# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=107 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 108 --- ## [cigarette smoking vs. tanning - Severe flaw in statistics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cigarette-smoking-vs-tanning-severe-flaw-in-statistics/493624)
**Author:** [@cybrbeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cybrbeast)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2009, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cigarette-smoking-vs-tanning-severe-flaw-in-statistics/493624 "2009-04-20T21:44:57Z")
Dear Cecil, in the article you mention the increases in cancer risk these behaviors cause. However one needs to know what the occurrence of the cancer in the general population is before one can conclude which behavior … --- ## [did the whole nine yards issue ever get resolved](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-whole-nine-yards-issue-ever-get-resolved/158376)
**Author:** [@jimbotheclown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jimbotheclown)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2009, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-whole-nine-yards-issue-ever-get-resolved/158376 "2009-04-20T13:42:30Z")
the original column was right here. http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_252.html --- ## [Updated statistics/data on AIDS from heterosexual sex?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/updated-statistics-data-on-aids-from-heterosexual-sex/493321)
**Author:** [@BrandonR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrandonR)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2009, 10:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/updated-statistics-data-on-aids-from-heterosexual-sex/493321 "2009-04-20T10:01:34Z")
Regarding Cecil’s classic column of “What are the odds of getting AIDS from ordinary heterosexual sex?”, what’s the latest dope on this topic? The date of the original column is 1988 and it appears to use even more outda… --- ## [Inserting Objects into the Vagina](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inserting-objects-into-the-vagina/492933)
**Author:** [@Alis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alis)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2009, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inserting-objects-into-the-vagina/492933 "2009-04-19T19:45:21Z")
Dear Cecil, I read the post about inserting objects into the vagina. I was wondering if this behaviour has a name, or is listed as a mental illness under a name. I have been surfing elsewhere and discovered that ‘fisti… --- ## [What is the most frequently viewed column Cecil ever wrote?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-frequently-viewed-column-cecil-ever-wrote/493520)
**Author:** [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2009, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-frequently-viewed-column-cecil-ever-wrote/493520 "2009-04-18T12:11:03Z")
Of all the Straight Dope columns written by Cecil Adams that have been posted online, which one has been viewed the most? What are the top ten? --- ## [What kind of ape was Tarzan raised by?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-ape-was-tarzan-raised-by/491967)
**Author:** [@smarterthansome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smarterthansome)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2009, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-ape-was-tarzan-raised-by/491967 "2009-04-17T17:57:42Z")
I was reading through some random Straight Dope posts and I came across this one: What kind of ape was Tarzan raised by? - The Straight Dope It claims that this is ‘a matter of serious debate…among Tarzan aficionados’, … --- ## [The melting pot of Brazil and the Band-Aid industry](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-melting-pot-of-brazil-and-the-band-aid-industry/493273)
**Author:** [@SRRAY](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SRRAY)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2009, 8:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-melting-pot-of-brazil-and-the-band-aid-industry/493273 "2009-04-16T08:09:16Z")
I love this reportby Brother Cecil. :smiley: --- ## [Car vs. scooter](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-vs-scooter/493211)
**Author:** [@rjl850](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjl850)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2009, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-vs-scooter/493211 "2009-04-15T21:08:15Z")
I’m sure I saw a column on the “greenness” of a car compared to a scooter. Can’t seem to find it now, despite several seconds of searching. Can anyone point me to it? Thanks!!! :slight\_smile: --- ## [Will all humans one day be the same color](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-all-humans-one-day-be-the-same-color/493053)
**Author:** [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2009, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-all-humans-one-day-be-the-same-color/493053 "2009-04-15T17:35:19Z")
From Will all humans one day be the same color I found this to be a fascinating question, but Cecil’s response…excuse the blasphemy, wasn’t great. The reasoning seems to be: in Brazil people find lighter skin more attr… --- ## [Indus Scripts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/indus-scripts/493055)
**Author:** [@SRRAY](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SRRAY)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2009, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/indus-scripts/493055 "2009-04-15T04:00:32Z")
Re the Article Dated May-10-2005, what is the straight dope on Kurt Schildmann’s decipherment dated May-19-2007 ? Please help. --- ## [Much earlier reference to "riding shotgun" found...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/much-earlier-reference-to-riding-shotgun-found/492706)
**Author:** [@fluzwup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fluzwup)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2009, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/much-earlier-reference-to-riding-shotgun-found/492706 "2009-04-14T01:44:58Z")
In this article: What’s the origin of “riding shotgun”? - The Straight Dope It states: "So stagecoach guards rode shotgun - they just didn’t call it that in the 1880s, as far as anyone has yet discovered. The term “ri… --- ## [Eskimo non-migration](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eskimo-non-migration/492403)
**Author:** [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2009, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eskimo-non-migration/492403 "2009-04-13T14:16:34Z")
Cecil gives some interesting info, but he doesn’t really address the question. He explains how they have adapted to the climate, but not why Eskimos never migrated to warmer climates. (Other than: “…Arctic peoples posse… --- ## [Scooby Doo and Scrappy answer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scooby-doo-and-scrappy-answer/485503)
**Author:** [@rocket\_rockette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocket_rockette)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2009, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scooby-doo-and-scrappy-answer/485503 "2009-04-13T12:27:03Z")
Thank you SO much for that information! I was watching this old tape with four hours of old Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon runs my uncle had taped for me back in the 90’s, and while watching the Scooby Doo episode featu… --- ## [RE: Was Andrew Jackson one of the world's most prolific mass murderers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-was-andrew-jackson-one-of-the-worlds-most-prolific-mass-murderers/491072)
**Author:** [@santosvega](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/santosvega)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2009, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-was-andrew-jackson-one-of-the-worlds-most-prolific-mass-murderers/491072 "2009-04-12T06:22:42Z")
I’m posting a response to http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2419/was-andrew-jackson-one-of-the-worlds-most-prolific-mass-murderers, despite its age, because Shodan referenced this article in a recent thread (http:… --- ## [Buster Brown Actor](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buster-brown-actor/492540)
**Author:** [@SolaSpinto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SolaSpinto)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2009, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buster-brown-actor/492540 "2009-04-10T02:26:32Z")
Just thought I would put in my two cents about ‘Buster Brown’. I got a chance to meet the guy who advertised as the young boy character for the Buster Brown Shoes commercial. He worked as a news anchor for a local telev… --- ## [Re eating clay.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-eating-clay/492434)
**Author:** [@rainbowringer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rainbowringer)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2009, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-eating-clay/492434 "2009-04-09T19:49:25Z")
Interesting, however, it is rather unfortunate, but read the ingredients, Kaopectate no longer has kaolin OR pectin! (they have essentially copied Pepto-Bismol (salysillicate). --- ## [Flying Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-dutchman/490606)
**Author:** [@salter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salter)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2009, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-dutchman/490606 "2009-04-09T13:35:35Z")
I was surprised that there was no mention of Philip Nolan (The Man Without A Country) in Matt Craver’s report. Was there any reason for that omission? John --- ## [Scientific American reports on disappearing bees](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientific-american-reports-on-disappearing-bees/492324)
**Author:** [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2009, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientific-american-reports-on-disappearing-bees/492324 "2009-04-09T13:13:40Z")
The current Scientific American online update has an article about Colony Collapse Disorder, or CCD, which has been the subject of a previous staff report by Doug. Doug had concluded that: The Sci Am article, “Solving… --- ## [Who really Reached the North Pole first?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-really-reached-the-north-pole-first/491920)
**Author:** [@jtsauburn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtsauburn)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2009, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-really-reached-the-north-pole-first/491920 "2009-04-08T16:30:03Z")
Before you give credit to Robert Peary, you should get all the facts. Look up Matthew Alexander Henson or you can follow this link: Matthew Henson - Wikipedia it’s about time we got the REAL STRAIGHT TALK!!! --- ## [Is it true what they say about gerbils?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-true-what-they-say-about-gerbils/307846)
**Author:** [@Studs\_Murphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Studs_Murphy)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2009, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-true-what-they-say-about-gerbils/307846 "2009-04-07T16:49:27Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_216b I was surprised that the gerbil’s question generated so little feedback/informed comment i.e. nil. Allow me to offer my own insight (don’t excite yourself - I have no experi… --- ## [Itching](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/itching/490171)
**Author:** [@amulekii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amulekii)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2009, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/itching/490171 "2009-04-06T19:20:50Z")
For a long time I’ve thought that itching was due to your body calibrating something. It’s calibrating and testing and it just basically says “hey, can you scratch down here so I can see what this feels like”. --- ## [Flashes of Light](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flashes-of-light/492104)
**Author:** [@Nelsen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nelsen)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2009, 10:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flashes-of-light/492104 "2009-04-06T10:42:02Z")
When reading Cecil’s column, Why do I see sparks when I cough with my eyes closed? October 21, 1977, two decades ago, I thought that was all there was to that. In the last month I have experienced flashes of light when… --- ## [How can I avoid getting old?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-avoid-getting-old/491865)
**Author:** [@Lunar\_Saltlick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lunar_Saltlick)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2009, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-avoid-getting-old/491865 "2009-04-06T06:34:11Z")
Did Cecil even begin to answer this question? I don’t think the question was: What measures can I take to ensure that I’ll live a few extra healthy years? I think it was: is there anything we can do (or will soon be able… --- ## [smoking](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smoking/490315)
**Author:** [@Anthro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anthro)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2009, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smoking/490315 "2009-04-04T03:48:13Z")
I’m a bit confused as I just got here from the James Randi Educational Foundation site, so I hope I’m in the right place after all that registration nonsense. My comment is that just because nicotine MAY have been found… --- ## [Lactating Males](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lactating-males/491890)
**Author:** [@psythe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psythe)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2009, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lactating-males/491890 "2009-04-03T18:10:12Z")
Original post I know that this article has already spawned a thread, but its on a slightly different aspect. I’d take issue with Cecil’s assertion that as far as anyone knows there are no lactating male mammals - it is… --- ## [Jenny Jones reference in nipple article](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jenny-jones-reference-in-nipple-article/491856)
**Author:** [@glowacks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glowacks)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2009, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jenny-jones-reference-in-nipple-article/491856 "2009-04-03T15:13:16Z")
This article is dated May 18, 1979. I thought this was odd, and looked it up thinking Jenny couldn’t have been on until at least the mid-80s and was right; her show started in 1991 according to her own website. I ca… --- ## [Goodyear Blimp](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodyear-blimp/491176)
**Author:** [@420live](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/420live)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2009, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodyear-blimp/491176 "2009-04-03T13:45:41Z")
As a long time Akron-ite, I can tell you, tickets to ride the blimp are $50 a piece. But, it really isn’t that easy. They used to run blimps all the time, when they owned the Goodyear hangar. It is now the Lockheed mar… --- ## [Couple has two children](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/couple-has-two-children/487631)
**Author:** [@Mindorieq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mindorieq)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2009, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/couple-has-two-children/487631 "2009-04-03T13:37:04Z")
In the second problem we are told a couple has two children, one of them a girl. Drachman then asks what the odds are the other child is a boy, assuming the biological odds of having a male or female child are equal. His… --- ## [The Bard did coineth "the whole nine yards"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bard-did-coineth-the-whole-nine-yards/491560)
**Author:** [@whitetho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whitetho)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2009, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bard-did-coineth-the-whole-nine-yards/491560 "2009-04-02T12:26:40Z")
There have been a number of somewhat inconclusive threads about Unca Cece’s column on What’s the origin of “the whole nine yards”? However, confirming the truism that pretty much every common English phrase can trace its… --- ## [Rods!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rods/491197)
**Author:** [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2009, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rods/491197 "2009-03-31T12:08:38Z")
The “documentary” \*Rods! \*was just on television, I googled rods for the laugh and came across the Staff Report. My question is, are these programmes about rods elaborate spoofs or are there actually idiots out there w… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=106) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=108)