# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=123 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 124 --- ## [Nickels and Full Faces](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nickels-and-full-faces/443434)
**Author:** [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [April 1, 2008, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nickels-and-full-faces/443434 "2008-04-01T22:57:01Z")
How come portraits on coins are in profile while those on bills are full face? Time for an update!!! The new nickels are full face portraits of old TJ. --- ## ["No law against stealing a body"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-law-against-stealing-a-body/442097)
**Author:** [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2008, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-law-against-stealing-a-body/442097 "2008-03-29T14:24:07Z")
Re: Gram Parsons’ final repose. Cecil says, “The men were tracked down a few days later, but there was no law against stealing a body …” Pardon? Surely that deserves just a little expansion, or at least the assurance t… --- ## [Ingesting poison oak/ivy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ingesting-poison-oak-ivy/443113)
**Author:** [@gzbrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gzbrown)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2008, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ingesting-poison-oak-ivy/443113 "2008-03-29T00:16:17Z")
When I was young, I had a terrible time with poison oak reactions. If they burned it in the town I lived in, I would get it just from the oils floating in the air. I would get blisters all over my body, as well as down m… --- ## [Whole nine yards (again)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whole-nine-yards-again/442106)
**Author:** [@rutnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rutnut)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2008, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whole-nine-yards-again/442106 "2008-03-27T22:25:01Z")
Looks to me like the real answer is the length of the list of possible, undocumented derivations. Maybe someone just made it out of whole cloth. --- ## [Toxins](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toxins/442762)
**Author:** [@Alex\_Dubinsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alex_Dubinsky)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2008, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toxins/442762 "2008-03-26T02:38:29Z")
In the latest column, Cecil talks for a while (ie a paragraph) about people eating arsenic as a health regimen. In fact, chickens and pigs have been extensively fed arsenic in recent years because it makes them grow much… --- ## [Guiness Bubbles Flowing Downwards](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guiness-bubbles-flowing-downwards/442597)
**Author:** [@sdascanada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sdascanada)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2008, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guiness-bubbles-flowing-downwards/442597 "2008-03-25T19:55:24Z")
I saw a clip on Discovery Canada last night featuring Jearl Walker, a science educator who wrote The Flying Circus of Physics. He attributed the downward flow of the tiny nitrogen bubbles to the attachment of organic mol… --- ## [Self-Defense](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/self-defense/441647)
**Author:** [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2008, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/self-defense/441647 "2008-03-25T15:39:58Z")
How does the legal concept of self-defense work? Great report Bricker. --- ## [Munchkin suicide](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/munchkin-suicide/442569)
**Author:** [@Litoris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Litoris)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2008, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/munchkin-suicide/442569 "2008-03-25T00:08:54Z")
Link to Uncle C’s report. If Cecil had just gone to Snopes, he could have seen the “suicide” in question for himself very easily. If you watch the clip around the 12-13 second mark, it is clearly a deer grazing. You c… --- ## [Immunity to Poison](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immunity-to-poison/442214)
**Author:** [@mks57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mks57)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2008, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immunity-to-poison/442214 "2008-03-25T00:08:15Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/080321.html When I was a kid, I was allergic to many things. My physician gave me a series of desensitization shots. From what I was told, they contained small amounts of the substanc… --- ## [Do we still not know how cats purr?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-still-not-know-how-cats-purr/441831)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2008, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-still-not-know-how-cats-purr/441831 "2008-03-23T14:04:30Z")
Link to column. Wiki offers theories but no certainty. Googling gave the same results. ISTM that in today’s day of micro-this and nano-that, we should be able to determine once and for all what is causing the vibratin… --- ## ["The pompatous of Love"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pompatous-of-love/442318)
**Author:** [@rumplesnitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rumplesnitz)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2008, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pompatous-of-love/442318 "2008-03-22T06:20:08Z")
Out-freaking-standing. I just always figgered it was acid and let it slide… Good word though. --- ## [Does giving sweets to kids produce a "sugar rush?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-giving-sweets-to-kids-produce-a-sugar-rush/442185)
**Author:** [@cyberidd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cyberidd)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2008, 10:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-giving-sweets-to-kids-produce-a-sugar-rush/442185 "2008-03-21T10:37:27Z")
THANK YOU!!! I have known that this research was done and knew that sugar has no effect on (most) kids, but like you say, it is incredibly hard to convince anyone else of that fact, but now I have science on my side to … --- ## [Comment on "How does the legal concept of self-defense work?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comment-on-how-does-the-legal-concept-of-self-defense-work/441895)
**Author:** [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2008, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comment-on-how-does-the-legal-concept-of-self-defense-work/441895 "2008-03-19T05:48:27Z")
So I’m more interested in the crime-drama aspect of the question “: if you do hurt or kill someone in self-defense, is there a process you should follow to report the incident to minimize suspicion and/or time in custody… --- ## [comment on On "Let's Make a Deal," answer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comment-on-on-lets-make-a-deal-answer/441389)
**Author:** [@telecommunications](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/telecommunications)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2008, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comment-on-on-lets-make-a-deal-answer/441389 "2008-03-18T23:32:57Z")
someone on behalf of cecil answered my comment in email but i would like to make sure he is right because there seems to have been a little bit of misunderstanding. my inquiry was about a math example cecil used in his … --- ## [Rock, Roll, & Racism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-roll-racism/441358)
**Author:** [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2008, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-roll-racism/441358 "2008-03-18T16:11:18Z")
Cecil, as usual, gave out some facts in his column What songs beat out “Johnny B. Goode” (#8) on the Billboard charts? but failed to answer the real question. Questioner Tim Ring seems to be under the impression that pe… --- ## [Colloidal Silver is fantastic -](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colloidal-silver-is-fantastic/441756)
**Author:** [@MadScientist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadScientist)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2008, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colloidal-silver-is-fantastic/441756 "2008-03-18T11:28:11Z")
In Cecil’s article (http://www.straightdope.com/columns/080314.html) he seems to miss out one great use for colloidal silver - painting the “silver screen”. Good old screen silver was colloidal silver in nitrocellulose… --- ## [Time to update the Foley File?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-to-update-the-foley-file/441360)
**Author:** [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2008, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-to-update-the-foley-file/441360 "2008-03-17T19:09:14Z")
With reference to the article How do they make “punch” sounds in movies?, I would like to suggest that it’s time for an update. While I have never been involved in Hollywood Foley, I have played a bit with sound effects… --- ## [Black Stuff Under Eyes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-stuff-under-eyes/440066)
**Author:** [@chris3278](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chris3278)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2008, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-stuff-under-eyes/440066 "2008-03-17T14:56:16Z")
Actually the use of black stuff atheletes use under the eyes dates back to the Egyptians, who wore thick eyeliner to deflect the desert sun. I don’t think Andy Farkas can be coined as the pioneer to this. --- ## [Origin of pig, fuzz, etc](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-pig-fuzz-etc/441625)
**Author:** [@Neddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neddy)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2008, 9:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-pig-fuzz-etc/441625 "2008-03-17T09:58:31Z")
Most of the reply seemed reasonable, with the exception of the rather patronizing comment about “real people” and use of the word"fuzz". It was in common usage in the UK for most of the 60’s and 70’s. It also gave rise t… --- ## [On Spiders ballooning in fall](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-spiders-ballooning-in-fall/441540)
**Author:** [@Joefust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joefust)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2008, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-spiders-ballooning-in-fall/441540 "2008-03-16T12:34:22Z")
New here. I could not find the Cobwebs staff report. Wanting to reply and support the three staffers.: The balllooning spiders are actually using the dual-kiting dynamic soaring mechanics described well by Richard Mille… --- ## [Chilblains](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chilblains/441440)
**Author:** [@labandibar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/labandibar)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2008, 9:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chilblains/441440 "2008-03-16T09:17:28Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/060721.html Hello from one of the .01 percent of the United States that suffers from chilblains. I had them every winter for the last seven years. My toes would swell and I develope… --- ## [Mailing junk](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mailing-junk/441471)
**Author:** [@bil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bil)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2008, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mailing-junk/441471 "2008-03-16T01:57:22Z")
Just found your site,very nice.Just wanted to comment on the guy mailing the brick-did you know this is against Postal regulations? Old rule,in the 1880 or so,there was a guy in I believe it was Utah that wanted to buil… --- ## [Are low-flows clog more often?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-low-flows-clog-more-often/440521)
**Author:** [@WesE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WesE)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2008, 7:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-low-flows-clog-more-often/440521 "2008-03-15T07:29:53Z")
Re Do low-flush toilets actually save water? I blew my nose on toilet paper — better to flush it or throw it in the trash can? What about clogging? A certain person I know tends to use a lot of TP, which results in too… --- ## [Why Colloidal Silver reminds me of Saturday mornings...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-colloidal-silver-reminds-me-of-saturday-mornings/441373)
**Author:** [@user\_hostile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/user_hostile)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2008, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-colloidal-silver-reminds-me-of-saturday-mornings/441373 "2008-03-14T21:42:27Z")
As to why one should not consume large amounts of colloidal silver and contaminate one’s precious bodily fluids… Meet Papa Smurf himself. --- ## [Piss Shiver - Science Advanced?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/piss-shiver-science-advanced/438426)
**Author:** [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2008, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/piss-shiver-science-advanced/438426 "2008-03-13T15:28:39Z")
Back in 1994, Unca Cece addressed the phenomenom of "piss shiver," the uncontrollable shivering that sometimes follows urination. Sad part is, the conclusion of that report was less than inspiring, amounting to, “we don… --- ## [Comment on awnser to "If I fire a gun at light speed..."](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comment-on-awnser-to-if-i-fire-a-gun-at-light-speed/440833)
**Author:** [@pstils](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pstils)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 12, 2008, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comment-on-awnser-to-if-i-fire-a-gun-at-light-speed/440833 "2008-03-12T19:06:29Z")
Well answered Cecil, but you basically said in words what the formula says in mathematical terms rather than actually explaining the phenomena qualitatively. --- ## [On Airplane lift](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-airplane-lift/311587)
**Author:** [@Tunneller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tunneller)\ **Replies:** 171\ **Last updated:** [March 12, 2008, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-airplane-lift/311587 "2008-03-12T03:08:26Z")
One comment on the discussion of airfoil lift: the discussion speaks of a region of high pressure “pushing” the wing up and a region of low pressure “pulling” the wing up. After working for years with vacuum systems, I … --- ## [spreading colds: good or bad?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spreading-colds-good-or-bad/440821)
**Author:** [@spayced](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spayced)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 11, 2008, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spreading-colds-good-or-bad/440821 "2008-03-11T17:54:34Z")
I’m commenting on something I disagree with in the article at http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mcold.html The article suggests ways to prevent colds from spreading, and those strategies are sound. However, I hold th… --- ## [Did John Wayne evade military service?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-john-wayne-evade-military-service/440889)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2008, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-john-wayne-evade-military-service/440889 "2008-03-10T21:48:19Z")
An earlier thread: Duke \[John Wayne\]'s military service - Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports - Straight Dope Message Board --- ## [Blue blood and other colors...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-blood-and-other-colors/440508)
**Author:** [@mwbrooks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mwbrooks)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2008, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-blood-and-other-colors/440508 "2008-03-10T20:45:29Z")
Regarding Are flamingos pink because they eat shrimps? and perhaps If blood is red then why do your veins look blue?… Someone in a closed thread mentioned that horseshoe crabs have blue blood. I had heard somewhere that… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=122) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=124)