# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=274 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 275 --- ## [Dingo Column](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dingo-column/50707)
**Author:** [@Jmz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jmz)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2001, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dingo-column/50707 "2001-01-20T20:07:02Z")
Might i say thanks for promoting australia as a wonderful place for tourists, cecil. :stuck\_out\_tongue: No, honestly, every word you said was true, but i can imagine health insurers over there laughing when they see the… --- ## [hearing electromagnetic waves?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hearing-electromagnetic-waves/49982)
**Author:** [@Mikahw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mikahw)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2001, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hearing-electromagnetic-waves/49982 "2001-01-20T06:41:58Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/muhf.html in that article, Ian says “and the frequency from 300-3000 Hz, which was thankfully declared unsuitable for long-distance broadcast, except when you shout really loud.” If … --- ## [MOVED-- Maxwell's Demon](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moved-maxwells-demon/50920)
**Author:** [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2001, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moved-maxwells-demon/50920 "2001-01-19T21:34:56Z")
The thread Maxwell’s Demon, started by Neurodoc, has been moved to General Questions. --- ## [Frankenstien- enzymes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frankenstien-enzymes/48942)
**Author:** [@wonderwakko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonderwakko)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2001, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frankenstien-enzymes/48942 "2001-01-19T14:52:43Z")
If you are going to start discussing enzymes, get it right. Some of the main things that break down DNA are the endo and exonuclease functions (5’–\>3’ or 3’–\>5’ , depending on which you are talking about) of DNA polymera… --- ## [moved - Mormon Weddings](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moved-mormon-weddings/50743)
**Author:** [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2001, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moved-mormon-weddings/50743 "2001-01-18T19:49:19Z")
The thread «Mormon Weddings», started by Tamara, has been moved to the «Comments on Staff Reports» forum. moderator, «Comments on Cecil’s Columns» --- ## [Missing article from Straight Dope archives](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/missing-article-from-straight-dope-archives/50394)
**Author:** [@KenYabloughmie\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KenYabloughmie_1)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2001, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/missing-article-from-straight-dope-archives/50394 "2001-01-18T16:56:15Z")
anyone remember a straight dope question about DMSO? THIS IS NOT THE TOXIC LADY QUESTION. i am absolutely positive that there was(within the last calendar year) a question answered about DMSO. DMSO is a rather controve… --- ## [Cayce and Psoriasis](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cayce-and-psoriasis/50481)
**Author:** [@DaveW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaveW)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2001, 7:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cayce-and-psoriasis/50481 "2001-01-17T07:40:58Z")
SDSTAFF David: Wow. Yet another David with psoriasis. I’ve done a bunch of writing myself about the Cayce/psoriasis mess. Dr. John O. A. Pagano, a chiropractor, is busily selling a book about a diet which supposedly ‘c… --- ## [Scooby Dum?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scooby-dum/47304)
**Author:** [@KJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KJ)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2001, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scooby-dum/47304 "2001-01-17T07:17:38Z")
What exactly is Scooby Dum’s relationship to Scooby Doo? In most cases, he’s referred to as being Scooby Doo’s cousin, but I saw at least one episode where Dum was Doo’s brother. What’s with that? Is this one of those th… --- ## [Rolling Rock "33"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rolling-rock-33/49274)
**Author:** [@Bluto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bluto)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2001, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rolling-rock-33/49274 "2001-01-16T17:49:03Z")
Ok, this is a simple one. The 33 on the bottom of every can and bottle was placed there back in 1937 or whenever they first started to make RR. Back in the day people were paid by how many numbers you submitted. Well wh… --- ## [Siphons -- not a draw, an experiment!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/siphons-not-a-draw-an-experiment/49821)
**Author:** [@pjcamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjcamp)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2001, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/siphons-not-a-draw-an-experiment/49821 "2001-01-16T13:26:59Z")
(1) Nature does not abhor a vacuum. This is an Aristotelian notion, and it is unbecoming of Cecil to slouch towards Aristotelianism. In fact, it appears that nature loves a vacuum since most of the universe is made out o… --- ## [Bob and the Church of the Subgenius](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bob-and-the-church-of-the-subgenius/50184)
**Author:** [@Janx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Janx)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2001, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bob-and-the-church-of-the-subgenius/50184 "2001-01-15T18:56:54Z")
Now wait a miniute, I remember the face of Bob from Pee Wee´s funhouse as well as various other places (lots of ASCII art with his mug) but the face of “Bob” is “Bob Appelton” from the National Lampoon cartoon series… --- ## [Meaning of Trolls](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meaning-of-trolls/49218)
**Author:** [@notrollsplease](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notrollsplease)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2001, 9:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meaning-of-trolls/49218 "2001-01-15T09:19:47Z")
While Cecil’s staff is dedicated and thorough, they’ve missed what is probably the most important meaning of “trolls” in this context. in the gay community, a troll is an older (and obviously undesirable) male. frequentl… --- ## [Phil's "In the Air Tonight" vs. Eminem's "Stan"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phils-in-the-air-tonight-vs-eminems-stan/49668)
**Author:** [@GoodTwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GoodTwin)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2001, 8:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phils-in-the-air-tonight-vs-eminems-stan/49668 "2001-01-15T08:19:54Z")
Songbird says, “Just like Eminem (who obviously did not drown, contrary to the above lyrics), Collins was using a metaphor.” I’m not sure this is an accurate statement, because there shouldn’t be anything in the quoted … --- ## [female flagellants](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/female-flagellants/49967)
**Author:** [@shell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shell)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2001, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/female-flagellants/49967 "2001-01-15T03:18:46Z")
Is/was flagellation something practiced by both genders or is it purely a guy thing? http://www.straightdope.com/columns/010112.html (link fixed by moderator - if you want an URL to “automagically” turn into a link, ma… --- ## [Shame on you, Cecil!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shame-on-you-cecil/49837)
**Author:** [@Origato](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Origato)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2001, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shame-on-you-cecil/49837 "2001-01-13T22:21:20Z")
Letting that guy think it was ‘flatulence’, not ‘flagellants’! You never quite made that clear in the column… --- ## [MOVED - Major Tom](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moved-major-tom/49879)
**Author:** [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2001, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moved-major-tom/49879 "2001-01-13T18:37:08Z")
The thread «Major Tom», started by red1g9, has been moved to the «Comments on Staff Reports or Mailbag Answers» forum. moderator, «Comments on Cecil’s Columns» --- ## [Major Tom](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-tom/49301)
**Author:** [@red1g9](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/red1g9)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2001, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-tom/49301 "2001-01-13T18:35:25Z")
The column on Major Tom (as in the David Bowie songs) was pretty spot on. I have to admit I’d never thought about the song having roots in reality. (Although, of course, the reference to 2001, A Space Oddyssey, is inesca… --- ## [The "Real Millennium"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-real-millennium/48114)
**Author:** [@december](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/december)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2001, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-real-millennium/48114 "2001-01-12T23:12:24Z")
Here’s another POV regarding Cecil’s discussion of whether the new millenium really began in 2000 or 2001. Link: http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1\_130.html Try this thought experiment: Suppose that starting yeste… --- ## [Circus Peanuts!!!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/circus-peanuts/49621)
**Author:** [@Kailur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kailur)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2001, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/circus-peanuts/49621 "2001-01-12T22:05:37Z")
Turns out, just yesterday, before reading the article on Circus Peanuts, I had read something else about Circus Peanuts. it is quite funny. Here’s the address: The Ultimate Bad Candy Website - Circus Peanuts (link fixed… --- ## [Stars on crutches](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stars-on-crutches/49607)
**Author:** [@Bolo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bolo)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2001, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stars-on-crutches/49607 "2001-01-12T21:25:35Z")
http://www.fortunecity.de/spielberg/quincy/28/index.htm Is there any limit to the stupid stuff you can find on the net! --- ## [How far can ants see?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-can-ants-see/39405)
**Author:** [@tamulis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tamulis)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2001, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-can-ants-see/39405 "2001-01-12T17:01:10Z")
Oh, come on, the answer of “ants see as well as digital cameras” is not believable. Where is the evidence that ants see one “pixel” per eye? Where is the evidence that ants and other crustaceans have “only a few thousand… --- ## [Female circumcision](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/female-circumcision/48344)
**Author:** [@Jenin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jenin)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2001, 10:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/female-circumcision/48344 "2001-01-12T10:45:28Z")
I read with interest Cecil’s explanation of female circumcision. I was disheartened to read how it was, once again, linked to Muslims, or as was stated in the article, to African and Middle Eastern countries. As a Muslim… --- ## [Cat claws and ringworm](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-claws-and-ringworm/48646)
**Author:** [@flavius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flavius)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2001, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-claws-and-ringworm/48646 "2001-01-12T00:18:33Z")
In response to the post Do cats have poison claws? I would have to agree that the answer is “Usually, yes.” I was once attempting to convince a generally wild and non house-loving kittly that it was time to come inside. … --- ## [jesus h. christ](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jesus-h-christ/49599)
**Author:** [@malky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/malky)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2001, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jesus-h-christ/49599 "2001-01-11T23:52:15Z")
This is my first posting on this site, and I got here by virtue of the subject above: “why do people say Jesus H Christ?” It’s a very old thread, I believe, I came through an archive page. I’m determined to answer the d… --- ## [SHC: Mary Reeser's Skull](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shc-mary-reesers-skull/49471)
**Author:** [@DaveoRad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaveoRad)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2001, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shc-mary-reesers-skull/49471 "2001-01-11T19:46:55Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1\_205b.html I won’t get into the issue of whether SHC actually happens. Cecil’s article describes “a shrunken skull the size of a baseball”. This widely quoted “fact” is probably u… --- ## [Prince Philip - was that necessary, Cecil?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-philip-was-that-necessary-cecil/40111)
**Author:** [@Esprix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprix)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2001, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-philip-was-that-necessary-cecil/40111 "2001-01-11T16:04:32Z")
Far be it from me to question our own Cecil, wise as he is, but I’m going to take (slight) objection to the first sentence in the recently re-posted classic “A king’s wife is a queen, so why is Elizabeth II’s husband sti… --- ## [It is Victor Frankenstein, not Dr. Frankenstein](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-victor-frankenstein-not-dr-frankenstein/48274)
**Author:** [@Pyrrhonist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pyrrhonist)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2001, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-victor-frankenstein-not-dr-frankenstein/48274 "2001-01-11T11:58:57Z")
Reading Son of Dex’s reply on the Frankenstein’s monster reminded me of a very common misconception and I think it is time to set the record straight about Mary Shelly’s character Victor Frankenstein: he wasn’t a Dr. Ho… --- ## [Cat Scratch Fever - or just allergic???](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-scratch-fever-or-just-allergic/49215)
**Author:** [@scout1222](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scout1222)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2001, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-scratch-fever-or-just-allergic/49215 "2001-01-11T05:31:47Z")
Perhaps a more basic explanation for the way the scratches swell up is that said person is allergic to cats. I had a cat as a child, and only after we got it did I realize I was allergic (how convenient). Whenever I’d p… --- ## [Caterpillar Sex](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caterpillar-sex/45632)
**Author:** [@NanoByte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NanoByte)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2001, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caterpillar-sex/45632 "2001-01-11T04:09:27Z")
\[Not yet online\] Seems George was pretty hard on “Axiomsj”, but the latter deserved it. . .for not cutting his pre-school classes to put cocoons in jars and wait for butterflies to develop. Nader didn’t make it very fa… --- ## [Cats & Dogs: Catadupa and Cata doxa](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-dogs-catadupa-and-cata-doxa/49305)
**Author:** [@CheBanana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CheBanana)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2001, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-dogs-catadupa-and-cata-doxa/49305 "2001-01-11T00:49:09Z")
Attempting to tackle the origin of “Its raining cats and dogs” Cecil proposes, inter alia, that: “It comes from the Greek catadupe, waterfall…It comes from the Latin cata doxas, contrary to experience, i.e., it’s raining… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=273) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=275)