# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=229 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 230 --- ## [Erm, Streets n stoof.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erm-streets-n-stoof/147031)
**Author:** [@Pix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pix)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2003, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erm-streets-n-stoof/147031 "2003-01-07T14:30:26Z")
Hello, Just a little observation on the ‘What’s the difference between a street, a road, an avenue, a boulevard, etc’ question. This is what i got from the Cambridge Dictionary, since I thought it’d be pretty good comm… --- ## [Stirring coffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stirring-coffee/146956)
**Author:** [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2003, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stirring-coffee/146956 "2003-01-06T23:36:54Z")
The response to the question of why the sound of spoon hitting the side of a mug increases in pitch as the coffee is stirred struck me as being a bit more convoluted that it needs to be, and probably just plain wrong. T… --- ## [the draft question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-draft-question/145279)
**Author:** [@John\_Martin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Martin)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2003, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-draft-question/145279 "2003-01-06T22:51:13Z")
This country has far too many people who want to enjoy the fruits of other’s labors, without lifting a finger on their own. For example, it is well documented that many families have survived for generations on welfare, … --- ## [What became of the guys who tried to steal Elvis?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-became-of-the-guys-who-tried-to-steal-elvis/146092)
**Author:** [@jackelope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackelope)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2003, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-became-of-the-guys-who-tried-to-steal-elvis/146092 "2003-01-06T18:41:11Z")
Column is here: http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1\_143.html A slight correction. Cecil says: It’s worth mentioning that Elvis’s twin brother who died at birth, Jesse Garon Presley, is buried in the meditation ga… --- ## [Minor error in "Earth" translation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minor-error-in-earth-translation/146929)
**Author:** [@Ghostwise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ghostwise)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2003, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minor-error-in-earth-translation/146929 "2003-01-06T13:42:14Z")
Hello, In the answer at http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mearth.html there was a slight error regarding the French translation of the word “Earth” - it should be “Terre”. From the Latin terra, and quite close to th… --- ## [Vampire disposal methods](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vampire-disposal-methods/146914)
**Author:** [@gisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gisle)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2003, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vampire-disposal-methods/146914 "2003-01-06T12:43:45Z")
In Cecil’s handy list of vampire disposal methods, (column) no remedy is given for the Spanish “Vampiro”. My Spanish friends, however, tells me that you can kill an “Vampiro” by placing him midway between two facing mir… --- ## [Deja vu](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deja-vu/146382)
**Author:** [@Mr.Pills](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Pills)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2003, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deja-vu/146382 "2003-01-06T12:18:56Z")
I get deja vu like three or four times a week. Cecil once wrote that this is frequent among epileptic people. I do not have epilepsy, so can anyone explain why I get it so often? And im not just confusing it, i swear thi… --- ## [Re : What's up with people who think they're infested with bugs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-whats-up-with-people-who-think-theyre-infested-with-bugs/36629)
**Author:** [@nossac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nossac)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2003, 8:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-whats-up-with-people-who-think-theyre-infested-with-bugs/36629 "2003-01-06T08:16:52Z")
From what I ahve heard there is a condition called Scabies, This is caused by a particular little bug that sometimes burrows through the epidermis, its waste can cause an irritating rash, I talked to my local GP who conf… --- ## [wizard of oz suicide](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wizard-of-oz-suicide/144642)
**Author:** [@Jessbuffalo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jessbuffalo)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2003, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wizard-of-oz-suicide/144642 "2003-01-05T06:25:35Z")
i recently read in one of cecils columns that a munchkin can be seen comitting suicide on camera. i watched it and saw what looked to be a bird of some sort. maybe an emu or osterich. i actually thought it was kind of fu… --- ## [actually I think cecil is wrong - abaracadabra](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actually-i-think-cecil-is-wrong-abaracadabra/145672)
**Author:** [@lez999](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lez999)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2003, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actually-i-think-cecil-is-wrong-abaracadabra/145672 "2003-01-04T17:35:40Z")
Well I think the man finally got it wrong. he said the word abaracadabra was of early Christian origin. Actually oh wise one, the word comes from ancient Hebrew and I think but I am not postive it is mention somewhere in… --- ## [Elvis has left the building](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elvis-has-left-the-building/145198)
**Author:** [@Manduck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Manduck)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2003, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elvis-has-left-the-building/145198 "2003-01-04T14:38:29Z")
Link to column Cecil’s answer doesn’t go far enough - I am pretty sure that “Elvis has left the building” didn’t become a popular catchphrase until David Letterman asked Al Michaels to use it as his home run call. Befo… --- ## [Angels we have heard on high](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/angels-we-have-heard-on-high/144497)
**Author:** [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2003, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/angels-we-have-heard-on-high/144497 "2003-01-04T04:07:35Z")
In the staff report on angels, Dex says: O.K., Dex, Why? --- ## [Nature, fossil fuels, and global warming](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nature-fossil-fuels-and-global-warming/146434)
**Author:** [@Shiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shiva)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2003, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nature-fossil-fuels-and-global-warming/146434 "2003-01-03T16:10:49Z")
In Nature, fossil fuels, and global warming: How many trees should I plant to balance my yearly CO2 output? Cecil says Now if gasoline weighs 6 pounds per gallon and the average medium-size car gets 20 miles per gallo… --- ## [Coincidental Elvis illustration?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coincidental-elvis-illustration/146068)
**Author:** [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2003, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coincidental-elvis-illustration/146068 "2003-01-02T17:39:58Z")
Was it coincidence, an attack of nostalgia, or an attempt by someone to be clever that this classic column was posted as “today’s question” while the illustration for this column was still on display? Not that I’m serio… --- ## ["OK" means "0 Killed" = cero killed](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-means-0-killed-cero-killed/146109)
**Author:** [@trancie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/trancie)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2003, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-means-0-killed-cero-killed/146109 "2003-01-02T17:16:50Z")
oh my god… everybody knows that… and I’m from Mexico City… --- ## [Vampires/Porphyria](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vampires-porphyria/145686)
**Author:** [@kunoichi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kunoichi)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2003, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vampires-porphyria/145686 "2003-01-02T05:27:58Z")
In response to Cecil’s column on thevampirism/porphyria link, I want to draw attention to a recent article in Scientific American that seems to have a good explanation of a lot of what Cecil dismissed as bunk, as well as… --- ## [Cecil wrong! SDMB full of it. My kid's science textbook says so!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-wrong-sdmb-full-of-it-my-kids-science-textbook-says-so/142568)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2003, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-wrong-sdmb-full-of-it-my-kids-science-textbook-says-so/142568 "2003-01-01T15:03:43Z")
So far so good last night helping my son with his science homework about properties of matter on page 63 Well this is newsflash on page 64! Glass does so flow in window panes making them thicker at the bottom. Cecil you… --- ## [angels on the head of pin ...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/angels-on-the-head-of-pin/145652)
**Author:** [@a\_Mike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a_Mike)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2002, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/angels-on-the-head-of-pin/145652 "2002-12-31T18:23:48Z")
In 1988, “Cecil” posted regarding this particular theological discussion. I thought to provide a further comment regarding his previous answer. On the one part, he was correct that the proper question was “how many cou… --- ## [Ollie, Ollie oxen go free](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ollie-ollie-oxen-go-free/145751)
**Author:** [@kenskorupski](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenskorupski)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2002, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ollie-ollie-oxen-go-free/145751 "2002-12-31T02:34:29Z")
It was my understanding that the phrase has been mangled over the years. The origins of the phrase are in English and actually should be “All Ye! All Ye! Out come free!” Which was announced by the person who was “it” du… --- ## ["Elvis Has Left The Building"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elvis-has-left-the-building/145200)
**Author:** [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2002, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elvis-has-left-the-building/145200 "2002-12-30T18:18:23Z")
Cecil mentions that Elvis appeared on the Louisiana Hayride radio program. Was this also a television show? Someone once asked the trivia question, “What was Elvis’ first TV appearance?”, and I answered “Louisiana Hayrid… --- ## [Presidential succession](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/presidential-succession/141556)
**Author:** [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2002, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/presidential-succession/141556 "2002-12-30T16:49:49Z")
In this column Cecil says Does this mean Truman went ONLY to Law School, without getting a bachelor’s first? Was this permissible then? (I recall my father was accepted to and began law school c. 1960 after only 3 year… --- ## [What do Scotsmen wear under their kilts: additional comment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-scotsmen-wear-under-their-kilts-additional-comment/145163)
**Author:** [@pbrownlee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pbrownlee)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2002, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-scotsmen-wear-under-their-kilts-additional-comment/145163 "2002-12-30T15:57:18Z")
I’m new to TSD, so forgive me if I’m beating a dead horse. Or putting my comment in the wrong place. I read Cecil’s answer to the kilt question in the archives, and would like to add to it, giving Cecil an actual source… --- ## [Hard Science of Orgasm Physiology](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-science-of-orgasm-physiology/18957)
**Author:** [@KP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KP)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2002, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-science-of-orgasm-physiology/18957 "2002-12-29T05:41:23Z")
I know there are a lot of others here who have the background to really have a serious (if slightly speculative ) discussion with real facts. My background is in medicine and molecular biology. I know whe have some other… --- ## [etymology of angel](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/etymology-of-angel/145324)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2002, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/etymology-of-angel/145324 "2002-12-29T01:11:32Z")
In this staff report Dex gives the etymology of angle as This is not correct. I doubt if there’s a single English word that comes from Sanskrit by way of Greek. Merriam-Webster gives the derivation as being from Greek … --- ## [Some women are not always cold](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-women-are-not-always-cold/145210)
**Author:** [@psiekier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psiekier)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2002, 8:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-women-are-not-always-cold/145210 "2002-12-28T08:35:58Z")
Re: Why are women always cold? I got to wondering about this the other day. Here, in my office, the women are always cold. I have seen the phenomenon, then, but while enjoying the holidays at home, I may have hit upon a… --- ## [Gender-neutral singulars for cattle!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gender-neutral-singulars-for-cattle/142841)
**Author:** [@OtakuKitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OtakuKitty)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2002, 8:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gender-neutral-singulars-for-cattle/142841 "2002-12-28T08:27:20Z")
Okay, this is an old subject… but I’ve been looking through the archives for the heck of it, and came across the question of gender-neutral singulars for cattle, like the subject says. (It came with a question about seaw… --- ## ["30" as a 'goodbye' saying? - Elvis has left the building](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-as-a-goodbye-saying-elvis-has-left-the-building/145158)
**Author:** [@Rucksinator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rucksinator)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2002, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-as-a-goodbye-saying-elvis-has-left-the-building/145158 "2002-12-27T22:50:01Z")
In this report: http://www.straightdope.com/columns/021227.html Cecil listed several ‘goodbye’ sayings. On was “30”. Where does this come from? --- ## [Happy Birthday Dear Yehoshua...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-birthday-dear-yehoshua/106971)
**Author:** [@CheapBastid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CheapBastid)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2002, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-birthday-dear-yehoshua/106971 "2002-12-27T19:11:42Z")
In reading this, I wondered if the ‘sheep and taxes’ issues were bunk too. As I recall many folks placed his birth in March as the census was being taken, and the sheep were in the fields (Likely around March). --- ## [Is there a Santa Claus?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-santa-claus/46367)
**Author:** [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2002, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-santa-claus/46367 "2002-12-26T18:44:14Z")
Given the season, I thought it time to dig up this classic. Is there a Santa Claus? I have to say I think Cecil blew it. From the article: Come on Cecil, you’re willing to take on homeopathy, acupuncture, jet contrai… --- ## [DDT okay?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ddt-okay/142570)
**Author:** [@mandielise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mandielise)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2002, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ddt-okay/142570 "2002-12-26T16:15:23Z")
Forgive me if this has been brought up already, but I searched and couldn’t find a link. In Cecil’s thread: http://www.straightdope.com/columns/021213.html he states that “While DDT is highly toxic to insects and fish … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=228) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=230)