# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=147 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 148 --- ## [Hen and a half, bah!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hen-and-a-half-bah/368004)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2006, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hen-and-a-half-bah/368004 "2006-08-22T03:38:17Z")
So Ms. Jarvik (nee Savant) thought it was one of them thar woodchucky tongue twisters.http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a3\_187.html Which might almost pass the “red face” test if there were anything at all tongue twi… --- ## [Straight Dope Staff Report on Mythbusters](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-staff-report-on-mythbusters/369034)
**Author:** [@Turek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turek)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2006, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-staff-report-on-mythbusters/369034 "2006-08-21T20:11:15Z")
Woot! A SD sighting on Mythbusters. In the episode about driving a car on a washboard road, they show Grant searching the web for what causes washboard roads, and then clicking on the link to this mailbag column. --- ## [So About That Ultrasound in the Fetus Pooping Column](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-about-that-ultrasound-in-the-fetus-pooping-column/369327)
**Author:** [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2006, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-about-that-ultrasound-in-the-fetus-pooping-column/369327 "2006-08-19T20:54:03Z")
In the latest column Cecil states: If they videotaped that, would it be considered kiddie porn? (Or more correctly: Pre-kiddie porn?) --- ## [What's with the photo...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-photo/369276)
**Author:** [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2006, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-photo/369276 "2006-08-19T04:04:34Z")
…of the guy with a prolapsed rectum and what does it have to do with baby poop? http://www.straightdope.com/columns/060818.html --- ## [Apparant Reverse Rotation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apparant-reverse-rotation/369101)
**Author:** [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2006, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apparant-reverse-rotation/369101 "2006-08-18T21:05:45Z")
In this column, posted up today on the SD home page, Cecil discusses how the “Wheel seems to move in reverse” effect generally only happens in movies, because it is a result of the strobe effect of recording things with … --- ## [Fifty grand for speakers? Feh! That was back in '89.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifty-grand-for-speakers-feh-that-was-back-in-89/367892)
**Author:** [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 16, 2006, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifty-grand-for-speakers-feh-that-was-back-in-89/367892 "2006-08-16T13:20:38Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a3\_182.html A while back I got a quote for a set of front and surround speakers and subwoofers for a customer’s theater. The sales guy said they’d total “about a buck and a quarter.… --- ## [Can Cecil solve this geometry stumper?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-cecil-solve-this-geometry-stumper/368268)
**Author:** [@chel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chel)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [August 16, 2006, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-cecil-solve-this-geometry-stumper/368268 "2006-08-16T02:14:01Z")
Dear Cecil and Readers, from column http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a3\_196.html Applied versus Pure Math I could not understand the math or the language to “prove” that the top line “C” in the diagram was a strai… --- ## [Ark of The Covenent Comment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ark-of-the-covenent-comment/368705)
**Author:** [@sfworker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sfworker)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [August 16, 2006, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ark-of-the-covenent-comment/368705 "2006-08-16T00:33:09Z")
I always have to chuckle when I hear (or read) the statement: “As with so many other issues of contradictions within the Bible”. This one is by Cecil/Dex. My first thought is usually “Well, I haven’t lost one yet and … --- ## [magic???](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/magic/368792)
**Author:** [@srmclauren](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/srmclauren)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2006, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/magic/368792 "2006-08-15T16:32:54Z")
Found a reference to this by sfworker, a new guest, and found the information very interesting. One thing kept plaguing me, however. (No pun intended) The equating of magic and the power of God was a bit confusing. (… --- ## [More moon stuff](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-moon-stuff/367121)
**Author:** [@srmclauren](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/srmclauren)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2006, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-moon-stuff/367121 "2006-08-15T07:07:18Z")
Are we pretty sure that the moon can still be stretched? Could it have enough of a molten core like the volcanic moon of Jupiter, or is it a cold rock? Has ti always been a cold rock? How much of the wobble is account… --- ## [Prophet Elijah](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prophet-elijah/368267)
**Author:** [@rdchdwck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rdchdwck)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2006, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prophet-elijah/368267 "2006-08-14T17:00:23Z")
The next verse in Malachi is equally important: “And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.” While this isn… --- ## [Okay, \[i\]somebody\[/i\] has to say it](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-i-somebody-i-has-to-say-it/368430)
**Author:** [@Mathochist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mathochist)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2006, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-i-somebody-i-has-to-say-it/368430 "2006-08-14T14:11:31Z")
Another dam good column --- ## [Funeral homes in Lake Lillian](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/funeral-homes-in-lake-lillian/365580)
**Author:** [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2006, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/funeral-homes-in-lake-lillian/365580 "2006-08-14T02:28:28Z")
In the article Why are rebate checks drawn on obscure banks in the middle of nowhere?, Cecil mentions: What sort of creepy ass town of 300 people can not only support a funeral home, but a funeral home that needs extra… --- ## [Monty Hall](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monty-hall/368152)
**Author:** [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2006, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monty-hall/368152 "2006-08-11T21:09:06Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a3\_189.html I’m fascinated by this one. The analogy is used, to describe the probability, that it’s like Monty’s offering you Door #2 AND Door #3, or just Door #1. But if he’s open… --- ## [Muy bien.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/muy-bien/368106)
**Author:** [@srmclauren](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/srmclauren)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2006, 9:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/muy-bien/368106 "2006-08-10T09:12:10Z")
Ganz gut. Tres bien. My son just gave me this one the other day. Got it out of Country Magazine. It was a great logic and algebra lesson. He’s still thinking through what happens if you take a hen and a half’s produ… --- ## [How does glue work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-glue-work/366494)
**Author:** [@Tikkiw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tikkiw)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2006, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-glue-work/366494 "2006-08-09T17:59:23Z")
Staff Report: How does glue work? A good article by Una, that covered all of the basics thoroughly. My issue is with the third illustration; it doesn’t show mechanical locking, it simply shows two surfaces that have mor… --- ## [Where did the word "dollar" come from?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-word-dollar-come-from/367808)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2006, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-word-dollar-come-from/367808 "2006-08-09T00:30:51Z")
See http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a3\_180.html This results in three more questions Why did the Dutch drop the dollar in favour of the guilder or floren. Why did Canada adopt the dollar rather than the quid … --- ## [Is it true U.S. postage rates are among the lowest in the developed world?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-true-u-s-postage-rates-are-among-the-lowest-in-the-developed-world/367359)
**Author:** [@Gymnopithys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gymnopithys)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2006, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-true-u-s-postage-rates-are-among-the-lowest-in-the-developed-world/367359 "2006-08-08T02:36:42Z")
You didn’t take into account the size of the US. A 29 cent stamp delivers a letter to any of the 50 states, including Hawaii and Alaska. A 55 cent stamp (now more than 60 cents) in Switzerland delivers a letter within a… --- ## [Speed of light](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speed-of-light/362474)
**Author:** [@MurDuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MurDuck)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2006, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speed-of-light/362474 "2006-08-05T17:05:11Z")
Unca Cease: I used to believe – as you evidently do – that NOTHING could exceed the speed of light. But then a few months ago I read an article in Discover Magazine about the “Big Bang”. According to this article, i… --- ## [Question: ball always thrown to the 1st baseman...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-ball-always-thrown-to-the-1st-baseman/366850)
**Author:** [@bbs2k](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bbs2k)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2006, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-ball-always-thrown-to-the-1st-baseman/366850 "2006-08-04T19:37:14Z")
In regards to Cecil’s question: Why is a ball always thrown to the 1st baseman as he leaves the field after an inning? http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_182.html I noticed this during my first baseball game I att… --- ## [How do I get this linked with the article on which I am commenting?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-this-linked-with-the-article-on-which-i-am-commenting/367119)
**Author:** [@srmclauren](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/srmclauren)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2006, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-this-linked-with-the-article-on-which-i-am-commenting/367119 "2006-08-03T18:25:58Z")
Do all these threads ever get connected to the original article? I wanted to comment and also ask a question about the moon and why we only see the one side, more or less. The idea of uneven mass distribution is one th… --- ## [Joachimsthalers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joachimsthalers/367140)
**Author:** [@Khampelf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khampelf)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2006, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joachimsthalers/367140 "2006-08-03T03:21:54Z")
I had just been reading in the ‘The Baroque Cycle’ by Neal Stephenson about the mine where the Joachimthalers were made. Wonderful how these postmodernists slip facts into their tapestries of fantasy? --- ## [ethanol redux](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethanol-redux/363799)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2006, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethanol-redux/363799 "2006-08-02T17:05:53Z")
This is in reference to this column. In it, Cecil derides ethanol saying that all it does is make ADM rich at tax payer expense. He also says that claiming that ethanol provides more energy than it takes to make is a v… --- ## [Dividing the world's wealth](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dividing-the-worlds-wealth/366409)
**Author:** [@mkay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mkay)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2006, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dividing-the-worlds-wealth/366409 "2006-08-02T15:41:48Z")
Response to the classic post from 4/5/1991: Cecil, Cecil–I enjoy these things, but you didn’t answer the question. The question wasn’t about dividing up income but rather about dividing up wealth. Your glib division of … --- ## [Is hemp (nonpharmacological marijuana) the answer to our environmental problems?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hemp-nonpharmacological-marijuana-the-answer-to-our-environmental-problems/366839)
**Author:** [@PrudenceGoodwyfe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PrudenceGoodwyfe)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2006, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hemp-nonpharmacological-marijuana-the-answer-to-our-environmental-problems/366839 "2006-08-01T16:19:38Z")
Hi Cecil, One beneficial use of hemp that you overlooked is its use as a dietary supplement. It is a better (meaning more complete) source of Omega 3 and Omega 6 essential fatty acids than flax oil, and it does not hav… --- ## [Irving Berlin, composer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/irving-berlin-composer/366478)
**Author:** [@from\_a\_to\_z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/from_a_to_z)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2006, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/irving-berlin-composer/366478 "2006-07-31T20:18:04Z")
If Irving Berlin could not read or write music, how did he compose? And 100 years from now someone will (re-)ask, “Did Cecil do all of his own typing?” Thanks very much for the overview of Irving Berlin. Berlin is one… --- ## [About chilblains](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-chilblains/366321)
**Author:** [@Hypnagogic\_Jerk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypnagogic_Jerk)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2006, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-chilblains/366321 "2006-07-31T15:19:23Z")
I know I’m coming a little late for this, but I want to thank Cecil for last week’s column, about chilblains. I’d never heard of this condition, and I had been wondering about the lesions that have appeared on my hands f… --- ## [Why we see one side of the moon.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-we-see-one-side-of-the-moon/366501)
**Author:** [@srmclauren](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/srmclauren)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2006, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-we-see-one-side-of-the-moon/366501 "2006-07-29T03:41:11Z")
What if the moon was always the same shape and just had unequal mass distribution as hypothesized in the first article I read? Wouldn’t its “heavy” side always face the earth just like one of those weighted clowns that … --- ## [How much IS all the tea in China worth?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-is-all-the-tea-in-china-worth/366304)
**Author:** [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2006, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-is-all-the-tea-in-china-worth/366304 "2006-07-29T00:03:33Z")
While Cecil neatly answered the question of “how much tea is there in China,” he didn’t say how much it was worth. My admittedly limited knowledge of futures and commodities does not extend to the current price of tea i… --- ## [The Runcible Spoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-runcible-spoon/366455)
**Author:** [@getkindled](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/getkindled)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2006, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-runcible-spoon/366455 "2006-07-28T21:54:55Z")
Thank you for your excellent research and an essay to be relished. It would seem that using the sharpened edge of the tine to deftly serate the surface of the slices of mince would thus render the spoonful to be runcina… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=146) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=148)