# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=108 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 109 --- ## ["Hotel California" is NOT in Santa Barbara](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hotel-california-is-not-in-santa-barbara/490437)
**Author:** [@fooloof](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fooloof)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2009, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hotel-california-is-not-in-santa-barbara/490437 "2009-03-30T04:33:47Z")
Granted, the thread is 12 years ago, but the Hotel California is actually the Beverly Hills Hotel and Bungalows property in Beverly Hills, CA. All one has to do is take a look at the Eagles album cover and one will see … --- ## [innie/outie?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/innie-outie/490943)
**Author:** [@woodpusher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodpusher)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2009, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/innie-outie/490943 "2009-03-29T12:13:13Z")
In reference to: http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/81/why-are-some-belly-buttons-innies-and-others-outies A long time ago, a nurse told me that if you tie the umbilical cord right-handed, the belly button will t… --- ## [Scooter NOx emission](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scooter-nox-emission/490165)
**Author:** [@old\_yellow\_tz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/old_yellow_tz)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2009, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scooter-nox-emission/490165 "2009-03-29T06:18:47Z")
Just a little note to add on the scooter’s two stroke emissions. Since the combustion is typically colder on a two stroke engine, they produce a lot less NOx than a four stroker. Typically that is one reason why there … --- ## [On "DID SHERLOCK HOLMES REALLY EXIST?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-did-sherlock-holmes-really-exist/490163)
**Author:** [@CallumJStewart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CallumJStewart)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2009, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-did-sherlock-holmes-really-exist/490163 "2009-03-29T04:07:37Z")
“Many authors bring Holmes into contact with real-life contemporary people, such as Sigmund Freud or Oscar Wilde or Jack the Ripper or Harry Flashman, or even with fictional characters such as Tarzan, the Loch Ness monst… --- ## [Gnats are gnats](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gnats-are-gnats/490972)
**Author:** [@arachnologus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/arachnologus)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2009, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gnats-are-gnats/490972 "2009-03-29T02:41:49Z")
I just stumbled on the column on gnat swarming. The explanation of swarming is reasonably accurate. However, the mention of “Trypetidae” as gnats is completely wrong. Among entomologists, “gnat” universally refers to fli… --- ## [Column for 03/27/2009](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/column-for-03-27-2009/491039)
**Author:** [@2nd\_Law](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2nd_Law)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2009, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/column-for-03-27-2009/491039 "2009-03-29T02:25:01Z")
Today’s column: I’m not seeing the illustration by Slug. What’s up with that? --- ## [Flying Proto-Israelite?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-proto-israelite/490174)
**Author:** [@Fish\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fish_Herder)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2009, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-proto-israelite/490174 "2009-03-28T15:39:39Z")
Just wanted to comment that Cain, the Biblical brother-slayer of Abel, is an incredibly old example of an exile. Although the Bible states that he ‘settled’ in the Land of Nod (good night Gracie?), there were plenty of … --- ## [Grapefruit-sized sun](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grapefruit-sized-sun/490150)
**Author:** [@critter42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/critter42)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2009, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grapefruit-sized-sun/490150 "2009-03-27T21:08:13Z")
In the 3/20/09 column under the “Questions we’re still thinking about” section, as much as it’s played for laughs in the column, I think the general idea about a grapefruit-sized sun is actually an intriguing question th… --- ## [What's the meaning of the expression, "That's the exception that proves the rule?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-meaning-of-the-expression-thats-the-exception-that-proves-the-rule/485409)
**Author:** [@jtander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtander)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2009, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-meaning-of-the-expression-thats-the-exception-that-proves-the-rule/485409 "2009-03-27T14:50:34Z")
As I understand, the expression, “The exception that proves the rule,” is based on Dr. John Snow’s investigation of cholera cases. He noted that all the cholera cases were in people who lived near an apparently infected… --- ## [Powered off 'Puters](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/powered-off-puters/490961)
**Author:** [@Damp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damp)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2009, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/powered-off-puters/490961 "2009-03-27T05:08:46Z")
There were already a couple threads from this article. but to avoid being off-topic… here I is! There is a handy dandy little watch battery in your desktop computer, this is for powering your CMOS (BIOS settings). This … --- ## [Area Needed for a Coat](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/area-needed-for-a-coat/490757)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2009, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/area-needed-for-a-coat/490757 "2009-03-27T04:22:55Z")
I noticed that Cecil’s column on whether a coat could be made from the skin of a single person that he failed to mention the minimum requirements for a coat. Knowing that a Japanese hanten is a very simple design for a … --- ## [Bricker misstated the current law of dual citizenship](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bricker-misstated-the-current-law-of-dual-citizenship/482594)
**Author:** [@Randy\_Seltzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Randy_Seltzer)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2009, 9:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bricker-misstated-the-current-law-of-dual-citizenship/482594 "2009-03-26T09:33:39Z")
The other thread pointed me to this very good article by Bricker, but I do have one quibble. The last paragraph reads, in part, thus: While, strictly speaking, this is true, it mischaracterizes the “risk.” You cite t… --- ## [More about Farts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-about-farts/490788)
**Author:** [@Gautam\_Utekar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gautam_Utekar)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2009, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-about-farts/490788 "2009-03-26T07:08:50Z")
Here’s something interesting about farts. You can read more about this from the Merck Manual, 18th edition. Essay on Flatulence (First printed in the 14th edition of the Merck Manual) Flatulence, which can cause grea… --- ## [ear popping](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ear-popping/490792)
**Author:** [@Arbl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arbl)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2009, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ear-popping/490792 "2009-03-26T07:05:44Z")
over the last 8 years of flying four times each year, ive learned that you can force them to pop. pinching your nose and closing your mouth and blowing is one way. the simple way, is to ask for a coffee cup with a hot to… --- ## [Capacitors -get your facts right](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capacitors-get-your-facts-right/489927)
**Author:** [@nicola\_tesla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nicola_tesla)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2009, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capacitors-get-your-facts-right/489927 "2009-03-25T02:06:39Z")
Capacitors are indeed sold to improve energy efficiency. Because there is a delay between voltage and current in a typical electrical system, a great deal of energy is wasted. This includes residential electricity and al… --- ## [photons and light](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/photons-and-light/489500)
**Author:** [@adidamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adidamu)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2009, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/photons-and-light/489500 "2009-03-23T15:50:54Z")
with reference to particle wave discussion of light , i would like to add the following thoughts which may make the things clear . As jake observed waves can be considered as a disturabance or motion of particles. HENCE,… --- ## [e 85 fuel???????](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/e-85-fuel/490414)
**Author:** [@jonthebuckeyenut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jonthebuckeyenut)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2009, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/e-85-fuel/490414 "2009-03-23T03:15:27Z")
I used e85 gas in a non flex fuel vehicle, it didnt seem to affect the vehicle. My question is, what will happen with continuous use of e 85 fuel in my normal gas guzzler? --- ## [Black Irish](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-irish/490360)
**Author:** [@BudBackEast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BudBackEast)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2009, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-irish/490360 "2009-03-23T01:18:26Z")
The Irish are a mixed people with common distant ancestry. The common, fair-haired Irish descend from the ancient invasion of the Tuatha De Danaans, who came from Scythia and before that, from the Biblical Lost tribe of … --- ## [Scooter vs Car manufacturing load](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scooter-vs-car-manufacturing-load/490348)
**Author:** [@kulgar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kulgar)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2009, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scooter-vs-car-manufacturing-load/490348 "2009-03-22T19:01:29Z")
Yes, a scooter is smaller and takes fewer resources to manufacture but cars routinely go 120,000 or more miles while the average scooter will be lucky to see 10,000 miles. Some scooters go “kerplunk” at a few thousand mi… --- ## [Did an American Indian tribe descend from early Welsh explorers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-an-american-indian-tribe-descend-from-early-welsh-explorers/489883)
**Author:** [@roskerah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/roskerah)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 20, 2009, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-an-american-indian-tribe-descend-from-early-welsh-explorers/489883 "2009-03-20T17:46:06Z")
Hi, I just ran across this article online while searching for information on the Doegs. I wanted to inject some information that you did not mention in your article, about another plausible connection to the welsh and I… --- ## [How do racecar drivers relieve themselves during a race?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-racecar-drivers-relieve-themselves-during-a-race/488976)
**Author:** [@Lindahq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lindahq)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [March 20, 2009, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-racecar-drivers-relieve-themselves-during-a-race/488976 "2009-03-20T01:08:50Z")
In Ian’s report he quoted someone as stating that an “accident” had never occurred. WRONG! Two or three years ago(possibly longer), the day before a race, NASCAR champion Tony Stewart had a bout with a stomach virus. … --- ## [What came first, the Hard Rock Cafe or Carole King's song of that name?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-came-first-the-hard-rock-cafe-or-carole-kings-song-of-that-name/489459)
**Author:** [@whofan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whofan)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2009, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-came-first-the-hard-rock-cafe-or-carole-kings-song-of-that-name/489459 "2009-03-19T16:50:41Z")
I only saw this question when I chose a random one today…but wasn’t the Hard Rock Cafe named after this?; --- ## [on the report "What's the Origin of 'Ahoy'?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-report-whats-the-origin-of-ahoy/489810)
**Author:** [@saltamonte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saltamonte)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2009, 11:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-report-whats-the-origin-of-ahoy/489810 "2009-03-19T11:11:06Z")
The report mentions that the word “could also be used as a verb, meaning ‘to call out “ahoy!”’ The OED cites, ‘She ahoys the schooner.’” There is something curious about the actual OED entry for the word: as v. To cal… --- ## [Phantom electricity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phantom-electricity/489322)
**Author:** [@Cbress](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cbress)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2009, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phantom-electricity/489322 "2009-03-18T11:28:30Z")
The response missed the greatest path of phantom (or vampire ) electric use. Forget about the wall warts. Instead consider all the things that use a remote. The TVs (all of them) VCRs, stereos, etc. and don’t forget gar… --- ## [How does peristalsis let you swallow upside down?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-peristalsis-let-you-swallow-upside-down/489077)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2009, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-peristalsis-let-you-swallow-upside-down/489077 "2009-03-13T23:42:41Z")
How does peristalsis let you swallow upside down? See, now that right there is the reason I love Cecil! :slight\_smile: --- ## [Where does belly button lint come from?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-belly-button-lint-come-from/489233)
**Author:** [@pipper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pipper)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2009, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-belly-button-lint-come-from/489233 "2009-03-13T18:26:45Z")
Sounds like this answer needs a bit of updating based on a recent study: http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/chi-talk-navel-lintmar09,0,185325.story Link to the column: Where does belly button lint come from? - The … --- ## [purpose of pubic hair ...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purpose-of-pubic-hair/487861)
**Author:** [@stevep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stevep)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2009, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purpose-of-pubic-hair/487861 "2009-03-13T03:53:27Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/54/whats-the-purpose-of-pubic-hair The purpose of pubic hair is to distinguish children from adults. Think about it from a Darwinistic point of view. The average caveman had a be… --- ## [Pogo Christmas Carols](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pogo-christmas-carols/488516)
**Author:** [@riknpat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/riknpat)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 12, 2009, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pogo-christmas-carols/488516 "2009-03-12T13:04:46Z")
Churchy La Femme Good King Sauerkraut Once Looked Out On His Feets Uneven Whilst the Snoo lay Roun’ an’ ‘Bout, All Kerchoo Achievin’ Pogo What’s Snoo? Churchy I dunno. Whats new with you? --- ## [Is red Fiestaware radioactive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-red-fiestaware-radioactive/314152)
**Author:** [@Neutron\_Activation](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neutron_Activation)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2009, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-red-fiestaware-radioactive/314152 "2009-03-10T16:58:12Z")
In your answer to the radioactive Fiestaware question you wrote, “the actual amount of radioactivity is extremely low–less than the normal background radiation you get from rocks and stuff”. I was wondering if that infor… --- ## [God Particle Question left unanswered: How will we find it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-particle-question-left-unanswered-how-will-we-find-it/488542)
**Author:** [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2009, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-particle-question-left-unanswered-how-will-we-find-it/488542 "2009-03-10T13:13:30Z")
Unca Cece does a good job today of helping us understand “What is the God particle?”. But what he doesn’t say is how the LHC is intended to find the God Particle? That is, is there some way to extend his nifty analogy… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=107) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=109)