# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=275 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 276 --- ## [Duct taping cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duct-taping-cats/49169)
**Author:** [@Kid\_Gilligan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kid_Gilligan)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2001, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duct-taping-cats/49169 "2001-01-10T20:23:31Z")
Loved the mental image this column created in my nasty little mind. The only thing better would be listening to cat owners whine about how we don’t understand their germ ridden little parasites. So go on. Vent. Link … --- ## [Hair turning white over a short period of time](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hair-turning-white-over-a-short-period-of-time/49365)
**Author:** [@Alex\_Williams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alex_Williams)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2001, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hair-turning-white-over-a-short-period-of-time/49365 "2001-01-10T19:01:53Z")
Cecil described selective hair loss under stress, with relative sparing of white hairs, as an explanation of hair seeming to turn white overnight, or at least very quickly. I cannot absolutely confirm that, but I can rel… --- ## [Candirú, Cecil, and the Female Aperture](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/candiru-cecil-and-the-female-aperture/49164)
**Author:** [@celester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/celester)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2001, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/candiru-cecil-and-the-female-aperture/49164 "2001-01-10T15:41:45Z")
I realize this is a very lengthy response to a very old column (19 May 2000), but I have to say the subject has been a minor irritant to me ever since its publication. If you’ll graciously permit – As you may recall, Ce… --- ## [Identical snowflakes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identical-snowflakes/48715)
**Author:** [@stormtrax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stormtrax)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2001, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identical-snowflakes/48715 "2001-01-10T08:23:50Z")
Unfortunately, I am well aware of Nancy Knight’s incredibly stupid and useless quest to find identical snowflakes. Awarded well over $100,000 to waste on the project, she had to take an aircraft to the very tops of the c… --- ## [Defibrillation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defibrillation/48597)
**Author:** [@GutteFitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GutteFitte)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2001, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defibrillation/48597 "2001-01-09T16:15:47Z")
Defibrillation doesn’t start the heart, it stops it. The problem with a fibulating heart is that it will kill the muscles in the heart and also not supply the body with fresh blood. The defibulator sends a fairly large s… --- ## [Yankee Doodle](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yankee-doodle/48419)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2001, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yankee-doodle/48419 "2001-01-09T13:37:52Z")
Dex didn’t mention that the term Yankee was originally an ethnic slur directed against the Dutch descendants of New Amsterdam. Apparently many of the Dutch were named Jan Kees, Jan being pronounced yan. Jan is the Dutch… --- ## [Raining Cats and Dogs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raining-cats-and-dogs/49051)
**Author:** [@Freyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freyr)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2001, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raining-cats-and-dogs/49051 "2001-01-09T13:28:52Z")
In this column here Cecil mentions: In Germanic mythology cats were associated with storms and rain, whereas dogs were attendants of Odin the storm god and were symbols of the winds. Ergo, raining cats and dogs means yo… --- ## [Yankee Doodle!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yankee-doodle/48689)
**Author:** [@murg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/murg)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2001, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yankee-doodle/48689 "2001-01-09T13:18:43Z")
Here in Australia we are taught something different! Yankee Doodle went to town, Riding on a pony Stuck a feather in his hat And called it Macaroni. It’s pretty weird, I know… I have no idea who made it up but there… --- ## [Millenial triple-header](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/millenial-triple-header/48178)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2001, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/millenial-triple-header/48178 "2001-01-09T06:36:13Z")
So what are those li’l red icons beside the three columns? teeny little firecrackers? --- ## [Frankenstein](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frankenstein/48244)
**Author:** [@Joe\_Cool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joe_Cool)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2001, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frankenstein/48244 "2001-01-08T19:00:37Z")
I don’t really have much to say about this one, except to point out that it was (to me, anyway) one of the most interesting and most entertaining staff reports I’ve read. Thanks, son of dex. I needed a laugh, and a comp… --- ## [On what if the world stopped spinning](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-what-if-the-world-stopped-spinning/47047)
**Author:** [@rinninboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rinninboy)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2001, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-what-if-the-world-stopped-spinning/47047 "2001-01-08T18:26:25Z")
Cecil, This being my first comment on the SD boards, I’m reluctant to question any of your writing. That said , you missed most of the ramifications of the earth ceasing it’s rotation. On of the first things would be t… --- ## [ELECTRIC FAN DEATHS](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-fan-deaths/47476)
**Author:** [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2001, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-fan-deaths/47476 "2001-01-07T22:55:19Z")
Just read the answer Cecil gave, but he didn’t touch on one thing ( unless I missed it ): The ozone created by the electric motor. Couldn’t THAT be a causative factor in these deaths? Q --- ## [Are north and south horizons equally distant?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-north-and-south-horizons-equally-distant/48358)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2001, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-north-and-south-horizons-equally-distant/48358 "2001-01-07T10:39:37Z")
Check http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1\_167b for what Cecil said regarding horizons. Check http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?postid=1022659#post1022659 for what I say regarding Cecil’s error. He f… --- ## [Déjà vu](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deja-vu/48790)
**Author:** [@elbforaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbforaker)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2001, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deja-vu/48790 "2001-01-07T07:08:43Z")
In one of Cecil’s latest columns, he stated that there were many interpretations of déjà vu, by many scientists. In my experiences with déjà vu, some of them have been very vivd, and one time, i could actually remember t… --- ## [Thre Twinkie Defence](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thre-twinkie-defence/41410)
**Author:** [@Exion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exion)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2001, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thre-twinkie-defence/41410 "2001-01-07T03:20:19Z")
I thought that the twinkie defence had to do with a case involving a diabetic person, who after entering into a hypoglycemic state after not being able to get his hands on his daily Twinkie, assaulted someone and was set… --- ## [What are the seven basic literary plots?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-seven-basic-literary-plots/42639)
**Author:** [@tshirts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tshirts)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2001, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-seven-basic-literary-plots/42639 "2001-01-07T02:27:20Z")
\*\*What are the seven basic literary plots?\*\*24-Nov-2000 I’d always heard the 7 plots were named by Aristotle. Although upon reflection that might have been more in the purview of Aristophanes. Any classical scholars or… --- ## [Another 2¢ on ice cream headache](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-2-on-ice-cream-headache/48571)
**Author:** [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2001, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-2-on-ice-cream-headache/48571 "2001-01-06T16:26:57Z")
Having taken a number of pretty cold showers in my time, I can say that holding your head under the frigid spray for a while gives pretty much the same feeling as ice cream headache. Sounds like another vote for blood ve… --- ## [The First Decade..](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-first-decade/48404)
**Author:** [@Orgazmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orgazmo)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2001, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-first-decade/48404 "2001-01-06T15:44:08Z")
I always thought it was called the O’s (oh’s)… at least with antique cars. I have an '08 (oh-eight) Buick, etc. Or, it is also sometimes referred as the “pre-teens”. There are also web sites devoted to this: http://www.… --- ## [Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xmas/46577)
**Author:** [@K43](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K43)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2001, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xmas/46577 "2001-01-05T23:48:59Z")
What I was told (and I’m Jewish, so what do I know?) is that some Christians feel it sacrilegious to use the name of Christ in ordinary writing, particular when the paper written on might be destroyed. Thus, on the off c… --- ## [Siphon on the Moon?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/siphon-on-the-moon/48603)
**Author:** [@Burning\_Frog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Burning_Frog)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2001, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/siphon-on-the-moon/48603 "2001-01-05T23:40:21Z")
Siphon on the Moon? OK, I’m visualizing Cecil’s siphon working on the Moon, minus the cat and the fish. So, if someone poked a hole with an icepick in the top of the bend, it would “break” the siphon just like on Ear… --- ## [Nasal mucus and chicken soup](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nasal-mucus-and-chicken-soup/48081)
**Author:** [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2001, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nasal-mucus-and-chicken-soup/48081 "2001-01-05T22:22:49Z")
Well, huh. In How does my nose produce so much snot so fast when I have a cold? Cecil mentions the “chicken soup study”. Hey, I remember when the “chicken soup study” came out, a factoid to file in your brain as, “Chicke… --- ## [Yankee Doodle](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yankee-doodle/48414)
**Author:** [@tdudchik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdudchik)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2001, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yankee-doodle/48414 "2001-01-05T04:43:50Z")
Here in Connecticut, where Yankee Doodle is our “State Song” the politically correct state legislature changed the lyrics from “with the girls be handy” to “with the folks be dandy.” --- ## [X in Christ-mas?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/x-in-christ-mas/46591)
**Author:** [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2001, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/x-in-christ-mas/46591 "2001-01-04T22:23:50Z")
Per column Why is Christmas abbreviated Xmas?, we learn that there is no need to “put the christ back in christmas”, as it is still there. I would also like to point out that Jesus most definitely is not “the reason for… --- ## [Decrepusculate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/decrepusculate/47288)
**Author:** [@N\_Cognito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N_Cognito)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2001, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/decrepusculate/47288 "2001-01-04T00:11:38Z")
Cecil used this word in his response to http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a5\_154a.html I can’t find this word in the OED, or any other dictionary. Did Uncle Cecil try to slip in a phoney word, thinking no one would n… --- ## [Eskimo words for snow](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eskimo-words-for-snow/47893)
**Author:** [@toddh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toddh)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2001, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eskimo-words-for-snow/47893 "2001-01-03T22:44:15Z")
The question about how many words Eskimos have for snow is an old topic. Philosophers and linguists once argued about whether one language was “better” at describing snow, or dirt, or science, or philosophy. Benjamin Wh… --- ## [Ganzfeld](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ganzfeld/47485)
**Author:** [@Jeremytt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeremytt)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2001, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ganzfeld/47485 "2001-01-03T04:58:48Z")
I am surprised at Cecil Adams. He might be brilliant, but he understands human nature less than an idiot. He continually, and most especially, quotes the Skeptical Inquirer as if the magazine is fact. That’s unbelievabl… --- ## [Revised Prostitution Column?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/revised-prostitution-column/446)
**Author:** [@tanstaafl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tanstaafl)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2000, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/revised-prostitution-column/446 "2000-12-31T17:24:13Z")
The “Why Is Prostitution Illegal” column ( http://www.straightdope.com/columns/000114.html ) ends with the comment What changed? Was there some information added or corrected or was there something in the original col… --- ## [Birds getting drunk on pyracantha bushes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/birds-getting-drunk-on-pyracantha-bushes/44043)
**Author:** [@Adriatic\_Ionian\_AEgean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Adriatic_Ionian_AEgean)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2000, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/birds-getting-drunk-on-pyracantha-bushes/44043 "2000-12-31T17:20:16Z")
Do they? Birds are often found under the bushes. Some claim the fruit has turned to alcohol, which is hard to believe. I’ve also heard that they simply overeat and lose their flight balance, then can’t fly fast and hig… --- ## [Voodoo dolls](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voodoo-dolls/47794)
**Author:** [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2000, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voodoo-dolls/47794 "2000-12-31T03:43:45Z")
How do I go about making a voodoo doll? Oh, Cecil. Shame on you, you virtual sexist, you. :wink: I had to go look up the Vagina Doll (sorry to doubt the Master, but my “Oh, come on!” Alarm went off), and lo and behold, … --- ## [Paper or plastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paper-or-plastic/46877)
**Author:** [@DrJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrJay)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2000, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paper-or-plastic/46877 "2000-12-30T21:02:16Z")
I believe that Cecil missed an important consideration in his answer to “Paper or plastic?” It seems that his reply assumes that the bag ends up in landfill. However, any upward glance in the now-leafless trees reveals t… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=274) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=276)