# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=261 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 262 --- ## [Spontaneous Human Combustion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spontaneous-human-combustion/72967)
**Author:** [@kymri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kymri)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2001, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spontaneous-human-combustion/72967 "2001-07-18T21:16:42Z")
I hope that Cecil will read this. Cecil, in your column about SHC (Spontaneous Human Combustion) http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1\_205b.html, your explaination in the update makes a lot of sense, but it doesn’t se… --- ## [Ways to get on base with out getting a hit](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ways-to-get-on-base-with-out-getting-a-hit/72957)
**Author:** [@NYR407](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NYR407)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2001, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ways-to-get-on-base-with-out-getting-a-hit/72957 "2001-07-18T20:43:34Z")
This topic was revisited last year but I still believe there are ways that have not been mentioned. If they have, then I apologize. Cecil states there are 5 ways to get on base w/o getting a hit. However, I did not see a… --- ## [Which will keep you drier, running through the rain or walking?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-will-keep-you-drier-running-through-the-rain-or-walking/72928)
**Author:** [@pawlowski](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pawlowski)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2001, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-will-keep-you-drier-running-through-the-rain-or-walking/72928 "2001-07-18T15:42:42Z")
I think what determines the amount of soaking you experience when you cover the distance from A to B (dx) in the rain are the following factors: A) apparent speed (Va) f the rain, consisting of two factors The vertica… --- ## [Rock, Paper, Scissors](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-paper-scissors/71626)
**Author:** [@Alan\_Smithee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alan_Smithee)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2001, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-paper-scissors/71626 "2001-07-17T12:16:12Z")
That was certainly an amusing column about RPS, SDSTAFF Veg, but I’ve still got some doubts. I mean come on–the World RPS Society is obviously a joke! I’m afraid your “sarcas-o-meter” is on the blink. “\[T\]comprehensive r… --- ## [Cult vs. Religion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cult-vs-religion/926)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2001, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cult-vs-religion/926 "2001-07-17T07:45:53Z")
One subtle distinction omitted from the Mailbag answer to “what is the difference between a church and cult,” is that some cults are not necessarily religious in nature. In “Why People Believe Weird Things,” Michael Sher… --- ## [Gimme Crack(ed) Corn](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gimme-crack-ed-corn/72729)
**Author:** [@Andrew\_J.Ford](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andrew_J.Ford)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2001, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gimme-crack-ed-corn/72729 "2001-07-16T23:42:43Z")
Gee, I wasn’t sure anyone would even read my earlier post. As long as I know people are reading, I’ll finish what I know (heard) on the subject. In the same CBS profile, the folk historian indicated that cracked corn was… --- ## [Inventing the Slinky](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inventing-the-slinky/71711)
**Author:** [@AJCook](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AJCook)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2001, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inventing-the-slinky/71711 "2001-07-16T19:18:45Z")
I had heard once, as a kid many years ago, that the slinky was invented as an attempt to develop a compact radio antenna for field radio operators in war; being a fun toy, too, was “accidental”. Cecil’s recent descripti… --- ## [So what's up with RO15-4513?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-up-with-ro15-4513/72532)
**Author:** [@Starbury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starbury)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2001, 10:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-up-with-ro15-4513/72532 "2001-07-16T10:50:59Z")
Sitting here anticipating a possible headache when I wake up tomorrow, I remembered a drug, RO15-4513, that Cecil mentioned that would supposedly result in “instant sobriety” (More of the Straight Dope, p. 233). When he … --- ## [Can humans really spurt blood like in movies?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-humans-really-spurt-blood-like-in-movies/70342)
**Author:** [@PolarField](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PolarField)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2001, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-humans-really-spurt-blood-like-in-movies/70342 "2001-07-15T06:56:40Z")
In regard to the staff report, “Can humans really spurt blood like in movies?” I’m going to leave a personal experience. I once saw someone shot in the stomach twice at close range here in Los Angeles in a Japanese arca… --- ## [Smart Alec . . . Panel Game?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-alec-panel-game/72235)
**Author:** [@RiverRunner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RiverRunner)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2001, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-alec-panel-game/72235 "2001-07-15T00:54:19Z")
Re: Column of 7/12 ( http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/msmartalec.html ): " . . . operated a con called the “panel game,” a method by which prostitutes and their pimps robbed foolish customers. " \* You can’t just… --- ## [MOVED - Avogadro's Number](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moved-avogadros-number/72488)
**Author:** [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2001, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moved-avogadros-number/72488 "2001-07-14T16:26:31Z")
The thread «Avogadro’s Number», started by cwu, has been moved to the «Comments on Staff Reports» forum. moderator, «Comments on Cecil’s Columns» --- ## [RPS Invention Date? I don't think so...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rps-invention-date-i-dont-think-so/72095)
**Author:** [@Ron\_Chinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ron_Chinn)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2001, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rps-invention-date-i-dont-think-so/72095 "2001-07-14T05:45:03Z")
I am truly impressed that Celtic settlers were playing Rock-Paper-Scissors in the 6th Century B.C. Especially because paper wasn’t invented until about the first century A.D. sigh --- ## [Indonesian Rock, Paper, Scissors](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/indonesian-rock-paper-scissors/71571)
**Author:** [@Beruang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beruang)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2001, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/indonesian-rock-paper-scissors/71571 "2001-07-13T20:26:23Z")
OK, first the link, so the Mods don’t yell at me again… http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mrockpaper.html Now the quote: ================================= One of the most humorous variations comes from Indonesia an… --- ## [MOVED - Kiss of the Dragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moved-kiss-of-the-dragon/72251)
**Author:** [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2001, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moved-kiss-of-the-dragon/72251 "2001-07-12T19:11:04Z")
The thread «Kiss of the Dragon», started by kymri, has been moved to the «General Questions» forum. moderator, «Comments on Cecil’s Columns» --- ## [Copernicus invented bread and butter? Yeah, right, and Einstein invented PB&J](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copernicus-invented-bread-and-butter-yeah-right-and-einstein-invented-pb-j/72165)
**Author:** [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2001, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copernicus-invented-bread-and-butter-yeah-right-and-einstein-invented-pb-j/72165 "2001-07-12T19:03:29Z")
This isn’t about a Straight Dope column per se, but about a quiz answer in More of the Straight Dope. The question is on page 222, and the answer (such as it is) is on page 473-4. We are asked to believe that “Nicolaus C… --- ## [Fan deaths well known outside of Korea, unfortunately...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fan-deaths-well-known-outside-of-korea-unfortunately/72202)
**Author:** [@Morrison\_s\_Lament](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morrison_s_Lament)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2001, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fan-deaths-well-known-outside-of-korea-unfortunately/72202 "2001-07-12T12:22:59Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a970912.html Cecil, and the person who asked the question, both seem to have the idea that “Fan Death Phenomenon” is exclusive to Korea, but I’m afraid not. I was recently borrowing … --- ## [Rock, Paper, Scissors (Roshambo)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-paper-scissors-roshambo/71737)
**Author:** [@SATANICED](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SATANICED)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2001, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-paper-scissors-roshambo/71737 "2001-07-11T12:09:00Z")
In response to the article on the origins of Rock, Paper, Scissors. The article mentioned that the game was also known as Roshambo. If you are an avid South Park watcher, you would have known that it is a game that both … --- ## [Ancient Origins/Mentions of Pizza?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ancient-origins-mentions-of-pizza/61677)
**Author:** [@Abe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Abe)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2001, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ancient-origins-mentions-of-pizza/61677 "2001-07-11T12:07:06Z")
regarding the staff report http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mpizza.html In Virgil’s Aeneid, it was prophesied that Aeneas and his crew would know that they had finally reached the site of their new home when they wou… --- ## [Are the stars really all burned out, and all we see is the glow? (05-Apr-2000)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-stars-really-all-burned-out-and-all-we-see-is-the-glow-05-apr-2000/71197)
**Author:** [@Joe\_Zaza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joe_Zaza)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 10, 2001, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-stars-really-all-burned-out-and-all-we-see-is-the-glow-05-apr-2000/71197 "2001-07-10T20:12:07Z")
I won’t bother disclaiming myself as not intelligent 'cuz it seems that no matter how much one tries to present himself as humble, this guy seems to zing 'em every time… About the sun ‘blinking out’ at 5AM… although ‘bl… --- ## [And you were worried about the candirú!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-you-were-worried-about-the-candiru/71530)
**Author:** [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2001, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-you-were-worried-about-the-candiru/71530 "2001-07-09T23:00:04Z")
Re this column: Can the candirú fish swim upstream into your urethra? Check out the claim here: http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/2001/07/06/FFX6HAXEROC.html --- ## [Origins of the word 'hep'](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origins-of-the-word-hep/71655)
**Author:** [@Thursday](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thursday)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2001, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origins-of-the-word-hep/71655 "2001-07-09T18:47:44Z")
I was just reading in the archives and came across the ‘hep’ controversy. In Bill Bryson’s book Made In America (a history of the English language in the USA), he claims that there is a Wolof (an Africanlanguage) word ‘h… --- ## [Why do women have orgasms?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-women-have-orgasms/207)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2001, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-women-have-orgasms/207 "2001-07-09T17:37:06Z")
Hi, Uncle C! In your column on the purpose of hymens, you state that no-one knows why women have orgasms. Sorry to bust your blissfully ignorant male bubble, sweetie, but the answer to this particular conundrum has rece… --- ## [Concerning GATTACA...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerning-gattaca/71674)
**Author:** [@IwearSocks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IwearSocks)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2001, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerning-gattaca/71674 "2001-07-09T00:54:23Z")
GATTACA? A DNA sequence? Could be, says I. Wacky screenplay writers, mayhap. Yet. Picasso mural, 25-foot. Relevant, yes? Reference, mayhap? Possible, yes? Interest in Picasso, lacking. Enlighten, mayhap? -Iwear Socks --- ## [Santa Fe](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santa-fe/71269)
**Author:** [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 7, 2001, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santa-fe/71269 "2001-07-07T15:31:09Z")
Most towns beginning with “Santa” are named after saints. So who was Fe? Cecil’s correspondents Charlie and Linda didn’t mention which Santa Fe they had in mind. There is also a Santa Fe, Argentina, which was originally… --- ## [Bizarre claims of a Homeopath!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bizarre-claims-of-a-homeopath/70848)
**Author:** [@snifter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snifter)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2001, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bizarre-claims-of-a-homeopath/70848 "2001-07-06T17:03:25Z")
I read Cecils’ column on homeopathy, at http://www.straightdope.com/columns/000225.html After reading it, I started cruising the net looking at what these quacks really claim. I found one site that is rather bizarre, t… --- ## [Great piece about Ramen, but...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-piece-about-ramen-but/68695)
**Author:** [@splinky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/splinky)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [July 4, 2001, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-piece-about-ramen-but/68695 "2001-07-04T22:52:08Z")
It’s Nissin, not Nissan. Lots of great info, though. I love those little noodles. --- ## [Bicycles with and without top bars](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycles-with-and-without-top-bars/66578)
**Author:** [@maribert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maribert)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 4, 2001, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycles-with-and-without-top-bars/66578 "2001-07-04T22:28:58Z")
I (male) have never even owned a bicycle with a top bar, not because of the concrete fear of testicle injury, but because I have an uneasy feeling with the top bar between my legs. I somehow feel trapped, as if I can’t g… --- ## [More on Chinese Foot Binding](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-on-chinese-foot-binding/71038)
**Author:** [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 4, 2001, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-on-chinese-foot-binding/71038 "2001-07-04T11:27:07Z")
What’s the story on the ancient Chinese custom of binding women’s feet? In case anyone is curious, there is a picture of bound and unbound feet (oo-la-la!) on this site: http://starbulletin.com/98/03/10/features/story1… --- ## [Teratomas: or tumors with hair, teeth, organs....](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teratomas-or-tumors-with-hair-teeth-organs/69237)
**Author:** [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2001, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teratomas-or-tumors-with-hair-teeth-organs/69237 "2001-07-02T17:38:16Z")
Link: http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a981002a.html Oh! So that’s what that was! (I guess.) I heard a story about a woman obstetrician delivering what was supposedly a baby and finding it to be just an amorphous ba… --- ## [The Sound of One Hand Clapping](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sound-of-one-hand-clapping/55)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2001, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sound-of-one-hand-clapping/55 "2001-07-01T21:44:21Z")
Actually, Terry Pratchett had another explanation for the sound of one hand clapping: CL. The other hand makes the AP. On a related note, ‘Mu’ is an interesting word, actually meaning "Your question cannot be answered w… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=260) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=262)