# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=15 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 16 --- ## [Why humans wipe their butts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-humans-wipe-their-butts/782965)
**Author:** [@SteveW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveW)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2017, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-humans-wipe-their-butts/782965 "2017-03-31T18:47:05Z")
Not forgetting to mention that we didn’t notice the skid marks until we began to wear white clothing!! --- ## [Shaving](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shaving/783213)
**Author:** [@toefungus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toefungus)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2017, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shaving/783213 "2017-03-31T17:17:23Z")
You missed the single best advice of all: Shave in the shower! It’s so much faster and easier than standing at a sink it isn’t true. 30 seconds of hot steam and a really wet face before you start is infinitely better th… --- ## [Should we give up toilet paper?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-give-up-toilet-paper/783129)
**Author:** [@L-Space\_Traveler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/L-Space_Traveler)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2017, 8:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-give-up-toilet-paper/783129 "2017-03-29T08:32:16Z")
Cecil’s column says “. . . a 2010 study of subjects in Japan, where bidet usage is common, linked regular warm-water cleansing with the aggravation of vaginal microflora.” I am curious (there is no link to the actual st… --- ## [Can human growth hormone slow aging?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-human-growth-hormone-slow-aging/781767)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2017, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-human-growth-hormone-slow-aging/781767 "2017-03-26T11:26:48Z")
Cecil’s 2004 column is back on the front page: Can human growth hormone slow aging? - The Straight Dope Any interesting research since then? --- ## [Is a diamond's price a true measure of its value](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-diamonds-price-a-true-measure-of-its-value/782885)
**Author:** [@Keeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeve)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2017, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-diamonds-price-a-true-measure-of-its-value/782885 "2017-03-24T18:09:41Z")
Today’s question (March 23) is: Is a diamond’s price a true measure of its value Uncle Cecil writes: That makes plenty of sense to me, but gold was the only “high-value product” he mentioned. There are many other item… --- ## [Why is it easier to balance on a moving bike than a non-moving one (revisited)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-easier-to-balance-on-a-moving-bike-than-a-non-moving-one-revisited/779958)
**Author:** [@lesizz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lesizz)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2017, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-easier-to-balance-on-a-moving-bike-than-a-non-moving-one-revisited/779958 "2017-03-24T12:35:30Z")
Yes, TRAIL! But why? The real balance mechanism is the rider’s brain. The brain has built into it a feedback servo system that works in the background (subconscious). When walking, a person’s (or chihuahua’s) brain w… --- ## [Did a murderer escape punishment using the "Twinkie defense"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-a-murderer-escape-punishment-using-the-twinkie-defense/782803)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2017, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-a-murderer-escape-punishment-using-the-twinkie-defense/782803 "2017-03-23T01:05:42Z")
Link to Staff Report Just a couple of corrections to Jillgat’s report. White was sentenced to 7 years in prison rather than 6 and he was paroled in January 1984 not 1985, committing suicide in October 1985 some year and… --- ## [What happens to stuff confiscated at security checkpoints?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-stuff-confiscated-at-security-checkpoints/782720)
**Author:** [@Mogrith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mogrith)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2017, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-stuff-confiscated-at-security-checkpoints/782720 "2017-03-22T14:02:51Z")
Why can’t the airport have a service where instead of handing over your stuff they stick it in a flat rate overnight box to the home address from your ticket? If you don’t want to pay or the item can’t be shipped (loaded… --- ## [BBQ vs. Grill](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bbq-vs-grill/781889)
**Author:** [@David\_Ehrlich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Ehrlich)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2017, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bbq-vs-grill/781889 "2017-03-18T04:08:03Z")
You, like many Americans, fail to distinguish between Barbecuing and grilling. Some Americans think that slapping some barbecue sauce over the meat makes it barbecued; that is incorrect. Except in Australia, barbecuing… --- ## [Mercurochrome](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mercurochrome/663011)
**Author:** [@violetwrites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/violetwrites)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2017, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mercurochrome/663011 "2017-03-17T12:58:47Z")
Thank you so much for your knowledgable article and all the information regarding Mercurochrome. I couldn’t figure out why I haven’t been able to find. No iodine either only Betadine. I liked Mercurochrome because it was… --- ## [Lots of missing superscripts lately](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lots-of-missing-superscripts-lately/782120)
**Author:** [@grue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grue)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2017, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lots-of-missing-superscripts-lately/782120 "2017-03-16T16:31:40Z")
I’ve noticed that lately there have been several mathy articles posted where the superscripts were missing. For example: How do they figure the distance between celestial bodies? What’s up with all the missing matter i… --- ## [The Phrase "From Hunger"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-phrase-from-hunger/400451)
**Author:** [@Billdo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Billdo)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2017, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-phrase-from-hunger/400451 "2017-03-16T02:39:39Z")
In the classic column on holographic images, Cecil dismisses his clarification that holograms do not actually have facets but rather quasihyperboloidal interference fringes by saying: “Amounts to the same thing as tiny … --- ## [In "A Boy Named Sue," what's Johnny Cash saying during the bleeped out part?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-a-boy-named-sue-whats-johnny-cash-saying-during-the-bleeped-out-part/781157)
**Author:** [@Keeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeve)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2017, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-a-boy-named-sue-whats-johnny-cash-saying-during-the-bleeped-out-part/781157 "2017-03-14T21:04:47Z")
Link to Today’s (March 1) Question This is not the first time I’ve heard the claim that the bleeped out part is “son of a bitch.” But I have great difficulty believing it. That phrase is four syllables long, and the met… --- ## [Does BBQing Cause Cancer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-bbqing-cause-cancer/257636)
**Author:** [@Humble\_Servant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Humble_Servant)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2017, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-bbqing-cause-cancer/257636 "2017-03-14T19:41:43Z")
Link to column. Just because I feel like it, let’s juxtapose a couple of thoughts from this column and a recent Staff Report: Heh. I think I like Cecil’s late summer columns–are they more relaxed and banterish? I r… --- ## [An update on the German Cannibal, Armin Meiwes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-update-on-the-german-cannibal-armin-meiwes/781274)
**Author:** [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2017, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-update-on-the-german-cannibal-armin-meiwes/781274 "2017-03-09T16:52:55Z")
Link to relevant article: Eat or be eaten: Is cannibalism a pathology as listed in the DSM-IV? July 2, 2004 This article discuses Armin Meiwes, a German with cannibal fantasies who hooked up with Bernd Brandes, a Ge… --- ## [Roman numerals](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roman-numerals/781296)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2017, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roman-numerals/781296 "2017-03-07T21:39:32Z")
Why the distinction when talking about Roman numerals and the number 3 (for example)? Aren’t they both numerals? Also, is this a prostitue? --- ## [Why do you sometimes see a row of square holes dug in the street?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-sometimes-see-a-row-of-square-holes-dug-in-the-street/385558)
**Author:** [@Chez\_Guevara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chez_Guevara)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2007, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-sometimes-see-a-row-of-square-holes-dug-in-the-street/385558 "2007-01-02T14:51:13Z")
Link. In his reply for this 1990 SD Classic, Cecil answers the question concerning why the holes are dug with his customary elan. For reasons best known to himself, he fails to address the point regarding filling in t… --- ## [Could I survive on nothing but potatoes and milk?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-survive-on-nothing-but-potatoes-and-milk/781245)
**Author:** [@cardinal\_fang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cardinal_fang)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2017, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-survive-on-nothing-but-potatoes-and-milk/781245 "2017-03-02T23:25:20Z")
I was reading a recent BBC Future article (Could you survive on just one food?) and was thinking that Cecil had addressed this at some point. Sure enough, the author refers to the 2008 column (about halfway down), with a… --- ## [Have studies proven that prayer can help heal the sick?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-studies-proven-that-prayer-can-help-heal-the-sick/780667)
**Author:** [@HenryG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HenryG)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2017, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-studies-proven-that-prayer-can-help-heal-the-sick/780667 "2017-03-02T15:56:09Z")
More generally, can prayer achieve anything? The Christian god is held by its followers to have all manner of desirable traits, including that of ALL-KNOWING. Now, if your god knows everything, he knows what is going t… --- ## [confiscated stuff](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/confiscated-stuff/780726)
**Author:** [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2017, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/confiscated-stuff/780726 "2017-02-27T22:27:43Z")
So, you can’t take replica guns onboard. And you can’t take a leatherman onboard. That bets the question: can you take a toy/imitation/cardboard leatherman onboard? --- ## [Why is the US military budget so high?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-us-military-budget-so-high/780771)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2017, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-us-military-budget-so-high/780771 "2017-02-27T17:59:15Z")
Link to Cecil’s column. It’s a fascinating column but as it’s 13 years old wouldn’t much of the information be outdated and perhaps misleading? --- ## [one shoe mystery continues](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-shoe-mystery-continues/780377)
**Author:** [@an11](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/an11)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2017, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-shoe-mystery-continues/780377 "2017-02-21T21:26:55Z")
I have seen 30 random abandoned shoes on the roadside in and around the Nashville TN area in the last two years. --- ## [death holds](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-holds/779837)
**Author:** [@jojopeewee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jojopeewee)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2017, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-holds/779837 "2017-02-15T00:51:49Z")
during world war 2 the Germans had a maneuver that would cause you to black out putting pressure on the artery on the side of the neck --- ## [What Does It Take to Get Charged With Manslaughter When Your Negligent Driving Kills Someone](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-take-to-get-charged-with-manslaughter-when-your-negligent-driving-kills-someone/779448)
**Author:** [@PYANAGAWA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PYANAGAWA)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2017, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-take-to-get-charged-with-manslaughter-when-your-negligent-driving-kills-someone/779448 "2017-02-14T22:53:44Z")
People who drive and kill someone routinely get charged with vehicular manslaughter in Hawaii. --- ## [Was Abraham Lincoln gay?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-abraham-lincoln-gay/777823)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2017, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-abraham-lincoln-gay/777823 "2017-02-11T00:58:45Z")
Link to Cecil’s column. In the column mention is made of a book that gay-activist Larry Kramer was writing in which he claimed he would publish letters, etc proving Lincoln was gay. In 1999 he read extracts from these p… --- ## [Psychics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychics/779194)
**Author:** [@watchwolf49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/watchwolf49)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2017, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychics/779194 "2017-02-10T21:26:57Z")
The article “How come TV psychics seem so convincing?” failed to mention confirmation bias as an operational method … just simply telling people what they want to hear … more on this later, first some observations … Thi… --- ## [Why-doesn-t-the-irs-just-send-us-a-tax-bill](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesn-t-the-irs-just-send-us-a-tax-bill/778354)
**Author:** [@gordintoronto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gordintoronto)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2017, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesn-t-the-irs-just-send-us-a-tax-bill/778354 "2017-02-06T15:07:46Z")
Surely many people have income or deductions which the IRS does not know about. For example, capital gains depend on facts which are not on an IRS filing. Perhaps Canada has a more complex tax system, but it’s 50 years… --- ## [report on Carlos](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/report-on-carlos/116351)
**Author:** [@curwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curwin)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2017, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/report-on-carlos/116351 "2017-02-09T02:31:50Z")
bibliophage : In this report you had one factual error: The Pan Am 103 bombing was in December 1988. You also wrote: While I’m guessing you’re American, the phrase “our side” sounds a little strange. Although I am … --- ## [Article signature "the Donald in 2000"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/article-signature-the-donald-in-2000/779254)
**Author:** [@MyClem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyClem)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 7, 2017, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/article-signature-the-donald-in-2000/779254 "2017-02-07T22:10:03Z")
So I was looking up reference links to talk to a friend who thinks majority rule is the way the US “should be” and of course I checked Straight Dope. I found this article posted in 1999: signed by “Ian” “The Donald i… --- ## [44th Anniversary of the first Straight Dope column](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/44th-anniversary-of-the-first-straight-dope-column/778814)
**Author:** [@whitetho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whitetho)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2017, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/44th-anniversary-of-the-first-straight-dope-column/778814 "2017-02-03T02:26:40Z")
Just a short note to note that 44 years ago on January 2, 1973 The First Straight Dope Column appeared in the Chicago Reader. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=14) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=16)