# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=234 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 235 --- ## [About using F inftead of S...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-using-f-inftead-of-s/133169)
**Author:** [@the\_coffeehood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_coffeehood)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2002, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-using-f-inftead-of-s/133169 "2002-10-30T18:26:58Z")
Another excellent Cecil column here– just one thing about the last paragraph: German fraktur script wasn’t abandoned because the “script had come to be associated with German militarism” – it was abolished by Adolf Hitle… --- ## [Comments of "what is the origin of a grand"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comments-of-what-is-the-origin-of-a-grand/133672)
**Author:** [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2002, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comments-of-what-is-the-origin-of-a-grand/133672 "2002-10-30T17:59:16Z")
in the Staff coloumn "What is the origin of a grand you assert that: Actually, kb/s is used to refer to kiloBYTES per second whereas KB/s is used to refer to kiloBITS per second with 8 kilobits per kilobyte. when talk… --- ## ["The Mask of Zorro"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-mask-of-zorro/133101)
**Author:** [@SDG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SDG)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2002, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-mask-of-zorro/133101 "2002-10-30T16:59:19Z")
Regarding the historical basis for Zorro question - The 1920 Douglas Fairbanks movie, which I just saw last week, is called “The Mark of Zorro,” not “The Mask of Zorro.” The Banderas film, described as a “remake” of the … --- ## [Old question: Will suppressing a sneeze give you a brain aneurysm?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-question-will-suppressing-a-sneeze-give-you-a-brain-aneurysm/134520)
**Author:** [@KiPPoS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KiPPoS)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2002, 10:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-question-will-suppressing-a-sneeze-give-you-a-brain-aneurysm/134520 "2002-10-30T10:13:29Z")
Here’s Cecil’s answer A far better way to control your sneezes than blowing against shut nostrils is to control your respitory system. When you notice you’re taking in a big breath for your sneeze, just calm down and ex… --- ## [is lip balm addictive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-lip-balm-addictive/134394)
**Author:** [@silverspawn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silverspawn)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2002, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-lip-balm-addictive/134394 "2002-10-29T16:03:56Z")
Reading an older article - http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a981225.html , and I’d been told that while the substances in lip balm aren’t addictive the way drugs are, but that because it provides the moisture to one’… --- ## [Yes to Fem EJac and G Spots!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-to-fem-ejac-and-g-spots/134227)
**Author:** [@canary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/canary)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2002, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-to-fem-ejac-and-g-spots/134227 "2002-10-29T06:23:28Z")
Dear Cecil, I would like to respond to your latest “The Straight Dope” on Female Ejaculation in your October 25, 2002 issue of The Reader: Roses to you for writing about female ejaculation, the G spot and the latest r… --- ## [RIP Cecil's first-string etymologist \[Allen Walker Read: 1906-2002\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-cecils-first-string-etymologist-allen-walker-read-1906-2002/133120)
**Author:** [@whitetho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whitetho)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2002, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-cecils-first-string-etymologist-allen-walker-read-1906-2002/133120 "2002-10-28T23:12:15Z")
Allen Walker Read, whose research provided The Straight Dope with the answers to Where is Podunk? and What does “OK” stand for?, sadly died earlier this week at age 96, according to a notice in Deaths Elsewhere. In remem… --- ## [why did the beatles break up?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-beatles-break-up/134255)
**Author:** [@chunda21](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chunda21)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2002, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-beatles-break-up/134255 "2002-10-28T19:57:07Z")
“a reunion that never came”. Beg to differ. Although a reunion never occurred while all four members were ALIVE, Yoko did give Paul a couple of tapes with John’s vocals and keyboard backing. Add McCartney’s bass, Harri… --- ## [Correction to Why Matches Work](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/correction-to-why-matches-work/134000)
**Author:** [@Sacha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sacha)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2002, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/correction-to-why-matches-work/134000 "2002-10-28T16:14:23Z")
Cecil, Of course you meant that “strike anywhere” wooden matches have everything you need to start a fire (red phosphorous on the match). But, the safer (and equally common) “strike on box” wooden matches work exactly … --- ## [Khmer Rouge undisputed leader?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khmer-rouge-undisputed-leader/133649)
**Author:** [@Chumpsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chumpsky)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2002, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khmer-rouge-undisputed-leader/133649 "2002-10-27T06:17:46Z")
In the article Was Andrew Jackson one of the world’s biggest mass murderers??, a list is presented of the greatest mass murdering regimes. I found several problems with this list. Perhaps the problem is not with Cecil,… --- ## [writing checks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writing-checks/134079)
**Author:** [@silverspawn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silverspawn)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2002, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writing-checks/134079 "2002-10-27T06:04:03Z")
In reading the question/answer about whether one can write a check on a regular piece of paper and have it be valid, I was reminded of this story. Patrick Combs deposited one of those fake “you have won $xx,xxx!!!” chec… --- ## [The speed of light](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-speed-of-light/133246)
**Author:** [@SoDamnHip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SoDamnHip)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2002, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-speed-of-light/133246 "2002-10-26T02:08:50Z")
Cecil says “don’t you know the velocity of light is the speed limit of the universe? Any attempt to exceed it would defy one of the fundamental principles of creation. Besides, it’s hell on the tires” http://www.straigh… --- ## [Origins of 1000 Grand Dollars](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origins-of-1000-grand-dollars/133852)
**Author:** [@Tree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tree)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2002, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origins-of-1000-grand-dollars/133852 "2002-10-25T21:50:53Z")
Surely the French word for 1000 had some influence on today’s usage. --- ## [Epidemics and Gift Blankets: Native Mortality](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epidemics-and-gift-blankets-native-mortality/132822)
**Author:** [@CknowEVIL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CknowEVIL)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2002, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epidemics-and-gift-blankets-native-mortality/132822 "2002-10-24T13:59:51Z")
In your article about the top democidal regimes, you mention that Native mortality was due “inadvertently” to epidemic. Because you’re the smartest man in the world, I’m sure you know of the disease-ridden blankets that… --- ## [Sound (moving faster than the speed of)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sound-moving-faster-than-the-speed-of/133275)
**Author:** [@mattcolville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mattcolville)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2002, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sound-moving-faster-than-the-speed-of/133275 "2002-10-23T21:11:00Z")
This is comment on Cecil’s column. Ok, here’s what I want to know… I drive my convertable at mach 1.1. Sound from my rear speakers is carried away from me and I don’t hear it, right? Cause I’m going faster than the air… --- ## [Some questions about the Straight Dope newspaper column.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-questions-about-the-straight-dope-newspaper-column/131509)
**Author:** [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2002, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-questions-about-the-straight-dope-newspaper-column/131509 "2002-10-23T20:50:57Z")
The SD was never a column in any newspapers I read. I just found a compilation book at the bookstore one day and was hooked. Given the volumn of this message board I figured I must be the only one here who doesn’t/didn… --- ## [faster than sound](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/faster-than-sound/133307)
**Author:** [@vonslack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vonslack)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2002, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/faster-than-sound/133307 "2002-10-23T16:49:53Z")
Surprising that cecil failed to ding the guy for talking about the “radio waves” coming out of his car’s speaker. It’s of course sound waves coming from the speaker and radio waves traveling (at the speed of light) to h… --- ## [baker's dozen](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bakers-dozen/132674)
**Author:** [@Candlemas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Candlemas)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2002, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bakers-dozen/132674 "2002-10-23T04:37:45Z")
I always thought the 13th was to eat on the way home. :smiley: --- ## [Faster than light!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/faster-than-light/132139)
**Author:** [@Devil\_s\_Advocate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Devil_s_Advocate)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2002, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/faster-than-light/132139 "2002-10-23T04:28:56Z")
The math in the following column – http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_095.html – is wrong. In the example given, the result would be 3.258c, not 0.994c. In fact, the given formula predicts that the “addition” of… --- ## [Carlos Castaneda 'hoax'](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carlos-castaneda-hoax/115226)
**Author:** [@bgravengood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bgravengood)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2002, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carlos-castaneda-hoax/115226 "2002-10-22T01:28:08Z")
Just a short comment on Carlos Castaneda. You will usually find his books in the fiction section. Fiction is different than ‘hoax’. Anyone obsessed enough to write two books which try to prove that Castaneda’s work was … --- ## [Long S](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-s/132497)
**Author:** [@John\_W.Kennedy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_W.Kennedy)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2002, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-s/132497 "2002-10-20T21:43:06Z")
In re: http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1\_110.html, one might point out a few further facts. Modern Greek has a distinct final form for lower-case sigma, the initial/medial form looking like an “o” with a little ho… --- ## [Gangsters and mobsters and teamsters, oh my!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gangsters-and-mobsters-and-teamsters-oh-my/132766)
**Author:** [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2002, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gangsters-and-mobsters-and-teamsters-oh-my/132766 "2002-10-18T21:07:26Z")
In next week’s (!) Staff Report on the Baker’s Dozen, at http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mbakersdozen.html, Dex says: Aha! You’re the one who’s been hiding Jimmy Hoffa’s body all these years! --- ## [Spork](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spork/132644)
**Author:** [@suborbitcom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suborbitcom)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2002, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spork/132644 "2002-10-18T19:47:12Z")
They are also known as ‘Splades’. Link to Staff Report: Why is it so hard to get a good splork? – CKDexter Haven --- ## [Pronouncing "lieutenant" (What did Prince Andrew's superiors in the Royal Navy ...?)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pronouncing-lieutenant-what-did-prince-andrews-superiors-in-the-royal-navy/132438)
**Author:** [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2002, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pronouncing-lieutenant-what-did-prince-andrews-superiors-in-the-royal-navy/132438 "2002-10-18T18:38:11Z")
In the column “What did Prince Andrew’s superiors in the Royal Navy call him?,” Cecil said — Don Boose, writing from Yakota, Japan, commented — Cecil replied — However, taking a look at the Royal Navy’s official We… --- ## [Toxic Mold](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toxic-mold/131782)
**Author:** [@goddessodd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/goddessodd)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2002, 11:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toxic-mold/131782 "2002-10-17T11:07:12Z")
Comment on http://www.straightdope.com/columns/021011.html I am curious to know whether “sick building” syndrome becomes “toxic mold syndrome”. In other words, do you think that reports of sick buildings (from other pat… --- ## [Hearing loss as a result of mold?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hearing-loss-as-a-result-of-mold/131836)
**Author:** [@Earthworm\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earthworm_Jim)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2002, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hearing-loss-as-a-result-of-mold/131836 "2002-10-16T12:47:13Z")
In todays column Unca Cecil tells us The guy suffered permanent hearing loss as a result of walking through some mold? Maybe I have the soul of a tobacco lawyer, but c’mon - I find that hard to believe. This page at h… --- ## [flipping the bird](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flipping-the-bird/132107)
**Author:** [@Elizabeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elizabeth)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2002, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flipping-the-bird/132107 "2002-10-15T12:47:02Z")
Hello all Can anyone please tell me the the begining of when people started giving the bird. And why it started? :smiley: Thanks Liz --- ## [Asian Sweat Glands](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asian-sweat-glands/130896)
**Author:** [@JohnNSS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnNSS)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2002, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asian-sweat-glands/130896 "2002-10-14T07:04:35Z")
Undoubtedly Cecil is correct about Asians’ sweat glands as he is an Adams (as am I); however, I have a related question. I spent a year in Korea in 1979/80 while I was on active duty in the US Army. I was stationed at … --- ## [Witches](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/witches/131966)
**Author:** [@Faye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Faye)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2002, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/witches/131966 "2002-10-13T05:07:33Z")
Witches do not worship the devil or transform things. Just letting you know. --- ## [Caucasian](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caucasian/131646)
**Author:** [@elestat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elestat)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 12, 2002, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caucasian/131646 "2002-10-12T21:36:58Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mcaucasian.html In French, we never use the label “Caucasian” (unless we mean those peoples of the ex-USSR that live between the Black and Caspian Seas, but then without any hint at r… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=233) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=235)