# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=981 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 982 --- ## [Terminology- "Assault Rifle"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terminology-assault-rifle/741287)
**Author:** [@SanDiegoTim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanDiegoTim)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2015, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terminology-assault-rifle/741287 "2015-12-26T14:48:30Z")
I’ve read the term “Assault Rifle” has its roots in the California legislature, circa 1980s, when gun control supporters were looking for a way to ban semi-automatic rifles. Is this verifiable? --- ## [Cracked lips from wine?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cracked-lips-from-wine/741384)
**Author:** [@Torontonian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Torontonian)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2015, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cracked-lips-from-wine/741384 "2015-12-26T14:16:39Z")
ever got your lips cracked and peeling off in large pieces? after wine painted lips purple --- ## [Military training for conscientious objectors](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-training-for-conscientious-objectors/741379)
**Author:** [@Donnerwetter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Donnerwetter)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2015, 10:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-training-for-conscientious-objectors/741379 "2015-12-26T10:46:16Z")
I was reading about two American soldiers\[1\]\[2\] who served as medics in the US Army during the Vietnam war. Both were conscientious objectors and both received the Medal of Honor posthumously. I wonder what their initia… --- ## [Best solutions for female moustaches?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-solutions-for-female-moustaches/741366)
**Author:** [@JohnClay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnClay)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2015, 9:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-solutions-for-female-moustaches/741366 "2015-12-26T09:45:08Z")
My wife thinks that trying to get rid of it would make it come back worse. I think shaving would do that but not waxing or plucking. --- ## [SpaceX Falcon 9](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spacex-falcon-9/741161)
**Author:** [@Rune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rune)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2015, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spacex-falcon-9/741161 "2015-12-26T06:38:18Z")
Falcon 9 just managed to land the first rocket stage back on earth after a trip to space. Supposedly it’s a game changer in how it’ll make putting stuff in space so much cheaper. How much of this acomplishment made poss… --- ## [Military Dopers: Night-vision goggles](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-dopers-night-vision-goggles/741223)
**Author:** [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2015, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-dopers-night-vision-goggles/741223 "2015-12-26T06:11:11Z")
Okay, first of all, I have no experience in the military, modern or otherwise. Second, my only knowledge of night-vision goggles is based upon what I’ve seen in movies and TV shows. Third, I realize that Hollywood doesn’… --- ## [Beforehand Knowledge of an Element's Properties](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beforehand-knowledge-of-an-elements-properties/741231)
**Author:** [@whc.03grady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whc.03grady)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2015, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beforehand-knowledge-of-an-elements-properties/741231 "2015-12-26T05:44:23Z")
Pretend that we never discovered, say, Calcium, but had figured out the rest of the Periodic Table. We’d realize there was an undiscovered element fitting in at #20. Would we be able to figure out, based only on the know… --- ## [Google Play Cast to TV: How To Get My TV to "Accept" What I'm Casting?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-play-cast-to-tv-how-to-get-my-tv-to-accept-what-im-casting/741333)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2015, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-play-cast-to-tv-how-to-get-my-tv-to-accept-what-im-casting/741333 "2015-12-26T03:17:15Z")
For Christmas I got a (cheap) tablet that uses the Google ios (or whatever it’s called). Apparently I can watch a movie on it and “send” it to my TV. I don’t understand how to get my TV to “accept” (for lack of a better … --- ## [How old is the meat in canned soups?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-old-is-the-meat-in-canned-soups/741275)
**Author:** [@Willcross](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Willcross)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2015, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-old-is-the-meat-in-canned-soups/741275 "2015-12-26T00:57:59Z")
While eating a can of “Campbell’s chunky sirloin burger soup” I had a semi morbid thought. Since these type of foods can last a very long time, how long ago on average did this cow die? This is assuming a new can I bough… --- ## [Sleeping bats](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleeping-bats/737957)
**Author:** [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2015, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleeping-bats/737957 "2015-12-25T23:34:07Z")
Hello Everyone, This might be the dumbest question ever asked here, but here we go. Tonight I was at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and we saw their bat display. I was looking at this one bat (who looked suspiciously like m… --- ## [What is the warmest temperature that can cause death by hypothermia](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-warmest-temperature-that-can-cause-death-by-hypothermia/741350)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2015, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-warmest-temperature-that-can-cause-death-by-hypothermia/741350 "2015-12-25T22:34:46Z")
Assuming the person is naked with no clothing in various situations and also assuming no time constraints: No wind Severe wind In water What are the max temps? I’m going to assume in water, since water transfers heat… --- ## [Is the US President allowed to share classified information with his spouse?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-us-president-allowed-to-share-classified-information-with-his-spouse/741266)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2015, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-us-president-allowed-to-share-classified-information-with-his-spouse/741266 "2015-12-25T21:05:15Z")
In a typical married couple, people talk about their work day with their spouse. When the President is relaxing after a long day in the Oval Office, what is he/she allowed to share with his/her spouse about his day? No… --- ## [insurance copay vs. deductible](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insurance-copay-vs-deductible/741269)
**Author:** [@GreenElf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenElf)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2015, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insurance-copay-vs-deductible/741269 "2015-12-25T18:30:57Z")
I know this is a real basic question, but I haven’t shopped for health insurance before as it’s been provided by my employers in the past. My question is do you pay a copay before you’ve reached your deductible amount. … --- ## [What did the German 'man in the street' see as evidence of Hitler's amazing military genius?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-the-german-man-in-the-street-see-as-evidence-of-hitlers-amazing-military-genius/741063)
**Author:** [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2015, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-the-german-man-in-the-street-see-as-evidence-of-hitlers-amazing-military-genius/741063 "2015-12-25T17:47:26Z")
Even in the last days of WWII, as Allied troops and tanks flooded into das Reich from all sides, and even as Berlin itself lay in flaming ruins, many Germans continued to support Hitler - to believe in him. Or so I’ve re… --- ## [Why is it desirable to land a used rocket (Bezos/Musk)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-desirable-to-land-a-used-rocket-bezos-musk/738427)
**Author:** [@Dingbang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dingbang)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2015, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-desirable-to-land-a-used-rocket-bezos-musk/738427 "2015-12-25T15:19:58Z")
I don’t understand why it is preferable and more economical to land a used rocket upright instead of having it parachute down to water or land. (Bezos accomplished it yesterday.) I know zilch about rocket engineering, b… --- ## [What powers does the British monarch have in Commonwealth countries](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-powers-does-the-british-monarch-have-in-commonwealth-countries/740539)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2015, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-powers-does-the-british-monarch-have-in-commonwealth-countries/740539 "2015-12-25T13:43:38Z")
Specifically, what powers does the British Monarch have in these nations? Does the Queen have veto power over potential canadian laws? Can Australians be knighted? --- ## [When Did Election Campaign Parades Cease Rolling Giant Balls?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-election-campaign-parades-cease-rolling-giant-balls/741243)
**Author:** [@botsgotme](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/botsgotme)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2015, 9:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-election-campaign-parades-cease-rolling-giant-balls/741243 "2015-12-25T09:51:23Z")
During the 1840s, campaign parades would feature a huge ball, which was covered with campaign slogans. This practice was the origin of the expression “get the ball rolling”. When did the practice finally die out? Could … --- ## [Most efficient use of land for growing food?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-efficient-use-of-land-for-growing-food/595836)
**Author:** [@Darth\_Ayebaw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Ayebaw)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2015, 9:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-efficient-use-of-land-for-growing-food/595836 "2015-12-25T09:41:46Z")
I’m arguing with someone about using land to grow animals, or grow plants. Eventually he decided to pull out some hard figures: Idk man, so if I had a 5x5 foot chicken coup I could house about a 10 chickens comfortably,… --- ## [Chinese translation question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chinese-translation-question/741283)
**Author:** [@Greg\_Charles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greg_Charles)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2015, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chinese-translation-question/741283 "2015-12-25T05:09:26Z")
I was eating at a Chinese/Vietnamese soup place yesterday and trying to puzzle out the meaning of its name. In Vietnamese, it’s Tim Ký Mì Gia. The Mì Gia part just means noodle house, so that’s not a problem, but the com… --- ## [London cab drivers 'The Knowledge' exam?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-cab-drivers-the-knowledge-exam/741225)
**Author:** [@Hail\_Ants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hail_Ants)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2015, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-cab-drivers-the-knowledge-exam/741225 "2015-12-25T03:12:00Z")
I’ve know about this legendary test since sometime in the early 80s when PBS ran a BBC miniseries about it. I get why it’s so difficult, London being such an incredibly old city that its streets are a nightmarish, consta… --- ## [How much can an M4 Sherman...tow?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-can-an-m4-sherman-tow/741166)
**Author:** [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2015, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-can-an-m4-sherman-tow/741166 "2015-12-25T02:42:56Z")
'Little bit of an odd question, but my reference materials are failing me. How heavy a load is/was an M4 Sherman tank capable of towing? Let’s say an…M4A3, for the purposes of the question, and not a dedicated recovery o… --- ## [Changing citizenship back to a previously renounced one](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changing-citizenship-back-to-a-previously-renounced-one/740752)
**Author:** [@glowacks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glowacks)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2015, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changing-citizenship-back-to-a-previously-renounced-one/740752 "2015-12-25T02:35:58Z")
Circumstances can change in a person’s life such that one may want to return to being a citizen of a country from which one has previously renounced citizenship. You may decide at 18 that you don’t think you want to hav… --- ## [controlling tooth damage from vomiting](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controlling-tooth-damage-from-vomiting/741268)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2015, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controlling-tooth-damage-from-vomiting/741268 "2015-12-25T00:54:22Z")
Vomiting is understood to damage teeth. But how bad is the damage if I brush my teeth within a few minutes after vomiting? Is the vast majority of the damage done within a few seconds/minutes (before I could conceivabl… --- ## [How likely is an inner ear infection to become meningitis?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-an-inner-ear-infection-to-become-meningitis/741285)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2015, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-an-inner-ear-infection-to-become-meningitis/741285 "2015-12-24T23:58:03Z")
That is, if untreated - does it just go to the brain? --- ## [How many and what kind of Office 365 subscriptions do I need?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-and-what-kind-of-office-365-subscriptions-do-i-need/741255)
**Author:** [@Mdcastle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mdcastle)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2015, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-and-what-kind-of-office-365-subscriptions-do-i-need/741255 "2015-12-24T23:47:08Z")
OK, I understand that licensing is done on a per user bases. So with up to 5 installations per user theoretically one subscription would work. But my mother wants to be sure everything is done legally, so here’s a list o… --- ## [Help me stop Facebook autocomplete!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-stop-facebook-autocomplete/734498)
**Author:** [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2015, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-stop-facebook-autocomplete/734498 "2015-12-24T23:01:09Z")
So, does Facebook not realize that some of us might like to post a quote, and that the person we’re quoting might happen to share a first or last name with somebody on our Friends list? I just, for fun, quoted Foul Ole … --- ## [Dinosaur colours](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dinosaur-colours/741190)
**Author:** [@bomberswarm2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bomberswarm2)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2015, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dinosaur-colours/741190 "2015-12-24T21:29:34Z")
When we see pictures of dinosaurs, they are usually some color. How do scientists know the skin colour of a creature that’s been extinct for 60 million years? surely no skin has survived anywhere near long enough to be … --- ## [Did Cannonballs explode? I saw that old thread btw...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-cannonballs-explode-i-saw-that-old-thread-btw/741257)
**Author:** [@DrWatson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrWatson)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2015, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-cannonballs-explode-i-saw-that-old-thread-btw/741257 "2015-12-24T20:23:57Z")
I was wondering if exploding cannon balls were used specifically during the First Barbary Wars. Does anyone know? Thanks in advance. --- ## [fog at airports](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fog-at-airports/741168)
**Author:** [@stosh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stosh)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2015, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fog-at-airports/741168 "2015-12-24T19:00:23Z")
Today is foggy and a lot of the airports in this area have delays because of it. Is this really a problem in this day,with radar and other landing aids, or is this a case of safety first ? --- ## [Before WWII, what was WWI known as in non-English-speaking countries?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/before-wwii-what-was-wwi-known-as-in-non-english-speaking-countries/741220)
**Author:** [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2015, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/before-wwii-what-was-wwi-known-as-in-non-english-speaking-countries/741220 "2015-12-24T17:00:19Z")
In English-speaking countries between 1919 and 1939, it seems as if “The Great War” and “The War to End All Wars” were the most common phrases used to denote what we now know as World War I. During that same interval, wh… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=980) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=982)