# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=161 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 162 --- ## [CPAP Acronym](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cpap-acronym/330239)
**Author:** [@Gezellig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gezellig)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2005, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cpap-acronym/330239 "2005-11-09T17:39:21Z")
In article “Why does my body jerk when I’m falling asleep?” (http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_423b.html) I have a minor correction. The article stats that CPAP stands for “constant pressure air pump”. That shoul… --- ## [Close door buttons on elevators](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/close-door-buttons-on-elevators/325605)
**Author:** [@Rocket](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rocket)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2005, 8:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/close-door-buttons-on-elevators/325605 "2005-11-09T08:39:29Z")
If the close door button is designed to do nothing, then the Otis elevator company can say that “the close door buttons always work like a charm”, without stretching the truth. --- ## [Why is it the traffic lane you just moved into is always the one that stops?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-the-traffic-lane-you-just-moved-into-is-always-the-one-that-stops/327758)
**Author:** [@monica67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monica67)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2005, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-the-traffic-lane-you-just-moved-into-is-always-the-one-that-stops/327758 "2005-11-08T23:09:02Z")
Hasn’t this happened to everyone? I just read your short column: The freeway has no stoplights, so why does traffic halt? and while very informative, my real question is how is it that when I think I’m switching into … --- ## [Gifts of the Holy Spirit](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gifts-of-the-holy-spirit/329813)
**Author:** [@mpolo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mpolo)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2005, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gifts-of-the-holy-spirit/329813 "2005-11-08T21:31:01Z")
In the article http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/m7gifts.html on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, it is implied that the Gifts are no longer taught or refered to. This is incorrect. In the official Catechism of the Cathol… --- ## [Channel One](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/channel-one/329791)
**Author:** [@mtbai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mtbai)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2005, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/channel-one/329791 "2005-11-07T18:19:45Z")
Hey, I liked Green Acres…does that make me a hick-wannabe ? --- ## [What's the word for when you can't think of the word?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-word-for-when-you-cant-think-of-the-word/328894)
**Author:** [@m0r1arty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/m0r1arty)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2005, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-word-for-when-you-cant-think-of-the-word/328894 "2005-11-06T18:00:37Z")
Great reading, learned new words; aphasia, lethologica, anomia and dysnomia. As well as that replete term ‘tip-of-the-tongue phenomenon’ …but surely the answer is supercalifragilisticexpealadocious It should at least g… --- ## [Radar](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/radar/327243)
**Author:** [@diogenes009](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/diogenes009)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2005, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/radar/327243 "2005-11-06T01:57:01Z")
In reference to the following article: Radar Radar You left out one very important aspect of radar and speeding tickets: Radar is a corroborative tool, like pacing and timing between fixed points. At least in NY, a s… --- ## [I married my cousin, what are the odds?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-married-my-cousin-what-are-the-odds/328898)
**Author:** [@SiXSwordS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SiXSwordS)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2005, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-married-my-cousin-what-are-the-odds/328898 "2005-11-05T14:50:48Z")
In Cecil’s column on inbreeding, there was a comment I didn’t really understand: What amount of inbreeding can be accounted for by chance? What statistical method is used to account for inbreeding? I assume that, in … --- ## [Humans Evolved From Apes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/humans-evolved-from-apes/328021)
**Author:** [@Flash\_Gordon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flash_Gordon)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2005, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/humans-evolved-from-apes/328021 "2005-11-04T17:36:27Z")
Regards the answer by SDSTAFF David, 11 Oct. 1999, on the question of whether humans evolved from apes----Is it correct to say that humans ARE apes? I don’t think so because humans and apes are thought to have evolved i… --- ## [Rosie O'Donnell in 1985?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rosie-odonnell-in-1985/329408)
**Author:** [@tofergregg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tofergregg)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2005, 8:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rosie-odonnell-in-1985/329408 "2005-11-04T08:58:19Z")
In Cecil’s 1985 column, Is “cracking your back” to relieve a backache a good idea?, Cecil makes the following snide comment about having someone crack your back: Funny. But too early. IMDB claims that Rosie’s first T… --- ## [Jump-starting](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jump-starting/329213)
**Author:** [@Tevildo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tevildo)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2005, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jump-starting/329213 "2005-11-04T02:59:09Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/050930.html A couple of additional points I’d like to make, in addition to the one about exploding hydrogen in Cecil’s original article. NOTE - I’m assuming a negative-ground car here… --- ## [Bats And Rabies--Hold Your Horses, Unca Cecil.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bats-and-rabies-hold-your-horses-unca-cecil/329294)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2005, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bats-and-rabies-hold-your-horses-unca-cecil/329294 "2005-11-03T15:04:51Z")
Refers to this column– http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1\_029.html Bats may be a bigger rabies problem than you think. And by bats, I mean Vampire bats. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4398660.stm It… --- ## [Diplomatic Immunity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diplomatic-immunity/328962)
**Author:** [@Honey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honey)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2005, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diplomatic-immunity/328962 "2005-11-02T00:18:18Z")
I didn’t see the answer I was looking for in this column. Are relatives such as spouses, sons, daughters, etc…also extended diplomatic immunity from their host country? --- ## [Re: Were the witches of Salem a result of poisoning with ergot fungus?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-were-the-witches-of-salem-a-result-of-poisoning-with-ergot-fungus/327877)
**Author:** [@dube007ca](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dube007ca)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2005, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-were-the-witches-of-salem-a-result-of-poisoning-with-ergot-fungus/327877 "2005-11-01T17:19:07Z")
Re: (http://www.straightdope.com/columns/050114.html) In response to Cecil’s opinion regarding the unlikelihood that ergotism played a role in the Salem incident I’d like to share a quote from Dr. Linnda Caporael, the w… --- ## [regular gas in my diesel](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regular-gas-in-my-diesel/327723)
**Author:** [@yenifia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yenifia)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2005, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regular-gas-in-my-diesel/327723 "2005-11-01T16:38:14Z")
HELP, I just put a little less than 4 gallons of regular gas in my diesel Volkswagon. What do I do. It had a 1/4 of a tank in it. I accidently put in the 4 gallons of regular then I topped it off with diesel. Will it… --- ## [It ain't just the Appalachians, bub...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-aint-just-the-appalachians-bub/328303)
**Author:** [@user\_hostile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/user_hostile)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2005, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-aint-just-the-appalachians-bub/328303 "2005-10-31T06:36:41Z")
Per Cecil’s article inbreeding is not just to be found in the Appalachians. When living in California, a family friend who worked in public health along the central coast mentioned having to deal “inbred” sorts of peopl… --- ## [Were those old shoe store fluoroscopes a health hazard?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-those-old-shoe-store-fluoroscopes-a-health-hazard/328143)
**Author:** [@MikeTheTiger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeTheTiger)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2005, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-those-old-shoe-store-fluoroscopes-a-health-hazard/328143 "2005-10-31T04:55:24Z")
Were those old shoe store fluoroscopes a health hazard? Referring to Cecil’s column above, it seems that back a little before my time, it was common to have an X-ray device in a shoe store. What, pray tell, was the pur… --- ## [regular gas vs high test](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regular-gas-vs-high-test/328536)
**Author:** [@david\_getlin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/david_getlin)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2005, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regular-gas-vs-high-test/328536 "2005-10-30T13:52:37Z")
hello, cecil…i read your colum on regular vs high test gas…and was ready to take your advice and follow the manual…but…the last sentence changed my mind…you alluded to using a 6 dollar bottle of carbon cleaner rather tha… --- ## [Merkins - how were they attached?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/merkins-how-were-they-attached/328548)
**Author:** [@The\_Weird\_One](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Weird_One)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2005, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/merkins-how-were-they-attached/328548 "2005-10-30T05:01:51Z")
Just now, my roommates and I were discussing the current presidency; one of them referred to “'Merkins.” As a fighter of ignorance, I of course said, “Hey! That’s a real word!” and read them Cecil’s column on merkins. To… --- ## [Spy Satellite Resolution](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spy-satellite-resolution/327071)
**Author:** [@One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/One_And_Only_Wanderers)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2005, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spy-satellite-resolution/327071 "2005-10-29T19:21:41Z")
In the current column here Cecil informs us that spy satellites have a resolution of 6 inches. Of course that column dates from 1987. Have things improved any? Can newspapers be read from orbit yet? --- ## [The Shakespeare Answer Wasn't Good Enough](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-shakespeare-answer-wasnt-good-enough/326495)
**Author:** [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2005, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-shakespeare-answer-wasnt-good-enough/326495 "2005-10-28T19:03:41Z")
Referencing the recent article Why is William Shakespeare considered the greatest English language writer of all time? While Shakespeare’s use of language is commendable, it is not solely for his use of language that ca… --- ## [What's the big deal about gay marriage? Why do we have marriage laws at all?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-deal-about-gay-marriage-why-do-we-have-marriage-laws-at-all/327406)
**Author:** [@upndownon1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/upndownon1)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2005, 8:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-deal-about-gay-marriage-why-do-we-have-marriage-laws-at-all/327406 "2005-10-27T08:55:26Z")
This is a comment on this site’s column concerning gay marriage. Americans seem willing to fight over this issue without tackling the root cause of why people are against it - namely, RELIGIOUS opinion. Why and where AN… --- ## [Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shakespeare/326207)
**Author:** [@jamesd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jamesd)\ **Replies:** 167\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2005, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shakespeare/326207 "2005-10-25T18:54:05Z")
Regarding the quote from Richard III: “I say, without characters, fame lives long.” There is a third, more generally accepted, interpretation of this line. 'Without certain aspects of personal character (thus being left… --- ## [Hey, my ancestors swung on vines!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-my-ancestors-swung-on-vines/327376)
**Author:** [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2005, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-my-ancestors-swung-on-vines/327376 "2005-10-25T15:00:45Z")
Well, okay, my mother and her siblings. As kids they swung on grape vines across a creek on their farm. Note that grape vines, like a lot of vines, grow up and then hang down. Thus giving a free end to swing on. A possib… --- ## [the whole nine yards](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-whole-nine-yards/327767)
**Author:** [@slo\_ride](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slo_ride)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2005, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-whole-nine-yards/327767 "2005-10-25T06:42:25Z")
the whole nine yards the phrase “the whole nine yards” is not as old as many people might imagine. its first known published use was in a 1966 novel by elaine shephard called “doom pussy” about air force pilots in viet… --- ## [Japan takes a poke](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/japan-takes-a-poke/327317)
**Author:** [@jimbobboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jimbobboy)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2005, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/japan-takes-a-poke/327317 "2005-10-24T19:02:05Z")
Just an FYI related to Karen’s excellent staff report What’s at the center of the earth? Karen informs us that The Chikyu, a japanese ship now in final fitting-out, is expected to drill all the way through the crust t… --- ## [Slight Nitpick on Core Article](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slight-nitpick-on-core-article/326784)
**Author:** [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2005, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slight-nitpick-on-core-article/326784 "2005-10-24T00:17:53Z")
Regarding today’s Article on the Earth’s makeup: What’s at the center of the earth? While I can’t fault the statement that “Its \[the inner core’s\] diameter is about 2400 km,” it is a misleading statement. A more correc… --- ## [holiday hangover](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holiday-hangover/327546)
**Author:** [@don\_a](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_a)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2005, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holiday-hangover/327546 "2005-10-23T22:01:58Z")
there is one very simple solution to not having a holiday hangover,or any hangover for that matter. and that is DON’T DRINK!!! if you don’t drink you will not get drunk,and if you don’t get drunk you will not have a hang… --- ## [I have Porphyria!!!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-porphyria/327476)
**Author:** [@Kimberly\_Dixon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimberly_Dixon)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2005, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-porphyria/327476 "2005-10-23T18:45:39Z")
My name is Kimberly Dixon. I have suffered from Porphyria for 19 years now. I spend 3 to 10 days a month in the Hospital EVERY month!!! This is very interesting to know that I’m not the only one. My symptoms are severe a… --- ## [peanut allergies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peanut-allergies/327392)
**Author:** [@Jay\_Buzzini](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jay_Buzzini)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2005, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peanut-allergies/327392 "2005-10-22T04:09:58Z")
URL: http://www.straightdope.com/columns/030613.html Dear cecil, Yes indeedy peanut allergies are for real! I should know since I been a sufferer for all of forty three years. I first discovered this when I was three… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=160) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=162)