# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=192 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 193 --- ## [Delmonico's and "86"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/delmonicos-and-86/239705)
**Author:** [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2004, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/delmonicos-and-86/239705 "2004-04-22T19:44:32Z")
Where does the term “86” come from? I just saw an episode of “Unwrapped” on Food TV where host Marc Summers claimed “86” originated in Delmonico’s Restaurant in New York. 86 being the menu number of the most popular ite… --- ## [Hot Water vs Cold Water Freezing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-water-vs-cold-water-freezing/240961)
**Author:** [@Albert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Albert)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2004, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-water-vs-cold-water-freezing/240961 "2004-04-22T18:54:34Z")
Man , It took a lot of screens to get here and I’m not sure this is the right place but here goes… A a former physics student I thought I could add to this eternal question. Since freezing entails the transfer of heat,… --- ## [Can two women make a baby? (update)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-two-women-make-a-baby-update/241327)
**Author:** [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2004, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-two-women-make-a-baby-update/241327 "2004-04-22T01:41:24Z")
Cecil’s article from long ago: Can two women make a baby? It’s from after 1980, but beyond that I don’t know how old it is. And from CNN, science marches on: Scientists conceive mouse with two moms. And some big new… --- ## [Wassamatta U.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wassamatta-u/240890)
**Author:** [@Mathochist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mathochist)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 21, 2004, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wassamatta-u/240890 "2004-04-21T16:36:08Z")
What Cecil didn’t mention about Bullwinkle’s alma mater in his column is where WU is located. Frostbite Falls, MN. --- ## [1 = 999...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-999/187615)
**Author:** [@ccwaterback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ccwaterback)\ **Replies:** 105\ **Last updated:** [April 21, 2004, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-999/187615 "2004-04-21T04:40:25Z")
This post is regarding the article concerning the following paradox: If 1/3 = 0.333… and 2/3 = 0.666… then 3/3 = 0.999… but 3/3 is equal to 1 so 1 = 0.999… How can that be? OK, that’s the problem, here’s my e… --- ## [Creamsicle picture](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creamsicle-picture/240194)
**Author:** [@Mathochist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mathochist)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2004, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creamsicle-picture/240194 "2004-04-20T23:45:09Z")
The Great One’s answer about Creamsicles and Dreamsicles was concise and enlightening; everything my answers to questions generally are not. I’m wondering, though, if the accompanying graphic was meant to be suggestive,… --- ## [Fiction of the Holy Grail](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fiction-of-the-holy-grail/241065)
**Author:** [@Skott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skott)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2004, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fiction-of-the-holy-grail/241065 "2004-04-20T19:45:26Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/030404.html As I was watching a show on the History Channel last night about the Holy Grail, I got to thinking: Since the Holy Grail is fictional, why don’t more historians, and ind… --- ## [Water in chocolate chip cookies?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-in-chocolate-chip-cookies/240862)
**Author:** [@Tamex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamex)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2004, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-in-chocolate-chip-cookies/240862 "2004-04-20T18:54:24Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1\_358.html Apparently, this was common in 1976, but, I have to say that I have never seen a chocolate chip cookie recipe that has called for water. Did Cecil’s column convince reci… --- ## [Orange oranges](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orange-oranges/240714)
**Author:** [@sacrechao](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sacrechao)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2004, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orange-oranges/240714 "2004-04-20T01:57:56Z")
If “orange” wasn’t used as an adjective in the English language prior to ~1620, what colour were carrots in 1600? (Why do I suspect the answer is some variant of “red”?) --- ## [Stinky Eskimo Foods and Botulism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stinky-eskimo-foods-and-botulism/235302)
**Author:** [@bughunter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bughunter)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2004, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stinky-eskimo-foods-and-botulism/235302 "2004-04-20T00:03:06Z")
Stinky Foods are a favorite topic over at my old haunt, alt.tasteless. It amused us to no end that the Inuit will not only eat animals most cultures don’t consider food, they eat parts of animals most cultures don’t con… --- ## [Why do you see pairs of shoes hanging by the laces from power lines? - Lloyd S.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-see-pairs-of-shoes-hanging-by-the-laces-from-power-lines-lloyd-s/227434)
**Author:** [@dw817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dw817)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2004, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-see-pairs-of-shoes-hanging-by-the-laces-from-power-lines-lloyd-s/227434 "2004-04-19T23:53:43Z")
Cecil ! I’m surprised at you ! There is nothing aprocraphyl or mystic about shoes over a powerline ! It happened to me when I was going through high-school (and abandoned early for a GED because of school brutality). … --- ## [Assassin from Hashish](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assassin-from-hashish/239604)
**Author:** [@whatigot4208](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whatigot4208)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2004, 7:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assassin-from-hashish/239604 "2004-04-19T07:58:45Z")
About the post on the word assassin deriving from the word hashish, in the book, “Angels and Demons” by Dan Brown, in one of the first chapters he talks about the illuminati using hashish and about the word assassin comi… --- ## [Beer Response](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beer-response/239649)
**Author:** [@tinkfaeri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tinkfaeri)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2004, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beer-response/239649 "2004-04-18T03:10:13Z")
I do not know of any beers that list the ingredients on the label, except for Rolling Rock. In my fridge, I happened to have several bottles/cans of beer, and I checked them out. Rolling Rock lists its ingredients right … --- ## [I Believe "Canuck" Has Different Regional Meanings.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-believe-canuck-has-different-regional-meanings/238558)
**Author:** [@Chicago\_Faucet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chicago_Faucet)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2004, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-believe-canuck-has-different-regional-meanings/238558 "2004-04-17T23:36:38Z")
Case in point, and I don’t have the dictionary right here with me to back this up, but I once looked up the meaning of the word, “canuck,” in an American English dictionary. The definition was along the lines of, “Dirty… --- ## [Origin of the phrase "Sleep Tight..."](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-the-phrase-sleep-tight/238199)
**Author:** [@fstrath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fstrath)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2004, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-the-phrase-sleep-tight/238199 "2004-04-17T22:41:18Z")
In the Straight Dope Mailbag, http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/msleepti.html you state more or less unequivocally that the phrase “Sleep tight…” has its origin with early rope-string beds. While this has a nice rin… --- ## ["All Natural" ingredients?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-natural-ingredients/239706)
**Author:** [@SnakeSpirit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SnakeSpirit)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2004, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-natural-ingredients/239706 "2004-04-14T17:49:11Z")
Aren’t chicken heart “all natural?” I mean, we don’t manufacture them from radioactive chemical sludge, they’re still made ‘the good-old-fashioned way!’ Gee, all of a sudden “All natural” doesn’t seem such a good sell… --- ## [Cecil's research methods](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecils-research-methods/239979)
**Author:** [@SCSimmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCSimmons)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2004, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecils-research-methods/239979 "2004-04-14T17:18:18Z")
In the classic chocolate chip cookie column … Notice how Cecil’s ordinary research methods (asking experts, researching major publications, etc.) were abandoned in this case in favor of a research method that left him w… --- ## [Was Abraham Lincoln gay?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-abraham-lincoln-gay/237945)
**Author:** [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2004, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-abraham-lincoln-gay/237945 "2004-04-14T12:32:33Z")
Okay, so I’ve read Cecil’s column on whether or not Abe Lincoln was gay, but now I’m wondering… …was James Buchanan gay? --- ## [Beer In germany](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beer-in-germany/239165)
**Author:** [@TundraWolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TundraWolf)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2004, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beer-in-germany/239165 "2004-04-13T23:45:33Z")
This is about the comment on ‘what beer is’. One thing I liked about germany-- they are extremely strict on what can be called ‘beer’ (or bier since they don’t use english). i know of not too long ago a guy was trying to… --- ## [Canucks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canucks/239708)
**Author:** [@Galloping\_Geezer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Galloping_Geezer)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2004, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canucks/239708 "2004-04-13T13:04:25Z")
Canucks Johnny Canuck and Janney Canuck are Canadians from Sea to Sea in the country above the USA. We are proud to be called Canucks We have special pride in \*\*\*Janney Canuck \*\* \* which was the nome de plume of one… --- ## [myopia a product of comfortable beds?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/myopia-a-product-of-comfortable-beds/234598)
**Author:** [@nuffle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nuffle)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2004, 10:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/myopia-a-product-of-comfortable-beds/234598 "2004-04-13T10:52:36Z")
Cecil reported that myopia appears to be a “product of civilization,” (http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a920724.html) in that “civilized” societies have a higher myopia rate than past and “uncivilized” societies. Ho… --- ## [Thank YOU! for fair and accurate answers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-for-fair-and-accurate-answers/239568)
**Author:** [@ArtistCeleste](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArtistCeleste)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2004, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-for-fair-and-accurate-answers/239568 "2004-04-12T17:01:03Z")
Here’s the deal: I was raised Mormon (LDS). I don’t really believe anymore, but have a great respect for them, and have a very large number of friends and family who still are LDS. I notice that many, many people have… --- ## [Sugar in the gas tank](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sugar-in-the-gas-tank/231569)
**Author:** [@sewalk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sewalk)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2004, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sugar-in-the-gas-tank/231569 "2004-04-11T16:17:12Z")
Dogster really blew this one. By the numbers: \[ol\] \[li\]He depended upon anecdotal evidence to reach his conclusion\[/li\]\[li\]He disregarded professional trade publications\[/li\]\[li\]He didn’t follow through with his empir… --- ## [wrestling-real or fake](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrestling-real-or-fake/226845)
**Author:** [@wrestlingman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wrestlingman)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2004, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrestling-real-or-fake/226845 "2004-04-11T16:09:35Z")
hey…i believe that professional wrestling is real. answer this question…how do the wrestlers get blood all over theyre face. And they get up when theyre down because they have the guts and determination to get up. anyone… --- ## [Dst](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dst/239406)
**Author:** [@Farrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Farrix)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2004, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dst/239406 "2004-04-11T03:34:23Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a5\_052.html As for these wonderful reasons for farmers hating DST, sure maybe its true if you work on a milk farm about the milk sitting there ~but honestly i doubt it as milk is pro… --- ## [New York City's 'Tunnel People'](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-citys-tunnel-people/232737)
**Author:** [@GayIthacan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GayIthacan)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2004, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-citys-tunnel-people/232737 "2004-04-10T17:01:56Z")
Link to Column: Mole People Revisited Has anyone else noted the remarkable coincidence of this urban legend and the popularity of the CBS series ‘Beauty and the Beast’ from 1987-1990? B&B featured an underground ‘Tunne… --- ## [Mmmmmmmm](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mmmmmmmm/238783)
**Author:** [@FuzzyWuzzy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FuzzyWuzzy)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2004, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mmmmmmmm/238783 "2004-04-08T16:52:52Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1\_355a.html And to answer the obvious question raised by this answer, the original name of the 3M company was “Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company”. Also, Mars and Murrie’s … --- ## [amish paying taxes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amish-paying-taxes/931)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2004, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amish-paying-taxes/931 "2004-04-08T06:49:00Z")
Well, maybe the Amish pay taxes, but I’ve heard that American Indians living on federal reservations are tax-exempt. Anyone care to confirm or deny this? --- ## [Canuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canuck/238560)
**Author:** [@markbellis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markbellis)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2004, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canuck/238560 "2004-04-07T13:26:50Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mcanuck.html Canuck is derived from the French practice of using “oque”, sounds like “uck”, as a suffix to make a derogatory form of a verb or noun for a particular nationality - for … --- ## [Canuck?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canuck/238561)
**Author:** [@rjk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjk)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2004, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canuck/238561 "2004-04-07T13:22:39Z")
I hadn’t thought about the origin of the word either, although of course I knew about Johnny. See Johnny Canuck in the comics! For a rather less heroic example, there’s the hockey team. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=191) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=193)