# Small questions you have but don't want to clutter up GQ with. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 22, 2005, 7:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-questions-you-have-but-dont-want-to-clutter-up-gq-with/336775 "2005-12-22T07:53:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2006, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-questions-you-have-but-dont-want-to-clutter-up-gq-with/336775/41 "2006-01-04T16:12:49Z")
> [@](#): > > I am trying to save up money for college right now. Carpentry seems to pay the best for me, and you have to have your own transportation- > > yesterday, i was sitting idle at a light and suddenly my jeep 95 wrangler 4cy 5 spd vehicle stalled- i tried to start again- the engine would turn over but wouldnt start…i sat for 10 minutes and then it started right up > > What might have caused this? Should I be worried about it breaking down soon? Does it sound like it is just about to turn over , like just about to catch or is near flatlined ( all gadgets and doo hickeys?) ---
**Author:** ![aurelian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f4b2a3/32.png) [@aurelian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aurelian)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2006, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-questions-you-have-but-dont-want-to-clutter-up-gq-with/336775/42 "2006-01-04T18:05:55Z")
How do blind people know where the Braille is? I’ve seen large blocks of Braille on an ATM, or on signs, but how do they find it in the first place? Why is the underside of my pillow cool? Why does my cat curl her tail when I pet her back? Why does my cat like to lick my hands and arms so much? Not that I ever would, but what would happen if I _really_ downshifted, like to second when in fifth? Why does my car have a button that makes the cruise control operable, and then a button to actually use/ set the cruise control? Is there any way to make my lousy low-flush toilet better perform its duties (other than tossing it out the window)? ---
**Author:** ![Governor\_Quinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@Governor\_Quinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Governor_Quinn)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2006, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-questions-you-have-but-dont-want-to-clutter-up-gq-with/336775/43 "2006-01-04T18:13:57Z")
Where can I buy a first-class spittoon? Whatever became of that long obit of Albany political boss Dan O’Connell that I once found online, but haven’t been able to find since? What did the BBC do with its Apollo 11 coverage? ---
**Author:** ![audiobottle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bc8723/32.png) [@audiobottle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/audiobottle)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2006, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-questions-you-have-but-dont-want-to-clutter-up-gq-with/336775/44 "2006-01-04T19:46:03Z")
> [@aurelian](#): > > Why is the underside of my pillow cool? You know, I asked the Great Master this very question years ago, before I even joined this board, and I never got a response. I still keep hoping though… ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2006, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-questions-you-have-but-dont-want-to-clutter-up-gq-with/336775/45 "2006-01-04T19:57:28Z")
> [@aurelian](#): > > Why does my car have a button that makes the cruise control operable, and then a button to actually use/ set the cruise control? Mine to, annoying extra buttons bug me. My car also has the additional annoyance of, once you set the cruise speed, it coasts down by about 5 mph before the cruise kicks in, then it slowly accelerates back up to the cruise speed setting. I can’t imagine why that “feature” behavior could be useful. Every other car I’ve driven has the cruise kick in right where you want it. ---
**Author:** ![SSG\_Schwartz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@SSG\_Schwartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SSG_Schwartz)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2006, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-questions-you-have-but-dont-want-to-clutter-up-gq-with/336775/46 "2006-01-04T20:16:30Z")
How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie roll pop? ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2006, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-questions-you-have-but-dont-want-to-clutter-up-gq-with/336775/47 "2006-01-04T20:45:57Z")
> [@Sgt Schwartz](#): > > How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie roll pop? The world will never know. ---
**Author:** ![Sternvogel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc79bd/32.png) [@Sternvogel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sternvogel)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2006, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-questions-you-have-but-dont-want-to-clutter-up-gq-with/336775/48 "2006-01-04T21:07:08Z")
> [@Idle Thoughts](#): > > Why is the American flag called “Old Glory”? The name was originally bestowed by Captain William Driver upon a specific flag he owned. The story involves the mutiny on the _Bounty_ and the Civil War. [Read it here.](http://www.usflag.org/history/oldglorystory.html) ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2006, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-questions-you-have-but-dont-want-to-clutter-up-gq-with/336775/49 "2006-01-04T21:10:43Z")
Have you guys read GQ? There is no question too small for that forum. That’s one of the great things about it. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2006, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-questions-you-have-but-dont-want-to-clutter-up-gq-with/336775/50 "2006-01-04T21:56:29Z")
> [@Sgt Schwartz](#): > > How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie roll pop? Hit it one solid lick with a 16 ounce hammer, and you’re there. ---
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2006, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-questions-you-have-but-dont-want-to-clutter-up-gq-with/336775/51 "2006-01-05T03:39:04Z")
> [@aurelian](#): > > Not that I ever would, but what would happen if I _really_ downshifted, like to second when in fifth? As a veteran of this manuever, I can tell you it’s not fun. Your engine revs _way_ up, you slow down like you’d stomped on the brakes, and then your instinct for self-presevation (or at least preservation of your wallet) kicks in and you stomp on the clutch. In my case, the whole thing took about a half a second. If anyone else had the guts to stick it out, I’d be interested to know what happens. ---
**Author:** ![TJdude825](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dec6dc/32.png) [@TJdude825](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TJdude825)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2006, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-questions-you-have-but-dont-want-to-clutter-up-gq-with/336775/52 "2006-01-05T05:18:29Z")
> [@Casey1505](#): > > Can it be too cold for fire to burn? IANA person qualified to answer this, but my guess would be, if you can get the fire started, the heat generated by the fire will keep it burning as long as there is sufficient fuel and oxygen. > [@aurelian](#): > > Why does my car have a button that makes the cruise control operable, and then a button to actually use/ set the cruise control? It makes it just slightly harder to use, lessening the chances of turning it on by accident? Maybe? > [@Governor Quinn](#): > > Where can I buy a first-class spittoon? eBay, probably. My question: In a certain recent movie (even saying which one would be a bit of a spoiler) character A discovers that character B, who A hasn’t seen for quite a while, is dead, because a piece of mail that A sent to B has been returned, and stamped with word “DECEASED.” It’s a fairly shocking moment for A. Is this what the post office does in real life, or would the letter be delivered to his wife/neighbors/relatives so that they could send a letter to A and break the news more gently? ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2006, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-questions-you-have-but-dont-want-to-clutter-up-gq-with/336775/53 "2006-01-05T13:05:55Z")
> [@aurelian](#): > > Why does my cat like to lick my hands and arms so much? Mine does this too. I think they assume that you petting them is a grooming behavior, and they’re helping you along by moistening your hands. ---
**Author:** ![SSG\_Schwartz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@SSG\_Schwartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SSG_Schwartz)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2006, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-questions-you-have-but-dont-want-to-clutter-up-gq-with/336775/54 "2006-01-05T17:53:56Z")
> [@TJdude825](#): > > My question: > > In a certain recent movie (even saying which one would be a bit of a spoiler) character A discovers that character B, who A hasn’t seen for quite a while, is dead, because a piece of mail that A sent to B has been returned, and stamped with word “DECEASED.” It’s a fairly shocking moment for A. Is this what the post office does in real life, or would the letter be delivered to his wife/neighbors/relatives so that they could send a letter to A and break the news more gently? No, it gets sent to the **dead letter office** I crack me up sometimes. Actually, in the military post office, it would be collected and returned with the person’s effects. Therefore, the next of kin would get all the undeliverable mail. I’m not sure, but I would think that the post office, knowing the person was dead (how would they know, reading the obits?) would forward the mail to whomever was designated to recieve it. My question is this: How come musicians are the predominant plane crash victims? Don’t sports teams, especially baseball teams fly as often, if not more than musicians, and if so, how come an entire sports team has never gone down at one time? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Scrivener](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@The\_Scrivener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Scrivener)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2006, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-questions-you-have-but-dont-want-to-clutter-up-gq-with/336775/55 "2006-01-05T18:00:15Z")
Does an unpilled sweater continue to grow larger and larger pills? Is it counterproductive to depill your clothes, or would they continue pilling up at the same rate even without plucking off those unsightly little balls and clumps when they’re still small? Has anybody ever scientifically studied this? ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2006, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-questions-you-have-but-dont-want-to-clutter-up-gq-with/336775/56 "2006-01-16T01:50:26Z")
I’ve got another question because someone looking at the tank brought it up again… should I worry that my goldfish are very clean? Goldfish are supposed to be notoriously messy, and these two are the cleanest fish of **any** species that I’ve ever had. The water is always crystal clear, and there’s never poop on the gravel or anywhere else. My hope is that the biofilter works really well (I fishless-cycled the tank before buying the fish two years ago) and not that they’re underfed. They look healthy, anyway, and not very thin. So should I worry or not? ---
**Author:** ![Sternvogel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc79bd/32.png) [@Sternvogel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sternvogel)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2006, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-questions-you-have-but-dont-want-to-clutter-up-gq-with/336775/57 "2006-01-16T02:47:19Z")
> [@Sgt Schwartz](#): > > how come an entire sports team has never gone down at one time? A 1970 Marshall University football team plane crash claimed the lives of all 75 people aboard, including 37 players and five coaches. A few members of the squad had not made the fateful trip because of injuries or family obligations, and those athletes formed the nucleus of the next season’s team. At the time, freshmen were not generally eligible to play varsity sports at the NCAA level, but [an exception was made](http://webpages.marshall.edu/~rossett1/1970/crash.html) as an acknowledgement of the hardship wrought by the tragedy. **TJdude825** : I remember my parents sending letters to several friends and relatives of my maternal grandfather in connection with Grandpa’s upcoming birthday celebration. One of the invitations (to a distant cousin) was returned unopened, with the word “Deceased” written in ink (and circled) on the envelope. I don’t know whether the notation was made by a postal employee or the addressee’s next of kin, but I do know that after my father’s sister died a few years later, I wrote “Deceased” on a few envelopes and business reply cards that had been sent to her, then mailed the items back to the originating addresses. ---
**Author:** ![Queen\_Tonya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/4491bb/32.png) [@Queen\_Tonya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Queen_Tonya)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2006, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-questions-you-have-but-dont-want-to-clutter-up-gq-with/336775/58 "2006-01-16T06:06:11Z")
Why do we have special defrosters on the rear window and not on the windscreen? ---
**Author:** ![TheLoadedDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@TheLoadedDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheLoadedDog)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2006, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-questions-you-have-but-dont-want-to-clutter-up-gq-with/336775/59 "2006-01-16T06:49:33Z")
Re the drinking through a straw thing: I’ve heard it is a purely psychological phenomenon - you equate drinks with a straw to strong liquor, but drinks you guzzle from the rim to lighter stuff like beer. I’ve also heard advice that if you are hosting a private party/wedding etc withj _x_ amouint of draft beer, you should use smaller glasses because the people will be more satisfied (and therefore ‘drunk’) at ‘how many they’ve had’. No cite, just what I’ve heard from professional caterers. ---
**Author:** ![TheLoadedDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@TheLoadedDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheLoadedDog)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2006, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-questions-you-have-but-dont-want-to-clutter-up-gq-with/336775/60 "2006-01-16T06:57:30Z")
> [@TJdude825](#): > > My question: > > In a certain recent movie (even saying which one would be a bit of a spoiler) character A discovers that character B, who A hasn’t seen for quite a while, is dead, because a piece of mail that A sent to B has been returned, and stamped with word “DECEASED.” It’s a fairly shocking moment for A. Is this what the post office does in real life, or would the letter be delivered to his wife/neighbors/relatives so that they could send a letter to A and break the news more gently? Postal worker checking in: Yep, that’s the way it is. It’s one of the hardest parts of my job being part of that cold machinery - I also feel it with unrequited love letters returned marked “REFUSED”. Both “DECEASED” and “REFUSED” along with others, are standard International Postal Union “RTS” advices (my colleagues and I often joke we should use the former on letters to Santa). I guess any close, immediate family would find out by means other than a returned letter, but it still bites when I see one of those in transit. Trouble is, it’s not up to the postal employees to say, “Look, you’d better sit down. I’ve got something to tel you…” Not when there are millions of letters coming through. Doesn’t mean we enjoy it though… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-questions-you-have-but-dont-want-to-clutter-up-gq-with/336775.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-questions-you-have-but-dont-want-to-clutter-up-gq-with/336775.md?page=4)