earth would e… --- ## [Organic Material in Meteorites/Outer Solar System](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/organic-material-in-meteorites-outer-solar-system/741723)
**Author:** [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2015, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/organic-material-in-meteorites-outer-solar-system/741723 "2015-12-30T18:38:18Z")
Have we yet to examine enough Meteorites (and found no organic material) to determine that there is no life in our solar system beyond the planet earth? (Well, maybe it could be on other planets/moons). How many Mars ro… --- ## [Driving, weather, and dew point. Strange occurrence.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-weather-and-dew-point-strange-occurrence/741658)
**Author:** [@somepumpkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/somepumpkin)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2015, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-weather-and-dew-point-strange-occurrence/741658 "2015-12-30T18:26:05Z")
I was driving to work this morning and experienced a strange phenomenon. While barreling down the toll road at ~74mph, the windows on my car fogged-up to 0-visibility levels. All the outside surfaces, including the mirro… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=977) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=979)