# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=187 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 188 --- ## [If you were painted gold, as in the movie "Goldfinger," would you die?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-painted-gold-as-in-the-movie-goldfinger-would-you-die/256127)
**Author:** [@imhullu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/imhullu)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2004, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-painted-gold-as-in-the-movie-goldfinger-would-you-die/256127 "2004-07-22T05:48:04Z")
Cecil, I make no claim to being a medical expert, but I remember from an aviation physiology class I took that the pores in our skin release nitrogen that naturally builds up in our bodies. This is why a diver gets dec… --- ## [Rosemary Wells: rumors exaggerated](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rosemary-wells-rumors-exaggerated/255816)
**Author:** [@RussC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RussC)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2004, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rosemary-wells-rumors-exaggerated/255816 "2004-07-22T04:49:27Z")
Thanks to The Straight Dope, it seems that children’s book author Rosemary Wells has joined the likes of those, like Mark Twain, the rumors of whose death are “greatly exaggerated”. In a recent SDSTAFF report on the his… --- ## [meaning of the words "joint, roach and stoned"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meaning-of-the-words-joint-roach-and-stoned/254465)
**Author:** [@lorna-uk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorna-uk)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2004, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meaning-of-the-words-joint-roach-and-stoned/254465 "2004-07-21T18:44:46Z")
I’m sorry to inform you that your analogy of two of the three words in the question asking the meaning of the words “joint, roach and stoned” i have no idea how to define the word stoned other than the feeling one has w… --- ## [Those pesky words in the Steve Miller song....](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-pesky-words-in-the-steve-miller-song/256169)
**Author:** [@pppumpkineater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pppumpkineater)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2004, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-pesky-words-in-the-steve-miller-song/256169 "2004-07-21T15:03:09Z")
In a previous column: http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_303.html The Straight Dope: Why do some people sneeze when going out into bright light? Cecil refers to mysterious words of the great sage equal of heaven,… --- ## [Is vegetable intentionally misspelled in the latest ketchup article?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-vegetable-intentionally-misspelled-in-the-latest-ketchup-article/255945)
**Author:** [@Bill\_H](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_H)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2004, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-vegetable-intentionally-misspelled-in-the-latest-ketchup-article/255945 "2004-07-21T03:13:12Z")
Not that it matters. Just wanted to be the first to whine about it. http://www.straightdope.com/art/2004/040716.gif --- ## [John Wayne's cancer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-waynes-cancer/255423)
**Author:** [@Awerdenty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Awerdenty)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2004, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-waynes-cancer/255423 "2004-07-20T20:51:13Z")
The fact that the Duke smoked four packs of cigarettes a day for forty years just MIGHT have had more to do with his lung cancer than the movie set of the Conqueror. Likewise for the others: no attempt was ever made to d… --- ## [MLK plagiarist page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlk-plagiarist-page/255820)
**Author:** [@jerryku](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jerryku)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2004, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlk-plagiarist-page/255820 "2004-07-20T06:31:18Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/030502.html Hello, I just found the Straight Dope site thanks to a political chatroom. I read the MLK article on plagiarism, and it said that MLK wasn’t a communist. I believe that Dr… --- ## [HGH observation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hgh-observation/255275)
**Author:** [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2004, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hgh-observation/255275 "2004-07-19T15:55:11Z")
Is it just me, or does Slug’s cartoon for the human growth hormone article (http://www.straightdope.com/columns/040709.html ) bear a suspicious resemblance to Krusty the Klown? --- ## [Not so bloody severe...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-so-bloody-severe/254284)
**Author:** [@Tommy\_R](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tommy_R)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2004, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-so-bloody-severe/254284 "2004-07-19T15:44:20Z")
Link… Just a bit of a correction here. as a proud Brit myself, the word ‘Bloody’ would probably not even cause your great grandmother to raise an eyebrow, let alone your mother to faint. It is even used on daytime TV … --- ## [Tipping on tax](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-on-tax/255209)
**Author:** [@dlt101](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dlt101)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2004, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-on-tax/255209 "2004-07-19T15:21:33Z")
Re: http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mtiplesstax.html Basically this reply states that, yes, you are supposed to tip on tax, and that the only reason not to is you’re cheapskate scum. Not only is this answer wrong, … --- ## [Dinosaur != Lizard](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dinosaur-lizard/255619)
**Author:** [@Little\_Bird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Bird)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2004, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dinosaur-lizard/255619 "2004-07-19T13:44:15Z")
In Straight Dope Classic recently put on the welcome page, Is it true the brontosaurus never really existed?, the ever wize, all-knowing Cecil referred to the group of animals called Dinosaurs as lizards not once, but tw… --- ## [antimatter](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antimatter/253823)
**Author:** [@CURIOUS\_LIKE\_A\_CHILD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CURIOUS_LIKE_A_CHILD)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2004, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antimatter/253823 "2004-07-19T07:52:59Z")
There was a question and answer posted about antimatter dated, Nov. 5 1999 and in reading the answer, most of my own questions were answered, except one. All atomic particles have opposites; electrons have positrons, pr… --- ## [Drowning Worms](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drowning-worms/257836)
**Author:** [@bughunter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bughunter)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2004, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drowning-worms/257836 "2004-07-19T04:29:42Z")
Regarding Cecil’s Column on drowning worms… This reminds me of an old joke my grandfather (a prohibition-era moonshine smuggler) loved to tell: One Baptist preacher would often sermonize to his parishoners on the evils… --- ## [The Ketchup Column](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ketchup-column/255551)
**Author:** [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2004, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ketchup-column/255551 "2004-07-17T05:22:15Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/040716.html In his attempt at giving all parties a fair shake and dispelling ignorance our pal Cecil has only hinted at the entertainment surrounding this controversy. My favorite mo… --- ## [Please, more info about : "batter-coated french fries as a fresh vegetable....had mor](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-more-info-about-batter-coated-french-fries-as-a-fresh-vegetable-had-mor/255495)
**Author:** [@stetzz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stetzz)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2004, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-more-info-about-batter-coated-french-fries-as-a-fresh-vegetable-had-mor/255495 "2004-07-17T01:07:42Z")
Please, more info about : “batter-coated french fries as a fresh vegetable…had more to do with creditor priority during bankruptcy settlements”…I have to know ! --- ## [Will charcoal self-ignite when wet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-charcoal-self-ignite-when-wet/254270)
**Author:** [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2004, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-charcoal-self-ignite-when-wet/254270 "2004-07-16T20:42:51Z")
In the email announcement of new columns today, the link to the “Will charcoal self-ignite if wet?” Staff Report by Una Persson was incorrect. :smack: The correct link is: http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mwetcharco… --- ## [Dog Years = Cat Years?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-years-cat-years/255113)
**Author:** [@E72521](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E72521)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2004, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-years-cat-years/255113 "2004-07-16T18:23:26Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_010b.html I wonder if the same basic formula applies to cats. My 19 year old cat certainly does not act like she’s 97, more like upper middle age. The vet at the cat hospital told… --- ## [What about righties who write hooked?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-about-righties-who-write-hooked/253334)
**Author:** [@mcbiggins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mcbiggins)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2004, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-about-righties-who-write-hooked/253334 "2004-07-16T15:20:03Z")
in the column on hip pockets and handedness, Cecil went off on a tangent about lefties who write like righties versus lefties who write with a hooked wrist. I happen to be a righty who writes like a lefty, with my wrist… --- ## [Hgh.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hgh/255385)
**Author:** [@SoulSearching](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SoulSearching)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2004, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hgh/255385 "2004-07-16T12:46:25Z")
Does HGH (Human Growth Hormone) do exactly what its name entitles? If consumed, would it cause a person to grow? I am wondering if it means that a person will grow taller from this drug or if the “growth” actually means… --- ## [Grog](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grog/253320)
**Author:** [@Awerdenty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Awerdenty)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2004, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grog/253320 "2004-07-15T12:36:42Z")
The HMS Surprise is anchored in San Diego Harbor and may be visited. Among the others tidbits of information available there is confirmation of the 4-1 water to rum mix for grog. However, grog was surprisingly rare in th… --- ## [Did Western Gunfighters Really Face Off](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-western-gunfighters-really-face-off/252255)
**Author:** [@DrMaxE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrMaxE)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2004, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-western-gunfighters-really-face-off/252255 "2004-07-14T18:15:57Z")
I thought the classic Western face-off is in The Virginian, and the technical term for it is the Trampas Walk, after the character in the novel. Or am I misinformed? --- ## [I think Cecil has it wrong on the easter bunny ....](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-cecil-has-it-wrong-on-the-easter-bunny/254262)
**Author:** [@Galanthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Galanthus)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2004, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-cecil-has-it-wrong-on-the-easter-bunny/254262 "2004-07-14T15:58:00Z")
Sorry Cecil I could be wrong but … My understanding is it comes from the sacred animal of Aostre/Eostra ( the germanic spring goddess who gave her name to Easter ) who’s sacred symbols where an egg and a hare. Over the… --- ## [Elephants never forget..](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elephants-never-forget/254246)
**Author:** [@The\_Llama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Llama)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2004, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elephants-never-forget/254246 "2004-07-13T14:28:43Z")
In this column Cecil talks about teaching an elephant thins that it will remember. But I always thought that the expression “An elephant never forgets” was based on the fact that elephants have generational emory. That… --- ## [Can spiders carry rocks? 5/15/00](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-spiders-carry-rocks-5-15-00/20051)
**Author:** [@truver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/truver)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2004, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-spiders-carry-rocks-5-15-00/20051 "2004-07-13T13:05:09Z")
I own a wild-caught Chilean rosehair tarantula. Unknown to me or the seller, she had mated and was carrying eggs. About a month after I got her, I watched as she excavated a burrow in her cage, which is floored with abou… --- ## [why do insects go tits up when they die?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-insects-go-tits-up-when-they-die/254218)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2004, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-insects-go-tits-up-when-they-die/254218 "2004-07-11T21:39:15Z")
I’ve seen it happen a few times, too. Just as they get to the end of the death throes, they turn over onto their backs. What’s up with this? Why do so many insects die that way? Why don’t they just slow down and die … --- ## [the real whole nine yards](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-real-whole-nine-yards/243880)
**Author:** [@olihale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/olihale)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2004, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-real-whole-nine-yards/243880 "2004-07-11T20:23:10Z")
Now this is in fact the correct origination of the expression the whole nine yards, although details are somewhat hazy. During the Second world war fighter planes were equipped with machine guns or cannon, in the modern… --- ## [Gerbils stuffed in Houston](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gerbils-stuffed-in-houston/254554)
**Author:** [@Spleener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spleener)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2004, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gerbils-stuffed-in-houston/254554 "2004-07-11T12:35:47Z")
Greetings, I graduated from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. There, if your lucky, and you know the right Staff, you can lay eyes on a most incredible collection of radiological oddities. Forget it if your not a… --- ## [psychic orgasms](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychic-orgasms/254382)
**Author:** [@gndrfk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gndrfk)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2004, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychic-orgasms/254382 "2004-07-11T06:10:16Z")
If you’re really interested in non-genital stimulated orgasms, do some research with doctors and physical therapists involved with para- and quadraplegics. Some urologists with experience in severe genital injury may be… --- ## [Getting rid of Cockroaches, etc.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-rid-of-cockroaches-etc/254281)
**Author:** [@spingears](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spingears)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 10, 2004, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-rid-of-cockroaches-etc/254281 "2004-07-10T00:38:56Z")
A long time ago I lived in an old rooming house in the windy city. It was infiested with cockroaches by the zillions and bed bugs by the thousands and both were mean little buggers. The landlord hired exterminators who… --- ## [HGH injections](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hgh-injections/254345)
**Author:** [@Captain\_Lance\_Murdoch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Lance_Murdoch)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2004, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hgh-injections/254345 "2004-07-09T20:05:17Z")
A couple things about the Cecil’s HGH column http://www.straightdope.com/columns/040709.html The use of the term “abnormally small.” The FDA has approved the use of daily HGH injections for children who project to b… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=186) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=188)