# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=230 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 231 --- ## [Towel snapping](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/towel-snapping/69569)
**Author:** [@Ned](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ned)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2002, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/towel-snapping/69569 "2002-12-26T01:26:11Z")
So the end of a towel may or may not reach the speed of sound. Does this answer the question of whether the snap is a mini sonic boom? There are other ways to make noises you know. --- ## [Jesus' siblings](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jesus-siblings/100422)
**Author:** [@kapteyns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kapteyns)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2002, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jesus-siblings/100422 "2002-12-25T22:00:06Z")
I have just been given a link to the straight dope index and have been reading a lot of the columns at once, so I may be repeating old info. According to my sources, the Catholics get around the fact that theBible says … --- ## [Voluntary prostitution](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voluntary-prostitution/142914)
**Author:** [@Dunderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunderman)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2002, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voluntary-prostitution/142914 "2002-12-25T20:21:14Z")
In Cecil’s column on why prostitution is illegal he mentions that there are people claiming that women are always, one way or another coerced into prostitution, but that this “seems to victimize prostitutes more than the… --- ## [Biggest Landslide Winner](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-landslide-winner/142101)
**Author:** [@Frostillicus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frostillicus)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2002, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-landslide-winner/142101 "2002-12-25T02:48:09Z")
Cecil’s column on whether Reagan won one of the biggest landslide’s in American political history is accurate as far as it goes, but it only addresses Reagan’s victory over Jimmy Carter in 1980. When Reagan ran for re-e… --- ## [Frozen Tinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frozen-tinkle/140026)
**Author:** [@st1d](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/st1d)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2002, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frozen-tinkle/140026 "2002-12-24T19:47:26Z")
From the article: \>When the astronauts take a leak while on a mission and expel the result into space, it boils violently. The vapor then passes immediately into the solid state (a process known as desublimation), and y… --- ## [Prince of Wales](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-of-wales/143550)
**Author:** [@RobNYNY](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RobNYNY)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2002, 9:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-of-wales/143550 "2002-12-24T09:05:08Z")
In the archived column that appears at on the Straight Dope website today, Cecil Adams says: “… only one British ruler, Edward III, has taken the throne without the title \[Prince of Wales\] since Edward I acquired it for… --- ## [The illitration on the front page about pheremones is disgusting](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-illitration-on-the-front-page-about-pheremones-is-disgusting/144170)
**Author:** [@Alietta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alietta)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2002, 8:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-illitration-on-the-front-page-about-pheremones-is-disgusting/144170 "2002-12-24T08:59:54Z")
Cecil, please tell your artist not to draw pictures that ruin my morning breakfast. --- ## [synchronization w/ the moon](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/synchronization-w-the-moon/144557)
**Author:** [@siso80](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/siso80)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2002, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/synchronization-w-the-moon/144557 "2002-12-24T02:24:06Z")
I have heard many times before that the female menstrual cycle syncs up with the moon if the woman is not exposed to any artificial light. (like if she lives in the woods) Rumor has it that she will get her period during… --- ## [electroshock...disturbing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electroshock-disturbing/144638)
**Author:** [@Jessbuffalo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jessbuffalo)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2002, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electroshock-disturbing/144638 "2002-12-24T02:17:30Z")
today i was watching a program on mtv about gays. one man came out to his family and they made him get electroshock therapy (electroshock therapy is said to cure mental illness)…he is now physically damaged from this and… --- ## [Belly Button Lint: Cecil Scooped: Aussie Wins Ig™Nobel Prize](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/belly-button-lint-cecil-scooped-aussie-wins-ig-nobel-prize/142192)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2002, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/belly-button-lint-cecil-scooped-aussie-wins-ig-nobel-prize/142192 "2002-12-21T04:08:19Z")
Poor Cecil. When he answered the question on Belly Button Lint 29 years ago, he fluffed it away with an off-hand answer. He little knew that if he persevered in the topic, like this Aussie guy, he could have won a pres… --- ## [99 Year Lease](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/99-year-lease/143808)
**Author:** [@vertigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vertigo)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2002, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/99-year-lease/143808 "2002-12-20T15:50:34Z")
Obviously the 99 year lease term was a function of pre Y2K convention. For a hundred year lease, it would have read “00” and who would make a lease for zero years in length? No one, I say. :stuck\_out\_tongue: --- ## [Menses and armpit sweat](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menses-and-armpit-sweat/144026)
**Author:** [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2002, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menses-and-armpit-sweat/144026 "2002-12-20T15:12:47Z")
In Cecil’s latest column, at http://www.straightdope.com/columns/021220.html, the master writes: I recall hearing about this experiment on either PBS or the Discovery Channel. Apparently, the people who donated their … --- ## [Is Tokyo Rose still alive](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-tokyo-rose-still-alive/143861)
**Author:** [@chukhung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chukhung)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2002, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-tokyo-rose-still-alive/143861 "2002-12-20T01:34:29Z")
Regarding this Staff Report, How did WWII propaganda broadcaster Tokyo Rose get info on Allied ship movements?: Is Iva Toguri D’Aquino (née Ikuko Toguri) still alive? Apparently she was still kicking back when the rep… --- ## [Was Rachel Carson a fraud and is DDT actually safe for humans?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-rachel-carson-a-fraud-and-is-ddt-actually-safe-for-humans/142774)
**Author:** [@jestercard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jestercard)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2002, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-rachel-carson-a-fraud-and-is-ddt-actually-safe-for-humans/142774 "2002-12-19T06:44:42Z")
Why was bioaccumulation not mentioned? DDT is fat soluble and builds up in the tissues and, as it goes up the food chain, builds up in the higher animals. --- ## [Inaccuracy in "How do i become Prince of Wales?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inaccuracy-in-how-do-i-become-prince-of-wales/143543)
**Author:** [@Deptford](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deptford)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2002, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inaccuracy-in-how-do-i-become-prince-of-wales/143543 "2002-12-19T03:42:26Z")
in this thread How can i become prince of Wales Cecil comments on how Princess Anne hasn’t recieved the title Princess Royal yet although she’s entitled to expect it. That was true enough at the time. The question was … --- ## [What exactly is fire?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-fire/138131)
**Author:** [@EEMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EEMan)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2002, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-fire/138131 "2002-12-18T13:17:25Z")
I have a couple of things that someone may want to look at. First the URL is not hyperlinked as they normally are. Second (and most important) I would suggest changing your definition… Fire is the rapid combination of… --- ## [Falling Through](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/falling-through/140557)
**Author:** [@chadmichael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chadmichael)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2002, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/falling-through/140557 "2002-12-18T05:11:21Z")
Regarding: http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mdoughnut.html I have long imagined having a tunnel that went clean through the Earth. This tunnel would be about 20ft wide, open to land at both ends (which would take s… --- ## [Peter Pan](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peter-pan/143394)
**Author:** [@JustaGirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JustaGirl)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2002, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peter-pan/143394 "2002-12-18T00:03:18Z")
About 15 years back my mother decided to do a family tree and dig as far back as possible to see who she was related too. She was born in Dumphries, Scotland as were most of her relatives before her. After a few months o… --- ## [Indian sterilizations & dubious demographics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/indian-sterilizations-dubious-demographics/99571)
**Author:** [@peepthis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peepthis)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2002, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/indian-sterilizations-dubious-demographics/99571 "2002-12-17T20:14:02Z")
Cecil reports that Native American populations didn’t suffer from the sterilizations, and offers as evidence that there are 3 times as many around today than 25 years ago. What the Master seems to have missed, however, … --- ## [Hobo Spiders and more](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hobo-spiders-and-more/88207)
**Author:** [@Bartman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bartman)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2002, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hobo-spiders-and-more/88207 "2002-12-17T19:36:45Z")
Great question and article: http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mspiderbites.html But I have one follow up question. It was stated that, You can’t just leave us hanging. What are the differences between the genitalia… --- ## [Copyright issues and public health](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copyright-issues-and-public-health/141135)
**Author:** [@loner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/loner)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2002, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copyright-issues-and-public-health/141135 "2002-12-17T19:24:58Z")
People at my gym have an annoying tendency to NOT wash their hands after going to the bathroom. I wanted to tape this column over the urinals and on the stall doors, but I became concerned about possible copyright iss… --- ## [Was J. Edgar Hoover a cross-dresser?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-j-edgar-hoover-a-cross-dresser/140895)
**Author:** [@KenP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KenP)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2002, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-j-edgar-hoover-a-cross-dresser/140895 "2002-12-17T17:28:08Z")
We think he was gay because “one of his hobbies was antique collecting”? What?? --- ## [Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supercalifragilisticexpialidocious/142745)
**Author:** [@Hagrinas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hagrinas)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2002, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supercalifragilisticexpialidocious/142745 "2002-12-17T14:10:17Z")
Although I originally thought that this was a made up word, I was told many decades ago that it appears in “the dictionary.” I don’t know what dictionaries it appears in, but I now know that it does appear in several, c… --- ## [Giants](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giants/137565)
**Author:** [@banjoboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/banjoboy)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2002, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giants/137565 "2002-12-16T14:04:18Z")
Someone asked Cecil a question a while ago about the references to “Anakim” in the Bible and the “Nephilim”, which got me thinking, since the Anakim were purported to be a race of giants - Goliath, Gog, Magog, and others… --- ## [Can't make wigs out of modern-man's hair, eh?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cant-make-wigs-out-of-modern-mans-hair-eh/143053)
**Author:** [@SavMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SavMan)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2002, 10:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cant-make-wigs-out-of-modern-mans-hair-eh/143053 "2002-12-16T10:13:16Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1\_270a.html Here, Cecil asserts that due to the modern conventions of washing hair, that is it patently unsuitable for wig-making. What about the non-profit organization “Locks of L… --- ## [Turkey, xuehxolatl, and unpronouncable pronounciations](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turkey-xuehxolatl-and-unpronouncable-pronounciations/139448)
**Author:** [@moof](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moof)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2002, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turkey-xuehxolatl-and-unpronouncable-pronounciations/139448 "2002-12-14T16:52:59Z")
In the Is turkey the bird named after Turkey the country? answer, it mentions the unpronouncable name ‘xuehxolatl’; this becomes a lot more pronouncable when you know that x is pronounced as sh in most mezoamerican langu… --- ## [Being too ugly](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-too-ugly/142512)
**Author:** [@laryjones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/laryjones)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2002, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-too-ugly/142512 "2002-12-14T05:46:14Z")
Today’s Straight Dope e-mail mentioned the classic: "STRAIGHT DOPE CLASSIC - 11/10/1976 Dear Cecil: Better check the mirror before venturing out in Chicago, because, according to a city Ugliness Ordinance, “No person … --- ## [Water boils in a vacuum until it freezes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-boils-in-a-vacuum-until-it-freezes/141191)
**Author:** [@g00berhead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/g00berhead)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2002, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-boils-in-a-vacuum-until-it-freezes/141191 "2002-12-13T20:44:01Z")
Having seen a demonstration using a glass of water under a bell jar with a vacuum pump attached, I can safely say that water boils unit it has lost enough heat to freeze. In the demonstration, a vacuum of 1 x 10 (-4)tor… --- ## [Genocide/democide/politicide](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genocide-democide-politicide/132835)
**Author:** [@alewbail](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alewbail)\ **Replies:** 135\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2002, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genocide-democide-politicide/132835 "2002-12-12T23:06:50Z")
Coincidentally, I’m reading “King Leopold’s Ghost”, by Adam Hochschild, about the Belgian Congo. The author claims ten million deaths there. Granted, the killing started in the late 1800s, but a significant fraction we… --- ## [Chiggers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chiggers/140797)
**Author:** [@seans88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seans88)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2002, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chiggers/140797 "2002-12-12T19:21:32Z")
SDStaff Doug misstates the nature of Chiggers in his report . Chiggers are not “mite nymphs,” they are mites that have three developmental stages: larva, nymph, and adult. The only stage at which they seek hosts is th… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=229) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=231)