# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=163 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 164 --- ## [ACME Answer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acme-answer/324802)
**Author:** [@Tigr67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tigr67)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2005, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acme-answer/324802 "2005-10-06T15:56:48Z")
ACME, as used playfully in the Warner Bros. animated shorts, is actually an affectionate nod to the peg-registration system used by the animators there. When animated cartoons are drawn, inked, painted and photographed,… --- ## [RE: What's up with the "Acme Company"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-whats-up-with-the-acme-company/324194)
**Author:** [@TasCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TasCat)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2005, 9:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-whats-up-with-the-acme-company/324194 "2005-10-06T09:57:07Z")
In the answer to the Acme company, reference was made to why Didn’t the coyote ever catch the roadrunner, there were rules listed as to why he didn’t, but in fact, in one episode the coyote DID catch the road runner, how… --- ## [Cecil: Scratch & sniff incorrect attribution](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-scratch-sniff-incorrect-attribution/324783)
**Author:** [@tarheels](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tarheels)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2005, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-scratch-sniff-incorrect-attribution/324783 "2005-10-05T19:53:20Z")
Cecil, I’m almost certain that, regardless of who owns the patent today, it was NCR Corporation that invented both carbonless paper and the subsequent technological breakthrough, the Scratch & Sniff. Dayton Resident --- ## [Can Fire Ant Bites Kill You](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-fire-ant-bites-kill-you/323830)
**Author:** [@Cynical1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cynical1)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2005, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-fire-ant-bites-kill-you/323830 "2005-10-04T06:12:11Z")
Fire Ant Bites aren’t what gets you, it’s the sting. They bite just to get leverage so they can sting you with their tails. Then they let go, pivot a bit, bite the same spot, and sting again. I have watched one make a c… --- ## [Faucets slowing to a trickle](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/faucets-slowing-to-a-trickle/321839)
**Author:** [@DevastatorIIC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DevastatorIIC)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2005, 9:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/faucets-slowing-to-a-trickle/321839 "2005-09-29T09:53:59Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_394.html The same thing happens in my dorm hall (on the 6th floor), but with cold water as well. So it wouldn’t be expanding washers. Actually, according to thermal expansion, wh… --- ## [A most pleasurable form of exercise](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-most-pleasurable-form-of-exercise/323897)
**Author:** [@The\_Controvert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Controvert)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2005, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-most-pleasurable-form-of-exercise/323897 "2005-09-28T23:17:50Z")
In this column: http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1\_054.html Cecil fails to mention how many calories it takes to produce the ejaculate. Is this a viable way to use up excess calories? --- ## [Error in the soap article](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/error-in-the-soap-article/323868)
**Author:** [@Khan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khan)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2005, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/error-in-the-soap-article/323868 "2005-09-28T16:21:24Z")
He’s right about the hydrophobic and hydrophilic aspects of detergent molecules, but the part about the alkali metal (eg sodium, potassium, etc.) is incorrect. It forms an ionic bond with the acid part of the fatty acid… --- ## [humongous as a real word](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/humongous-as-a-real-word/309462)
**Author:** [@JAGUARDOG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JAGUARDOG)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [September 27, 2005, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/humongous-as-a-real-word/309462 "2005-09-27T17:13:40Z")
I had to use the word humongous today and was not sure of the spelling and it is not in my New Webster’s Dictionary dated with an update in 1981. If the word first appeared in 1967 why is it not in my Dictionary? What … --- ## [Cats will not suck the breath from you](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-will-not-suck-the-breath-from-you/315235)
**Author:** [@akinney](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/akinney)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [September 27, 2005, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-will-not-suck-the-breath-from-you/315235 "2005-09-27T16:30:12Z")
While I was researching articles regarding newborn care and introducing cats to newborn babies I came across one of Cecil’s commentaries. URL:http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a4\_081.html. The author of this page man… --- ## [Gasahol Kills!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gasahol-kills/322969)
**Author:** [@SCSimmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCSimmons)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [September 27, 2005, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gasahol-kills/322969 "2005-09-27T16:17:45Z")
Re: this column : I am mercifully free of doubts as to Cecil’s infallibility … However, I can hardly imagine that the technical capabilities of vehicles, as well as the qualities of organic gasoline substitutes, have no… --- ## [The Fly In The Microwave](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fly-in-the-microwave/323491)
**Author:** [@Everything\_is\_Crazy-Go-Nuts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Everything_is_Crazy-Go-Nuts)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 27, 2005, 10:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fly-in-the-microwave/323491 "2005-09-27T10:55:43Z")
The other day I put a plate of food in the microwave, set the timer and started it up. After it had been going about a minute, I looked in and noticed a fly buzzing erratically (in other words, in typical fly-fashion) a… --- ## [comments to stairwys meaning](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comments-to-stairwys-meaning/323586)
**Author:** [@bron\_y\_aur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bron_y_aur)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 27, 2005, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comments-to-stairwys-meaning/323586 "2005-09-27T01:49:51Z")
Look Gang,There’s alot of hoopla on what it means,I know from listening to it over and over again for along time that when he says" sometimes words have two meanings", it means if ya cant understand what that means then… --- ## [Airplane pressure vs. Strongmen?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-pressure-vs-strongmen/322856)
**Author:** [@Neverest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neverest)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 26, 2005, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-pressure-vs-strongmen/322856 "2005-09-26T19:44:56Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_390.html In this article, Cecil mentions that 2,200 pounds of pressure would need to be overcome to open an emergency exit on a Boeing commercial flight @ 30,000 feet. My thought … --- ## [Castaneda/Matus - looking for info to debunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/castaneda-matus-looking-for-info-to-debunk/322172)
**Author:** [@mikelpsu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mikelpsu)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 26, 2005, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/castaneda-matus-looking-for-info-to-debunk/322172 "2005-09-26T19:24:20Z")
My first time here, so I apologize, in advance for any rookie mistakes… I’m looking for any recent, factual articles, websites or other resources that might further debunk the existence of Castaneda’s infamous don Juan … --- ## [You \*can\* revive Glowsticks and extend their lives to some degree](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-revive-glowsticks-and-extend-their-lives-to-some-degree/323288)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 26, 2005, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-revive-glowsticks-and-extend-their-lives-to-some-degree/323288 "2005-09-26T13:20:40Z")
Just an FYI Putting them in the freezer before they are depleted will stop (or very much slow down) the degrading of their glow properies once activated. It also tends to “kick” them back up a little bit. Link to co… --- ## [say cheese](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-cheese/321762)
**Author:** [@Abakan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Abakan)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [September 26, 2005, 9:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-cheese/321762 "2005-09-26T09:34:21Z")
Link to Staff Report: Straight Dope Staff Report: Why do photographers ask you to say “cheese”?Well, things have certainly changed since I was here a few years ago. I won’t be paying a fee as it is just too hard to get t… --- ## [Glow Little Glowworm...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/glow-little-glowworm/323203)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2005, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/glow-little-glowworm/323203 "2005-09-24T14:35:46Z")
The Magic of Glowsticks: http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_397c.html It is very interesting how Uncle Cecil states that the chemistry of the glowstick is the same (or highly similar) to the lightning bug. Howeve… --- ## [Alcohol EATS Listerine's Plastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alcohol-eats-listerines-plastic/323094)
**Author:** [@penguinsare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penguinsare)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2005, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alcohol-eats-listerines-plastic/323094 "2005-09-24T14:26:01Z")
How can Alcohol be in listerine? I thought alcohol had to be in a glass bottle or it eats through the plastic. Listerine is in a Plastic container. Penguinsare@gmail.com --- ## [Slug's illustration for the light stick column](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slugs-illustration-for-the-light-stick-column/323035)
**Author:** [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2005, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slugs-illustration-for-the-light-stick-column/323035 "2005-09-24T13:31:33Z")
Once again Slug has baffled me with his arcane interpretation of a light stick in illustration accompanying this column: Why can’t I revive the “glow light” I bought at a concert? What is that thing? A glowing dismemb… --- ## [Test if ads look at title. Chocolate .](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-if-ads-look-at-title-chocolate/323145)
**Author:** [@Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bippy_the_Beardless)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2005, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-if-ads-look-at-title-chocolate/323145 "2005-09-24T01:35:05Z")
Or in the text as well, football, cricket, rugby. And if it is responding immediately to this section only. --- ## [a](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a/323095)
**Author:** [@penguinsare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penguinsare)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2005, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a/323095 "2005-09-24T01:24:39Z")
aa --- ## [What makes poo brown: Cecil is wrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-poo-brown-cecil-is-wrong/320852)
**Author:** [@dubbin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dubbin)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2005, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-poo-brown-cecil-is-wrong/320852 "2005-09-21T05:34:29Z")
Cecil is wrong in his answer to the question of what makes poo brown at http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_381.html The pigment that makes poo brown is not bilirubin (which is yellow - it causes jaundice) but sterc… --- ## [Some Facts of Lucid Dreaming](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-facts-of-lucid-dreaming/315996)
**Author:** [@wissdok](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wissdok)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2005, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-facts-of-lucid-dreaming/315996 "2005-09-20T16:23:01Z")
Link to column: How do you have lucid dreams? I have been lucid dreaming for 25 years now. For those interested because it sounds fun or a blessing to get rid of nightmares…let me tell you it will become a curse!!! Bu… --- ## [Deja Vu](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deja-vu/322430)
**Author:** [@sp027jm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sp027jm)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2005, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deja-vu/322430 "2005-09-20T12:19:53Z")
I know what deja vu is. Deja Vu is the partial recollection of a dream you once had while you are awake. You typically dream about meaningless stuff you do day to day. When you are awake and you coincidently make a mo… --- ## [A GQ RE: ff in an SR](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-gq-re-ff-in-an-sr/320849)
**Author:** [@SiXSwordS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SiXSwordS)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2005, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-gq-re-ff-in-an-sr/320849 "2005-09-20T03:55:25Z")
This could go in GQ since it is a simple question with, I’m guessing, a single answer. However, since the question comes from the excellent column on angels by Dex, I figured I’d post it here. In some of the biblical q… --- ## [Straight Dope illustrations: offensive to women?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-illustrations-offensive-to-women/321184)
**Author:** [@Vaile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vaile)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2005, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-illustrations-offensive-to-women/321184 "2005-09-20T02:43:00Z")
Is anyone else offended by the illustrations on the Straight Dope column? I apologize if this has already been discussed, but it seems like it always shows women in extremely unflattering ways, with bizarre pointy or flo… --- ## [Lightning Rods](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lightning-rods/322322)
**Author:** [@madduxcs\_alltel.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madduxcs_alltel.net)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2005, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lightning-rods/322322 "2005-09-19T12:35:31Z")
Question regarding the answer to the 24 Aug 2001 regarding “Do lightning rods work?” Why hasn't a manufacturer come up with an instrument like an inexpensive recording ammeter to place along the grounding cable to reco… --- ## [Opening an airplane's door while in flight](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opening-an-airplanes-door-while-in-flight/321472)
**Author:** [@Lennon\_Lives](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lennon_Lives)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2005, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opening-an-airplanes-door-while-in-flight/321472 "2005-09-17T20:25:55Z")
Regarding this classic column ( http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_390.html ). Cecil mentioned D. B. Cooper’s famous exit from a Boeing 727 during his hijacking. A number of years ago I toured the United Airlines … --- ## [Ollie, Ollie oxen go free](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ollie-ollie-oxen-go-free/321772)
**Author:** [@Karl\_Sharman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Karl_Sharman)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2005, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ollie-ollie-oxen-go-free/321772 "2005-09-16T19:01:59Z")
What’s the meaning of “Ollie, Ollie oxen go free”? 22-Jun-1990 A little late to the party, but to make the mysterious “spuggy” less … mysterious… it is a geordie (Newcastle upon Tyne) term for a sparrow, or genericall… --- ## [girls bikes designed for dress wearers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/girls-bikes-designed-for-dress-wearers/310235)
**Author:** [@onestr8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/onestr8)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2005, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/girls-bikes-designed-for-dress-wearers/310235 "2005-09-16T06:09:45Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mgirlbikes.html I don’t have the sources to back it up, but I have always believed (was told?) that the design of girls bikes was a hold over from the early days of the bicycle when w… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=162) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=164)