# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=14 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 15 --- ## [Acupuncture](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acupuncture/786711)
**Author:** [@psythe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psythe)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 21, 2017, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acupuncture/786711 "2017-05-21T19:25:47Z")
Cecil’s original post is here Trick or Treatment is a book by Simon Singh (a physicist) and Edzard Ernst, apparently the world’s first professor of complementary medicine, a medical doctor who once practiced complementa… --- ## [RE: The Borgia thing in the Jesus collumn.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-the-borgia-thing-in-the-jesus-collumn/787127)
**Author:** [@some\_person](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/some_person)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 21, 2017, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-the-borgia-thing-in-the-jesus-collumn/787127 "2017-05-21T05:08:03Z")
Not a huge deal, but there are a few small things which could be corrected: Alexander VI, not first, and “1490’s” I think would be better than “1490”, unless the myth in question mentions 1490. --- ## [Whose face is on the $1,000 bill?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whose-face-is-on-the-1-000-bill/786295)
**Author:** [@willhoyt2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/willhoyt2)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [May 21, 2017, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whose-face-is-on-the-1-000-bill/786295 "2017-05-21T01:23:07Z")
Not sure why this column didn’t mention the $100,000 bill with its lovely picture of President Wilson. I know that none are currently in circulation but they do still exist. I saw one that was issued in 1934 in a museum… --- ## [Who came up with our popular image of Jesus?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-came-up-with-our-popular-image-of-jesus/787059)
**Author:** [@zzupdown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zzupdown)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 20, 2017, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-came-up-with-our-popular-image-of-jesus/787059 "2017-05-20T13:22:44Z")
Modern images of Jesus do seem to be inspired by Cesare Borgia; he might not be the first European-inspired version of Jesus, but he seems to currently be the most influential. --- ## [Squaw apparently obscene in the 1930s](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/squaw-apparently-obscene-in-the-1930s/109798)
**Author:** [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [May 19, 2017, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/squaw-apparently-obscene-in-the-1930s/109798 "2017-05-19T23:13:33Z")
According to Cecil’s article at http://www.straightdope.com/columns/000317.html, However, a friend of mine reports that her Native American (I believe Cherokee or Creek) grandmother was insulted to be called a squaw, a… --- ## [RE: In the song "Hotel California," what does "colitas" mean?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-in-the-song-hotel-california-what-does-colitas-mean/619924)
**Author:** [@edgar.flowers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edgar.flowers)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2017, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-in-the-song-hotel-california-what-does-colitas-mean/619924 "2017-05-18T11:29:02Z")
going back to this post, you never answered the question…Colitas is a mexican term for the buds on a marijuana plant. so when he says “warm smell of colitas, rising up in the air” he’s talking about the smell of marijuan… --- ## [Re: Who or what is the Flying Dutchman?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-who-or-what-is-the-flying-dutchman/786527)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2017, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-who-or-what-is-the-flying-dutchman/786527 "2017-05-16T19:14:30Z")
Re: Who or what is the Flying Dutchman? I have always wondered, why was he Dutch? I know the Wandering Jew legend owes its existence to antisemitism. Does the Flying Dutchman owe its existence to anti-Dutch sentiment? W… --- ## [Does acupuncture really work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-acupuncture-really-work/786435)
**Author:** [@wreckage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wreckage)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2017, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-acupuncture-really-work/786435 "2017-05-12T16:07:24Z")
I offer this treatise from 2008: 9/Oct/2008 PUNCTURING THE ACUPUNCTURE MYTH by Harriet Hall, M.D. BY DEFINITION, “ALTERNATIVE” MEDICINE IS MEDICINE THAT HAS NOT BEEN SCIENTIFICALLY PROVEN and has not been accepted in… --- ## [Magnets for pain relief](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/magnets-for-pain-relief/640482)
**Author:** [@psythe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psythe)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2017, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/magnets-for-pain-relief/640482 "2017-05-10T14:07:58Z")
Original article here Cecil said (paraphrasing) that the main problem with using magnets for analgesia is that physics doesn’t say why they should help. I would hope that, in the face of randomised placebo controlled t… --- ## [That mosquito explosion thing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-mosquito-explosion-thing/29856)
**Author:** [@arcuri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/arcuri)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2017, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-mosquito-explosion-thing/29856 "2017-05-10T01:17:56Z")
In the recent Mailbag article http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mmosquitobee.html, SDSTAFF Doug or SDSTAFF Jill wrote, “Regardless of Lileth’s insistent lies and perpetuation of an obvious myth in this Straight Dope co… --- ## [Diplomatic pouches](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diplomatic-pouches/786140)
**Author:** [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2017, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diplomatic-pouches/786140 "2017-05-08T17:48:31Z")
Well-written description of said “pouches”. Most people think that a DP is a briefcase handcuffed to the wrist of somebody wearing a nice suit. In fact, it can extend even to a person’s household shipment, although those… --- ## [How do you get listed in the Social Register](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-get-listed-in-the-social-register/695192)
**Author:** [@JosephJeanes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JosephJeanes)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 7, 2017, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-get-listed-in-the-social-register/695192 "2017-05-07T16:26:39Z")
My name is Joseph Yerkes Jeanes II, born in Bryn Mawr, PA. I was listed in the Philadelphia Register as the son of Isaac Warner Jeanes II and Frances Parham (Jeanes). My parents were deathly ill and I was in California d… --- ## [17 gun salute](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/17-gun-salute/785880)
**Author:** [@f.coli](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/f.coli)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2017, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/17-gun-salute/785880 "2017-05-05T06:48:59Z")
Regarding What’s the origin of the 21-gun salute? - The Straight Dope, surely, the 17 gun salute adopted in 1810 was related to the number of states in the Union (Thirteen plus Vermont, Kentucky, Tenesee, and Ohio) that … --- ## [Do bears really sleep all winter?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-bears-really-sleep-all-winter/785289)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2017, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-bears-really-sleep-all-winter/785289 "2017-05-01T22:01:19Z")
Link to Cecil’s column. From the column: Rarely have I known the big guy turn aside from icky stuff. Come on, Cecil, you’ve whetted our curiosity. Inquiring minds want your take on ursine anal plugs! --- ## [re the mole people](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-the-mole-people/774266)
**Author:** [@occsafmedic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/occsafmedic)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2017, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-the-mole-people/774266 "2017-05-01T07:08:48Z")
I am a retired NYC Paramedic-- and can affirm from direct experience that there are numerous communities of people living in train tunnels, abandoned stations , large vaults, switch room and so forth—bad enough that the … --- ## [Was standard railroad gauge (4’8-1/2”) determined by Roman chariot ruts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-standard-railroad-gauge-4-8-1-2-determined-by-roman-chariot-ruts/785423)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2017, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-standard-railroad-gauge-4-8-1-2-determined-by-roman-chariot-ruts/785423 "2017-04-28T14:06:38Z")
Cecil’s column. I quote: 17 summers have gone by with the length of 17 winters so I’m wondering. Did the Professor ever provide a cite? I’d love to know as I too have never read of such an edict by Caesar. --- ## [Health Care Costs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-care-costs/784810)
**Author:** [@dopefan99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dopefan99)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2017, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-care-costs/784810 "2017-04-26T13:35:17Z")
Wow! This is a horrific answer! It is mostly wrong… I’m highly disappointed in Cecil Adams. Cecil says the problem is unregulated capitalism. No! The problem is overly regulated crony capitalism that stops any competit… --- ## [Toilets](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilets/784904)
**Author:** [@UKinFrance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UKinFrance)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2017, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilets/784904 "2017-04-26T12:46:08Z")
Also earth closet. In some places in England (and elsewhere perhaps) houses were built without toilets. Later a toilet was built in the yard. --- ## [Music clearances](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/music-clearances/784918)
**Author:** [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 24, 2017, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/music-clearances/784918 "2017-04-24T17:40:28Z")
This isn’t sampling per se but it involves getting music clearances. Finally saw Sing when it reached the dollar theater (It was better than I expected). About halfway through the film I pondered, “Man, Clearances must… --- ## [Sampling, mechanical rights, publishing rights.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sampling-mechanical-rights-publishing-rights/785043)
**Author:** [@Alley\_Dweller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alley_Dweller)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 24, 2017, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sampling-mechanical-rights-publishing-rights/785043 "2017-04-24T04:38:12Z")
In this article Cecil says: That’s not quite right. What the record label typically owns is called the “master rights.” This refers to the master copy of the recording. If you want to reproduce the contents of the m… --- ## [Martinis and Ulcers circa 2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martinis-and-ulcers-circa-2000/784631)
**Author:** [@curious11](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curious11)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2017, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martinis-and-ulcers-circa-2000/784631 "2017-04-20T23:17:18Z")
Oh man! In this article on James Bond’s shaken not stirred martini request… …there is a statement at the end of the article that doesn’t make sense to me. “A second scientific conclusion reached that evening is that … --- ## [On hot spices and birds](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-hot-spices-and-birds/784307)
**Author:** [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2017, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-hot-spices-and-birds/784307 "2017-04-20T00:21:32Z")
I just wanted to say that was the most concise and well written reports on any topic I have ever read in Cecil’s columns (which is hard to beat since all of them are written well). I didnt know for example, that the reas… --- ## [What do movie production credits mean?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-movie-production-credits-mean/783416)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2017, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-movie-production-credits-mean/783416 "2017-04-19T22:57:11Z")
Good column. Ever-lengthier movie production credits seem to be equally driven by ballooning production costs and gigantic Hollywood egos. I noticed a typo at the start of the last paragraph: “The big push to establ… --- ## [Shaken, not stirred](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shaken-not-stirred/784633)
**Author:** [@Rutabegger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rutabegger)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2017, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shaken-not-stirred/784633 "2017-04-19T14:23:28Z")
I read somewhere, years ago, that the reason Flemming had Bond ask for his martini “shaken, not stirred” was that this was a subtle indicator that, despite his sophisticated appearance, at heart he was really just a thug… --- ## [Is exposure to small amounts of radiation beneficial?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-exposure-to-small-amounts-of-radiation-beneficial/532371)
**Author:** [@JoelUpchurch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoelUpchurch)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2017, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-exposure-to-small-amounts-of-radiation-beneficial/532371 "2017-04-13T19:52:49Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2926/is-exposure-to-small-amounts-of-radiation-beneficial I’m skeptical of radiation hormesis myself, but there are pretty strong indications that the Linear No Threshold (LNT) h… --- ## [Radar Guns And Traffic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/radar-guns-and-traffic/783707)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2017, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/radar-guns-and-traffic/783707 "2017-04-10T13:54:19Z")
In Cecil’s column “How Do Radar Guns Work”, Cecil explains how the radar gun works, but… I want to know how does a cop know s/he’s hitting which vehicle in busy traffic??? Is the cold truth that s/he doesn’t?!? :eek: --- ## [University breaks (Newton's 3rd) Law](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/university-breaks-newtons-3rd-law/784046)
**Author:** [@someone11](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/someone11)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2017, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/university-breaks-newtons-3rd-law/784046 "2017-04-09T14:18:37Z")
I often fail to remember which number law is which with regard to Newton’s laws of motion, so imagine my surprise when checking it out online at Rice University that they got the number correct but they had the actual … --- ## [Can laser pointers damage your eyes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-laser-pointers-damage-your-eyes/783818)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2017, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-laser-pointers-damage-your-eyes/783818 "2017-04-07T04:08:52Z")
Couldn’t find an earlier thread on this 2000 column, so here goes… --- ## [Hey Jill, did you see the cicada?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-jill-did-you-see-the-cicada/783570)
**Author:** [@Gunslinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gunslinger)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2017, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-jill-did-you-see-the-cicada/783570 "2017-04-06T18:19:08Z")
Re: Do cicadas spend seven years underground before emerging? - The Straight Dope It’s been well past the expected time, and no update. --- ## [Close twins of the fifth kind](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/close-twins-of-the-fifth-kind/783766)
**Author:** [@Corner\_Case](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Corner_Case)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2017, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/close-twins-of-the-fifth-kind/783766 "2017-04-05T03:40:27Z")
Referring to the SD Classic “Are there five kinds of twins?” (second half) and the linked image we see that the diamnionic dichorionic twins have this middle chorion separating them. So, if perhaps some person with, let… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=13) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=15)