# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=172 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 173 --- ## [the lion king!!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lion-king/298599)
**Author:** [@angel\_lioness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/angel_lioness)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [April 21, 2005, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lion-king/298599 "2005-04-21T22:50:18Z")
i am a relly big lion king fan and was shocked to see that item in this website. there are too many coincidences in that story, so it must be true. i mean kimba, the white lion, father (the king) gets killed by evil unc… --- ## [What happens if you file your income tax one day late?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-you-file-your-income-tax-one-day-late/299700)
**Author:** [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [April 21, 2005, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-you-file-your-income-tax-one-day-late/299700 "2005-04-21T20:04:42Z")
I finally found a mistake by the Master worth posting. Cecil gives some pretty bad advice in the Straight Dope Classic “What happens if you file your income tax one day late?” Not true, unless you made a ridiculously l… --- ## [Could early man only see three colors?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-early-man-only-see-three-colors/283570)
**Author:** [@Plynck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plynck)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [April 21, 2005, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-early-man-only-see-three-colors/283570 "2005-04-21T19:30:54Z")
In his column, Cecil writes: “Berlin and Kay also found that the number of basic color terms tends to increase with the complexity of the civilization. They speculated that this explains the relative poverty of color te… --- ## [cattle mutilation, Modification?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cattle-mutilation-modification/300050)
**Author:** [@gazpacho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gazpacho)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 21, 2005, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cattle-mutilation-modification/300050 "2005-04-21T14:44:18Z")
In the classic column about cattle mutilations, Cecil says at the end. Was this added recently to drum up subscriptions to the SDMB? --- ## [How](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how/300295)
**Author:** [@pplepic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pplepic)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 21, 2005, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how/300295 "2005-04-21T00:51:28Z")
How! Old China Hand back with another throught-provoking if not terribly enlightening view of the origin of the “Indian” greeting, “How!” In Chinese, words like “Hao, ho, etc.” commonly mean “good, well”, and Chinese peo… --- ## [Re: The Cheshire Cat and purr thing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-the-cheshire-cat-and-purr-thing/300192)
**Author:** [@athena15](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/athena15)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2005, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-the-cheshire-cat-and-purr-thing/300192 "2005-04-20T11:50:28Z")
Link to Column: Why do cats purr? Why do Cheshire cats grin? – CKDH Just wanted to let you know that I have a Cheshire cat. No I am not Nuts, but what a Chesihire cat really is is a Full breed of British-bi colors. Th… --- ## [Walt Disney: Fascist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walt-disney-fascist/299983)
**Author:** [@PunkyMonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunkyMonkey)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2005, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walt-disney-fascist/299983 "2005-04-19T05:23:24Z")
In the SD staff report on Walt Disney (http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mdisneyfascist.html), Eutychus mentioned the short “Der Fuerher’s Face.” I’m not sure how that one could be taken as pro-Nazi, since the song (pe… --- ## [Pair of pants](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pair-of-pants/298362)
**Author:** [@Mathochist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mathochist)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2005, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pair-of-pants/298362 "2005-04-17T23:03:18Z")
In re: http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_249b.html I remember being told at one point that the expression made more sense when “pants” used to come separate from each other and from a piece to cover the hip area. … --- ## [Origin of "Yankee"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-yankee/299176)
**Author:** [@pplepic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pplepic)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2005, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-yankee/299176 "2005-04-17T17:53:45Z")
Old folks know that Jack Benny’s social security number was 1. Well, mine is 2, so when I tell you that the word “Yankee” is derived from the Chinese, “Yang Kwei”, = “Foreign Devil”, you can probably trust me. I don’t… --- ## [Becoming Pope](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/becoming-pope/298993)
**Author:** [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2005, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/becoming-pope/298993 "2005-04-17T14:55:57Z")
This is about Ian’s Staff Report on “How Does One Become Pope?” http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mpope.html , which has been referenced in threads in other SDMB forums, but doesn’t seem to have been addressed in here… --- ## [Apple juice vs. cider](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apple-juice-vs-cider/293215)
**Author:** [@monado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monado)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2005, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apple-juice-vs-cider/293215 "2005-04-14T20:47:53Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_048.html I thought that the difference between juice and cider was that juice was made from picked apples and that cider was made from any apples, including windfalls with bad spo… --- ## [Yankee Doodle Dandy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yankee-doodle-dandy/299132)
**Author:** [@dotchan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dotchan)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2005, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yankee-doodle-dandy/299132 "2005-04-14T03:20:00Z")
The Master Speaks This is probably unrelated, but the Chinese have been calling foreigners “Yang Gui Zi” (Ghosts From Across the Sea) for a long time. And correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t the term also shortened to “… --- ## [Origin of "Yankee"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-yankee/299174)
**Author:** [@pplepic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pplepic)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2005, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-yankee/299174 "2005-04-14T00:05:25Z")
Old folks know that Jack Benny’s social security number was 1. Well, mine is 2, so when I tell you that the word “Yankee” is derived from the Chinese, “Yang Kwei”, Foreign Devil, you can probably trust me. I don’t wri… --- ## [Origin of "Yankee"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-yankee/299177)
**Author:** [@pplepic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pplepic)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2005, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-yankee/299177 "2005-04-14T00:04:04Z")
Old folks know that Jack Benny’s social security number was 1. Well, mine is 2, so when I tell you that the word “Yankee” is derived from the Chinese, “Yang Kwei”, = “Foreign Devil”, you can probably trust me. I don’t… --- ## [How did "faggot" get to mean "male homosexual"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-faggot-get-to-mean-male-homosexual/266461)
**Author:** [@MartinL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MartinL)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2005, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-faggot-get-to-mean-male-homosexual/266461 "2005-04-13T13:01:50Z")
How did “faggot” get to mean “male homosexual”? I was relieved to see that I am not the only one wondering about the connection between a bundle of sticks and a homosexual man. However, I am not sure whether the connec… --- ## [Penile Fracture Revisited](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/penile-fracture-revisited/299046)
**Author:** [@zmod2z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zmod2z)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2005, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/penile-fracture-revisited/299046 "2005-04-13T05:07:17Z")
I read something posted here, possibly a while ago, on this message board about penile fractures. Someone had asked what a penile fracture is exactly, and how such a trauma to the penis could occur. I found the post when… --- ## [Mormon staff report: a (tiny) nitpick](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mormon-staff-report-a-tiny-nitpick/297208)
**Author:** [@chorpler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chorpler)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2005, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mormon-staff-report-a-tiny-nitpick/297208 "2005-04-12T02:53:05Z")
Rico, in your staff report here, you refer to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I’m here to tell you that many Mormons will see that capitalized D in Latter-Day and immediately conclude that you are compl… --- ## [Indifference to the past shows ignorance](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/indifference-to-the-past-shows-ignorance/298372)
**Author:** [@pococat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pococat)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2005, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/indifference-to-the-past-shows-ignorance/298372 "2005-04-08T23:31:19Z")
I believe Cecil’s response to the thread Who is Jimmy...' ) which pertains to the well know folk song "Jimmy Crack Corn and I Don't Care") is rather ignorant, to say the least. To say I don’t care, so sue me’ is to igno… --- ## [Did you acutally read the book? ("whats up with Mormonism)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-acutally-read-the-book-whats-up-with-mormonism/298121)
**Author:** [@darcybeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/darcybeth)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2005, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-acutally-read-the-book-whats-up-with-mormonism/298121 "2005-04-07T04:05:18Z")
According to the article answering the “Whats up with Mormonism” question the book “Under the Banner of Heaven” is classified as having a distainful view of the LDS or LdS (depending how you read the post on that subject… --- ## [Vowels and letters (W as a vowel)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vowels-and-letters-w-as-a-vowel/296972)
**Author:** [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2005, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vowels-and-letters-w-as-a-vowel/296972 "2005-04-06T18:06:41Z")
Regarding: http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_246.html W as a “vowel” Any linguist will tell you that the “vowels” of English are not A, E, I, O, U, Y, and W. Those are letters (vowel letters, perhaps). Vowels … --- ## [Jump from a 13th floor window](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jump-from-a-13th-floor-window/297008)
**Author:** [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2005, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jump-from-a-13th-floor-window/297008 "2005-04-06T03:12:14Z")
In Cecil’s recent article on PCP, at http://www.straightdope.com/columns/050325.html , the master writes: Well, of course his publicist is going to deny it. It’s blatant poppycock. Everyone knows that buildings don’t… --- ## [Magdalene and Ireland](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/magdalene-and-ireland/297970)
**Author:** [@Declinax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Declinax)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2005, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/magdalene-and-ireland/297970 "2005-04-06T02:09:29Z")
I read Cecil’s column on the Magdalene houses in Ireland. I lived in the west of Ireland in the 1960s. In the village there was a convent of the Sister’s of Saint Louis - in which the nuns wore blue and were coloquilly… --- ## [In the rain: Usually run, but sometimes walk](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-rain-usually-run-but-sometimes-walk/297185)
**Author:** [@replying](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/replying)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2005, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-rain-usually-run-but-sometimes-walk/297185 "2005-04-05T17:34:23Z")
Regarding the question of whether someone stays drier in the rain by walking or running, most web sources say you’re drier if you run. Usually you are, but sometimes not. One source said that the exceptioin is when the … --- ## [female ejaculation a key point](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/female-ejaculation-a-key-point/297661)
**Author:** [@flibertygibbet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flibertygibbet)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2005, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/female-ejaculation-a-key-point/297661 "2005-04-05T02:38:48Z")
OK, everything i read talks about stimulating the “G” spot or something near it to produce female ejaculation. The details are none of your business, but i am Dominant and have a submissive female partner. when i get he… --- ## [How long have they been making hollow needles?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-have-they-been-making-hollow-needles/296250)
**Author:** [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2005, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-have-they-been-making-hollow-needles/296250 "2005-04-04T18:51:11Z")
In another terrific Staff Report, Una addresses the question How do they get the hole through a hypodermic needle?. She notes: “Processes to make small tubes and hollow needles are quite old.” Q1: How old? Q2: I wan… --- ## [Magdalene not prostitute](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/magdalene-not-prostitute/297624)
**Author:** [@thomas523](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thomas523)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2005, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/magdalene-not-prostitute/297624 "2005-04-04T18:26:23Z")
Catholic church even issued encyclical or some such thing negating it. Forget all the stupid da Vinci code explanations…she just wasn’t…someone else can provide the proof. --- ## [Branding onesself an act of stunningly senseless violence?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/branding-onesself-an-act-of-stunningly-senseless-violence/296453)
**Author:** [@11811](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/11811)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2005, 10:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/branding-onesself-an-act-of-stunningly-senseless-violence/296453 "2005-04-04T10:38:29Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/050325.html Granted, PCP doesn’t sound like a good choice for most folks, and the brief list of atrocities commmitted while high on “love boat” is sickening. I disagree with the inclu… --- ## [Cecil is mistaken. Period.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-is-mistaken-period/296077)
**Author:** [@betenoir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betenoir)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2005, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-is-mistaken-period/296077 "2005-04-03T19:14:56Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_244a.html It pains me to point this out (well, OK, actually it gives me a certain little thrill) but as the column is on the nicieties of English communication, specifically Brith… --- ## [Cecil's column comes to life - U.S. announces plan to mint mill coins](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecils-column-comes-to-life-u-s-announces-plan-to-mint-mill-coins/297211)
**Author:** [@whitetho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whitetho)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 1, 2005, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecils-column-comes-to-life-u-s-announces-plan-to-mint-mill-coins/297211 "2005-04-01T20:13:10Z")
In the classic column, Has the U.S. ever minted a mill coin?, included in the first Straight Dope collection, Unca Cece noted that “…states issued ‘mill tokens’ that were used in collecting sales taxes, which, in 1935, p… --- ## [Typo or am I not getting it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/typo-or-am-i-not-getting-it/294169)
**Author:** [@Tola0240](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tola0240)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 1, 2005, 10:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/typo-or-am-i-not-getting-it/294169 "2005-04-01T10:44:36Z")
Is good personal hygiene a recent invention? (Did the days of old really stink?) 600,000 baths out of 700,000 is a good proportion of the people for 1819, is this a typo? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=171) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=173)