# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=171 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 172 --- ## [The third city project?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-third-city-project/304231)
**Author:** [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [May 19, 2005, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-third-city-project/304231 "2005-05-19T03:37:27Z")
Cecil describes the Philadelphia Experiment in his column of 23 October 1987, Cecil quotes John H of Virginia as saying, “I have long been interested in the ‘Philadelphia Experiment,’ which was supposedly conducted by th… --- ## [\*choke\*\*gasp\*\*wheeze\*](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choke-gasp-wheeze/304192)
**Author:** [@Ataraxia\_Prime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ataraxia_Prime)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2005, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choke-gasp-wheeze/304192 "2005-05-18T22:59:00Z")
Swallowing spiders while you’re asleep? Let’s think about this logically. Ever try to eat laying down? Consciously eating something while lying prostrate is tough enough. I can’t imagine unconsciously gulping down a … --- ## [Orgasmic Hiccups](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orgasmic-hiccups/304478)
**Author:** [@HeliCrash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeliCrash)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2005, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orgasmic-hiccups/304478 "2005-05-18T21:12:07Z")
I was recently digging through the archives and came across (no pun intended) the article on sneezing after orgasms \[ http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_191.html \] and all the other odd reactions to coitus. Mine was… --- ## [Janx tilts his tiny glass at Cecil…](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/janx-tilts-his-tiny-glass-at-cecil/303530)
**Author:** [@Janx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Janx)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2005, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/janx-tilts-his-tiny-glass-at-cecil/303530 "2005-05-16T00:17:53Z")
Dear Cecil Adams, You do not know it, but I have been an ardent fan of this column since, oh, 1983 or so. I was a silly one then. Just out of high school. But the one thing I got out of the columns was some essential t… --- ## [Classic artcile: Hemp saves world...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/classic-artcile-hemp-saves-world/1761)
**Author:** [@H3Knuckles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/H3Knuckles)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2005, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/classic-artcile-hemp-saves-world/1761 "2005-05-14T06:30:26Z")
Um, just a minor point. The guy, William something, who wrote a reply that’s included in the Hemp article, made a stupid point of using russia’s growing lots of hemp as a argument for it. Look how screwed up and bass-ack… --- ## [Star of Bethlehem](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-of-bethlehem/1638)
**Author:** [@Ursa\_Major](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ursa_Major)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2005, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-of-bethlehem/1638 "2005-05-12T23:37:01Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mstarofbeth.html For an interesting take on Theory A (The Supernova Theory) read the short story, The Star by Arthur C. Clarke. --- ## [Correction re blobs from space](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/correction-re-blobs-from-space/303410)
**Author:** [@fegary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fegary)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2005, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/correction-re-blobs-from-space/303410 "2005-05-11T16:58:42Z")
“police took the remaining two to the Heard National Space Museum nearby” Actually that should be to The Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary. --- ## [RE: Was Boston once literally flooded with molasses?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-was-boston-once-literally-flooded-with-molasses/303332)
**Author:** [@finwick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/finwick)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2005, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-was-boston-once-literally-flooded-with-molasses/303332 "2005-05-11T03:40:03Z")
There can be no doubt as to the veracity of the flooding of portions of the city of Boston by the prime ingredient of rum (damn, that’s a lot of ‘ofs’ in a sentence). I do, however, believe that Cecil may have struck upo… --- ## [Correction/Addition - Hitler](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/correction-addition-hitler/302731)
**Author:** [@unsub13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/unsub13)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2005, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/correction-addition-hitler/302731 "2005-05-10T13:29:27Z")
Regarding the method of Hitler’s demise in http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_128b.html - A recent article recounts an eyewitness report. "With defeat imminent, Hitler, 56, shot himself. His mistress, Eva Braun – w… --- ## [Blobs... from space!!!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blobs-from-space/303107)
**Author:** [@sturmhauke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sturmhauke)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2005, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blobs-from-space/303107 "2005-05-10T05:20:32Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_285.html I found a website that lists some explanations for strange phenomena. They say that mysterious “space blobs” can be formed by slime molds, and discovered by stupid people… --- ## [The origin of the "F word"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-origin-of-the-f-word/302180)
**Author:** [@Alban](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alban)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2005, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-origin-of-the-f-word/302180 "2005-05-09T21:50:59Z")
Hi Cecil. Great columns. Thought that I would throw out another “fuck” option… I have always been told that the work fuck, along with the british hand signal that accompanies it originates from the days of the middle a… --- ## [Monopoly and Free Parking rule variations](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monopoly-and-free-parking-rule-variations/286553)
**Author:** [@mza662](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mza662)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 7, 2005, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monopoly-and-free-parking-rule-variations/286553 "2005-05-07T05:19:01Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_179.html I was reading this article today, and being one of those who plays with modified rules giving Free Parking a nice payout (all Comm. Chest/Chance money plus $500 cherry af… --- ## [Etaoin Shrdlu](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/etaoin-shrdlu/302553)
**Author:** [@RM\_Mentock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RM_Mentock)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2005, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/etaoin-shrdlu/302553 "2005-05-05T18:31:53Z")
Cecil’s 1986 column What’s the origin of the mysterious phrase “etaoin shrdlu”? mentions that “etaoin shrdlu” is the order of letter use frequency, “according to one calculation”. The letters were the first lines of the… --- ## [Sin of Onan](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sin-of-onan/302263)
**Author:** [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2005, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sin-of-onan/302263 "2005-05-04T01:11:12Z")
I think you meant “optimistic”. Link to Staff Report: What exactly was the sin of Onan?– CKDH --- ## [World Jump Day](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-jump-day/302152)
**Author:** [@liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/liam)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2005, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-jump-day/302152 "2005-05-03T19:30:56Z")
I just saw a site www.worldjumpday.org who are trying to get 600 million people to jump at once and knock the world off its orbit. Immediately I thought of cecils column http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1\_155.html … --- ## [Periods of drinking](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/periods-of-drinking/301704)
**Author:** [@Spiff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiff)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2005, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/periods-of-drinking/301704 "2005-05-03T17:20:09Z")
You don’t have to be female to have firsthand knowledge of a woman’s monthly cycle, any more than you need a driver’s license to have firsthand knowledge of a car wreck. Allow me to be the first to say: Best. Analogy. … --- ## [Dyslexic in Japanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dyslexic-in-japanese/301988)
**Author:** [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2005, 7:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dyslexic-in-japanese/301988 "2005-05-03T07:29:43Z")
in this column, Cecil wrote: I don’t read or write Japanese, but I’ve had enough exposure to see that this passage can’t be correct. There are indeed different Japanese scripts, however at least two of them, katakana a… --- ## [Magdalene a prostitute?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/magdalene-a-prostitute/297217)
**Author:** [@juzka81](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/juzka81)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2005, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/magdalene-a-prostitute/297217 "2005-05-03T01:54:56Z")
Please dear Cecil, Why did you call Mary Magdalene a prostitute?(http://www.straightdope.com/columns/050401.html) Bible never called her that. This assumption is made by some old fools in the church who didn’t want to r… --- ## [This is Disturbing.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-disturbing/301813)
**Author:** [@Khampelf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khampelf)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2005, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-disturbing/301813 "2005-05-02T21:37:33Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_213.html As I read The mention of the inflatable Dino the dinosaur being all Cecil has received, My odd long term memory twitched. Hey, he’s mentioned that, and It wasn’t a Dino,… --- ## [Lemon juice not eating my plastic foam](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lemon-juice-not-eating-my-plastic-foam/301923)
**Author:** [@Strinka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Strinka)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2005, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lemon-juice-not-eating-my-plastic-foam/301923 "2005-05-02T16:54:54Z")
Actually, I’m not sure. That might have actually been brand name styrofoam. Anyway, after having discovered this, I decided that I must do an experiment. So, I scrounged up some styrofoam (or plastic foam, whatever) put… --- ## [Does the Koran really promise Islamic martyrs 72 virgins?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-koran-really-promise-islamic-martyrs-72-virgins/301129)
**Author:** [@solomani](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solomani)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2005, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-koran-really-promise-islamic-martyrs-72-virgins/301129 "2005-05-02T07:15:06Z")
Commentating on this column. I did do a search and couldn’t find any older threads so either its gone (?) or no one made any comments Cecil said “Still, you have to admit, heaven as Party Central sure beats the Christi… --- ## [Mormonism response - biased and inadequate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mormonism-response-biased-and-inadequate/299432)
**Author:** [@Chemish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chemish)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [April 30, 2005, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mormonism-response-biased-and-inadequate/299432 "2005-04-30T20:08:44Z")
What’s up with Mormonism? 05-Apr-2005 http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mmormon.html Sorry to come into this so late and stir things up again – but I felt a point needed to made about this article that no one has s… --- ## [Eyepoppin' good](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eyepoppin-good/299477)
**Author:** [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2005, 9:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eyepoppin-good/299477 "2005-04-29T09:32:56Z")
In Cecil’s column on eyes coming out of the socket , he states: That is a highly effective self-defense manuver. It’s really amazing how little pressure overall it will take to evolve the eyeball. Even if the bad guy… --- ## [Origin of 'Bull' and 'Bear' terms](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-bull-and-bear-terms/301310)
**Author:** [@s\_p\_trader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/s_p_trader)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2005, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-bull-and-bear-terms/301310 "2005-04-28T14:41:46Z")
The origin of the terms ‘Bull’ and ‘Bear’ markets are based on the methods that each animal uses to fight. A bull lowers his head and, in a thristing movement up, attempts to pierce the body of the other animal. A risi… --- ## [How are you supposed to spell Muammar Gaddafi/Khadafy/Qadhafi?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-you-supposed-to-spell-muammar-gaddafi-khadafy-qadhafi/300998)
**Author:** [@solomani](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solomani)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2005, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-you-supposed-to-spell-muammar-gaddafi-khadafy-qadhafi/300998 "2005-04-27T19:36:16Z")
One minor point on this article http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_264b.html Cecil comments “(1) there is no generally accepted authority for romanizing Arabic names”. I don’t doubt this is true but there is an ent… --- ## [If "You" (Plural) is More Respectful--Whatever Happened to "Ye"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-plural-is-more-respectful-whatever-happened-to-ye/231284)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2005, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-plural-is-more-respectful-whatever-happened-to-ye/231284 "2005-04-26T20:53:26Z")
I don’t usually comment on staff reports. But this one had me a little confused about something. In it, SD staff member McCaffertA answers a question someone poses about whatever happened to thou, thine, etc. (we had a s… --- ## ["Cut to the chase"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cut-to-the-chase/299273)
**Author:** [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [April 24, 2005, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cut-to-the-chase/299273 "2005-04-24T12:32:29Z")
I get to be the first to publicly congratulate dropzone on a wonderful Staff Report, What’s the origin of the phrase “cut to the chase”? Well done! --- ## [shower curtain revisited](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shower-curtain-revisited/274595)
**Author:** [@Mundo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mundo)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2005, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shower-curtain-revisited/274595 "2005-04-22T17:14:19Z")
In this column Cecil, after many different explanations, finally concludes that it is a vortex that causes the shower curtain to suck in. I could almost believe this based on Slug Signorino illustration, except he seem… --- ## [Is it possible to loop or roll a 747 jet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-loop-or-roll-a-747-jet/136)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2005, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-loop-or-roll-a-747-jet/136 "2005-04-22T15:31:30Z")
A minor quibble. What you described in your answer was an aileron roll. I once saw an interview with the pilot who performed the barrel roll in the 707. He points out that a barrel roll is a 1G maneuver. IOW, the wings g… --- ## [Canada Smanada](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-smanada/300446)
**Author:** [@Rubinetto\_Grande](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rubinetto_Grande)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2005, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-smanada/300446 "2005-04-22T11:53:10Z")
Uncle Cecil…I recently read a “Special” report about " What’s the origin of “Canuck?” (http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mcanuck.html). Now, I know you didn’t come up with that lame story about how Canada got its name… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=170) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=172)