# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=166 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 167 --- ## [Three English words that end in -gry](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-english-words-that-end-in-gry/316173)
**Author:** [@Nature\_s\_Call](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nature_s_Call)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2005, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-english-words-that-end-in-gry/316173 "2005-08-09T13:04:21Z")
Linky Wait wait! Put away the keys (at least for now!) It appears that Cecil knew about the “joke” concerning -gry, as he ended the article saying the answer is “three” But nowhere in the article, nor in the comments … --- ## [Humpty Dumpty's portrayal as an egg](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/humpty-dumptys-portrayal-as-an-egg/316200)
**Author:** [@Razmataz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Razmataz)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2005, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/humpty-dumptys-portrayal-as-an-egg/316200 "2005-08-09T01:25:16Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mhumpty.html I have heard another explanation of the rhyme’s origin, from a friend in Colchester, in the south of England. It was taken from information at the town castle, and state… --- ## [Humpty Dumpty's portrayal as an egg](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/humpty-dumptys-portrayal-as-an-egg/316198)
**Author:** [@Razmataz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Razmataz)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2005, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/humpty-dumptys-portrayal-as-an-egg/316198 "2005-08-09T00:28:16Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mhumpty.html I have heard another explanation of the rhyme’s origin, from a friend in Colchester, in the south of England. It was taken from information at the town castle, and state… --- ## [Is it possible to straighten and lengthen the penis?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-straighten-and-lengthen-the-penis/312151)
**Author:** [@olenielsen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/olenielsen)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2005, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-straighten-and-lengthen-the-penis/312151 "2005-08-08T21:22:17Z")
Hi Cecil (and others) Just wanted to correct some errors in the above article, since I work for a company that are selling a device that can both straighten and enlarge a penis. This product is currently being tested (… --- ## [Lucid dreaming](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lucid-dreaming/315711)
**Author:** [@Nature\_s\_Call](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nature_s_Call)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2005, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lucid-dreaming/315711 "2005-08-08T13:32:55Z")
Linky First a question, then a comment. Q: I didn’t get the references to snakes and cigars. What was Ed getting at? Comment: Richard Feynman, in his book “'Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman!” describes how he acqui… --- ## [Why do movie ticket takers keep half the stub?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-movie-ticket-takers-keep-half-the-stub/314550)
**Author:** [@nanana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nanana)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2005, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-movie-ticket-takers-keep-half-the-stub/314550 "2005-08-07T23:36:28Z")
There is another reason not mentioned in the answer and that is that the people running a venue, whether theatre, cinema or other, take half a ticket stub in case of emergencies. If you have to evacuate the venue, then t… --- ## [Could a nuclear weapon be built and carried in a suitcase?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-nuclear-weapon-be-built-and-carried-in-a-suitcase/314145)
**Author:** [@Neutron\_Activation](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neutron_Activation)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2005, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-nuclear-weapon-be-built-and-carried-in-a-suitcase/314145 "2005-08-07T19:29:06Z")
In the article titled “Could a nuclear weapon be built and carried in a suitcase?” http://www.straightdope.com/columns/050624.html You speculate “what would the thing weigh, all told? Possibly as little as 30 kilograms… --- ## [Privacy dispute on alien spaceships in Area 51!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/privacy-dispute-on-alien-spaceships-in-area-51/315690)
**Author:** [@Dragon\_Spirit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dragon_Spirit)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2005, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/privacy-dispute-on-alien-spaceships-in-area-51/315690 "2005-08-07T05:00:54Z")
If the U.S. Government is actually holding alien spaceships in Area 51 and keeping that information secret, then why would it let you (Cecil) reveal the so called truth…stated by you that there truly aren’t any crafts? A… --- ## [It's Kmart, not K mart](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-kmart-not-k-mart/315611)
**Author:** [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2005, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-kmart-not-k-mart/315611 "2005-08-07T01:23:03Z")
On their site, they spell it Kmart. No space. http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_348b.html --- ## [whole nine yards](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whole-nine-yards/315360)
**Author:** [@coorsjumbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coorsjumbo)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2005, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whole-nine-yards/315360 "2005-08-06T18:04:31Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_252.html I must agree with the thread referring to the whole nine yards as ammo length. My uncle was a fighter pilot in the Pacific Theater. He told me that the expression “whol… --- ## [More on why do men fall asleep after sex](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-on-why-do-men-fall-asleep-after-sex/314722)
**Author:** [@jspoi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jspoi)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2005, 11:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-on-why-do-men-fall-asleep-after-sex/314722 "2005-08-06T11:42:19Z")
Hi there, First time writer, long time… Anyway, I’ve finally found a twopence worth to chime in here! On the above subject (found at http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a5\_183.html) I have this addition: The reason … --- ## [Lucid Dreaming, Original Guru was Carlos Castañeda, teahings of Don Juan.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lucid-dreaming-original-guru-was-carlos-castaneda-teahings-of-don-juan/315809)
**Author:** [@maya0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maya0)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2005, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lucid-dreaming-original-guru-was-carlos-castaneda-teahings-of-don-juan/315809 "2005-08-06T00:39:21Z")
Carlos Castñeda, wrote lots of books on lucid dream controls as taught by a yaqui indian call Don Juan Matus, to have over looked the original guru of lucid dreaming is an affront not only to Carlos Castñeda, but to all … --- ## [Lucid Dreaming - "Us Anthonys"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lucid-dreaming-us-anthonys/315749)
**Author:** [@CuriousCanuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CuriousCanuck)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2005, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lucid-dreaming-us-anthonys/315749 "2005-08-06T00:01:41Z")
Us Anthonys? Cecil? What gives? What aren’t you telling us about who you really are? Obligatory Column Link --- ## [Is it true an elephant never forgets?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-true-an-elephant-never-forgets/314913)
**Author:** [@masheene\_comcast.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/masheene_comcast.net)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2005, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-true-an-elephant-never-forgets/314913 "2005-08-05T14:52:32Z")
I once saw a documentary on Animal Planet about elephants’ memory, and they said the old cliche was actually a commentary on their inborn sense of direction, relative to water. Apparently, elephants are endowed at birth … --- ## [sunglasses](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sunglasses/315570)
**Author:** [@colincw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/colincw)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2005, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sunglasses/315570 "2005-08-05T05:33:47Z")
Cecil commented on UV radiation and sunglasses in his column about, um, UV radiation and sunglasses: http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a990806.html I’ve always wondered about IR (Infrared) radiation. Yes, it has lo… --- ## [Other spice islands](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-spice-islands/315663)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2005, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-spice-islands/315663 "2005-08-05T03:17:34Z")
Una discusses the Spice Islands in this Staff Report: Why are there so many spices in the Spice Islands? After reading this, I wonder, why are there so few sources of nutmeg and cloves? Nutmeg only seems to be grown in … --- ## [Falling Toast: Butter side up or down?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/falling-toast-butter-side-up-or-down/314728)
**Author:** [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2005, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/falling-toast-butter-side-up-or-down/314728 "2005-08-05T00:21:12Z")
In this column, When toast falls, what’s more likely: Buttered side up or buttered side down?, both the OP and Cecil refer to the “van is always at the corner” effect. I get the selective memory meaning, but why a van, … --- ## [Levirate law predates Pentateuch?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/levirate-law-predates-pentateuch/314276)
**Author:** [@danL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danL)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2005, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/levirate-law-predates-pentateuch/314276 "2005-08-03T15:20:14Z")
In the SDStaff’s (Dex) reply to the sin of Onan (on May 3, 2005), Dex wrote that the levirate law predated the writing of the Pentateuch and sites Nahum M. Sarna’s book “Torah Commentary: Genesis” for this statement. I … --- ## [Are any of these "subliminal" messages available to view online?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-any-of-these-subliminal-messages-available-to-view-online/315151)
**Author:** [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2005, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-any-of-these-subliminal-messages-available-to-view-online/315151 "2005-08-03T07:01:22Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_344.html Surely some of these famous ads are on websites somewhere? I have no idea how to search for them, though. --- ## [Clock Hands set to 10:10](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clock-hands-set-to-10-10/312760)
**Author:** [@r2d1bob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/r2d1bob)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2005, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clock-hands-set-to-10-10/312760 "2005-08-03T02:32:04Z")
In response to this column: http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_330.html Clocks/watches, when being photographed, are set to 10:10 in order to “frame” the watchmaker’s logo. The logo is always placed under the “12… --- ## [Jimmy Crack Corn](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jimmy-crack-corn/315076)
**Author:** [@jbmusicman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jbmusicman)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2005, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jimmy-crack-corn/315076 "2005-08-01T12:32:10Z")
I know that the song “Jimmy Crack Corn” has been discussed before, but am I the only person that thinks that this song describes the murder of a master by a slave? Here are the words: When I was young I used to wait O… --- ## [Where does the coke go?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-the-coke-go/314566)
**Author:** [@flyingjamus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flyingjamus)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2005, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-the-coke-go/314566 "2005-08-01T02:55:28Z")
In the column about Coca-Cola containing cocaine (Here) , Cecil writes that Where do they get the “spent” leaves? Do they buy them from cocaine manufacturers? Or do they just extract the coke from the leaves themselves… --- ## [Q-Tips](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/q-tips/314599)
**Author:** [@ChuckQ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChuckQ)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2005, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/q-tips/314599 "2005-08-01T00:41:44Z")
I hope I can shed a little light on the subject. My Grandfather L.R. Quintero was actually one of the people that worked on producing the first version of the swap, he and a man by the name of Leo Gerstenzang , I don’… --- ## [Your Money or Your House](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-money-or-your-house/314761)
**Author:** [@deweyd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deweyd)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2005, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-money-or-your-house/314761 "2005-07-31T15:34:24Z")
Two years ago, I was picked as the grand prize winner of a golfing trip to Ireland. The winner and a guest would sail around the country in a cruise ship, ducking into ports and playing at some of the great courses stru… --- ## [Chucking woodchucks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chucking-woodchucks/314989)
**Author:** [@alofkeene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alofkeene)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2005, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chucking-woodchucks/314989 "2005-07-31T07:04:41Z")
In reference to the woodchuck question at http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_083a.html I’ve also been asked, “How much ground could a groundhog grind if a groundhog could grind ground?” and variations (How much hog… --- ## [Brits and their punctuation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brits-and-their-punctuation/314553)
**Author:** [@nanana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nanana)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2005, 8:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brits-and-their-punctuation/314553 "2005-07-28T08:58:37Z")
Actually, there is a trend in British and Australian editing/proofreading to ‘unclutter’ their texts with less punctuation. Apparently, this somehow makes the flow of language easier to read and understand. As seen at h… --- ## [War of the Worlds (Open Movie SPOILERS)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/war-of-the-worlds-open-movie-spoilers/313618)
**Author:** [@RM\_Mentock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RM_Mentock)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2005, 8:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/war-of-the-worlds-open-movie-spoilers/313618 "2005-07-28T08:38:10Z")
In War of the Worlds: How vulnerable would space aliens be to terrestrial germs?, Cecil suggests “surely they could have invented a more effective way to save the human race.” Of course, the movie is only paying homage … --- ## [In the song "Hotel California," what does "colitas" mean?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-song-hotel-california-what-does-colitas-mean/314466)
**Author:** [@luislega](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/luislega)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2005, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-song-hotel-california-what-does-colitas-mean/314466 "2005-07-28T04:05:24Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a5\_001 I’m sorry if I should have posted this elsewhere, but this is the best I could do. “colitas” is the Mexican slang (and somewhat dirty) word for women. Literally, it means boo… --- ## [Illustration for Q-tip column](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/illustration-for-q-tip-column/314450)
**Author:** [@Mathochist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mathochist)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2005, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/illustration-for-q-tip-column/314450 "2005-07-28T03:29:59Z")
linq Was there originally another question answered in this column? I can’t figure out the right half of Slug’s drawing at all. --- ## [Ow, my ear!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ow-my-ear/312853)
**Author:** [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2005, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ow-my-ear/312853 "2005-07-27T22:01:15Z")
A couple of weeks ago I went over Vail Pass, elevation approximately 10,000 feet, and my ears popped on the way up and again on the way down, but not all the way–at least, my left ear didn’t pop all the way. So I’ve been… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=165) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=167)