# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=220 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 221 --- ## [Sacrifice, Prayer, Christianity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sacrifice-prayer-christianity/169301)
**Author:** [@Dogface](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogface)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2003, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sacrifice-prayer-christianity/169301 "2003-04-18T17:43:54Z")
In this report: http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/msacrifice.html Cecil did mention that Christians might be puzzled at Jewish prayers that recall the Temple sacrifices. Perhaps it’s because I was raised Roman Catholi… --- ## [gosh darn fool war](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gosh-darn-fool-war/169070)
**Author:** [@Nancy\_Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nancy_Miller)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2003, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gosh-darn-fool-war/169070 "2003-04-18T14:11:05Z")
I for one appreciated Cecil’s article about W and his irresponsibility during his National Guard days. Thanks to Molly Ivins and Paul Begala we have access to find the truth about our president. Believe me there are a … --- ## [Arcuate Issue (re: Levi's jeans' back-pocket stitching)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arcuate-issue-re-levis-jeans-back-pocket-stitching/167795)
**Author:** [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2003, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arcuate-issue-re-levis-jeans-back-pocket-stitching/167795 "2003-04-18T13:45:52Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1\_175.html Cecil, in 1978, says the following: But in the book This is a pair of Levi’s Jeans, written in 1995 by folks who work for LS&Co., they say this about arcuate: So … di… --- ## [Cecil = partisan hack](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-partisan-hack/168084)
**Author:** [@daz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/daz)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2003, 9:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-partisan-hack/168084 "2003-04-18T09:48:02Z")
Well, it’s unfortunate that Cecil was not intelligent enough to maintain his status as a semi-trusted authority on a range of subject. He no longer has any credibility as someone who purports to tell the “straight dope”. … --- ## [green tooth brushing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/green-tooth-brushing/169302)
**Author:** [@Tom\_Arctus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Arctus)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2003, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/green-tooth-brushing/169302 "2003-04-18T05:55:34Z")
Other ways of organically cleaning one’s teeth in addition to those Cecil mentions include dipping a wet finger into burnt toast crumbs and rubbing the finger across the teeth, and using a knife to “feather” a stick whic… --- ## [You rule, Cecil! You rule.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-rule-cecil-you-rule/169504)
**Author:** [@JungleLove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JungleLove)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2003, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-rule-cecil-you-rule/169504 "2003-04-18T05:29:30Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/030411.html I could not believe my eyes when I saw, My jaw dropped & I started hooting. While only time will tell the tale, I applaud you sticking your neck out. With many of our … --- ## [leetspeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leetspeek/169187)
**Author:** [@FaithOfTheAtheist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FaithOfTheAtheist)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2003, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leetspeek/169187 "2003-04-17T18:33:39Z")
Very interesting, but something was missing from this essay. I was a college student from 1988 to 1992 and had a student UNIX account on the schools computers with access to USENET and IRC. Both of these took up too mu… --- ## [Why did Christianity become so popular?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-christianity-become-so-popular/163853)
**Author:** [@Gumbercules](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gumbercules)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2003, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-christianity-become-so-popular/163853 "2003-04-17T17:42:39Z")
I just read this column and recalled something I learned in World History class in college. The professor stated that one of the main reasons why Christianity became so popular was because it was, well, easy to join. Ma… --- ## [Toothpaste/suger/Dentyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toothpaste-suger-dentyne/169327)
**Author:** [@KungFoolio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KungFoolio)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2003, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toothpaste-suger-dentyne/169327 "2003-04-17T15:38:11Z")
Unfortunately, Cecil didn’t address the question. Yes, most toothpastes contain sugar. But there are many that don’t. Once you start using an unsweetened paste, it’s hard to swtich back to the cake icing that most tooth… --- ## [Is it Warmer at the top of tall buildings?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-warmer-at-the-top-of-tall-buildings/163575)
**Author:** [@davethekiwibloke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davethekiwibloke)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2003, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-warmer-at-the-top-of-tall-buildings/163575 "2003-04-17T14:53:43Z")
As a private pilot, I agree fully with Cecil’s assessment of the variation in mean air temperature with altitude. However, I feel that he has missed the point somewhat. Given that the question relates to buildings, one… --- ## [The whole nine yards-origin](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-whole-nine-yards-origin/169267)
**Author:** [@greenvegan80](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/greenvegan80)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2003, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-whole-nine-yards-origin/169267 "2003-04-17T13:35:51Z")
I read somewhere that the expression “the whole nine yards” came from garment making. Bolts of cloth being nine yards in length, it was certainly going all out if the whole thing was used. --- ## [Paperback?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paperback/169062)
**Author:** [@Hugh\_Jass\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hugh_Jass_1)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2003, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paperback/169062 "2003-04-16T23:17:18Z")
I was curious about a small detail in the article about Joaquin Murieta. The response talks about the 1854 California Police Gazette articles about him, and then says they were released in paperback five years later (i. … --- ## [Is there really such a thing as quicksand?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-really-such-a-thing-as-quicksand/168625)
**Author:** [@markthebrit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markthebrit)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2003, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-really-such-a-thing-as-quicksand/168625 "2003-04-16T01:56:00Z")
I recently discovered The Straight Dope and I have been reading the archives. I have been amazed at Cecil’s remarkable intelligence, but I didn’t feel he answer sufficiently. There is a sensation of downward suction tha… --- ## [Four-colors on a map thing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/four-colors-on-a-map-thing/168763)
**Author:** [@maralinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maralinn)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2003, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/four-colors-on-a-map-thing/168763 "2003-04-15T11:36:05Z")
I read Cecil’s answer at http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1\_126b.html, but I’m still confused. Is the four-color map problem about the actual countries of the world – real maps? Or is about theoretical maps? Becau… --- ## [Whats the Deal with Adam's Apples](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-adams-apples/168615)
**Author:** [@MonkeyMule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MonkeyMule)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2003, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-adams-apples/168615 "2003-04-14T23:54:09Z")
Why is that thing below your jawline called an Adam’s apple? After reading this I was left with the question, why is that men have adams apples and women don’t? OR rather why is it more pronoucned in males. Somebody p… --- ## [New Car Smell](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-car-smell/128)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2003, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-car-smell/128 "2003-04-14T23:53:36Z")
The recent story “Can you smell that smell” has me wondering. I always thought Cecil was a male, at least every Cecil I know are males. But in the story it mentions a phone call where a lady responded “Ma’am.” Not that … --- ## [toothpicks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toothpicks/168734)
**Author:** [@ewood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ewood)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2003, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toothpicks/168734 "2003-04-14T22:33:57Z")
If I recall correctly from my school days, (forestry major) I believe another reason for using white birch in toothpicks is that it tends to not splinter compared to other species. --- ## [Channel One](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/channel-one/168512)
**Author:** [@toeivy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toeivy)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2003, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/channel-one/168512 "2003-04-13T23:01:19Z")
This is about the woman who asked why there is no Channel One on TV. Cecil went on about why there isn’t one. There is actually a teen news show called Channel One shown in many schools across the United States. It is… --- ## [The Perfect Master made a typo (birds & rice)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-perfect-master-made-a-typo-birds-rice/168448)
**Author:** [@Bob55](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bob55)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2003, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-perfect-master-made-a-typo-birds-rice/168448 "2003-04-13T17:03:47Z")
In Should you not throw rice at weddings because birds swallow it and explode? Cecil wrote (the very last line): Shouldn’t it be “If you’re not out of here by then”? I’ll assume Cecil had someone else type up this col… --- ## [Static Discharge](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/static-discharge/162920)
**Author:** [@Mort\_Furd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mort_Furd)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2003, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/static-discharge/162920 "2003-04-12T23:25:26Z")
Static discharge Along with the grounding strap and the grounding mat, there are also grounding shoes. I work with electronics, and we have grounded workbenches and we all have grounding straps. The carpet is grounded… --- ## [about the bush article.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-bush-article/168237)
**Author:** [@Rowboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rowboat)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2003, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-bush-article/168237 "2003-04-12T21:03:46Z")
i hate bush and i’m glad to see anything negative about him. however, the alabama national gaurd did have planes in 1972. we had a wing of f-4 fantoms from the late 60’s untill a couple of years ago. just a minor detail. … --- ## [So, why cant you tickle your self?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-why-cant-you-tickle-your-self/166783)
**Author:** [@Janx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Janx)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2003, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-why-cant-you-tickle-your-self/166783 "2003-04-12T05:41:19Z")
Go ahead, try it. Feel silly? I know, I did too. I know Cecilhas mentioned this but didn’t give any answers, and that was a long time ago. So what’s the deal? BTW, I bring new meaning to the word ticklish, but try as I… --- ## [Twitching](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twitching/167936)
**Author:** [@Margie100](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Margie100)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2003, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twitching/167936 "2003-04-12T05:34:30Z")
First time user so please be kind. I have been trying to comment to a question about twitching before sleeping and I can not seem to get to the right spot. I will put my comment here and perhaps someone will be able to… --- ## [H is for Henry?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/h-is-for-henry/167526)
**Author:** [@King\_Friday](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/King_Friday)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2003, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/h-is-for-henry/167526 "2003-04-12T05:27:06Z")
…okay, if it’s not Henry, then what does the H in Jesus H. Christ stand for? --- ## [Cecil! Tell us about you smashing the building with the crane!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-tell-us-about-you-smashing-the-building-with-the-crane/162616)
**Author:** [@Tars\_Tarkas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tars_Tarkas)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2003, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-tell-us-about-you-smashing-the-building-with-the-crane/162616 "2003-04-12T05:21:07Z")
like you mentioned in thiscolumn! Please? I’ll be your best friend! --- ## [Sherlock Holmes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sherlock-holmes/167749)
**Author:** [@Richard\_Jastrzebski](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Jastrzebski)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2003, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sherlock-holmes/167749 "2003-04-12T00:35:17Z")
Another parody you ought mention concerning Sherlock Holmes is the hilarious sendup by The Firesign Theater “The Tale of the Giant Rat of Sumatra”, Columbia records, @ 1974. If you have ever been a Firesign fan, this … --- ## [genetic engineering](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genetic-engineering/165004)
**Author:** [@Elisabeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elisabeth)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2003, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genetic-engineering/165004 "2003-04-11T23:31:45Z")
Dear Cecil, I was extremely dissapointed in your research for the bit on genetically engineered foods. Your dismissal of the “Frankinstein” arguement, as you put it, shows an alarming lack of understanding of the proce… --- ## [Got Milk? How good is milk for you?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-milk-how-good-is-milk-for-you/163090)
**Author:** [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Replies:** 91\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2003, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-milk-how-good-is-milk-for-you/163090 "2003-04-11T17:46:08Z")
In Is cow’s milk “the worst beverage on earth?”, the Master’s newest column, he takes on the task of debunking PETA’s claims. I myself drink a fair amount of milk (1%). I was wondering, does it also help with building … --- ## [Stripe toothpaste](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stripe-toothpaste/165568)
**Author:** [@stypticus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stypticus)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2003, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stripe-toothpaste/165568 "2003-04-11T14:41:41Z")
I find the stripe-making mechanism in the toothpaste tube very interesting indeed (re this column). Mind you, I was the kid in Grade 3 who did a science fair project on toothpaste tubes. What I want to add to Cecil’s w… --- ## [Great Britain/UK/England](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-britain-uk-england/136194)
**Author:** [@ardipithecusrex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ardipithecusrex)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2003, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-britain-uk-england/136194 "2003-04-11T14:25:26Z")
Your explanation of the difference between Great Britain, the UK, and England was was condescending and convoluted, and it did not address the spirit of the question, which is: how are the terms GB, UK, and England appli… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=219) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=221)