# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=270 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 271 --- ## [cloud "buoyancy"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cloud-buoyancy/57720)
**Author:** [@jrepka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jrepka)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2001, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cloud-buoyancy/57720 "2001-03-14T12:27:13Z")
Ref: Can a cloud weigh as much as a 747? In the discussion section appended to this column, it is implied that clouds stay put because they are lighter than the underlying air. \[q\]The reason that a cloud floats is that … --- ## [Cryptozoologists](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cryptozoologists/55485)
**Author:** [@Ursa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ursa)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2001, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cryptozoologists/55485 "2001-03-13T23:17:57Z")
I have to agree with the estimable Staff that cryptozoology, as a field, ranks right up there with UFO-ology. However, to state that “any legitimate scientist would immediately reject searches for yetis, etc., as total n… --- ## [Round Fluffy Tops](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/round-fluffy-tops/57719)
**Author:** [@jezzaOZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jezzaOZ)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2001, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/round-fluffy-tops/57719 "2001-03-13T19:55:17Z")
In article http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a980313a.html there is a long discussion about the weight of clouds or lack of it. A very good reason why clouds do, as a practical matter, have weight is the round fluffy… --- ## [Rite of Spring/Riots](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rite-of-spring-riots/57601)
**Author:** [@Contrabassoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrabassoon)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2001, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rite-of-spring-riots/57601 "2001-03-13T06:53:29Z")
There were some statements made in this article that need refining (in my opinion). Some might say that I’m splitting hairs, but I really didn’t feel that this article painted an accurate picture of what is going on in t… --- ## [Coke spermicide and air in the vagina](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coke-spermicide-and-air-in-the-vagina/57187)
**Author:** [@minty\_green](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minty_green)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 12, 2001, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coke-spermicide-and-air-in-the-vagina/57187 "2001-03-12T19:08:27Z")
Cecil says blowing air into a vagina can cause death by embolism. Cecil says Coca Cola can be a spermicide of indeterminate efficacy. Snopes.com expands on the Coke spermicide, claiming: Sounds like a whole lot of in… --- ## [U.S. going metric?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-going-metric/52463)
**Author:** [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [March 12, 2001, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-going-metric/52463 "2001-03-12T15:00:34Z")
Once again, I find The Onion making a surprisingly valid point in the guise of humor. From Whatever happened to adoption of the metric system in the U.S.?, Cecil remarks: \[quote\] It was a typical let’s-please-everybod… --- ## [MDMA vs. PMA](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mdma-vs-pma/57018)
**Author:** [@Rubix\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rubix_3)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [March 12, 2001, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mdma-vs-pma/57018 "2001-03-12T05:08:40Z")
Okay in your article, “Does an ‘ecstasy’ overdose raise your body temperature to 108 degrees?” you painted PMA to be the real evil of the ecstasy debate. What about MDMA? I have lots of friends that tout it as safe as po… --- ## [Russia not finding Alaska](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-not-finding-alaska/56121)
**Author:** [@hebetate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hebetate)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2001, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-not-finding-alaska/56121 "2001-03-10T22:35:38Z")
Maybe PBS (Public Broadcasting Station) was wrong but I KnoW that I saw a documentary with a man pointing over the sea to Russia and saying that on clear days you can see to Russia from here. Did noone live in that part … --- ## [Little Ed in the WSJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/little-ed-in-the-wsj/57234)
**Author:** [@Billdo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Billdo)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2001, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/little-ed-in-the-wsj/57234 "2001-03-10T16:52:22Z")
In today’s Staff Report, What’s the origin of “hot dog”?, our all-around main man and prophet at Cecil’s right hand Ed Zotti takes a stab at answering this age-old question. In doing so, he quotes himself from an articl… --- ## [Pregnant Roundworms](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pregnant-roundworms/55631)
**Author:** [@bungie\_us](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bungie_us)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2001, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pregnant-roundworms/55631 "2001-03-09T15:50:50Z")
From http://www.straightdope.com/columns/010223.html I have just one thing to say. Aiiiiiiiiiieeeeeeeeeeee!!! :eek: --- ## [why SDMB so slow?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-sdmb-so-slow/57268)
**Author:** [@Robbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robbo)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2001, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-sdmb-so-slow/57268 "2001-03-08T21:41:08Z")
Why do the SDMB threads take forever to load (if at all) is it just me? I’ve got a T1 connection, and this is the slowest site I’ve ever been to. --- ## [Names of the weekdays](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-of-the-weekdays/56156)
**Author:** [@NiceGuyJack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NiceGuyJack)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2001, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-of-the-weekdays/56156 "2001-03-08T19:31:21Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_166.html In Cecil’s column explaining why there are seven days to a week, Cecil claims the following: Does Cecil mean to say that the seven days of the week in ancient times wer… --- ## [White "reflects heat"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-reflects-heat/55370)
**Author:** [@Boid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boid)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2001, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-reflects-heat/55370 "2001-03-06T22:01:40Z")
Does black clothing keep you cooler? I’m no expert in thermodynamics, but in the recent report about black vs. white clothing and which keeps you cooler I can’t make sense of the suggestion that white clothes “reflect” … --- ## [Seesil or sessil?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seesil-or-sessil/49913)
**Author:** [@malky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/malky)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2001, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seesil-or-sessil/49913 "2001-03-06T19:52:31Z")
How is Cecil’s name pronounced, or at least how does Cecil prefer it to be pronounced? Here in Australia, and back in my native Britain Cecil is pronounced “Sessil”, but I’ve heard the Yanks prefer “Seesil”. Not a cere… --- ## [Dumb question about Eskimo language and snow](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-question-about-eskimo-language-and-snow/53686)
**Author:** [@don\_Jaime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_Jaime)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2001, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-question-about-eskimo-language-and-snow/53686 "2001-03-06T16:01:35Z")
The Original: http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1\_297.html The Extra Crispy: http://www.straightdope.com/columns/010202.html Good information, but one fundamentally irrelevant question remains: How do you say “Lo… --- ## [Turkeys is as turkeys does](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turkeys-is-as-turkeys-does/56923)
**Author:** [@woolly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woolly)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2001, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turkeys-is-as-turkeys-does/56923 "2001-03-06T14:05:10Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a980306b.html In addition to being large, slow growing, less productive birds, there is another husbandry reason why you don’t see turkey eggs … turkey poults are probably the dumbes… --- ## [MOVED - your moon hoax article](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moved-your-moon-hoax-article/56910)
**Author:** [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2001, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moved-your-moon-hoax-article/56910 "2001-03-06T06:59:40Z")
The thread «your moon hoax article», started by dahow, has been moved to the «Comments on Staff Reports» forum. moderator, «Comments on Cecil’s Columns» --- ## [Origins of XXX Symbol](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origins-of-xxx-symbol/51728)
**Author:** [@tiny\_ham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiny_ham)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2001, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origins-of-xxx-symbol/51728 "2001-03-05T12:49:50Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mxxx.html I’m researching the history of Amsterdam and the Red Light District for a book I’m writing, and stumbled across this: http://hipplanet.com/amsterdam/redlight.htm Could th… --- ## [MOVED-- Sparking Grapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moved-sparking-grapes/56736)
**Author:** [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2001, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moved-sparking-grapes/56736 "2001-03-04T18:38:14Z")
The thread Sparking Grapes, started by Noisia, has been moved to General Questions. --- ## [Skins game](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skins-game/56080)
**Author:** [@fracrat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fracrat)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2001, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skins-game/56080 "2001-03-03T16:19:35Z")
Have you seen Scottish women? Or their wonderful food? Mmmmmm, haggis! Can’t blame them for opting for a round of golf! --- ## [Sapir-Whorf hypothesis and important words](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sapir-whorf-hypothesis-and-important-words/52760)
**Author:** [@BunRab](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BunRab)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2001, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sapir-whorf-hypothesis-and-important-words/52760 "2001-03-03T15:05:32Z")
What does it say about how a culture’s language reflects its preoccupations, when we realize that there are only two words for tea in most of the world (with some slight spelling variants)? In most of the world’s languag… --- ## [Taxes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taxes/43631)
**Author:** [@NiceGuyJack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NiceGuyJack)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2001, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taxes/43631 "2001-03-02T18:03:28Z")
Not only does Hong Kong have a lower income tax rate, they don’t have sales tax either. It’s the only place I’ve met American born non-Americans. --- ## [MOVED TOPIC: Do Americans get less vacation...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moved-topic-do-americans-get-less-vacation/56529)
**Author:** [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2001, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moved-topic-do-americans-get-less-vacation/56529 "2001-03-02T18:00:55Z")
This topic was started by voivoed, and has been moved to the forum “COMMENTS ON CECIL’S COLUMNS” since the article referred to was a column by Cecil himself, and not by us lowly staff. Link to topic: http://boards.strai… --- ## [Plausable Deniability](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plausable-deniability/56197)
**Author:** [@jezzaOZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jezzaOZ)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2001, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plausable-deniability/56197 "2001-03-02T01:05:55Z")
The article http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mpearlharbor.html summarises the general facts but glosses over the more compelling reasons why the belief of prior knowledge exists. In the first instance, the article do… --- ## [Holocaust Denial](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holocaust-denial/34888)
**Author:** [@Chegg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chegg)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2001, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holocaust-denial/34888 "2001-03-01T17:36:21Z")
Just to follow up on the Mailbag answer regarding the above subject, a very good documentary by Errol Morris came out last year called Mr. Death. It was about a weak-willed little man who happened to be an expert in meth… --- ## [MOVED - Nixon](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moved-nixon/56277)
**Author:** [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2001, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moved-nixon/56277 "2001-02-28T22:06:04Z")
The thread «Nixon», started by DoctorFeelGood, has been moved to the «Great Debates» forum. moderator, «Comments on Cecil’s Columns» --- ## [Why five digits?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-five-digits/53389)
**Author:** [@City\_Gent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/City_Gent)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2001, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-five-digits/53389 "2001-02-28T01:27:18Z")
I don’t think the Staff Report provides much of an answer. The question was why we have five rather than four or six, and the answer was essentially “Because natural selection favored it.” This doesn’t answer why five is… --- ## [Inuits and Vitamin C](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inuits-and-vitamin-c/51318)
**Author:** [@Momotaro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Momotaro)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2001, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inuits-and-vitamin-c/51318 "2001-02-27T16:12:05Z")
After reading Cecil’s column on how Inuits get their Vitamin C, I was wondering: does eating sushi supplement Vitamin C to my diet? Just wondering. Fruits are so incredibly expensive in Japan, the people there must ha… --- ## [Disney and Dali](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disney-and-dali/54648)
**Author:** [@Eutychus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eutychus)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2001, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disney-and-dali/54648 "2001-02-27T04:37:36Z")
Re : http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mdali.html The article was taken almost verbatim from my website (http://www.disneyshorts.org) at the paghe http://www.disneyshorts.org/miscellaneous/destino.htm. I have some of … --- ## [mcduck vs gates?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcduck-vs-gates/55904)
**Author:** [@scroogemcduck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scroogemcduck)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2001, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcduck-vs-gates/55904 "2001-02-26T15:04:38Z")
I cannot believe the staff isn’t able to determine that I am richer than that young upstart, Bill Gates. After all, my money bin holds three cubic acres of money! You could take his entire fortune and it wouldn’t add up … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=269) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=271)