# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=174 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 175 --- ## [Kangaroo Nome Yucatan - UL?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kangaroo-nome-yucatan-ul/294686)
**Author:** [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2005, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kangaroo-nome-yucatan-ul/294686 "2005-03-16T06:47:23Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_236.html Great follow up, btw, Cecil. My question concerns the “I don’t know” answer often cited as an answer to odd names for things or places. To me, the whole idea reeks of Ur… --- ## [Nitrous Oxide](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitrous-oxide/292448)
**Author:** [@DogCamel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DogCamel)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2005, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitrous-oxide/292448 "2005-03-15T23:27:34Z")
I would like to respond to the article about Nitrous Oxide: http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_223b.html I was part of a medical team which studied Nitrous Oxide (N2O) use on ambulances for more than a decade. N2O … --- ## [The Two-rooks Rule in Chess](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-two-rooks-rule-in-chess/51084)
**Author:** [@2sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2sense)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2005, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-two-rooks-rule-in-chess/51084 "2005-03-15T22:59:25Z")
In an answer concerning “Free Parking” in Monopoly, Cecil noted an alternative chess rule allowing a player to move both rooks a single space forward in one move. Has anyone played this option? I am wondering what the … --- ## [The Staff Report about Escape Speed](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-staff-report-about-escape-speed/294460)
**Author:** [@mrbeaujo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mrbeaujo)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2005, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-staff-report-about-escape-speed/294460 "2005-03-14T21:31:21Z")
It’s been a while since I took physics in college, but if I remember correctly, due to the law of conservation of energy, as you gain altitude from the earth, your speed increases. Particularly, even if you are moving u… --- ## [Brand new?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brand-new/293938)
**Author:** [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2005, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brand-new/293938 "2005-03-14T17:58:44Z")
In Cecil’s answer to the question about the origin of the term “brand new” he claims, with cites, that the term has something to do with cattle. Yeah, right! And he has some other obscure ideas. Actually the exact ter… --- ## [Surviving Falls from a Great Height](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surviving-falls-from-a-great-height/294058)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2005, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surviving-falls-from-a-great-height/294058 "2005-03-14T16:35:02Z")
Cecil’s latest column (http://www.straightdope.com/columns/050311.html ) addresses a question that was answered by Bergen Evans, the Proto-Cecil, in his book A Natural History of Nonsense. Evans wrote abnout the popular … --- ## [Egg, then chicken](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/egg-then-chicken/293910)
**Author:** [@bryanmcc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bryanmcc)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2005, 8:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/egg-then-chicken/293910 "2005-03-14T08:04:25Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_218.html Even if you restrict the question to, “Which came first, the chicken or the chicken egg,” the answer is still the egg. If we could pinpoint the moment in evolutionary tim… --- ## ["Why do we have so many temperature scales?" response](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-have-so-many-temperature-scales-response/281754)
**Author:** [@genaldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/genaldar)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2005, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-have-so-many-temperature-scales-response/281754 "2005-03-13T21:54:37Z")
One thing thats always bother me about farenheit is why is freezing 32? If you’re going to start your own scale wouldn’t you want the references to be easy to deal with? I mean 0 and 180 work much better than 32 and 21… --- ## [Avoiding a Hangover](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avoiding-a-hangover/293391)
**Author:** [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2005, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avoiding-a-hangover/293391 "2005-03-13T21:38:18Z")
There’s absolutely no doubt in my mind that 95% of a hangover is due to dehydration. Based on way too much personal experience, I offer the following tips to help minimize the effects of a hangover: If you know you’r… --- ## [Why has no animal species ever evolved wheels? - by Marie Hansen, Saint Augustine](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-has-no-animal-species-ever-evolved-wheels-by-marie-hansen-saint-augustine/227412)
**Author:** [@dw817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dw817)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [March 12, 2005, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-has-no-animal-species-ever-evolved-wheels-by-marie-hansen-saint-augustine/227412 "2005-03-12T01:06:57Z")
Hi, this is just my addition to the question that Cecil Adams. answered. Marie, think for a minute … How would the wheels work ? In all cases, they must complete a 360 degree rotation and that would mean that the anima… --- ## [No Spork at K-State Campus](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-spork-at-k-state-campus/293448)
**Author:** [@Superman3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superman3)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 11, 2005, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-spork-at-k-state-campus/293448 "2005-03-11T20:37:53Z")
Great job on the article concerning sporks (found here ) but I have to make a correction. In the article, you stated that supposedly there is a spork 25 feet high in front of the Chem-Lab building on Kansas State Univer… --- ## [Do some tumors contain the beginnings of a baby?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-some-tumors-contain-the-beginnings-of-a-baby/70033)
**Author:** [@Toff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toff)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [March 11, 2005, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-some-tumors-contain-the-beginnings-of-a-baby/70033 "2005-03-11T17:10:04Z")
Do some tumors contain the beginnings of a baby? http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a981002a.html The above is on the old side, but I wanted to know if these strange tumors can only be formed from egg cells, as the a… --- ## [In a falling elevator, could you save yourself by jumping up at the last minute?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-a-falling-elevator-could-you-save-yourself-by-jumping-up-at-the-last-minute/293435)
**Author:** [@testubexperiment](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/testubexperiment)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [March 11, 2005, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-a-falling-elevator-could-you-save-yourself-by-jumping-up-at-the-last-minute/293435 "2005-03-11T02:33:55Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1\_205a.html Actually Cecil, there is a way to save yourself in a falling elevator. You should bend your knees, stick to the wall, and hold on to the bar on the side of the elevator.… --- ## [The Dead Man's Hand](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dead-mans-hand/293269)
**Author:** [@mittu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mittu)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2005, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dead-mans-hand/293269 "2005-03-09T17:28:44Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1\_307.html In the column it is stated that Wild Bill was holding “black aces and eights” but no mention of the actual suit. I am presuming that seeing as somebody took the trouble t… --- ## [Winter cold/flu season](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/winter-cold-flu-season/293675)
**Author:** [@kahlan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kahlan)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2005, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/winter-cold-flu-season/293675 "2005-03-09T15:42:50Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a4\_104.html I had read that the reason winter tends to be the cold and flu season was not because of the cold, but because a lot of people tend to stay inside more. We don’t like to… --- ## [Can't a gas engine use diesel fuel?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cant-a-gas-engine-use-diesel-fuel/292593)
**Author:** [@JamesB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JamesB)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2005, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cant-a-gas-engine-use-diesel-fuel/292593 "2005-03-09T02:59:44Z")
I’ve heard there’s a new technology on the market which easily enables a gas engine to use diesel fuel with greater efficiency and cleaner exhaust. Is this true? Where can more information about this technology be foun… --- ## [OK standing for..](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-standing-for/282400)
**Author:** [@KallieOkami](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KallieOkami)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2005, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-standing-for/282400 "2005-03-08T04:11:04Z")
I just was wondering about this… about where the expression OK comes for ( http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_250 ) If this person meant about saying “Ok” in response to a suggestion or something, then wouldn’t it … --- ## [Myths of Joseph Smith](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/myths-of-joseph-smith/293102)
**Author:** [@courage\_fear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/courage_fear)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2005, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/myths-of-joseph-smith/293102 "2005-03-07T23:09:51Z")
I’ve been doing some research about Mormon temple weddings lately, for a friend of mine. Alot of this research has included many things that I already knew though. Such as the garments that are worn under clothing after … --- ## [% effectiveness of birth control](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/effectiveness-of-birth-control/291595)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2005, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/effectiveness-of-birth-control/291595 "2005-03-06T16:21:22Z")
Per Cecil, % effectiveness is 100 minus the number of women who get pregnant in 100 woman-years of usage. The example in the question was the Pill is 99% effective. Well, what the % effectiveness of doing nothing at al… --- ## [Mathers, Denver both alive](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mathers-denver-both-alive/291727)
**Author:** [@terrier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terrier)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2005, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mathers-denver-both-alive/291727 "2005-03-06T06:24:54Z")
Since this column was quite some time ago, and I’m new here, it might already have been pointed out. Neither Jerry Mathers nor Bob Denver is deceased … http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1\_316 --- ## [Child safety](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/child-safety/292907)
**Author:** [@John\_W.Kennedy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_W.Kennedy)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2005, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/child-safety/292907 "2005-03-05T17:49:07Z")
Anent Is it impossible to open a refrigerator door from the inside?, my 2004 Passat sedan has an emergency-exit handle in the trunk. (I also remember my high-school’s walk-in vault, installed in 1959, had one.) --- ## [antacids to stop smoking?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antacids-to-stop-smoking/291758)
**Author:** [@Freyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freyr)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2005, 8:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antacids-to-stop-smoking/291758 "2005-03-05T08:32:19Z")
In this column, the Grand Master suggests that lowering acid levels in the body can help curb nicotene cravings and hence help one to stop smoking. Has any further research been done on this? Has anyone tried it and ca… --- ## [Diesel engine operation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diesel-engine-operation/265595)
**Author:** [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2005, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diesel-engine-operation/265595 "2005-03-04T21:50:03Z")
In Una’s diesel-fuel-in-a-gasoline-engine article, she writes: When I went through driver’s ed in 1980, we saw a film about how diesel engines operate. The film said that on the intake stroke, diesel engines draw in j… --- ## [Cutting acid](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cutting-acid/292797)
**Author:** [@coffeecat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coffeecat)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2005, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cutting-acid/292797 "2005-03-04T15:18:17Z")
In this column, Cecil mentioned in passing that LSD is often cut with other drugs. Since LSD is so potent, how and why would anyone do that? How do you fit a psychoactive dose of PCP, or STP or whatever on a itty-bitty… --- ## [Gas in Diesel Engines](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-in-diesel-engines/265341)
**Author:** [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2005, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-in-diesel-engines/265341 "2005-03-03T14:24:48Z")
Looks like I’m the first one here. Una, in your excellent report http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mdieselvsgas.html on not using Gasoline in Diesel engines, and vice versa, I wish you had commented on multifuel engin… --- ## [Mmm, Chocolate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mmm-chocolate/292646)
**Author:** [@MysteryFellow63427](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MysteryFellow63427)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2005, 8:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mmm-chocolate/292646 "2005-03-03T08:42:34Z")
In today’s classic column, Cecil writes It’s been twenty years - did they ever finish that second study? --- ## [Origin of "slapstick" column](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-slapstick-column/292439)
**Author:** [@Mathochist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mathochist)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2005, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-slapstick-column/292439 "2005-03-02T04:13:42Z")
linqage Not much to say but very well done. If I didn’t fear lightning I’d say TGM Himself couldn’t have done it better. --- ## ["That man's father..."](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-mans-father/284605)
**Author:** [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2005, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-mans-father/284605 "2005-03-01T05:27:11Z")
The solution is very easy, if you are the sort that likes to work out mathematical expressions. The secret of the riddle lies in verbal obfuscation. Basically, solve the expression, “my father’s son.” If you have no s… --- ## [Who owns the Federal Reserve?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-owns-the-federal-reserve/292062)
**Author:** [@quickmatch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/quickmatch)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2005, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-owns-the-federal-reserve/292062 "2005-02-28T06:28:21Z")
In the column of 25-Nov-95 you wrote: “Cecil on occasion hears from some genius who thinks he’s come up with the solution to the national debt: print enough money to pay the whole thing off!” Isn’t it true that the Tre… --- ## [Nipple Nipple Give Give Koko Koko](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nipple-nipple-give-give-koko-koko/292146)
**Author:** [@chrisrus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chrisrus)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2005, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nipple-nipple-give-give-koko-koko/292146 "2005-02-27T14:48:51Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/030328.html Francine “Penny” Patterson is crazy delusional, maybe scarily so. Don’t take my word for it. Just Google the transcript of the chat session in which Penny “translated” bet… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=173) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=175)