# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=214 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 215 --- ## [Should we be thankful that the"Islamic masses remain comparatively backward&ignorant"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-be-thankful-that-the-islamic-masses-remain-comparatively-backward-ignorant/181543)
**Author:** [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2003, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-be-thankful-that-the-islamic-masses-remain-comparatively-backward-ignorant/181543 "2003-06-30T18:33:31Z")
This is a offshoot of the Cecil column Why is so much of the Islamic world backward and ignorant? http://www.straightdope.com/columns/030606.html Which Cecil does somewhat agree with the question, though just like a g… --- ## [violations of dietary laws permitted if necessary for survival?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/violations-of-dietary-laws-permitted-if-necessary-for-survival/184712)
**Author:** [@biqu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/biqu)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2003, 7:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/violations-of-dietary-laws-permitted-if-necessary-for-survival/184712 "2003-06-29T07:03:49Z")
from the staff report found here. My question pertains to the applicability of this exception in the face of religious persecution. In the apocryphal book 4 Maccabees, we read that Clearly we have the threat of deat… --- ## [Origin of the term 'Big Apple'](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-the-term-big-apple/184655)
**Author:** [@Zenmaster\_Mojo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zenmaster_Mojo)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2003, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-the-term-big-apple/184655 "2003-06-28T22:29:30Z")
In his column http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a990917.html Cecil claims that the New York nickname was first used in 1909. Though this website http://salwen.com/apple.html mentions a reference in 1907 that clearly … --- ## [Old Electric Guitar Amplifiers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-electric-guitar-amplifiers/184884)
**Author:** [@scotandrsn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scotandrsn)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2003, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-electric-guitar-amplifiers/184884 "2003-06-28T16:43:13Z")
Rather than hijack the other thread started in response to the column on whether playing electric guitars is dangerous, I decided to start this one. I was in a band over a decade ago. Our guitarist bought an old Marshal… --- ## [Why do Cheshire cats grin?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cheshire-cats-grin/184670)
**Author:** [@Rhesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhesus)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2003, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cheshire-cats-grin/184670 "2003-06-27T21:50:01Z")
Although it’s an old question, the answer to this seems to be left open. I was struck by the final quote, “Lo, like a Cheshire cat our court will grin.” Since Cheshire was a famous cheese producing region, surely they… --- ## [Axe-zappedly](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/axe-zappedly/184507)
**Author:** [@hawthorne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hawthorne)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2003, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/axe-zappedly/184507 "2003-06-27T16:10:23Z")
Is playing the electric guitar dangerous? Is this the first Staff Report for Q.E.D.? Congratulations on a good job. You note that It’s commonly believed that he was in the bath at the time. So commonly that it might b… --- ## [Apple seeds contain cyanide?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apple-seeds-contain-cyanide/184119)
**Author:** [@PigArcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PigArcher)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2003, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apple-seeds-contain-cyanide/184119 "2003-06-26T23:28:34Z")
From this column, recently dug out of Cecil’s archives: Does this mean I shouldn’t give apple cores to my pet rats? Whenever I give them one, they decend upon it like the ravenous little beasties they are and tear it … --- ## [Re:are apricot pits poisonous?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-are-apricot-pits-poisonous/184554)
**Author:** [@deneal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deneal)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2003, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-are-apricot-pits-poisonous/184554 "2003-06-26T22:32:15Z")
“One gluttonous binge will put you away forever” because of cyanide? Did you realize that B12 also has cyanide in it but the FDA hasn’t pulled it off the shelves? Anything in excess will kill you, even water. --- ## [Quality of Handwriting Analysis study](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quality-of-handwriting-analysis-study/175164)
**Author:** [@Bill\_H](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_H)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2003, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quality-of-handwriting-analysis-study/175164 "2003-06-26T22:07:29Z")
Back in http://www.straightdope.com/columns/030418.html, the Perfect Master wrote After I whined a bit, he addressed me (yay!) and said and then modified the article to read Ok, that is technically accurate, in the… --- ## [baby in microwave](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baby-in-microwave/184307)
**Author:** [@zuma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zuma)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2003, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baby-in-microwave/184307 "2003-06-26T14:10:55Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1\_213.html Well, 1984 was a long time ago. We’ve now had 20 years of EVERYONE having a microwave, increasingly dysfunctional parents, and that adds up to billions of opportunities … --- ## [The environment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-environment/184262)
**Author:** [@owlafaye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlafaye)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2003, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-environment/184262 "2003-06-26T05:08:29Z")
There are 6 to 7 billion of us now? That many of anything is surety for pollution. A good old fashioned uncurable disease that wipes out 98% of us would be the best thing ever to come along for humanity. The earth is … --- ## [Staff Report: Did Roosevelt know?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/staff-report-did-roosevelt-know/182983)
**Author:** [@tellison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tellison)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2003, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/staff-report-did-roosevelt-know/182983 "2003-06-26T00:43:57Z")
I can think of only one reason to drag Nixon into this - the question could be, “What did the President know, and when did he know it?” However, the real question would be, “What did the President intend, and what did h… --- ## [Do Jewish and Islamic dietary laws have anything in common?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-jewish-and-islamic-dietary-laws-have-anything-in-common/181528)
**Author:** [@curwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curwin)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2003, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-jewish-and-islamic-dietary-laws-have-anything-in-common/181528 "2003-06-25T14:25:22Z")
In this column: http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mjewishislamdiet.html Dex wrote that there is no prohibition on alchohol in Judaism. That’s not entirely accurate - first of all, non-cooked wine (but not other alcho… --- ## [Why are women supposed to wash their hands after urination?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-women-supposed-to-wash-their-hands-after-urination/64694)
**Author:** [@Tatjana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tatjana)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2003, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-women-supposed-to-wash-their-hands-after-urination/64694 "2003-06-24T22:24:09Z")
Here, Cecil says that men should wash their hands after was touching “Mister P.” Why are men supposed to wash their hands after urination? He never addresses whether this applies to women. As a woman, I don’t touch my pr… --- ## [White vs. Brown Eggs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-vs-brown-eggs/181463)
**Author:** [@dlack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dlack)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2003, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-vs-brown-eggs/181463 "2003-06-24T14:33:58Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mbrowneggs.html I just thought I’d say that the “home-reared” brown eggs can still be gotten and they do taste better. I’m from northern New York, and there’s a small egg farm in my … --- ## [Roasted almonds and cholesterol benefit](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roasted-almonds-and-cholesterol-benefit/183844)
**Author:** [@hilltopper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hilltopper)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2003, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roasted-almonds-and-cholesterol-benefit/183844 "2003-06-24T12:19:44Z")
I once read almonds are a good way to boost HDL(good) cholesterol while lowering LDL(bad) cholesterol. Since I have high cholesterol I have made them a daily snack. Needless to say this story totally freaked me out. I… --- ## [Can all music be represents by the current Musical Notation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-all-music-be-represents-by-the-current-musical-notation/177010)
**Author:** [@DeepField](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeepField)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2003, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-all-music-be-represents-by-the-current-musical-notation/177010 "2003-06-23T23:05:07Z")
I don’t have the least knowledge about music, and as such the recent column on Musical Notation leaves more questions than answers:\[ul\] \[li\]Didn’t the Chinese or Hindus (or Mayas, Incas, etc.) develop their own notation… --- ## [Who wrote "Man wrecks planet" column really?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-wrote-man-wrecks-planet-column-really/183469)
**Author:** [@Nique](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nique)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2003, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-wrote-man-wrecks-planet-column-really/183469 "2003-06-23T19:19:19Z")
I cannot believe my Uncle Cecil would ever quote as fact something that idiot Kofi Annan said. So who really wrote that column? --- ## [A totally factual, non-opinionated question about "Man Wrecks Planet"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-totally-factual-non-opinionated-question-about-man-wrecks-planet/183564)
**Author:** [@Dunderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunderman)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2003, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-totally-factual-non-opinionated-question-about-man-wrecks-planet/183564 "2003-06-22T23:27:22Z")
In the “Man Wrecks Planet” column, Cecil states: Even if the numbers aren’t correct, I’m assuming we do lose topsoil. How, exactly? Where does it go? Any way to put it back? --- ## [Of Vamps and disease](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-vamps-and-disease/182760)
**Author:** [@Evilreaver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evilreaver)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2003, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-vamps-and-disease/182760 "2003-06-22T20:51:03Z")
I was reading through the archives, and came across the Column: Did vampires suffer from the disease porphyria–or not? I was thinking- maybe the vampires had rabies? People with rabies are sensative to extremes, hence… --- ## [Saving yourself from death by jumping in a plunging elevator.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saving-yourself-from-death-by-jumping-in-a-plunging-elevator/180165)
**Author:** [@ejo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ejo)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2003, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saving-yourself-from-death-by-jumping-in-a-plunging-elevator/180165 "2003-06-22T18:07:35Z")
Cecil, Just an FYI. Your reply was right on the money. It may interest you that Bill Nye the Science Guy did an experiment that illustrated exactly what you stated in your answer. At the time, he was on a cable access s… --- ## [The training of Mr Ed](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-training-of-mr-ed/182179)
**Author:** [@Lockle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lockle)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2003, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-training-of-mr-ed/182179 "2003-06-21T13:50:41Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_029 In this column, someone asks how they got Mr. Ed to talk. Cecil replies that they used a substance similar to peanut butter. While the story makes logical sense, and is backed… --- ## [Cat's Whiskers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-whiskers/182904)
**Author:** [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2003, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-whiskers/182904 "2003-06-20T17:12:22Z")
Regarding http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mcatwhiskers.html, Ken doesn’t explain how a cat uses its whiskers to gauge distances and so on. Does anybody know? Do they use their whiskers as a standard size, and then … --- ## [The F-Word](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-f-word/182584)
**Author:** [@babette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/babette)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2003, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-f-word/182584 "2003-06-20T06:34:34Z")
On the subject of this distinguished word, here is an excerpt from Claiborne’s Our Marvelous Native Tongue “The speech of sailors (or soldiers) is, well, salty: many tavern discussions must have touched on fokkinge . Eq… --- ## [Male Stamina?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-stamina/182530)
**Author:** [@DerekLy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DerekLy)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 18, 2003, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-stamina/182530 "2003-06-18T15:56:17Z")
Ok, I have to argue with the explanation given for “Where do male porn stars get their stamina?” 28-Jan-2003 The staff quickly dismissed this notion in the porn industry as fake, but I must admit, my roomate has an exte… --- ## [Spontaneous Human Combustion - "Wicking"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spontaneous-human-combustion-wicking/180672)
**Author:** [@jonbrawn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jonbrawn)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [June 18, 2003, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spontaneous-human-combustion-wicking/180672 "2003-06-18T01:06:09Z")
The explanation that I heard for SHC used the rather evocative phrase “wicking” to describe the process of gradual rendering and combustion. It was on a TV program in the UK, and they’d done an experiment that involved a… --- ## [white vs. brown eggs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-vs-brown-eggs/181409)
**Author:** [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2003, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-vs-brown-eggs/181409 "2003-06-17T11:10:25Z")
Thanks, Euty, for your eggspert opinion. Someone had to say it. --- ## [Origins of RX](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origins-of-rx/178926)
**Author:** [@Ancient\_Truths](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ancient_Truths)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2003, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origins-of-rx/178926 "2003-06-17T05:15:21Z")
I don’t normally join message boards but had to after seeing the article one of your members posted about the origins of Rx. It seems that there was a disagreement between two members about the origins of Rx and it was … --- ## [stupid smileys](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-smileys/182253)
**Author:** [@sillybee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sillybee)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2003, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-smileys/182253 "2003-06-16T23:26:43Z")
ok got a question you answered where smileys came from but i wanna know why are they yellow of all colors? --- ## [Are people being infected by SARS-tainted civet coffee?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-people-being-infected-by-sars-tainted-civet-coffee/181754)
**Author:** [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2003, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-people-being-infected-by-sars-tainted-civet-coffee/181754 "2003-06-16T16:30:35Z")
In Cecil Adams’s column on the harvesting of perfume goo and pre-eaten coffee beans from civet animals, Cecil says the perfume civet and the coffee civet are two different species, probably one more jumpy than the other.… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=213) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=215)