# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=265 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 266 --- ## [Blowin in the Wind](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blowin-in-the-wind/63180)
**Author:** [@Beefcliff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beefcliff)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 19, 2001, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blowin-in-the-wind/63180 "2001-05-19T02:27:58Z")
Heh, I’d just like to say that my mother and aunt attended Millburn high school. (where the “author” of the song, Wyatt came from). Anyway I was raised on the story that Dylan was a jerk and “Aunt Ritas friend” got a 100… --- ## [Follow up question to Earthworm report](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/follow-up-question-to-earthworm-report/65794)
**Author:** [@NiceGuyJack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NiceGuyJack)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2001, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/follow-up-question-to-earthworm-report/65794 "2001-05-18T13:19:47Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mwormsna.html If the 30 varieties were virtually identical, wouldn’t that indicate that they could interbreed creating new hybrid species? If they are virtually identical, how can you… --- ## [MOVED - Intelligence Services in the UK](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moved-intelligence-services-in-the-uk/65669)
**Author:** [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2001, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moved-intelligence-services-in-the-uk/65669 "2001-05-17T12:23:49Z")
The thread «Intelligence Services in the UK», started by Gartog, has been moved to the «Comments on Staff Reports» forum. moderator, «Comments on Cecil’s Columns» --- ## [Other tricks in the Bible Code](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-tricks-in-the-bible-code/65518)
**Author:** [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2001, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-tricks-in-the-bible-code/65518 "2001-05-17T01:47:12Z")
Referencing http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mbiblecode.html Drosnin also used the trick that most people don’t know Hebrew, to his advantage, in other ways. When a grid of Hebrew is sitting in front of you, it’s … --- ## [Intelligence Services in the UK](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intelligence-services-in-the-uk/65613)
**Author:** [@Gartog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gartog)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2001, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intelligence-services-in-the-uk/65613 "2001-05-17T01:37:43Z")
The was recently a staff report http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mspyagencies.html which listed the 13 intelligence services in the US - I’ve been looking for a UK equivalent but can’t find one. Can you help? Thanks, … --- ## [Light Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/light-guns/65110)
**Author:** [@yastobaal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yastobaal)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2001, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/light-guns/65110 "2001-05-16T06:38:56Z")
Cecil has explained how the old lightguns work but how do the lastest lightguns work? I find it hard to believe that the arcade guns and the ‘pixel perfect’ targeting of the playstation guns are using the same method. --- ## [Nazi/Krups UL surfaces again...NYTimes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nazi-krups-ul-surfaces-again-nytimes/63851)
**Author:** [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2001, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nazi-krups-ul-surfaces-again-nytimes/63851 "2001-05-15T13:41:06Z")
Here’s the article: True, they’re just reporting on the behavior of (misguided) individuals, but they never bother to note that Krups didn’t particularly profit from the war (at least, no more/differently than they d… --- ## [Potential of Sound](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potential-of-sound/65417)
**Author:** [@wesharries](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wesharries)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2001, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potential-of-sound/65417 "2001-05-15T01:45:17Z")
While reading a recent column adressing the possibility of death caused by high amplitude sound waves, it reminded me of an interview with the great Frank Zappa, who had given the topic some thought, and had some more re… --- ## ["...naming it first" specifically name change](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naming-it-first-specifically-name-change/65437)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2001, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naming-it-first-specifically-name-change/65437 "2001-05-15T01:13:06Z")
“Is it illegal to take a newborn home from the hospital without naming it first?” was the title of a current Cecil repost. In it he mentioned common law and said, “But such statutes, with their talk of “showing a suffici… --- ## [Frozen Film](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frozen-film/64763)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2001, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frozen-film/64763 "2001-05-14T22:25:55Z")
The prerequisite link: http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mfilmchill.html I work in the Tennessee State dept. of Transportation’s Aerial Photo lab. We use many specialized forms of photographic film, which are all sto… --- ## [Why can't you buy turkey eggs in stores?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-you-buy-turkey-eggs-in-stores/64870)
**Author:** [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2001, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-you-buy-turkey-eggs-in-stores/64870 "2001-05-14T15:37:20Z")
I live in the UK and my local farm shop sells turkey eggs; they are slightly longer in shape than chicken’s eggs, but about the same width/diameter, the surface texture is white mottled with light brown and they have a s… --- ## [Fingerprints](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fingerprints/64958)
**Author:** [@DeepDarkSky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeepDarkSky)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2001, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fingerprints/64958 "2001-05-14T06:33:43Z")
As much as fingerprints may be unique, the way to determine if two fingerprints match is a whole different story. This linke provides some of the information that I think may be more helpful. http://www.linguafranca.co… --- ## [I'm not criticising the Master, of course, but . . .](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-criticising-the-master-of-course-but/64661)
**Author:** [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2001, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-criticising-the-master-of-course-but/64661 "2001-05-12T19:36:34Z")
Cecil, I remember reading your response to the question Do copper bracelets ease pain? when it was first published, and I find I have the same sense of dissatisfaction now. Two paragraphs, Unca Cece’? With the answer b… --- ## [Medieval Gingerbread!!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medieval-gingerbread/64077)
**Author:** [@Olentzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Olentzero)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2001, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medieval-gingerbread/64077 "2001-05-12T19:23:48Z")
The Staff Report this morning was actually pretty cool. Beyond knowing deep in my soul of souls that gingerbread is yummy, I hadn’t given it much thought. Now I’m wondering where I could find recipes for the medieval gi… --- ## [M. Fillmore & Z. Taylor](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/m-fillmore-z-taylor/64804)
**Author:** [@FarmerOak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FarmerOak)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2001, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/m-fillmore-z-taylor/64804 "2001-05-12T02:01:11Z")
Any and every reference at my disposal (and they are not inconsiderable) indicates that Zachary Taylor died of gastroenteritis after consuming iced milk and CHERRIES, not STRAWBERRIES, as Unca Cecil so blithely asserts. … --- ## [Touch Screens](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/touch-screens/64921)
**Author:** [@nelamm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelamm)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2001, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/touch-screens/64921 "2001-05-11T22:57:29Z")
Well, Cecil, you answered a long standing question of mine- the one about the light guns. Two things, though: You said that when the trigger is pulled, the screen goes dark. Is this too quick for us to see? Do touch sc… --- ## [Chronos' Mouse, Martyr in the Fight Against Ignorance](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chronos-mouse-martyr-in-the-fight-against-ignorance/65001)
**Author:** [@Olentzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Olentzero)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2001, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chronos-mouse-martyr-in-the-fight-against-ignorance/65001 "2001-05-10T17:27:15Z")
Yo Chronos, spill it - what happened to your mouse? I don’t have a plasma ball lamp so I’m not about to attempt the same thing, but I’m curious as to what actually happened when you did it. --- ## [Sealing nose & sneezing - really possible?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sealing-nose-sneezing-really-possible/63625)
**Author:** [@Snaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snaf)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2001, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sealing-nose-sneezing-really-possible/63625 "2001-05-10T15:25:49Z")
In Cecil’s recent article about holding in sneezes - http://www.straightdope.com/columns/010427.html - the questioner claims to be able to contain her sneezes “by quickly holding my nose and shutting my mouth.” When I w… --- ## [My upper arms hurt when I sneeze](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-upper-arms-hurt-when-i-sneeze/63587)
**Author:** [@AndyKeats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AndyKeats)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2001, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-upper-arms-hurt-when-i-sneeze/63587 "2001-05-09T16:01:38Z")
Re: http://www.straightdope.com/columns/010427.html Sometimes when I sneeze (I don’t hold it in), my upper arms and shoulders hurt and feel … “weird” for several seconds. Could this be related to the blood-pressure-incr… --- ## [Scooby Doo](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scooby-doo/64844)
**Author:** [@Jaden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaden)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2001, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scooby-doo/64844 "2001-05-09T13:32:16Z")
Actually, Scooby Dee is Scooby Doo’s sister, as stated in one episode where all three siblings, Scooby Doo, Scooby Dum, and Scooby Dee get together. Scrappy Doo is Scooby Dee’s son. One imagines that Dee was her married … --- ## [\[you\] See Spot run](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-see-spot-run/64375)
**Author:** [@Cheeses\_Priced\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheeses_Priced_1)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2001, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-see-spot-run/64375 "2001-05-08T19:52:44Z")
Isn’t that how it should be… with an understood “you”? Sure as hell makes a lot more sense like that. --- ## [See Spot Run](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/see-spot-run/64242)
**Author:** [@Sprought](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sprought)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2001, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/see-spot-run/64242 "2001-05-08T17:42:10Z")
Hm…“See spot run” sounds imperative to me. sprought --- ## [Do copper bracelets ease pain?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-copper-bracelets-ease-pain/64711)
**Author:** [@jim\_leek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jim_leek)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2001, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-copper-bracelets-ease-pain/64711 "2001-05-08T13:32:33Z")
If you’re in enough pain, you’ll do anything to stop it. I had crippling sciatic pain and I would have bought a copper bracelet in a carnival if I thought it would help. (In fact, I considered it.) Sadly, the copper bra… --- ## [The column about bugs caught in ears](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-column-about-bugs-caught-in-ears/64115)
**Author:** [@krong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/krong)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [May 7, 2001, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-column-about-bugs-caught-in-ears/64115 "2001-05-07T16:37:30Z")
I dunno if it happens often, but I definately had a fly caught in my middle ear before. No idea how it got there. All of a sudden I got the most intense buzzing sound in my ear. Even worse than that was that I could feel… --- ## [Glad, Mad, Sad, Moss-clad](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/glad-mad-sad-moss-clad/1212)
**Author:** [@Dystopos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dystopos)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 7, 2001, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/glad-mad-sad-moss-clad/1212 "2001-05-07T06:13:18Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a3\_259b.html Re: Rhyming words representing the character of the 4 bodily humors: Sanguine = glad Melancholy = sad Bilious = mad Phlegmatic = staid I know it’s not a perfect rhy… --- ## [harsh words](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harsh-words/64413)
**Author:** [@PASSWORD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PASSWORD)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 7, 2001, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harsh-words/64413 "2001-05-07T01:33:18Z")
In a column on pathological liars, Cecil called people with this problem “pathetic losers”. This is a disorder- no one desreves to be called that. It’s just the same as someone having OCD or ADD- they are born with it an… --- ## [MOVED - Hip, Hep, Hooray!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moved-hip-hep-hooray/64089)
**Author:** [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 7, 2001, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moved-hip-hep-hooray/64089 "2001-05-07T01:14:40Z")
The thread «Hip, Hep, Hooray!», started by Thursday, has been moved to the «Comments on Staff Reports» forum. moderator, «Comments on Cecil’s Columns» --- ## [Human space flight](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-space-flight/63917)
**Author:** [@stevehaddock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stevehaddock)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 7, 2001, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-space-flight/63917 "2001-05-07T01:11:57Z")
Well, who knows? My Grandma (god rest her soul) was born just before the first heavier than air flight in 1904, yet lived well into the era of cheap heavier than air flight (she died this year just shy of her 97th birthd… --- ## [Origin of "hip"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-hip/64426)
**Author:** [@FunnyGuru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FunnyGuru)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2001, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-hip/64426 "2001-05-05T19:54:05Z")
This reminds me of something the late Steve Allen once wrote about the hipster who encountered a farmer holding a shovel. The hipster asked, “What do you do with that shovel, Mr Farmer?”. The farmer replied, “I dig”. T… --- ## [Moved-- \[you\] See Spot run](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moved-you-see-spot-run/64464)
**Author:** [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2001, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moved-you-see-spot-run/64464 "2001-05-05T19:52:07Z")
The thread (you) See Spot Run has been moved to Comments on Cecil’s Columns \[Edited by Chronos on 05-05-2001 at 02:55 PM\] [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=264) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=266)