# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=228 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 229 --- ## [9 minute snooze button](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/9-minute-snooze-button/126250)
**Author:** [@pehS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pehS)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2003, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/9-minute-snooze-button/126250 "2003-01-17T15:43:27Z")
re: http://www.straightdope.com/columns/991126.html Idea number 8, that it might be based on a counter in the ones column, might also work. Here’s how (First, though, a disclaimer: I may be completely wrong, I have n… --- ## [no molecules = no temperature??](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-molecules-no-temperature/148841)
**Author:** [@pjcamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjcamp)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2003, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-molecules-no-temperature/148841 "2003-01-16T21:36:47Z")
Claim was made in STRAIGHT DOPE CLASSIC - 03/30/1984, from the Nov 30 email. Untrue. Light may be regarded as having a temperature, as can black holes. Source: myself (PhD in theoretical physics, 1990) --- ## [Possible oops here](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-oops-here/148744)
**Author:** [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2003, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-oops-here/148744 "2003-01-16T20:13:24Z")
In the column for 01152003, Cecil is discussing jurisdictions for various police agencies and says: “Things get more complicated if we bring in cops for other states, or the federal authorities. Although Illinois cops, … --- ## [10 lords a leaping](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-lords-a-leaping/148386)
**Author:** [@drinky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drinky)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2003, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-lords-a-leaping/148386 "2003-01-16T18:46:28Z")
In this article, http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1\_096.html, Cecil says that Baryshnekov (sp) could leap 6 feet. I don’t mean to be a playuh-haytuh, but what does he mean, exactly? I can see that if he did one of … --- ## ["Bloody"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bloody/148013)
**Author:** [@teqjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teqjack)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2003, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bloody/148013 "2003-01-16T14:26:05Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mbloody.html I believe Oxford to be wrong on this, unbelievable as that is. During the reign of Elizabeth I (Shakespeare) it was common to taunt Catholics by using the phrase “By our … --- ## [one thing that needs to be understood!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-thing-that-needs-to-be-understood/148645)
**Author:** [@mwad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mwad)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2003, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-thing-that-needs-to-be-understood/148645 "2003-01-16T00:52:05Z")
Atheists have to live with their actions! We do not have the spiritual whitewash of forgivenness every sunday. I for one, conduct myself accordingly. --- ## [Growing Pains](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/growing-pains/139494)
**Author:** [@Mr.A.Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.A.Nemo)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2003, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/growing-pains/139494 "2003-01-16T00:05:17Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/021129.html As a child of 10-11, I experienced what many would call “growing pains”. Of course, my pain was localized to my knees, actually just below the kneecap. Where the slightes… --- ## ["Who's the boss, city cops, state cops, or the Feds?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-boss-city-cops-state-cops-or-the-feds/148787)
**Author:** [@aus55](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aus55)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2003, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-boss-city-cops-state-cops-or-the-feds/148787 "2003-01-15T22:16:13Z")
Dear Cecil, I am an avid reader of your online site. Today I read your commentary about who has authority in dealing with criminals. I’ve recently graduated with a degree in Criminal Justice and there is one point that… --- ## [Wendy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wendy/142621)
**Author:** [@Breathe\_Exhaust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Breathe_Exhaust)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2003, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wendy/142621 "2003-01-15T17:18:13Z")
I have also heard Wendy used as a diminutive of Winifred. --- ## [What's in a Name](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-in-a-name/147321)
**Author:** [@FuzzyWuzzy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FuzzyWuzzy)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2003, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-in-a-name/147321 "2003-01-14T00:47:50Z")
Commenting on Cecil’s column about “copyrighting” one’s name, there’s an interesting story. When a computer company is developing a new product, they generally give it a code name. The name is usually used strictly in-h… --- ## [Homeotherms, Poikilotherms and Body Temperature](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeotherms-poikilotherms-and-body-temperature/147543)
**Author:** [@tanstaafl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tanstaafl)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2003, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeotherms-poikilotherms-and-body-temperature/147543 "2003-01-14T00:30:17Z")
Question inspired by Staff Report on What makes some animals cold-blooded and others warm-blooded? Reading the above Staff Report reminded me of a question I had thought of before. Why is it so important that my body m… --- ## [What the heck is "leetspeek?" - more links!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-leetspeek-more-links/147733)
**Author:** [@analander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/analander)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2003, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-leetspeek-more-links/147733 "2003-01-14T00:02:32Z")
http://dmoz.org/Computers/Internet/Cyberspace/Culture/Hacker\_Speak/ - including the new “Tales for the L337” version of Hamlet. :slight\_smile: --- ## [leetspeak has more than one purpose](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leetspeak-has-more-than-one-purpose/147779)
**Author:** [@Novelty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2003, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leetspeak-has-more-than-one-purpose/147779 "2003-01-13T17:14:31Z")
In addition to being an attempt to differentiate themselves, specifically from adults, many kiddies use certain forms of l33+$p34|\< because of a lack of time. This is especially true in games, where typing in full sent… --- ## [Another question on Cecil's draft column](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-question-on-cecils-draft-column/148086)
**Author:** [@GKW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GKW)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2003, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-question-on-cecils-draft-column/148086 "2003-01-13T14:15:33Z")
In this column- http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1\_140b.html Cecil explains how the Federal government is able to draft men. “This means that Congress can send draftees off to foreign countries after a declaration… --- ## [Editing errors in Cecil's column about tornadoes in the US](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/editing-errors-in-cecils-column-about-tornadoes-in-the-us/147958)
**Author:** [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2003, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/editing-errors-in-cecils-column-about-tornadoes-in-the-us/147958 "2003-01-12T15:16:30Z")
Link: Do tornadoes only occur in North America? (6/Aug/1993) \[nitpick mode=ON\] As pointed out in the recent GQ thread Tornado’s in the USA only?, the first sentence in the second paragraph is not a complete sentence: “… --- ## [Frankincense and Myrrh](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frankincense-and-myrrh/123366)
**Author:** [@LlamaBean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LlamaBean)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2003, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frankincense-and-myrrh/123366 "2003-01-12T14:16:14Z")
Responding to the article on why frankincense and myrrh seemed like appropriate gifts to give to a baby… Joseph and Mary weren’t rich. When it came time to present Jesus at the temple, they sacrificed two birds, rather… --- ## [then how come....](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/then-how-come/147995)
**Author:** [@bonitak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bonitak)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2003, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/then-how-come/147995 "2003-01-12T01:06:37Z")
Dear Cecil: Then how come your arm will fall asleep if you are lying on your back with your arm resting on your stomach, not compressed between two hard objects?? Bonitak --- ## [Lobster screaming](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lobster-screaming/146224)
**Author:** [@JAPrufrock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JAPrufrock)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2003, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lobster-screaming/146224 "2003-01-11T15:16:26Z")
Can anyone point me to the link regarding lobsters ‘screaming’ when being placed in boiling water. Also, what’s up with the archive search feature? I never seem to be able to find what I’m looking for with it…is it jus… --- ## [Why we can see through glass.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-we-can-see-through-glass/147106)
**Author:** [@ShadoWolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadoWolf)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2003, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-we-can-see-through-glass/147106 "2003-01-11T01:14:56Z")
In the answer to “How come we can see through glass” it says that we can see through glass because it is an amorphous liquid. If this is true then why can we see through Ice, isn’t that a solid? If not, does that mean … --- ## [Nature, fossil fuels, and global warming](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nature-fossil-fuels-and-global-warming/146430)
**Author:** [@\_etalhea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/_etalhea)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2003, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nature-fossil-fuels-and-global-warming/146430 "2003-01-10T21:10:31Z")
I’m commenting ont todays column: http://www.straightdope.com/columns/030103.html Particularly this statement: \*Consider two of the carbon calculators I found on the Web. Both agree that driving a medium-size car 10,00… --- ## ["Pied" Piper?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pied-piper/146865)
**Author:** [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2003, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pied-piper/146865 "2003-01-10T17:44:37Z")
OK, first time, I think, I’ve posted to this forum. Anyone know what the term “pied” means in reference to the Pied Piper of Hamelin? http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mpiedpiper.html --- ## [Title Copyright](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/title-copyright/147274)
**Author:** [@jkt32809](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jkt32809)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2003, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/title-copyright/147274 "2003-01-10T13:03:04Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1\_144a.html Titles can not be copyrighted. As a composer, I can tell you that I never have to worry about the title of my work, especially when I choose something generic like “Symp… --- ## [George Harrison, plagiarism, My Sweet Lord](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-harrison-plagiarism-my-sweet-lord/145912)
**Author:** [@rapidman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rapidman)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2003, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-harrison-plagiarism-my-sweet-lord/145912 "2003-01-10T02:23:35Z")
Cecil, Is it possible to update your 1977 answer? Wasn’t there a decision in George’s favor on appeal? Thanks, rapidman --- ## [Has Cecil ever given a wrong answer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-cecil-ever-given-a-wrong-answer/145361)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2003, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-cecil-ever-given-a-wrong-answer/145361 "2003-01-09T23:06:31Z")
I mean, come on, to err is human, so has the great man ever had to eat his words? --- ## [Concerning the Pied Piper of Hamelin](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerning-the-pied-piper-of-hamelin/145249)
**Author:** [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2003, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerning-the-pied-piper-of-hamelin/145249 "2003-01-08T23:23:26Z")
In “Was the Pied Piper of Hamelin a child molester?” ( http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mpiedpiper.html ) Eutychus of the SDSAB concludes, “Like most legends, the Pied Piper story most likely has its origin in somethi… --- ## [Typewriters disappearing??](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/typewriters-disappearing/144276)
**Author:** [@Loren\_Pechtel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loren_Pechtel)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2003, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/typewriters-disappearing/144276 "2003-01-08T18:43:55Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/020816.html While the column talks about CD life Cecil says "I may drag one out to show them, as I might show them what a rotary-dial telephone and a typewriter look like, but unless… --- ## [Penile fracture](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/penile-fracture/145741)
**Author:** [@SniggleBritches](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SniggleBritches)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2003, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/penile-fracture/145741 "2003-01-08T18:40:53Z")
Through a circuitous route, I happened upon Cecil’s column on sex related injuries . In reading about penile fractures, I got to thinking of a friend of mine from college. He, as a gay man, seemed to think it was his j… --- ## [Nature, Fossil Fuels, and Global Warming - is Cecil biased?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nature-fossil-fuels-and-global-warming-is-cecil-biased/146728)
**Author:** [@Bob55](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bob55)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2003, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nature-fossil-fuels-and-global-warming-is-cecil-biased/146728 "2003-01-08T14:13:48Z")
When reading Nature, Fossil Fuels, and Global Warming I couldn’t help but notice Cecil’s political bias. He may have left himself an out by saying the 3 points were from Critics, but they sure sounded like his words, a… --- ## [Jesus H. Christ](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jesus-h-christ/120007)
**Author:** [@ejay1118](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ejay1118)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2003, 10:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jesus-h-christ/120007 "2003-01-08T10:29:51Z")
While I know it has to historical accuracy, I always like the little old lady who said that “H” stood for Hallmark… because God cared enough to send the very best! Shoot me, sometimes I like the smushy stuff! --- ## [Comment on "Why are bagpipes played at funerals" answer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comment-on-why-are-bagpipes-played-at-funerals-answer/147152)
**Author:** [@pbrownlee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pbrownlee)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2003, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comment-on-why-are-bagpipes-played-at-funerals-answer/147152 "2003-01-07T15:42:33Z")
A point of fact on Cecil’s answer about bagpipes in the column: http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a980911b.html He mentions the movie “Braveheart” as instrumental in the recent popularity of bagpipes. While this may … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=227) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=229)