# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=235 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 236 --- ## [The whole nine yards...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-whole-nine-yards/131825)
**Author:** [@the\_fadman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_fadman)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 12, 2002, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-whole-nine-yards/131825 "2002-10-12T13:41:42Z")
re… http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_252.html The whole nine yards comes from the American boom years of the 50’s. The selling of houses became more difficult as the suburbs sprang up. The developers would ther… --- ## [sweating after eating spicy food](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sweating-after-eating-spicy-food/131399)
**Author:** [@dtribble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtribble)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 12, 2002, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sweating-after-eating-spicy-food/131399 "2002-10-12T05:26:01Z")
“Do Chinese lack sweat glands in their armpits? Why does spicy food make you sweat?” http://www.straightdope.com/columns/021004.html I notice that I sweat on my cheeks, just under my eyes, whenever I eat cheese, parti… --- ## [One more on menopause etc...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-more-on-menopause-etc/130871)
**Author:** [@prhiannon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/prhiannon)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2002, 8:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-more-on-menopause-etc/130871 "2002-10-11T08:05:03Z")
More thought? Well, we can’t have THAT, can we? ;-\> Other posts have addressed the obvious error about life expectancy, and done so quite well. (See the other threads on this subject.) What nobody seems to have add… --- ## [Lincoln-Douglas & "Big Nate": Coincidence?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lincoln-douglas-big-nate-coincidence/130272)
**Author:** [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2002, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lincoln-douglas-big-nate-coincidence/130272 "2002-10-10T00:12:28Z")
Today’s question from the SD Front Page Sunday’s comic strip Edited to fix link. – CKDH --- ## [Kate the Great and her little pony](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kate-the-great-and-her-little-pony/131433)
**Author:** [@Arrowzona](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arrowzona)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2002, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kate-the-great-and-her-little-pony/131433 "2002-10-09T17:39:29Z")
When I was at Yale in the '60s some Yale grad students of an earlier generation ('30s perhaps?) claimed to have originated the story of Catherine and her horse. I don’t know how far back the story goes, or if their clai… --- ## [Whoops-a-Daisy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whoops-a-daisy/130902)
**Author:** [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2002, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whoops-a-daisy/130902 "2002-10-09T02:44:29Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mwhoopsadaisy.html Well, the definition of “whoops” to me sounds awfully similar to “oops.” Can “oops” have been derived from “whoops”? --- ## [Do police have to stop chasing you at the border?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-police-have-to-stop-chasing-you-at-the-border/128315)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2002, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-police-have-to-stop-chasing-you-at-the-border/128315 "2002-10-09T00:06:03Z")
In Cecil’s article Who’s the boss, city cops, state cops, or the Feds? he mentions the following: I thought there was some allowance for ‘hot pursuit’ in the law that would allow (say) an Illinois cop to chase you to C… --- ## [WPPSS-a-Daisy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wppss-a-daisy/130839)
**Author:** [@jeffkopp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jeffkopp)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2002, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wppss-a-daisy/130839 "2002-10-08T15:33:22Z")
Upon reading about the origins of the expression whoops-a-daisy, I was reminded of the Washington Public Power Supply System, which became a debacle when its wild fast-track nuclear-development program collapsed in the 1… --- ## [Millard Fillmore's Bathtub](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/millard-fillmores-bathtub/131120)
**Author:** [@Swede\_Hollow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swede_Hollow)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2002, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/millard-fillmores-bathtub/131120 "2002-10-08T14:49:11Z")
From a recent article by Cecil: Well, that’s all well and good to try to eliminate an historical error, but who DID put the first bathtub in the White House and when? --- ## [Monopoly revisited](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monopoly-revisited/131263)
**Author:** [@twincam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twincam)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2002, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monopoly-revisited/131263 "2002-10-07T22:58:50Z")
Years ago I saw a magazine (“Help”, I think) that gave good directions concerning how to cheat at Monopoly. The one that impressed me most was buying and building a Bridge (from the Bank) that would span Park Place and … --- ## [Alamo](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alamo/129788)
**Author:** [@tmwster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tmwster)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2002, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alamo/129788 "2002-10-06T04:02:00Z")
It’s been (mumble) years since my junior high school Texas History class, so I won’t try to quibble with Cecil’s version of The Alamo, but one assertion certainly took me by surprise: “The Mexican troops, for their part… --- ## [SD Classic: "What's the origin of 'the finger'"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sd-classic-whats-the-origin-of-the-finger/129855)
**Author:** [@\_catharsis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/_catharsis)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2002, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sd-classic-whats-the-origin-of-the-finger/129855 "2002-10-06T01:49:28Z")
In this SD Classic Cecil gives a correct answer, but misses out, surely, on an opportunity to educate the Teeming Millions? Apologies if this has been done to death before. As you can see, the email that has given rise… --- ## [Even more white people who don't look alike](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/even-more-white-people-who-dont-look-alike/128714)
**Author:** [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2002, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/even-more-white-people-who-dont-look-alike/128714 "2002-10-05T22:22:40Z")
In today’s Cecil Classic article, at http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1\_099.html, the great and powerful Unca Cece says: As it turns out, there’s even a pre-colonial ethic Caucasoid group that was spread out as fa… --- ## [Millard Fillmore and the Mayaguez Incident](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/millard-fillmore-and-the-mayaguez-incident/130525)
**Author:** [@Algernon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algernon)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2002, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/millard-fillmore-and-the-mayaguez-incident/130525 "2002-10-05T16:06:12Z")
In this Cecil column on Millard Fillmore, he writes… I was surprised at the reference to the Mayaguez in this context, yet I suppose it fits. It seems Cecil was being a little sarcastic about Fillmore’s accomplishment… --- ## [How about an artist for Staff Reports?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-about-an-artist-for-staff-reports/129907)
**Author:** [@Twin\_Tattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Twin_Tattoo)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2002, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-about-an-artist-for-staff-reports/129907 "2002-10-05T13:41:30Z")
What about an artist for the staff reports? I enjoy the one that does it for Cecil. It adds to the humor. How about one for the staff reports? Hmmm. How about a sort of art contest for staff reports at least to star… --- ## [The Paramount mountain and the radiating eyeball of power](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-paramount-mountain-and-the-radiating-eyeball-of-power/130438)
**Author:** [@johnnyd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnnyd)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2002, 8:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-paramount-mountain-and-the-radiating-eyeball-of-power/130438 "2002-10-05T08:07:03Z")
I’d like to comment on the column entitled What mountain is depicted in the Paramount logo? Why do women laugh hysterically? , and more specifically on the ‘Mountain of Nightmares’ paragraph. Look carefully at the back o… --- ## ["one fell swoop" the origin of](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-fell-swoop-the-origin-of/130817)
**Author:** [@skiptora\_aol.com](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/skiptora_aol.com)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2002, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-fell-swoop-the-origin-of/130817 "2002-10-05T03:32:58Z")
I believe your answer to my query "whats the origin of the phrase “one fell swoop” is in error. The term relates to the sport of Falconry in old England. When a Falcon was released he would swoop down a “fell” to captu… --- ## [Derivations of Pi not related to circles?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/derivations-of-pi-not-related-to-circles/128932)
**Author:** [@AZCowboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AZCowboy)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2002, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/derivations-of-pi-not-related-to-circles/128932 "2002-10-04T16:36:34Z")
After reading the “Who invented Pi” mailbag item, it jogged my memory of something I learned in an advanced statistics class (many moons ago). But first, the question: Is there a natural derivation of Pi that has nothi… --- ## [boobies (the birds)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boobies-the-birds/130624)
**Author:** [@bahzew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bahzew)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2002, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boobies-the-birds/130624 "2002-10-03T21:29:56Z")
i had never heard of a red-footed booby before, only a blue-footed one. which i have to admit looks and sounds (the name just flows) much cooler than red-footed. --- ## [Lincoln/Douglas question.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lincoln-douglas-question/130469)
**Author:** [@Ironikinit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ironikinit)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2002, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lincoln-douglas-question/130469 "2002-10-03T03:48:56Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1\_105.html Re: Lincoln/Douglas. The essay doesn’t really tell why Douglas went through with the debates. Cecil gave plenty of Republican reasons, but I don’t know if that’s enough t… --- ## [Booby Hatches](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/booby-hatches/129955)
**Author:** [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2002, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/booby-hatches/129955 "2002-10-02T22:11:10Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mbooby.html “Mental institution”? Nah, "institution has a negative connotation. “Mental health center” is more like it. --- ## [Martin Heidegger](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-heidegger/129956)
**Author:** [@Bill\_Patterson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_Patterson)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2002, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-heidegger/129956 "2002-10-02T19:12:28Z")
The short answer to the original question is that Heidegger’s personal foibles don’t have anything to do with the influence of his writings on philosophy – just as Francois Villon is still a great poet, Charles Matthew D… --- ## [What is a merkin...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-merkin/97852)
**Author:** [@obnoxa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obnoxa)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2002, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-merkin/97852 "2002-10-02T18:04:35Z")
While perusing through here for my first time I stumbled (no idea how!) upon a very old posting asking what is a merkin, well here goes: The ancient Turks customarily removed all thier body hair, when the Romans attacke… --- ## [Fishy eyesight](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fishy-eyesight/127148)
**Author:** [@chukhung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chukhung)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2002, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fishy-eyesight/127148 "2002-10-02T17:58:17Z")
In Chronos’ recent article about underwater sight at http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mwaterblur.html, he mentioned that I was intrigued by this and found an interesting (and not too technical) discussion of fish ey… --- ## [Why do woman laugh hysterically??](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-woman-laugh-hysterically/128958)
**Author:** [@Lizabeth92](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lizabeth92)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2002, 9:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-woman-laugh-hysterically/128958 "2002-10-02T09:55:53Z")
Hi there. I would just like to comment on the “Why do woman laugh hysterically?” question. It’s funny that you should use that wording. The root word “hyster” is actually the greek (and scientific) word for uterus. T… --- ## [Cloase Call for Roach in Microwave](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cloase-call-for-roach-in-microwave/130408)
**Author:** [@david\_birkhead\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/david_birkhead_1)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2002, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cloase-call-for-roach-in-microwave/130408 "2002-10-01T20:17:01Z")
From the article ‘I nuked a roach! He didn’t die! Why?’ (dated 24 Sept. 1982), I think a point was missed. http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1\_025.html A quick look on the Internet yielded this (http://imagers.g… --- ## [The Paramount mountain and the radiating eyeball of power](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-paramount-mountain-and-the-radiating-eyeball-of-power/130437)
**Author:** [@johnnyd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnnyd)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2002, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-paramount-mountain-and-the-radiating-eyeball-of-power/130437 "2002-10-01T19:16:58Z")
I’d like to comment on the column entitled What mountain is depicted in the Paramount logo? Why do women laugh hysterically? , and more specifically on the ‘Mountain of Nightmares’ paragraph. Look carefully at the back o… --- ## [Why men leave the bottom vest button unbuttoned.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-men-leave-the-bottom-vest-button-unbuttoned/129678)
**Author:** [@RANash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RANash)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2002, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-men-leave-the-bottom-vest-button-unbuttoned/129678 "2002-10-01T16:43:38Z")
Here’s a theory: In less politically-correct, more turbulent times, men carried pistols tucked into the cummerbund. In order to get to the pistol quickly, the button was left undone to facilitate getting to the weapon. --- ## [menopause](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menopause/128801)
**Author:** [@vanilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vanilla)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2002, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menopause/128801 "2002-10-01T13:22:28Z")
Heck, I am eagerly awaiting menopause. I think the evolutionary theory that women needed to stay alive long enough to see their progeny mature is accurate. Howeve,r i would think it would happen sooner, and probalby fo… --- ## [Age Gap](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/age-gap/46)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2002, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/age-gap/46 "2002-09-30T21:12:38Z")
has anyone ever noticed how american shows have 22 year olds playing kids in thier teens , james van der beek a.k.a dawson from dawsons creek is like 21 and he playes a 15 going on 16 year old along with the rest of the … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=234) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=236)