# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=170 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 171 --- ## [Third World](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/third-world/306584)
**Author:** [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [June 9, 2005, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/third-world/306584 "2005-06-09T20:05:58Z")
Reference I thought the term “third world” was used to describe the non-European (Old World) and non-American (New World) emergent nations. --- ## [Sneezing, Eyes popping out, and Yugos...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sneezing-eyes-popping-out-and-yugos/307239)
**Author:** [@jasonh300](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasonh300)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 8, 2005, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sneezing-eyes-popping-out-and-yugos/307239 "2005-06-08T00:59:59Z")
What does this mean, about the Yugo? Was there some “feature” of the Yugo that had something to do with the engine and the lights? Or is Cecil just poking fun at the little car that was always just begging for people … --- ## [sinuses](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sinuses/306273)
**Author:** [@Adam\_Sroka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Adam_Sroka)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2005, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sinuses/306273 "2005-06-06T23:48:48Z")
In response to this answer: http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_302.html I would suggest that a more interesting theory is the aquatic ape theory. Here is a pubmed abstract of a relevant article: --- ## [Napoleon died of cancer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/napoleon-died-of-cancer/302630)
**Author:** [@brindlepit76](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brindlepit76)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2005, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/napoleon-died-of-cancer/302630 "2005-06-05T20:20:46Z")
I read in a book I used to have that Napoleon went mad and died because he had syphyllis, and he went untreated, not that they hed a cure for that back then, I’m assuming they didn’t. I was just reading the answer to a r… --- ## [What's actually cracking when you crack your knuckles?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-actually-cracking-when-you-crack-your-knuckles/306459)
**Author:** [@flex727](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flex727)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2005, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-actually-cracking-when-you-crack-your-knuckles/306459 "2005-06-04T06:49:17Z")
Regarding this column by Cecil: What’s actually cracking when you crack your knuckles?, I know better than to question Cecil on any matter, but I still wonder about this. If this whole phenomenon is cavitation, why do my… --- ## [Names for Police](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-for-police/305762)
**Author:** [@ComputerFreak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ComputerFreak)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2005, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-for-police/305762 "2005-06-03T02:29:58Z")
This is in reference to the article: Why are the police called cops, pigs, or the fuzz? Just to add to the list of reasons. I have also heard that the term ‘pig’ is because the police squeal (for those of you unfamilia… --- ## [Knuckle Cracking](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knuckle-cracking/306591)
**Author:** [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2005, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knuckle-cracking/306591 "2005-06-02T20:46:31Z")
Just curious; how many other people cracked their knuckles immediately after reading this column? What’s actually cracking when you crack your knuckles? --- ## [Origin of the word 'Dad'](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-the-word-dad/306007)
**Author:** [@topc2011](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/topc2011)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [June 1, 2005, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-the-word-dad/306007 "2005-06-01T15:41:26Z")
The questioner asks where the word ‘dad’ comes from as used by children. Surely it and ‘mum’ arise as they are two sounds easily made by babies. You know dad dad dad dad , mum mum mum mmm etc as they practise making so… --- ## [Cousins! Identical Cousins!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cousins-identical-cousins/305596)
**Author:** [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [June 1, 2005, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cousins-identical-cousins/305596 "2005-06-01T05:04:38Z")
So if my cousins children are first cousins once removed, then what are second cousins? Are they the grand children of my great aunts and Uncles? Man, that last sentence is still making my head spin. I need a chart f… --- ## [The Philadelphia experiment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-philadelphia-experiment/304172)
**Author:** [@Gary\_of\_Fresno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_of_Fresno)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 31, 2005, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-philadelphia-experiment/304172 "2005-05-31T06:05:55Z")
I have clicked on Google some time ago and found several pages on the Philadelphia experiment. One website is the US Navy denying any such secret project. I think they were degaussing the ships hull to make the ship inv… --- ## [Rolling Rock 33](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rolling-rock-33/305998)
**Author:** [@dice33](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dice33)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 31, 2005, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rolling-rock-33/305998 "2005-05-31T01:57:53Z")
I recently read your findings about the truth about the meaning of the 33 on the bottle .Being a member of one of the former brewmasters family I’m sure that is not the reason. --- ## [Black Beethoven](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-beethoven/305791)
**Author:** [@mwaddell33](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mwaddell33)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [May 30, 2005, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-beethoven/305791 "2005-05-30T05:58:05Z")
Cecil, I have been reading the Straight Dope for more than 20 years now but this is the first article I’ve felt confident enough to comment on. While it is true, who really cares if Beethoven had african ancestory,http:… --- ## [Hard Water, Soft Water](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-water-soft-water/226298)
**Author:** [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [May 30, 2005, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-water-soft-water/226298 "2005-05-30T00:44:43Z")
In this report: http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mhardwater.html , Una talks about the differences between hard and soft water. But I have a related question. I have an exchange bed water softener installed in my ne… --- ## [Mickey's Gloves](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mickeys-gloves/304800)
**Author:** [@Alan\_Smithee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alan_Smithee)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [May 29, 2005, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mickeys-gloves/304800 "2005-05-29T23:58:36Z")
In the new Staff Report, Why do cartoon characters only have three fingers? Euty closes by saying, To which I can only respond, Is it time yet??? --- ## [Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colibri/305799)
**Author:** [@Jake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jake)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 29, 2005, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colibri/305799 "2005-05-29T22:56:07Z")
Is it OK to toss out bread crumbs to the birds? This may sound like a simple question but I like birds and don’t want to hurt them by feeding them the wrong diet. :slight\_smile: --- ## [Indus script](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/indus-script/303210)
**Author:** [@RM\_Mentock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RM_Mentock)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [May 29, 2005, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/indus-script/303210 "2005-05-29T05:57:43Z")
Troy Dayton of Fargo ND asked bibliophage why we haven’t cracked the Indus script (Staff Report: How come we can’t decipher the Indus script?), and bib mentioned several other historic mysteries that we have not been abl… --- ## ["Louie,Louie" X-rated lyrics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/louie-louie-x-rated-lyrics/305101)
**Author:** [@bigalnino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bigalnino)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 29, 2005, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/louie-louie-x-rated-lyrics/305101 "2005-05-29T00:51:48Z")
“Louie,Louie” was banned at some High Scholl event lately. Now I know Cecil has a set of the definitive lyrics posted at Songlyrics.com but I recall once hearing a version with different words. It was a little like t… --- ## [Male Lactation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-lactation/305295)
**Author:** [@Aradia\_Paganus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aradia_Paganus)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 29, 2005, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-lactation/305295 "2005-05-29T00:44:51Z")
I read Cecil’s Q & A about male lactation, and I was slightly shocked that it did not mention the gaining poplarity of men who breastfeed. It is quite common in fact for men to breastfeed without hormones or herbal supp… --- ## [Three fingers instead of four](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-fingers-instead-of-four/305817)
**Author:** [@Randy\_Stradley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Randy_Stradley)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2005, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-fingers-instead-of-four/305817 "2005-05-27T23:26:54Z")
Since I find myself – for the first time in twenty-one years of reading The Straight Dope – having to question the validity of a given answer, I’m glad at least that the answer is not one that came directly from Cecil (n… --- ## [Unamplified vocal glass shattering!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unamplified-vocal-glass-shattering/304548)
**Author:** [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2005, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unamplified-vocal-glass-shattering/304548 "2005-05-27T19:20:43Z")
In this classic column, Our Perfect Master replies to an irate reader, On tonight’s episode of Mythbusters a leather-lunged vocalist whose name escapes me succesfully shattered a lead-crystal wine glass with his unampl… --- ## [Disgruntle](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgruntle/304797)
**Author:** [@Riley381](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riley381)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2005, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgruntle/304797 "2005-05-27T18:24:50Z")
According to m-W.com gruntle is “to put in a good humor.” The etymology is the back formation is disgruntle. Does anyone know why this could be? --- ## [Cousins for Math Nerds](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cousins-for-math-nerds/305576)
**Author:** [@AcidBlade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AcidBlade)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2005, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cousins-for-math-nerds/305576 "2005-05-27T13:05:24Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_268a.html Cecil was correct in his assessment of what to call your cousin’s children (they are your 1st cousins, once removed). Your cousin’s children’s children are you 1st cousi… --- ## [How many "fingers" does a mouse's "hand" have?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-fingers-does-a-mouses-hand-have/305318)
**Author:** [@ktest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ktest)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 25, 2005, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-fingers-does-a-mouses-hand-have/305318 "2005-05-25T20:21:07Z")
Re: Why do cartoon characters only have three fingers? \[QUOTE\] SDSTAFF Euty replies: I’ve always been preaching the idea, mostly to a tone deaf choir, that the simplest answers are usually the most correct. QUOTE\] T… --- ## [Correction Cecil!!!!!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/correction-cecil/301680)
**Author:** [@oneidkat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/oneidkat)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2005, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/correction-cecil/301680 "2005-05-23T17:52:39Z")
A QUOTE FROM CECIL “Let’s take this step-by-step. Number one, forget about laughing sickness. It’s possible to die laughing, a topic I have addressed in the past, but that’s not the disease you allegedly get from people … --- ## [Waking before the alarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waking-before-the-alarm/47735)
**Author:** [@Atreyu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atreyu)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2005, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waking-before-the-alarm/47735 "2005-05-23T13:44:56Z")
Oooh, the first thread I’ve ever started here! This discussion got started in another thread (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=52362), and I decided to bring it here since it seemed more appro… --- ## [Frank Sinatra - WWII Service](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frank-sinatra-wwii-service/304798)
**Author:** [@Nordahs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nordahs)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2005, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frank-sinatra-wwii-service/304798 "2005-05-22T06:47:15Z")
I just read the Staff Report Entitled “Why didn’t Frank Sinatra serve in the military during World War II?”, and I see that the date posted at the top in some time in 99, about 6 years ago. Well, I hope I am not floggin… --- ## [Correction: The Riot Act](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/correction-the-riot-act/304778)
**Author:** [@yaguri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yaguri)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 20, 2005, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/correction-the-riot-act/304778 "2005-05-20T18:09:21Z")
The English Riot Act of 1714 did not require a public official to recite the full text of the Act. \[Cecil’s column http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_263a.html. However it did include the form of the dispersal ord… --- ## [Onanism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/onanism/301691)
**Author:** [@Desmostylus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Desmostylus)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [May 20, 2005, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/onanism/301691 "2005-05-20T11:44:35Z")
That’s only two sons, by my count. You guys might want to fix that before publication. --- ## [D&Q](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-q/304662)
**Author:** [@Tindy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tindy)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 20, 2005, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-q/304662 "2005-05-20T00:41:57Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a4\_239.html Here you say (with reasonable knowlege) that being D&Q’d is being dragged and hung. I disagree; it’s having ropes tied to the wrists and ankles and dragged in 4 different… --- ## [Yes - the 17/23 correlation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-the-17-23-correlation/304003)
**Author:** [@tjulian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tjulian)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [May 20, 2005, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-the-17-23-correlation/304003 "2005-05-20T00:00:01Z")
Cecil - I read your article on the Tri-Lats recently: http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_295.html There was a response from Adam Kadmon at the end who mentions something called the 17/23 correlation, which is suppo… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=169) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=171)