# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=232 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 233 --- ## [Ketchup dissolving tin foil](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ketchup-dissolving-tin-foil/135818)
**Author:** [@pianomikey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pianomikey)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2002, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ketchup-dissolving-tin-foil/135818 "2002-11-29T23:17:42Z")
Hah! Back when I had braces I used to wrap tin foil around the wires when my mouth was really sore, like when I got new wires. I didn’t know why it helped soothe the pain, but I suppose it’s because it generated a bit … --- ## [What are dominant traits?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-dominant-traits/136036)
**Author:** [@lionscroft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lionscroft)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2002, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-dominant-traits/136036 "2002-11-29T22:31:57Z")
My parents/uncles/cousins/sister have brown hair. My wifes side are white/blond and I have a white/blond son. If brown is the dominant colour how do we explain this? And before anyone suggests it, I have no worries abo… --- ## [Cold + Water effects=Pretty Lights!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cold-water-effects-pretty-lights/137640)
**Author:** [@Lovecraft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lovecraft)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2002, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cold-water-effects-pretty-lights/137640 "2002-11-29T11:02:27Z")
Today’s topic “Does it ever get too cold to snow?” reminded me of a coupla weather effects I ran across years ago when I was living in Alaska that I never figured out. Now, thanks to SD and the internet it makes sense (… --- ## [10% brain](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-brain/139433)
**Author:** [@JAPrufrock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JAPrufrock)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2002, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-brain/139433 "2002-11-29T03:09:24Z")
I’m searching through the archives looking for the column on the urban legend about people only using 10% of their brains. I’m almost positive Cecil wrote a column about this, but I can’t find it. Does anyone have the … --- ## [More about Kopi luwak coffee.....](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-about-kopi-luwak-coffee/138996)
**Author:** [@mnemosyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mnemosyne)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2002, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-about-kopi-luwak-coffee/138996 "2002-11-27T21:53:18Z")
In one of his columns, Cecil describes the coffee made from beans taken from the feces of a particular animal - the palm civet. Well, I was exploring the University of Guelph’s webpage, and guess what their latest news … --- ## [Jesus' siblings](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jesus-siblings/138312)
**Author:** [@bruiser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bruiser)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2002, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jesus-siblings/138312 "2002-11-27T14:36:57Z")
About Jesus’ siblings… Yes, Jesus did have siblings; the New Testament book James was written by James, brother of Jesus. The confusion about the virgin birth is easily cleared up. When Mary gave birth to Jesus, she w… --- ## [More questions about the finger](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-questions-about-the-finger/138974)
**Author:** [@athene1765](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/athene1765)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2002, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-questions-about-the-finger/138974 "2002-11-27T02:37:54Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a980904.html So he mentions the longbowmen at the battle of Agincourt. My question – did that actually happen? Did the French cut off the peoples’ fingers and did they flash them b… --- ## [Where do chain restaurants get their antiques?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-chain-restaurants-get-their-antiques/136853)
**Author:** [@Darth\_Nader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Nader)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2002, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-chain-restaurants-get-their-antiques/136853 "2002-11-26T06:23:31Z")
Any Colorado dopers know if the Dark Horse in Boulder is still around? That place had the most bizzare amount of (real) stuff attached to the walls/ceiling I’ve ever seen. The early '70’s playboy pics laminated in the … --- ## [57 varieties of Illuminati](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/57-varieties-of-illuminati/138690)
**Author:** [@wanfuforever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wanfuforever)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2002, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/57-varieties-of-illuminati/138690 "2002-11-26T04:44:36Z")
OK, the whole Illuminati thing. Hmm, since this group is all about lots of money and evil where do I join up? Being poor sucks. I’m headed downstairs in the afterlife (that whole ‘man sleeping with man’/ fornication bi… --- ## [21 gun salute](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/21-gun-salute/138243)
**Author:** [@mingum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mingum)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2002, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/21-gun-salute/138243 "2002-11-25T15:46:07Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/m21gun.html Has anybody ever been shot in a 21 gun (or other number of gun) salute? --- ## [What is fire ? Hydrogen and Fluorine fires ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-fire-hydrogen-and-fluorine-fires/138631)
**Author:** [@andy\_fl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andy_fl)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2002, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-fire-hydrogen-and-fluorine-fires/138631 "2002-11-25T12:35:41Z")
Excellent article by Cecil, but oxygen is not necessary for fires or flames. Hydrogen and Fluorine is an example. Aluminum and Fluorine can also be an example. Flame is the combustion zone of a fire, flame is the region… --- ## [Snow good editors](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snow-good-editors/137560)
**Author:** [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2002, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snow-good-editors/137560 "2002-11-25T00:23:24Z")
“If you could all the water vapor in a volume of saturated frigid air into snow, you would get less snow than if you did the same thing to a volume of saturated chilly air” If you could all the water?!? Somebody wake u… --- ## [French revolutionary calendar days](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/french-revolutionary-calendar-days/137872)
**Author:** [@peepthis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peepthis)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2002, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/french-revolutionary-calendar-days/137872 "2002-11-24T22:35:32Z")
Reading the column on Who decided the day should be divided into 24 hours?, a question came to mind: Where can I find a list of what each day of the year was called under this calendar system? And is it possible, with a… --- ## [The Beatles Break Up](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-beatles-break-up/138490)
**Author:** [@Beruang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beruang)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2002, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-beatles-break-up/138490 "2002-11-24T15:49:42Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mbeatlesbreakup.html I asked this in an earlier thread, but it got lost in the shuffle. First of all, very nicely done. However, I do have a couple of questions. I was a rather big… --- ## [Literary reference in regards to cold snow](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/literary-reference-in-regards-to-cold-snow/137596)
**Author:** [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2002, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/literary-reference-in-regards-to-cold-snow/137596 "2002-11-23T00:12:17Z")
While I certainly appreciate bibliophage’s mention of “where the cotton blooms and blows”, shouldn’t that properly be Plumtree, TN, not Nashville? --- ## [Revising Cecil's fire definition](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/revising-cecils-fire-definition/138193)
**Author:** [@tbhill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tbhill)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2002, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/revising-cecils-fire-definition/138193 "2002-11-22T18:46:39Z")
No doubt many other readers will post a similar message, but I’ll claim the dubious honor of being the first. In Cecil’s article on “What exactily is fire?” (22 Nov 2002), he provides the following definition: “Fire is… --- ## [Titanium Burns in Nitrogen](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/titanium-burns-in-nitrogen/138202)
**Author:** [@Mitch\_M](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mitch_M)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2002, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/titanium-burns-in-nitrogen/138202 "2002-11-22T18:32:39Z")
Oxygen is almost always required for fire, but there is at least one exception: Titanium will burn in nitrogen. Here are a couple of urls where you can read about it. http://education.jlab.org/itselemental/ele022.html … --- ## [Why is India 30 minutes out of step with everybody else?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-india-30-minutes-out-of-step-with-everybody-else/137289)
**Author:** [@rampisad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rampisad)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2002, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-india-30-minutes-out-of-step-with-everybody-else/137289 "2002-11-22T04:04:44Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1\_124.html Hmm - you tell how India straddles two time zones, so they compromised. What good sense! You should compare that with Australia, especially in summer. Firstly, there a… --- ## [Visible items from outer space?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visible-items-from-outer-space/25508)
**Author:** [@Engine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Engine)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2002, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visible-items-from-outer-space/25508 "2002-11-20T22:38:55Z")
Cecil seems to think long thin things like highways, canals and Great Walls would be the most visible man-made objects from space. I would offer the largest man-made lakes, such as Powell, which would reflect much more l… --- ## [Is Asian Synonymous with Chinese ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-asian-synonymous-with-chinese/130989)
**Author:** [@andy\_fl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andy_fl)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2002, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-asian-synonymous-with-chinese/130989 "2002-11-20T21:44:42Z")
In the recent Cecil Column, Marshall asks about the Chinese, while Cecil replies on Asians. Are Cecil’s comments on all Asians, Asian Mongoloids or just Chinese ? Is Asian synonymous with Chinese ? --- ## [Snow, but no cotton in Nashville](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snow-but-no-cotton-in-nashville/137646)
**Author:** [@beyondanarchy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beyondanarchy)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2002, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snow-but-no-cotton-in-nashville/137646 "2002-11-20T05:03:08Z")
Dear Mr. Dope, I guess all of Tennessee is one big blur from up there, but you won’t find much cotton growin in Nashville. They grow it over in West Tennessee (Memphis), a fur piece from Nashville. You forgot to mention… --- ## [the cat is in the hat](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cat-is-in-the-hat/136564)
**Author:** [@rampisad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rampisad)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2002, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cat-is-in-the-hat/136564 "2002-11-20T04:18:12Z")
To tell the full story of Schroedinger puss, would take so much time it would cause you to cuss, and cry, “Bugger it all, I don’t care if it died, it’s fate leaves me with eyes wholly dried”. But Einstein, of course,… --- ## [Man in the iron mask--nice one!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-in-the-iron-mask-nice-one/135007)
**Author:** [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2002, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-in-the-iron-mask-nice-one/135007 "2002-11-19T13:36:18Z")
I just wanted to say that Dex’s column on the man in the iron mask was a fascinating read, and very informative to boot. Good work! --- ## [How high can they fly?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-high-can-they-fly/137270)
**Author:** [@lawrinson911](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lawrinson911)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2002, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-high-can-they-fly/137270 "2002-11-19T01:10:03Z")
In regards to a column Cecil wrote a while ago… Someone asked the question “How high can birds fly?” and Cecil responded by saying “On November 29, 1975 one was sucked into a jet engine 37,900 feet above the Ivory Coast… --- ## [my early use of cats (PPCT)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-early-use-of-cats-ppct/137397)
**Author:** [@LucyAfarensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LucyAfarensis)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2002, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-early-use-of-cats-ppct/137397 "2002-11-18T22:37:22Z")
I found your extremely interesting article on my early association with felines by leaping kopjes from Egypt (where by the way I donated my cats as being gods). Interesting, and almost as interesting as the theory that … --- ## [Why pigeons bob their heads...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-pigeons-bob-their-heads/121357)
**Author:** [@Daliden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daliden)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2002, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-pigeons-bob-their-heads/121357 "2002-11-18T20:44:23Z")
Browsing the archives I ran across this enchanting question right away. To my surprise, this question had developed quite a lot of controversy, with three alternate explanations – none of which agreed with what I think i… --- ## [Michael Row the Boat Ashore](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-row-the-boat-ashore/136083)
**Author:** [@lilrickey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lilrickey)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2002, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-row-the-boat-ashore/136083 "2002-11-15T20:48:20Z")
The item on the origins of this song is certainly plausible, but where did you get the idea that it owes its popularity to Harry Belafonte? That honor goes to the folk group The Highwaymen, whose single of the song went … --- ## [Bees](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bees/135439)
**Author:** [@potu42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/potu42)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2002, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bees/135439 "2002-11-15T01:27:36Z")
In the Staff Report about Bee Suicide, the staff, naturally, has got the goods. However, there is, as always, a folklore to go along with the truth (recited by memory, alas). Long ago, it is said, just before the age of… --- ## [Flatulence (farting) At Altitude](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flatulence-farting-at-altitude/136464)
**Author:** [@creuben](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/creuben)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2002, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flatulence-farting-at-altitude/136464 "2002-11-14T22:01:08Z")
Flatulence (farting) at altitude (e.g. in the mountains, in airplanes, etc.) makes perfect sense, and can be explained by what you might have learned in your general chemistry class (if you took general chem.) Follow me… --- ## [Significance of the Jordan River](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/significance-of-the-jordan-river/136466)
**Author:** [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2002, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/significance-of-the-jordan-river/136466 "2002-11-14T15:02:09Z")
It surprised me that Dex, in his Staff Report on the song “Michael Row your Boat Ashore”, didn’t say anything about the “Jordan River” in the song (other than the simple observation that it’s a religious reference). It … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=231) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=233)