# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=173 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 174 --- ## [Misandrist...and I always thought the term was](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misandrist-and-i-always-thought-the-term-was/297156)
**Author:** [@tofergregg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tofergregg)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 1, 2005, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misandrist-and-i-always-thought-the-term-was/297156 "2005-04-01T02:18:35Z")
“misterogynist.” :stuck\_out\_tongue: Re: A misogynist hates women. What’s the word for someone who hates men?. -Tofer --- ## [Una and my balls](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/una-and-my-balls/294689)
**Author:** [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2005, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/una-and-my-balls/294689 "2005-03-31T23:49:01Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mcueball.html Sorry about the title, but you know me… Question, one of the coin op tables at my local bowling alley will sometimes return another ball along with the cue. No predicta… --- ## [Will sitting too close to the TV, reading with bad light, etc., ruin your eyes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-sitting-too-close-to-the-tv-reading-with-bad-light-etc-ruin-your-eyes/297144)
**Author:** [@joazito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joazito)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2005, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-sitting-too-close-to-the-tv-reading-with-bad-light-etc-ruin-your-eyes/297144 "2005-03-31T23:42:57Z")
I just read this article and I just want to now if any new information has surfaced. The article is from 1992 and basically it says MDs generally agreed that the eye won’t sustain damage but there were indications otherw… --- ## [You're gonna poke your eye out!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-gonna-poke-your-eye-out/297092)
**Author:** [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2005, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-gonna-poke-your-eye-out/297092 "2005-03-31T19:08:40Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/050325.html It has been reported that Houston did not gouge his eye out. He just busted it something terrible. An article in Blender magazine stated that the eye was saved and is hea… --- ## [Cancer of the heart](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cancer-of-the-heart/297015)
**Author:** [@ElizabethJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElizabethJ)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2005, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cancer-of-the-heart/297015 "2005-03-31T14:51:58Z")
It has taken me 5 more months than Peter to wonder, as he did in November 2004, why it is one never hears about someone having cancer of the heart. Cecil’s answer was that the heart appears to be protected from cancer by… --- ## ["Colder than a witch's tit" etymology](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colder-than-a-witchs-tit-etymology/296762)
**Author:** [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2005, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colder-than-a-witchs-tit-etymology/296762 "2005-03-31T14:35:17Z")
With all due respect, it’s clear your answer to the origin of this phrase is wrong. The report is correct as far as it goes – they did search a witch’s body for moles or other marks to indicate they were suckling their … --- ## [Stairway to Heaven Meaning](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stairway-to-heaven-meaning/295041)
**Author:** [@rampageous\_cuss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rampageous_cuss)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2005, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stairway-to-heaven-meaning/295041 "2005-03-30T03:18:41Z")
It’s undoubtledy true to say that the lyrics are pretty vague and anyone can project his own meanings into the song, and undoubtedly Robert Plant assembled the lyrics in order to meet the demands of the tune! Neverthele… --- ## [Re: Listerine and other beverages](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-listerine-and-other-beverages/296624)
**Author:** [@want2know](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/want2know)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2005, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-listerine-and-other-beverages/296624 "2005-03-29T23:00:25Z")
Regarding your column on people drinking non-potable alcohol: I once worked in an emergency room in New Mexico. As you may know, the Native American reservations in that state are “dry”. The indigenous population’s bever… --- ## [HoBo](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hobo/295979)
**Author:** [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2005, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hobo/295979 "2005-03-29T18:09:22Z")
Origin of Hobo Cecil omits another theory: its short for Homeward Bound, unproven but IMHO more likely than Hey, beau. --- ## [cappin' the rap! (Bad Language)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cappin-the-rap-bad-language/296776)
**Author:** [@SiXSwordS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SiXSwordS)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2005, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cappin-the-rap-bad-language/296776 "2005-03-29T15:45:28Z")
From cecil’s column on signifying: My favorite example of this is: Person A: You fucker! person B: You Fuck 'er, you brought her! --- ## [PCP and Religion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pcp-and-religion/296553)
**Author:** [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2005, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pcp-and-religion/296553 "2005-03-29T13:28:40Z")
Did anyone else notice that fully one third of examples of violent incidents possibly attributable to PCP in this column involved religion? Are we looking in the wrong direction here? :wink: --- ## [Signify!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signify/296717)
**Author:** [@Mathochist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mathochist)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2005, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signify/296717 "2005-03-29T02:34:27Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_244c.html I wonder where Monkey Island fits into this. No, I’m not a horrible racist; I mean the series of video games, with their “insult swordfighting”. --- ## ["The Origin of Tipping" and the origin of "tip"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-origin-of-tipping-and-the-origin-of-tip/293687)
**Author:** [@Interrobang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Interrobang)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2005, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-origin-of-tipping-and-the-origin-of-tip/293687 "2005-03-28T07:30:15Z")
In Cecil’s 1976 column on tipping, he mentions this common origin story: Cecil doesn’t use that as an explanation – the word clearly predates that story – but he doesn’t say the story is untrue. (He just implies it.) S… --- ## [Thundersnow in MN](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thundersnow-in-mn/289017)
**Author:** [@Mathochist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mathochist)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2005, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thundersnow-in-mn/289017 "2005-03-27T04:35:49Z")
RE: Una’s column Lisa H. needs to pay more attention. I just verified with my uncle in Minneapolis that the twin cities just had a spot of thundersnow in early January. --- ## [The decade is almost half over. What are we calling it anyway?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-decade-is-almost-half-over-what-are-we-calling-it-anyway/280794)
**Author:** [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2005, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-decade-is-almost-half-over-what-are-we-calling-it-anyway/280794 "2005-03-26T14:30:29Z")
Link to Cecil’s column. Does anyone have a clue? --- ## [LSD to Ergot?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lsd-to-ergot/296240)
**Author:** [@1point618](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/1point618)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2005, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lsd-to-ergot/296240 "2005-03-26T04:58:30Z")
In the recent SD collumn, Cecil uses the phrase “drugs ranging from LSD to ergot.” Now, correct me if I am wrong, but isn’t LSD made directly from (or was at one point) ergot? If this is true, then is Cecil trying to tel… --- ## [sushi worms reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sushi-worms-reply/296224)
**Author:** [@sparksalot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sparksalot)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2005, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sushi-worms-reply/296224 "2005-03-25T17:24:18Z")
While I was surfing yesterday, I came across a post that a person had asked if sushi was safe. http://straightdope.com/classics/a2-060.html I have seen a result of eating raw fish on the kontraband.com site. the addr… --- ## [What's up with the biblical story of drunken Noah? (Part 1)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-biblical-story-of-drunken-noah-part-1/285983)
**Author:** [@AngeloB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AngeloB)\ **Replies:** 153\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2005, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-biblical-story-of-drunken-noah-part-1/285983 "2005-03-25T16:49:36Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mdrunknoah.html At the end of the article, we have: Then why did: ? :slight\_smile: --- ## [Brainwashing - Jim Jones and partaking of a beverage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brainwashing-jim-jones-and-partaking-of-a-beverage/295276)
**Author:** [@tofergregg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tofergregg)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2005, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brainwashing-jim-jones-and-partaking-of-a-beverage/295276 "2005-03-25T16:42:50Z")
Ooh, ooh! Am I the first to pedantically note that Jim Jones served up Flavor Aid® (vice Kool-Aid) to his followers? Mmm…cyanide laced Flavor Aid… -Tofer --- ## [Lizzie Borden and a divorce suit?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lizzie-borden-and-a-divorce-suit/296085)
**Author:** [@rfgdxm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rfgdxm)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2005, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lizzie-borden-and-a-divorce-suit/296085 "2005-03-24T21:28:42Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mlizzieborden.html What divorce suit? I am not understanding this report. --- ## [Is there a word for the jig you do trying to get around someone on the sidewalk?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-word-for-the-jig-you-do-trying-to-get-around-someone-on-the-sidewalk/295203)
**Author:** [@hobbesian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hobbesian)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2005, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-word-for-the-jig-you-do-trying-to-get-around-someone-on-the-sidewalk/295203 "2005-03-24T02:39:31Z")
From this weeks e-mail, http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_241.html A couple of decades ago, LA Times columnist Jack Smith covered this topic for a few weeks, and a lot of readers sent in suggestions. My favorite w… --- ## [Can I re-open the Neil Armstrong/Mr. Gorsky discussion?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-re-open-the-neil-armstrong-mr-gorsky-discussion/295857)
**Author:** [@billyhip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billyhip)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2005, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-re-open-the-neil-armstrong-mr-gorsky-discussion/295857 "2005-03-23T16:32:16Z")
This is the question/reply that I first saw: \*Dear Cecil: I was E-mailed the following story. Is there any way you could confirm this? When Apollo mission astronaut Neil Armstrong first walked on the moon, he not only… --- ## [Brainwashing...pressure for more answer.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brainwashing-pressure-for-more-answer/295628)
**Author:** [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2005, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brainwashing-pressure-for-more-answer/295628 "2005-03-22T16:16:40Z")
Interesting answer on the history of government sponsored brainwashing. Now. Is brainwashing possible? How would I go about brainwashing someone? Is brainwashing different from short to long term mental instability ca… --- ## [Old Post .. wanted to comment. TY](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-post-wanted-to-comment-ty/295512)
**Author:** [@dragon13238](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dragon13238)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2005, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-post-wanted-to-comment-ty/295512 "2005-03-22T15:21:59Z")
Dear Cecil: If AM stands for ante meridiem, PM stands for post meridiem, and AD stands for anno Domini, why is BC English rather than Latin? It seems curious to me that the inventor of our present year-numbering system,… --- ## [Escape velocity is needed to escape the earth](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escape-velocity-is-needed-to-escape-the-earth/293924)
**Author:** [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2005, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escape-velocity-is-needed-to-escape-the-earth/293924 "2005-03-19T21:24:17Z")
From http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mescapevelocity.html Though it is a nitpick, you will need to exceed escape velocity at some point to escape the earths gravity. This is because the escape velocity is not a con… --- ## [Heart or Buttocks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heart-or-buttocks/294950)
**Author:** [@Butters](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Butters)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2005, 10:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heart-or-buttocks/294950 "2005-03-19T10:38:51Z")
The article to which I am referring to is this one from 1986: http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_146.html It’s about why Valentine’s Day hearts are shaped the way they are, and I just wanted to add one tiny thing … --- ## [Brainwashing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brainwashing/295198)
**Author:** [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2005, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brainwashing/295198 "2005-03-18T20:30:07Z")
In Unca Cecil’s column on brainwashing , he neglected to mention the most successful brainwashers throughout history: organized religions. They get their paws on young kids, the younger the better, and practically beat … --- ## [Potluck](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potluck/290558)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2005, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potluck/290558 "2005-03-17T15:35:21Z")
What’s the origin of “potluck”? (Bolding mine.) Hey, I said that! Unfortunately, it’s not a searchable string. --- ## [Does the airplane get lighter after the meal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-airplane-get-lighter-after-the-meal/293980)
**Author:** [@ThatGuyOverThere](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThatGuyOverThere)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2005, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-airplane-get-lighter-after-the-meal/293980 "2005-03-16T17:25:52Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a3\_144.html So I’m sure this has come up already, but I think I must be missing something. Cecil concedes that some immeasurably small amount of mass would be lost on the plane citi… --- ## [Merkins](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/merkins/294749)
**Author:** [@g\_smither](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/g_smither)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2005, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/merkins/294749 "2005-03-16T06:53:09Z")
www.straightdope.com/classics/a3\_232.html I am a little surprised that in the comments on Merkins no-one mentioned the name of the President of the United States of America. Merkin Muffly. Portrayed by the late great … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=172) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=174)