# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=227 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 228 --- ## [On the high rate of unmarried mothers in Iceland](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-high-rate-of-unmarried-mothers-in-iceland/150667)
**Author:** [@Duke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2003, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-high-rate-of-unmarried-mothers-in-iceland/150667 "2003-01-27T03:03:04Z")
In today’s column (another excellent job as usual, Cece :smiley: ) Our Leader notes: True enough. But I have heard (from my ex-wife who travelled extensively in Iceland) that many couples live together and start famil… --- ## [Iceland vs. U.S.?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iceland-vs-u-s/151080)
**Author:** [@glratt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glratt)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2003, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iceland-vs-u-s/151080 "2003-01-26T20:54:06Z")
What is the relevance of the Iceland statistic? Is it not the case that, in the social fabric in Iceland, bastardy carries little to none of the stigma that it does in what passes for culture in the U.S.? --- ## [Grape-nuts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grape-nuts/149844)
**Author:** [@Bill\_Patterson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_Patterson)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2003, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grape-nuts/149844 "2003-01-26T16:35:33Z")
In Cecil’s January 20 column he discusses the origin and probable meaning of the “Grape-Nuts Brand” cereal. I had always assumed that they were called grape-nuts because they looked like grape seeds (and are darned near… --- ## [The Origins of 'Jeep'](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-origins-of-jeep/149537)
**Author:** [@Nist-Uk-TAS-1982](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nist-Uk-TAS-1982)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2003, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-origins-of-jeep/149537 "2003-01-26T16:35:29Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/000310.html I was always under the impression, probably from the History Channel, that Jeep was an acronym for ‘Just Enough Essential Parts’ referring to the relatively limited number… --- ## [Missing info in story on potatoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/missing-info-in-story-on-potatoes/150219)
**Author:** [@Chacal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chacal)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2003, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/missing-info-in-story-on-potatoes/150219 "2003-01-26T15:58:47Z")
I would like to comment on the story of French fries. The author said they appeared in Paris in the 1840s without mentioning they first appeared (and were invented) in Brussels, Belgium in the 1820s, as it is widely docu… --- ## [Vacuum comment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vacuum-comment/150872)
**Author:** [@hannah-k](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hannah-k)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2003, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vacuum-comment/150872 "2003-01-25T21:29:31Z")
Celia once answered a question about penis scars caused by vacuum cleaners and all incindent reported happened by ‘accident’ My boyfriend pleasures himself with the hoover before we have intercourse and I was wondering i… --- ## [Why My State (Indiana) Requires Pre-marital Blood Testing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-my-state-indiana-requires-pre-marital-blood-testing/150634)
**Author:** [@Avarie537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avarie537)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2003, 8:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-my-state-indiana-requires-pre-marital-blood-testing/150634 "2003-01-25T08:06:02Z")
In Cecil’s column from 19-April-1996, he gave all sorts of facts and figures regarding STDs. In Indiana, it’s different. All they test is for rubella (German measles) immunity. Why? Because if you get German measles … --- ## [Grimace: really...who is he?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grimace-really-who-is-he/148886)
**Author:** [@OrthodoxAgnostic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OrthodoxAgnostic)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2003, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grimace-really-who-is-he/148886 "2003-01-25T03:17:19Z")
Browsing the archives…did a search as to who grimace is supposed to be…all but Ronald McD have a significance in relation to a food served by McDonalds. The explanation was that there IS no significance basically…hes ju… --- ## [Trees to replace CO2](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trees-to-replace-co2/146470)
**Author:** [@nick.baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nick.baker)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2003, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trees-to-replace-co2/146470 "2003-01-24T19:55:11Z")
Re the hydrogen solution to personal motorized vehicles vs. a clean world. Hydogen comes directly from fossil fuel, electrolysis or another fueled process. So, with efficiency losses, it would take more energy to releas… --- ## [new Cecil book this century?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-cecil-book-this-century/150623)
**Author:** [@regnad\_kcin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/regnad_kcin)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2003, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-cecil-book-this-century/150623 "2003-01-24T18:17:16Z")
This is probably not the right place to post this, but I dont know what is. We were last blessed with a Straight Dope book in 1999. Especially with the reduced page count (which allowed the book in 1999 to be released j… --- ## [civet cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/civet-cats/150435)
**Author:** [@dama\_nagaraj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dama_nagaraj)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2003, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/civet-cats/150435 "2003-01-24T17:18:38Z")
there is another way of collecting civet. Place a sandal wood pole in the middle of the cage and the cats will rub their backs to the pole and civet will stick to the pole. Later we can scrap the civet ( a white oily s… --- ## [Is red meat the same thing as dark meat?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-red-meat-the-same-thing-as-dark-meat/149314)
**Author:** [@Achernar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Achernar)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2003, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-red-meat-the-same-thing-as-dark-meat/149314 "2003-01-24T01:56:51Z")
I’ve been trying to find this question out. USDA.gov makes explicit use of the phrases “red meat” and “white meat”, but never defines them, and I’m having trouble finding a listing of what’s considered what. These two ar… --- ## [N^2 Microwave question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/n-2-microwave-question/148688)
**Author:** [@clayton\_e](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clayton_e)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2003, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/n-2-microwave-question/148688 "2003-01-23T19:26:18Z")
(Not sure if I have the right place for this, it’s been a while since I’ve posted anything on the Columns) It’s mentioned that the microwave that is in our kitchens is built with the resonance properties for water (and … --- ## [Natrum Muriaticum: Homeopathic Pediculicide](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/natrum-muriaticum-homeopathic-pediculicide/148678)
**Author:** [@Saltire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saltire)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2003, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/natrum-muriaticum-homeopathic-pediculicide/148678 "2003-01-23T18:32:24Z")
I couldn’t figure out where the best place for this would be, but Cecil wrote on it (link), so I thought I’d try here. It’s no big surprise to find homeopathic stuff in a “new-age” shop, but it always amazes me to see i… --- ## [confiscated contraband](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/confiscated-contraband/150402)
**Author:** [@rehabbr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rehabbr)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2003, 8:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/confiscated-contraband/150402 "2003-01-23T08:28:36Z")
so what (should) happen(s) to the confiscated dope? someone burns it, i suppose. --- ## [Origin of "OK"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-ok/147769)
**Author:** [@Paul\_Pferdner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_Pferdner)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2003, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-ok/147769 "2003-01-23T06:11:43Z")
I am shocked to see someone as perspicacious as Our Cecil perpetuate the largely discredited origin of the ubiquitous “OK” as an abbreviation of “Oll Korrect”. This is only one of many possible origins of that phrase, a… --- ## [Battery names](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/battery-names/149779)
**Author:** [@King\_Friday](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/King_Friday)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2003, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/battery-names/149779 "2003-01-23T05:09:05Z")
Why AA, AAA, C, D? These are easily the most common 1.5 volt battery sizes, but why the strange letters? Where’s A? And B? Was there an A and a B but were phased out by the C but the A was replaced by AA but then needed … --- ## [Was Hoover a cross dresser](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-hoover-a-cross-dresser/150190)
**Author:** [@KGBHoover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KGBHoover)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2003, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-hoover-a-cross-dresser/150190 "2003-01-22T22:26:53Z")
According to a book on the KGB, called the Sword and the Shield, this story was invented by the KGB and fed to the press, in an attempt to discredit Hoover. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0465003125/qid=10432368… --- ## [Soda can tabs \*are\* collected](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soda-can-tabs-are-collected/147014)
**Author:** [@tamale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tamale)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2003, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soda-can-tabs-are-collected/147014 "2003-01-22T19:15:09Z")
The local Ronald McDonald House in Los Angeles (near Childrens’ Hospital of Los Angeles) accepts soda can tabs of any amount to support their RMcD house. I telephoned this RMcD house to verify. Seems that this RMcD ho… --- ## [Eskimos](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eskimos/149465)
**Author:** [@vita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vita)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2003, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eskimos/149465 "2003-01-22T15:30:11Z")
This is the expected comment from Canada (column http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/meskimowifeswap.html ) about Eskimo vs Inuit. Though I have nothing personally against the word “Eskimo”, their language is normally ca… --- ## [RE: Lost Cosmonauts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-lost-cosmonauts/149275)
**Author:** [@OtakuLoki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OtakuLoki)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2003, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-lost-cosmonauts/149275 "2003-01-21T21:13:24Z")
Just a bit of expansion on Cecil’s column. I don’t want to imply I would ever argue with the Sensei, but it wasn’t just the Cosmonauts who took appalling risks in the Soviet space program. One factor that helped to ens… --- ## [Incorrect attribution of Feng Shui report.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incorrect-attribution-of-feng-shui-report/148999)
**Author:** [@Billdo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Billdo)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2003, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incorrect-attribution-of-feng-shui-report/148999 "2003-01-21T04:44:17Z")
On the Straight Dope Front Page, the staff report What’s the story with feng shui?, which was written by SDSTAFF Dex, is incorrectly attributed to SDStaff George and SD Staff Doug. Perhaps this should be edited. --- ## [standing eggs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/standing-eggs/145831)
**Author:** [@Jessbuffalo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jessbuffalo)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2003, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/standing-eggs/145831 "2003-01-21T03:05:43Z")
i tried standing an egg on end, but it didnt work.i tried 15 timesand i was steady as i could be. cecil said that you could do it any time and not jut on the equinox…was he lying??? anyone else dumb enough to try & stan… --- ## [How come parrots, etc., talk but chickens don't?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-come-parrots-etc-talk-but-chickens-dont/146477)
**Author:** [@Saltire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saltire)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2003, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-come-parrots-etc-talk-but-chickens-dont/146477 "2003-01-20T21:44:13Z")
Concerning Colibri’s column: How come parrots, etc., talk but chickens don’t? Where do ravens and other corvids fit in? They apparently come under the passerines, but they weren’t mentioned in the article. They are gre… --- ## [venus flytraps & meteors](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/venus-flytraps-meteors/148840)
**Author:** [@pjcamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjcamp)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2003, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/venus-flytraps-meteors/148840 "2003-01-20T19:12:32Z")
Yes, I’m way behind on my email. The staff report pooh-poohed the relationship between venus flytraps and space aliens. I’m not going to argue that because it would be dumb. However there is a connection, however tenuou… --- ## [I thought.....](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-thought/147993)
**Author:** [@bonitak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bonitak)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2003, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-thought/147993 "2003-01-20T15:27:06Z")
I was under the impression that the figure of the devil came from the pagan god of hunting? Bonnie - Greenfield, MA --- ## [One additional point on "dead cosmonauts"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-additional-point-on-dead-cosmonauts/149805)
**Author:** [@ndirish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ndirish)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2003, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-additional-point-on-dead-cosmonauts/149805 "2003-01-20T14:58:20Z")
From the question on the original article: "One story in there, just before JFK was assassinated, was about some Russian cosmonauts who were stranded in an expanding orbit around earth–they were slowly but surely pullin… --- ## [Ground fault circuit interruptors](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ground-fault-circuit-interruptors/147244)
**Author:** [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2003, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ground-fault-circuit-interruptors/147244 "2003-01-20T14:25:53Z")
Ground fault circuit interruptors GFCIs do not measure the difference between voltage in (through the hot wire) and voltage out (through the neutral return). Instead, they measure the current differential. They do thi… --- ## [Have any astro- /cosmonauts died in SPACE?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-any-astro-cosmonauts-died-in-space/149276)
**Author:** [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2003, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-any-astro-cosmonauts-died-in-space/149276 "2003-01-19T00:21:58Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/030117.html Followup to the above column. The accidents I know of all seem to involve deaths during liftoff and reentry (Challenger, those Cosmonauts with the bad hatch seal, the Apo… --- ## [Oaths and Atheists](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oaths-and-atheists/147951)
**Author:** [@Jack\_Folcagor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Folcagor)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2003, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oaths-and-atheists/147951 "2003-01-18T23:04:29Z")
Since this is The Straight Dope, where documented evidence is the gold standard, I wonder if there have been any incontrovertible cases of perjurers being punished by the almighty for their duplicity? Until such evidenc… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=226) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=228)