# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=176 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 177 --- ## [What happens when you crack your knuckles?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-you-crack-your-knuckles/286937)
**Author:** [@chefurbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chefurbo)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2005, 8:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-you-crack-your-knuckles/286937 "2005-02-11T08:58:24Z")
So what’s really physically going on when you crack your knuckles? Why can some people do it easily and some can’t? Is it unhealthy in any way? Are there any long-term repercussions? --- ## [Hot Water Freezing Faster Than Cold](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-water-freezing-faster-than-cold/197)
**Author:** [@HairyFro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HairyFro)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2005, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-water-freezing-faster-than-cold/197 "2005-02-10T19:27:21Z")
As someone who has been spending the last week or so at a cushy temp job reading old Straight Dope columns, I feel it is finally my time to speak up. The myth that hot water freezes faster than cold is actually a misund… --- ## [re: kangaroo court](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-kangaroo-court/284313)
**Author:** [@killianweir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/killianweir)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2005, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-kangaroo-court/284313 "2005-02-10T05:41:54Z")
there seems to be no good answer to the origin of “kangaroo court” so please let me have a stab at it. “kangaroo court” is a result of a garbled translation. “category” come from the greek “kategorin”. a kategorin court… --- ## [Why this classic phallic column?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-this-classic-phallic-column/288803)
**Author:** [@Mathochist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mathochist)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2005, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-this-classic-phallic-column/288803 "2005-02-09T02:40:44Z")
I’m wondering, especially since the standard deviation is being discussed in GQ, why the editors chose this penis column to whip out. --- ## [Penis length](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/penis-length/288609)
**Author:** [@ablotimor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ablotimor)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2005, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/penis-length/288609 "2005-02-09T02:38:41Z")
Thought it funny that the person who asked the question about penis length started with 13 inches. I have a friend who at 13 had a “dead” penis length of 14 inches. He is really touchy about the subject and I never reall… --- ## [High on life! (er, Listerine)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-on-life-er-listerine/288436)
**Author:** [@Captain\_Lance\_Murdoch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Lance_Murdoch)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 7, 2005, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-on-life-er-listerine/288436 "2005-02-07T19:29:59Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/050204.html Sure, if you’re some kind of aristocrat who drinks the fancy-schmancy, name brand Listerine. For the budget concious substance abuser, however, the generic knock-offs are… --- ## [Ham's name (from Drunken Noah pt. 2)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hams-name-from-drunken-noah-pt-2/288329)
**Author:** [@zev\_steinhardt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zev_steinhardt)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2005, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hams-name-from-drunken-noah-pt-2/288329 "2005-02-04T23:02:51Z")
What’s up with the biblical story of drunken Noah? (Part 2) A well-researched article, CK, but I have one question. I saw the second footnote discussing Ham’s name, wherein you stated: I’m curious as to how Mr. Golde… --- ## ['There Was an Old Woman From Nantucket'...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-was-an-old-woman-from-nantucket/287082)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2005, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-was-an-old-woman-from-nantucket/287082 "2005-02-04T17:10:44Z")
Concerning this Cecil Adams column concering that famous limerick that begins “There was an old man/young man/etc. from Nantucket”, I heard a version that has bugged me lo these many years. On an old rerun of tv’s Maude … --- ## [When you start a thread, please include a link to the Straight Dope column](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-start-a-thread-please-include-a-link-to-the-straight-dope-column/97937)
**Author:** [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2005, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-start-a-thread-please-include-a-link-to-the-straight-dope-column/97937 "2005-02-03T13:48:39Z")
Welcome to the SDMB, and thank thee for posting thy comment. Please include a link to Cecil’s column if it’s on the straight dope web site. To include a link, it can be as simple as including the web page location in t… --- ## [Unassisted triple play](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unassisted-triple-play/284725)
**Author:** [@BarnOwl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BarnOwl)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2005, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unassisted-triple-play/284725 "2005-02-02T23:47:29Z")
At… http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_173.html …Cecil tells us - among other things - that Bill Wambsganss, 2nd baseman for the Cleveland Indians executed the first unassisted triple play in a World Series back … --- ## [How much is a Gazillion?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-is-a-gazillion/1557)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2005, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-is-a-gazillion/1557 "2005-02-01T22:11:58Z")
In response to the quote of Doctor Math: In addition to making sense in the British fashion of upping the name based on how many sets of 6 zeros there are at the end of a number, the same process is used here using sets… --- ## [Does running burn more calories than walking?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-running-burn-more-calories-than-walking/285904)
**Author:** [@jester21](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jester21)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2005, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-running-burn-more-calories-than-walking/285904 "2005-01-30T21:22:00Z")
While this is completely unscientific… it is a very well observed fact. (by me anyway…) … you will ALMOST NEVER see a fat runner… but you’ll see MANY a obese walker. To me, that’s explanation enough. Link to column: E… --- ## [Drinking Seawater vs Drinking Gatorade](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drinking-seawater-vs-drinking-gatorade/282159)
**Author:** [@dlxw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dlxw)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2005, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drinking-seawater-vs-drinking-gatorade/282159 "2005-01-29T12:00:43Z")
The perils of drinking seawater Ok, I get the concept that too much salt makes you pee more and peeing more hastens dehydration. However, I also understand that sports drinks and things like pedialyte work to rehydrate … --- ## [No BBs, but water in Hula Hoops](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-bbs-but-water-in-hula-hoops/287104)
**Author:** [@Spiff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiff)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2005, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-bbs-but-water-in-hula-hoops/287104 "2005-01-28T17:53:09Z")
I’d just like to add a bit of information to this classic Straight Dope column. I bought a Hula Hoop for my young daughter last summer that contained a small amount of water inside the hoop. I’d estimate about 100-150 m… --- ## [Symmetrical Crossword Puzzles](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/symmetrical-crossword-puzzles/285665)
**Author:** [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2005, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/symmetrical-crossword-puzzles/285665 "2005-01-28T02:06:47Z")
For what it’s worth, I know New York Times crossword editor Will Shortz slightly, and he says that modern crossword puzzles are symmetrical almost exclusively because of one person: Margaret Farrar (nee Margaret Petherbr… --- ## [A clarification for: If all Chinese jumped at once, would cataclysm result?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-clarification-for-if-all-chinese-jumped-at-once-would-cataclysm-result/258897)
**Author:** [@FineButNotDandy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FineButNotDandy)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2005, 8:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-clarification-for-if-all-chinese-jumped-at-once-would-cataclysm-result/258897 "2005-01-24T08:38:29Z")
Regarding this classic topic: http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1\_155 Cecil, your comment about the person who asked the question: That’s because no person did ask the question; it’s obvious it was generated by t… --- ## [Is there an easy way to correct for inflation? (King Kong)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-easy-way-to-correct-for-inflation-king-kong/284743)
**Author:** [@633squadron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/633squadron)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2005, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-easy-way-to-correct-for-inflation-king-kong/284743 "2005-01-23T17:53:50Z")
This thread’s about http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/minflationadjust.html I was astounded to see someone ask the same question I asked myself the last time I saw King Kong. The article has some excellent links to… --- ## [about rock, paper, and scissor](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-rock-paper-and-scissor/279942)
**Author:** [@democlesv10](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/democlesv10)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2005, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-rock-paper-and-scissor/279942 "2005-01-22T14:12:30Z")
Hi, http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mrockpaper.html Just want to comment about rock,paper, and scissor hand game. Cecil said that in Indonesia, the games consists of variations of an elephant, a man, and an ant. Wh… --- ## [Meat with life blood](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meat-with-life-blood/283382)
**Author:** [@sjbdtz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sjbdtz)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2005, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meat-with-life-blood/283382 "2005-01-22T12:45:01Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/madamvegan.html A possible interpretation of the direction not to eat meat with the “life blood still in it”, would be that if you are going to eat meat, make sure that you cook it … --- ## [Tossing the ball to the first baseman](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tossing-the-ball-to-the-first-baseman/285833)
**Author:** [@Faldage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Faldage)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2005, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tossing-the-ball-to-the-first-baseman/285833 "2005-01-22T06:46:21Z")
This answer doesn’t make sense. My first question is whether this really happens. I haven’t seen that many major league games but I don’t remember ever seeing it at a minor league game. As far as sense goes, about hal… --- ## [Goofy a dog?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goofy-a-dog/276211)
**Author:** [@Howdy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Howdy)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2005, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goofy-a-dog/276211 "2005-01-21T00:31:43Z")
I read a straight dope column, recently, in which Cecil gives pretty good evidence that Goofy is a dog. (I’m not going to give a link, because I don’t know how, but you can go to the Straight Dope archives and search “go… --- ## [Why do most Cecil's Cartoons have left handed characters?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-most-cecils-cartoons-have-left-handed-characters/169542)
**Author:** [@andy\_fl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andy_fl)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2005, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-most-cecils-cartoons-have-left-handed-characters/169542 "2005-01-20T19:15:58Z")
I did a search but it did’nt come up with anything. Does having left handed people in a cartoon make it more funny ? --- ## [Women's Urinals](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/womens-urinals/285718)
**Author:** [@RobAtl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RobAtl)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2005, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/womens-urinals/285718 "2005-01-20T14:46:37Z")
Perhaps the decline of women’s urinals is due in part to the confusion over how they are to be used. Cecil states (http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1\_255.html) that a women should “straddle while facing the wall.” T… --- ## [Pedofiles?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pedofiles/275696)
**Author:** [@John\_W.Kennedy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_W.Kennedy)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2005, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pedofiles/275696 "2005-01-18T18:07:18Z")
While there is no doubt that Richard I was gay, I am not aware of any evidence making him a paedophile, nor of any in the case of Julius Caesar, who cannot even be assuredly regarded as bi. --- ## [How many calories are in the average male ejaculation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-calories-are-in-the-average-male-ejaculation/285271)
**Author:** [@jojokisssp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jojokisssp)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2005, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-calories-are-in-the-average-male-ejaculation/285271 "2005-01-18T14:33:19Z")
Dear Cecil I’ve only read two questions and answers and i love it. I have already emailed my friends. I love the way you answered Mr. Know-It-All. He should change his name to Mr. Know-nothing. Anyway you are great and… --- ## [Homosexual Lincoln](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homosexual-lincoln/284994)
**Author:** [@cckerberos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cckerberos)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2005, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homosexual-lincoln/284994 "2005-01-18T05:56:10Z")
I just wanted to mention that the C.A. Tripp book that Cecil mentions in his column on Abraham Lincoln’s alledged homosexuality has apparently finally been published. There’s a Slate article on the book here. --- ## [Lefties](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lefties/173075)
**Author:** [@jeffmilles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jeffmilles)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2005, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lefties/173075 "2005-01-18T01:51:28Z")
Cecil mentions that lefties are more accident prone, using power tool accidents as an example. Wouldn’t it be more accurate to believe that these power tool accidents are the result of tools being used by left handed in… --- ## [Witch Trial -- what happened to the dog??](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/witch-trial-what-happened-to-the-dog/285072)
**Author:** [@LilyoftheValley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LilyoftheValley)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2005, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/witch-trial-what-happened-to-the-dog/285072 "2005-01-17T15:30:55Z")
Cecil, man, don’t leave us hanging! Here you say: What is supposed to happen to the dog when he eats the cake to prove this one way or the other? Were any cakes made? Do we have any recipes? Your faithful cook, Li… --- ## [Today, We Have Killer In Whitehouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-we-have-killer-in-whitehouse/271996)
**Author:** [@jabotinsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jabotinsky)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2005, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-we-have-killer-in-whitehouse/271996 "2005-01-17T04:27:03Z")
In 1963, Laura Welch was dating a young schoolmate name Michael Douglas. Laura ran a stop sign and hit a car driven “coincidentally” by that boyfriend, and killed Michael. Ms. Welch – who later married an alcoholic, an… --- ## [Qwerty - another theory](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qwerty-another-theory/285044)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2005, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qwerty-another-theory/285044 "2005-01-16T18:15:29Z")
With reference to Cecil’s column Was the QWERTY keyboard purposely designed to slow typists? . I recently saw another theory on this site. “In 1873, E. Remington & Sons licensed the design from Scholes, and set their e… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=175) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=177)