# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=999 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1000 --- ## [What Energy Source Was Tesla Trying to Tap?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-energy-source-was-tesla-trying-to-tap/738186)
**Author:** [@botsgotme](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/botsgotme)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2015, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-energy-source-was-tesla-trying-to-tap/738186 "2015-11-26T00:35:01Z")
In reading about Tesla, he made many references to the enormous, free energy source ion the earth’s magnetic field. However, this field is very weak-indeed, Michael Faraday tried to detect the currents induced by the fie… --- ## [Help with old timey phrase.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-old-timey-phrase/738361)
**Author:** [@Elrikk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elrikk)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2015, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-old-timey-phrase/738361 "2015-11-25T21:17:43Z")
I am a big fan of W.C. Fields and was recently watching “You’re telling me” (1934) on YouTube. Around (45:34) Sam Brisbee (Fields), speaking to Princess Lescaboura, mutters the phrase “She rolls off my knife” about the … --- ## [Why do birds have beaks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-birds-have-beaks/558788)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2015, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-birds-have-beaks/558788 "2015-11-25T20:32:03Z")
From what I understand, birds evolvd from small dinosaurs that were probably already covered in feathers. But from (artists’ impressions) pictures of Archaeopteryx (one of the first “birds”, I believe), its head looked … --- ## [If a lawyer is acting like a complete disgrace in court...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-lawyer-is-acting-like-a-complete-disgrace-in-court/738549)
**Author:** [@bomberswarm2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bomberswarm2)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2015, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-lawyer-is-acting-like-a-complete-disgrace-in-court/738549 "2015-11-25T20:12:46Z")
… like acting all happy because the only witness in the prosecution’s case is dead, can the Judge suspend the lawyer or have him dis-barred permanently? --- ## [Save Gas By Driving Around Hills?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/save-gas-by-driving-around-hills/738550)
**Author:** [@UncleFred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleFred)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2015, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/save-gas-by-driving-around-hills/738550 "2015-11-25T19:05:33Z")
Every weekday I head out and back and have two ways to go. I can drive 2.7 Miles and go over a hill of elevation about 150 feet, or I can drive 3.5 miles to go around the hill and stay on level ground. But which uses l… --- ## [Seeking help with SSD and Windows](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-help-with-ssd-and-windows/738447)
**Author:** [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2015, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-help-with-ssd-and-windows/738447 "2015-11-25T18:41:47Z")
I recently got a Samsung 850 EVO SSD. I’m running Windows 7 which is installed on an HDD. I have no other drives in my computer. My copy of Windows 7 was installed by the company that sold the PC and has been validated. … --- ## [In the U.S., what makes a treaty a treaty?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-u-s-what-makes-a-treaty-a-treaty/729553)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2015, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-u-s-what-makes-a-treaty-a-treaty/729553 "2015-11-25T18:22:23Z")
See subject. Obviously in play vis-a-vis Iran now. --- ## [What is the Resonance Frequency of the Golden Gate Bridge?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-resonance-frequency-of-the-golden-gate-bridge/738430)
**Author:** [@botsgotme](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/botsgotme)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2015, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-resonance-frequency-of-the-golden-gate-bridge/738430 "2015-11-25T15:38:17Z")
I would assume that the bridge does have a “natural frequency”-at which it would vibrate. Has it ever been observed? and, could the bridge fail due to undamped oscillation? --- ## [Who's the guy who went and named all the groups of animals?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-guy-who-went-and-named-all-the-groups-of-animals/738120)
**Author:** [@Cardboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardboard)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2015, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-guy-who-went-and-named-all-the-groups-of-animals/738120 "2015-11-25T14:47:21Z")
Who decided to call a group of rats a “mischief” and a group of crows a “murder,” for example? --- ## [alternatives to slack](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternatives-to-slack/738523)
**Author:** [@carlowplayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carlowplayer)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2015, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternatives-to-slack/738523 "2015-11-25T11:27:29Z")
anyone able to recommend any sites similar to slack but are more public ie you can publicly display work youve done on slack. Otherwise you know any blog sites where i can organize over 50 files of work into folders and… --- ## [Is there such a thing as a polarized to non-polarized adapter?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-such-a-thing-as-a-polarized-to-non-polarized-adapter/738406)
**Author:** [@lithrawind\_gmail.com](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lithrawind_gmail.com)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2015, 7:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-such-a-thing-as-a-polarized-to-non-polarized-adapter/738406 "2015-11-25T07:16:54Z")
Because if there is, I can’t find it ANYWHERE. My house is old enough that several of the outlets are non-polarized and I can’t find ANY adapters ANYWHERE with male non-polarized plugs. Anybody know where I can get such … --- ## [How does anti-personnel artillery work](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-anti-personnel-artillery-work/738401)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2015, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-anti-personnel-artillery-work/738401 "2015-11-25T05:05:42Z")
Do they use shrapnel shells, or does the percussion of the shell impacting alone cause physical trauma? Is grapeshot (I think that is what they called it in Napoleon’s days) still a thing? --- ## [Do Military/Police K-9 Corps Dogs Get To Retire on Pensions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-military-police-k-9-corps-dogs-get-to-retire-on-pensions/738458)
**Author:** [@botsgotme](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/botsgotme)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2015, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-military-police-k-9-corps-dogs-get-to-retire-on-pensions/738458 "2015-11-25T04:47:53Z")
After serving in the military or police, do retired K-9 dogs get pensions? and, can you adopt a retired police dog? --- ## [Weightlifting question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weightlifting-question/738491)
**Author:** [@Mrdeals](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrdeals)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2015, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weightlifting-question/738491 "2015-11-25T04:06:21Z")
Physiologically speaking, is lifting 100lbs the same as lifting 20lbs 5 times? Is one more stressful on muscles than another. If I wanted to get Brock Lesnar huge, should I dead lift a car or curl bags of groceries a m… --- ## [Are ISIS Terrorists/Comabatants Covered Under the Geneva Convention?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-isis-terrorists-comabatants-covered-under-the-geneva-convention/738444)
**Author:** [@botsgotme](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/botsgotme)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2015, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-isis-terrorists-comabatants-covered-under-the-geneva-convention/738444 "2015-11-25T00:29:36Z")
Since they are not a national military, and wear no uniforms, I would say no. Does this mean that they can be legitimately destroyed, using poison gas or biological agents? Also, since they wear no uniforms, can they b… --- ## [Adding a printer to a network.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adding-a-printer-to-a-network/737808)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2015, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adding-a-printer-to-a-network/737808 "2015-11-25T00:24:55Z")
A second pair of drops has been wired in my classroom so I am using that for my computer and printer. The printer used to be wired directly to my computer via the ethernet port and I used wifi for network connectivity b… --- ## [What do freemasons do, exactly?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-freemasons-do-exactly/738268)
**Author:** [@Cardboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardboard)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2015, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-freemasons-do-exactly/738268 "2015-11-24T23:24:28Z")
We’re always being told about this ‘mysterious’ group, but they are not that secretive. I mean, there are masonic lodges out in the open. But what do their members do, exactly? Do they sit around tables and discuss phil… --- ## [What does "the Big Bang happened everywhere" mean?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-big-bang-happened-everywhere-mean/738443)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2015, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-big-bang-happened-everywhere-mean/738443 "2015-11-24T21:46:16Z")
I was listening to a YouTube video the other day about the Big Bang and it mentioned that it happened everywhere. I have heard that before, but I don’t understand it. --- ## [Why can't ISIL/ISIS get a dirty bomb?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-isil-isis-get-a-dirty-bomb/737710)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2015, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-isil-isis-get-a-dirty-bomb/737710 "2015-11-24T21:14:26Z")
MODS: I’m not trying to find out how to make a dirty bomb, since that would be illegal. This question may be more IMHO territory without a factual answer. The recent coordinated attacks in Paris leads me to think that i… --- ## [Are women safer drivers than men?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-women-safer-drivers-than-men/738319)
**Author:** [@subspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/subspace)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2015, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-women-safer-drivers-than-men/738319 "2015-11-24T20:13:14Z")
It seems generally accepted that women are safer drivers than men because on average they have fewer road traffic accidents than men. The problem with this conclusion is it fails to take into account that men tend to dri… --- ## ["Back Alley" Abortion Question: Soapy Water (Not for the Sqeemish)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-alley-abortion-question-soapy-water-not-for-the-sqeemish/281579)
**Author:** [@bienville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bienville)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2015, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-alley-abortion-question-soapy-water-not-for-the-sqeemish/281579 "2015-11-24T19:22:34Z")
I just saw this movie about an abortionist operating before abortion was legal. The method used to induce miscarriage was to pump soapy water with disinfectant into the woman’s body via a rubber syringe (I don’t know if… --- ## [Gambling Winnings / Tax Question - Experts Needed!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gambling-winnings-tax-question-experts-needed/738448)
**Author:** [@ILoveGambling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ILoveGambling)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2015, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gambling-winnings-tax-question-experts-needed/738448 "2015-11-24T18:38:21Z")
Hi, I won over 200k this summer playing poker. When tax season comes, the IRS is going to want their share. I know their is a form for backers/stakers… but my question is Do I simply just get the forms… and send them… --- ## [Is tap water really bad for your health?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-tap-water-really-bad-for-your-health/738368)
**Author:** [@Johnny1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny1)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2015, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-tap-water-really-bad-for-your-health/738368 "2015-11-24T18:29:02Z")
So ive been obsessing over this for quite some time and its way beyond me still Is tap water bad for you? Fluoride, chlorine and all that junk in the pipe system? Ive read some really horrible things about these chemic… --- ## [New car sales - who makes how much?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-car-sales-who-makes-how-much/551215)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2015, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-car-sales-who-makes-how-much/551215 "2015-11-24T17:00:36Z")
Last week my wife bought a new car. And as we were haggling over countless minutiae, I wondered exactly who stood to benefit how much from whether or not they knocked the price down a hundred bucks, or tossed in some fl… --- ## [Is it acceptable to use the English phrase “as such” like a synonym of “therefore”?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-acceptable-to-use-the-english-phrase-as-such-like-a-synonym-of-therefore/738403)
**Author:** [@Melia\_Antiqua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melia_Antiqua)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2015, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-acceptable-to-use-the-english-phrase-as-such-like-a-synonym-of-therefore/738403 "2015-11-24T16:41:38Z")
\>\>\> Tree slugs have an annoying knack of disrupting spellcasting with their secretions. As such, you’d do well to keep the creatures away from any mages in your party. \<\<\< I thought that the use of “as such” is justifie… --- ## [What's the difference between a good hand plane and a bad one?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-a-good-hand-plane-and-a-bad-one/738366)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2015, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-a-good-hand-plane-and-a-bad-one/738366 "2015-11-24T16:38:29Z")
And what defects can you cure on your own? Thanks, Rob --- ## [Clinical trials that show squeezing a ball reduces blood pressure](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinical-trials-that-show-squeezing-a-ball-reduces-blood-pressure/738355)
**Author:** [@D18](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D18)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2015, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinical-trials-that-show-squeezing-a-ball-reduces-blood-pressure/738355 "2015-11-24T15:41:31Z")
I can find copious health sites that cite (heh) the fact that squeezing a ball reduces blood pressure, but my Google-fu is failing me, and I can’t actually find the trials/experiments that demonstrated this. Does anyone… --- ## [What the hell? (Turkey downing Russian jet)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-turkey-downing-russian-jet/738423)
**Author:** [@The\_Librarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Librarian)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2015, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-turkey-downing-russian-jet/738423 "2015-11-24T15:13:49Z")
What the hell is going on? Have the Turks lost their mind? Has Putin lost his? I thought they were all bombing Syria, what’s a couple moment of navigational confusion between friends? Isn’t shooting down planes a BIG… --- ## [Is the underlying data accessible for this pew research report?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-underlying-data-accessible-for-this-pew-research-report/738420)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2015, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-underlying-data-accessible-for-this-pew-research-report/738420 "2015-11-24T14:05:29Z")
I want to know about the demographic breakdown within the Millennial generation w.r.t how people answer the question about whether gov’t should be allowed to prevent people from saying things offensive to minorities. I… --- ## [Were Sarmatians ever posted by the Romans in Britain? Did they contribute to the Arthurian legend?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-sarmatians-ever-posted-by-the-romans-in-britain-did-they-contribute-to-the-arthurian-legend/738174)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2015, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-sarmatians-ever-posted-by-the-romans-in-britain-did-they-contribute-to-the-arthurian-legend/738174 "2015-11-24T13:45:54Z")
Hi I would like to fact-check the Sarmatian connection with Arthurian legend. Quite a few websites state that Sarmatians were posted in Roman Britain, hence Sarmatian contribution to the Arthurian legend. I look forward… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=998) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1000)