# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=255 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 256 --- ## [Light and heavy baseball bats](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/light-and-heavy-baseball-bats/85066)
**Author:** [@groovemeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/groovemeister)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2001, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/light-and-heavy-baseball-bats/85066 "2001-10-03T03:27:48Z")
May I present the possibility that the overriding factor in this problem would be the law of inertia, not F=ma. With inertia, m1v1=m2v2. The implication of this law is that the mass of the ball-bat system and the mass we… --- ## [Can sneezing make you pop?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-sneezing-make-you-pop/84844)
**Author:** [@Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackson)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2001, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-sneezing-make-you-pop/84844 "2001-10-03T00:53:00Z")
i feel the most important question about sneezing hasn’t been answered. i’ve wondered this as a kid, and i think i have also seen it in calvin and hobbes: if you block your mouth and nose so that the air can’t come out … --- ## [Who gets the most pleasure, the man or the woman?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-gets-the-most-pleasure-the-man-or-the-woman/78939)
**Author:** [@BorgChild](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BorgChild)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2001, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-gets-the-most-pleasure-the-man-or-the-woman/78939 "2001-10-02T19:47:20Z")
I have no real comments on the answer, I guess, other than the fact that as a man it would be rather fun to have a “state of sustained orgasm”. My problem is with the question: as far is I know, Tiresias is not a prophet… --- ## [6 on an AP Test](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/6-on-an-ap-test/82708)
**Author:** [@krish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/krish)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2001, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/6-on-an-ap-test/82708 "2001-10-01T23:31:36Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1\_385.html I heard something similar to this statement about a student in Brookline scoring a 6 on the AP US History test, and of course I’m a bit skeptical. Is it just another typo… --- ## [God Bless You](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-bless-you/84539)
**Author:** [@robh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robh)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2001, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-bless-you/84539 "2001-10-01T22:20:37Z")
In UK the phrase is not “God bless you!”, but "Bless you!"I have never been a subscriber to the plague theory. When I was younger I searched out what was said in other languages. I am afraid I can’t recall most of them n… --- ## [Bless you, sneezy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bless-you-sneezy/84114)
**Author:** [@vd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vd)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2001, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bless-you-sneezy/84114 "2001-10-01T21:11:18Z")
The people who really would need a “God Bless You” when a plague-ridden person sneezes are all the people standing nearby the sneezer. --- ## [K-Y Jelly](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/k-y-jelly/84383)
**Author:** [@45ACP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/45ACP)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2001, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/k-y-jelly/84383 "2001-10-01T16:11:46Z")
Hey Uncle Cecil, You noted in today’s column that “A spokesperson for K-Y jelly’s maker, McNeil-PPC…says the lubricant was introduced in 1919, which is at odds with trademark office records, so some skepticism is in ord… --- ## [MOVED THREAD: Butter, ( saltiness of ) and the pioneers of the American West](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moved-thread-butter-saltiness-of-and-the-pioneers-of-the-american-west/84724)
**Author:** [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2001, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moved-thread-butter-saltiness-of-and-the-pioneers-of-the-american-west/84724 "2001-10-01T05:22:06Z")
The thread Butter, ( saltiness of ) and the pioneers of the American West, started by bacobit, has been moved to the General Questions forum. --- ## [ECT](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ect/84545)
**Author:** [@robh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robh)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2001, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ect/84545 "2001-09-30T03:09:36Z")
It is certainly true ECT is alive and well. I have not been involved for many years but it still goes on in our hospital, though not in the numbers of 25 years ago. Here in the UK, to the anaesthetic we always add a mus… --- ## [MOVED THREAD: ECT](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moved-thread-ect/84555)
**Author:** [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2001, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moved-thread-ect/84555 "2001-09-30T00:44:13Z")
The thread ECT started by robh has been moved to the Comments on Cecil’s columns forum. --- ## ["one for sorrow, two for joy...."](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-for-sorrow-two-for-joy/84403)
**Author:** [@magpie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magpie)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2001, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-for-sorrow-two-for-joy/84403 "2001-09-30T00:37:58Z")
“One for sorrow, two for joy Three for a girl, four for a boy Five for silver, six for gold Seven for a secret never to be told Eight for a wish, nine for a kiss Ten for a time of joyous bliss” the above rhyme also… --- ## [Kegel Exercises For Men](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kegel-exercises-for-men/84318)
**Author:** [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2001, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kegel-exercises-for-men/84318 "2001-09-29T17:42:19Z")
I just wanted to say that Slug has outdone himself with the illustration that accompanies Cecil’s column on Kegel Exercises for Men. It is quite possibly his best work, and is funny on so many levels. One questions thoug… --- ## [NiCad Memory](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicad-memory/83898)
**Author:** [@pgwalk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pgwalk)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2001, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicad-memory/83898 "2001-09-29T17:15:08Z")
How about some references on this subject? I’ve been discharging NiCads for years (eg. a Makita 12 v cordless drill used heavily and on a daily basis), and they have lived long and prospered. Second (& third opinions)? --- ## [Sneezing and the plague...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sneezing-and-the-plague/84108)
**Author:** [@rob\_s](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rob_s)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2001, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sneezing-and-the-plague/84108 "2001-09-28T12:02:21Z")
Re. http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mgesundheit.html I always understood the nursery rhyme “Ring o’ roses” to be about the Plague… “Ring-a-ring o’ roses, A pocket full of posies, A-tishoo! A-tishoo! We all fall … --- ## [MOVED THREAD Sneezing and the plague...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moved-thread-sneezing-and-the-plague/84211)
**Author:** [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 27, 2001, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moved-thread-sneezing-and-the-plague/84211 "2001-09-27T23:22:16Z")
The thread Sneezing and the plague… started by rob\_s has been moved to Comments on Staff Reports. --- ## [Another disappeared](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-disappeared/83396)
**Author:** [@Fatman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fatman)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 27, 2001, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-disappeared/83396 "2001-09-27T14:20:26Z")
I remember that Bessy Smith quit show biz and became a nurse. But she used the name “Elizabeth” and was thought to be dead. She appeared with Gene Shallot(sp) on the today show in the 1970’s to explain her disappearen… --- ## [rechargeable batteries and memory](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rechargeable-batteries-and-memory/84039)
**Author:** [@ScottHaneda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ScottHaneda)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 27, 2001, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rechargeable-batteries-and-memory/84039 "2001-09-27T03:27:56Z")
I have heard numerous times that older rechargeable batteries have a internal memory capability. Even on some cordless phones, the instructions recommend a full drain on the battery before rechargeing. Recent reports are… --- ## [shock therapy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shock-therapy/83826)
**Author:** [@hfheller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hfheller)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 27, 2001, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shock-therapy/83826 "2001-09-27T01:55:56Z")
Modern shock therapy is usually done with the patient briefly paralyzed and unconscious, so there is no seizure or jerking and no memory of the procedure. --- ## [Water bags in another place](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-bags-in-another-place/82895)
**Author:** [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [September 26, 2001, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-bags-in-another-place/82895 "2001-09-26T21:45:40Z")
Okay, so houseflies are the objective of waterbags according to this mailbag item. I would like to know why cars traveling through the desert have those heavy canvas water bags hanging on the front bumper. To the moder… --- ## [Swallowed by a whale](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swallowed-by-a-whale/81684)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2001, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swallowed-by-a-whale/81684 "2001-09-25T18:59:46Z")
In the column about being swallowed by a whale, credibility is given to the idea that a whale could swallow a human by mentioning that they swallow squid–whole. If a 450 pound squid could get digested whole, then how lon… --- ## [Shock Treatment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shock-treatment/83515)
**Author:** [@Jordi\_Pujol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jordi_Pujol)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2001, 10:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shock-treatment/83515 "2001-09-25T10:04:41Z")
Shock treatment is about as scientific as Saturday Morning cartoons. The main proponent/reseacher of ECT (who’s name escapes me)is the owner of one of the only two companies in the United States that manufactures ECT equ… --- ## [HIV reporting](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hiv-reporting/1729)
**Author:** [@Mergirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mergirl)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2001, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hiv-reporting/1729 "2001-09-25T04:51:06Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mnamed.html This advice was very good for the United States, but I was tested in Canada. I was told that if I gave my name and tested positive, the sexual health clinic was required b… --- ## [Faked Deaths and Slug](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/faked-deaths-and-slug/83612)
**Author:** [@HalfSmart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HalfSmart)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2001, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/faked-deaths-and-slug/83612 "2001-09-25T01:44:38Z")
I just wanted to say that I thought Slug could have done better with this week’s topic. There was a lot more here than a reporter looking at the wacko-of-the-week’s shoes! Here we had an article which included (in no pa… --- ## [Waterbags--Doug does an oopsie](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waterbags-doug-does-an-oopsie/82894)
**Author:** [@MysterEcks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MysterEcks)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2001, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waterbags-doug-does-an-oopsie/82894 "2001-09-24T21:33:48Z")
In What’s the purpose of bags of water hanging in restaurants? Doug says: I assume you see the problem. --- ## [Other methods mentioned in the Electroshock Therapy article](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-methods-mentioned-in-the-electroshock-therapy-article/83497)
**Author:** [@mske](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mske)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2001, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-methods-mentioned-in-the-electroshock-therapy-article/83497 "2001-09-24T18:48:00Z")
In Cecil’s article about electroshock therapy, he mentions four different treatments that were introduced in the 30s. Electroshock, lobotomy, insulin coma therapy, and metrazol convulsion therapy. I know what the first … --- ## ['dead' celebrities writer is a dickhead!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dead-celebrities-writer-is-a-dickhead/83167)
**Author:** [@ritalinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ritalinboy)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2001, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dead-celebrities-writer-is-a-dickhead/83167 "2001-09-24T13:10:26Z")
Of course Cecil cannot tell you about any successful death fakings, if they were successful, noone knows about them, would they, that is what makes them successful! Think son, next time. Link to column, added by Dex: H… --- ## [celeb disappearances](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celeb-disappearances/83068)
**Author:** [@eviladam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eviladam)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2001, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celeb-disappearances/83068 "2001-09-24T00:57:40Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/010921.html Bettie Page completely disappeared at the peak of her popularity, recently E! did a true hollywood story on her career. I was working at Playboy’s catalog division when sh… --- ## [hiccups](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hiccups/83047)
**Author:** [@Nonny\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nonny_Mouse)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2001, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hiccups/83047 "2001-09-22T23:19:45Z")
I was just reading an old column on the subject of hiccups, and was astonished - as I usually am when reading anything about this subject - that my own favorite cure was not mentioned. I know I can’t be the only one in h… --- ## [Moved thread: ''celeb fake deaths'' by Hayden Wetzel](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moved-thread-celeb-fake-deaths-by-hayden-wetzel/83065)
**Author:** [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2001, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moved-thread-celeb-fake-deaths-by-hayden-wetzel/83065 "2001-09-21T18:55:09Z")
The thread celeb fake deaths started by Hayden Wetzel has been moved to Comments on Cecil’s columns. Follow the link: http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=88616 --- ## [celeb fake deaths](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celeb-fake-deaths/82997)
**Author:** [@Hayden\_Wetzel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hayden_Wetzel)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2001, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celeb-fake-deaths/82997 "2001-09-21T18:51:32Z")
i recall reading a biography of czar alexander I of russia which made a good claim that alexander faked his death so that he could retire to a monastary. the evidence cited was mostly circumstantial but persuasive enough… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=254) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=256)