# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=276 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 277 --- ## [Spaghetti Physics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spaghetti-physics/44529)
**Author:** [@AWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AWB)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2000, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spaghetti-physics/44529 "2000-12-29T19:55:09Z")
\[sub\]I know it’s been discussed in the past here. But I feel the need for an update.\[/sub\] If pressure variance causes objects to be pushed (blown) away from the higher pressure rather than pulled (sucked) toward the lo… --- ## [References for the SDSAB](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/references-for-the-sdsab/46761)
**Author:** [@onigame](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/onigame)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2000, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/references-for-the-sdsab/46761 "2000-12-29T16:40:00Z")
In “Was George Washington not the first U.S. president?” ( http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mprez1st.html ) CKDextHavn cites Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader as a source. While I don’t dispute this particular answer, … --- ## [The (Other) Good Doctor](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-other-good-doctor/47431)
**Author:** [@onigame](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/onigame)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2000, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-other-good-doctor/47431 "2000-12-29T13:45:20Z")
Both http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mchupacabra.html and http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mpinksnow.html misspell “Dr. Seuss” as “Dr. Suess”. C’mon, guys, I expect better. --- ## [Eyebrows](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eyebrows/47077)
**Author:** [@gregmaster5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gregmaster5)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2000, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eyebrows/47077 "2000-12-29T00:38:58Z")
Besides serving the function of protecting the eyes from moisture; eyebrows also exist as a way to communicate socially by way of communicating emotions. We are creatures of communication. And eyebrows may also exist bec… --- ## [barber poles](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barber-poles/47525)
**Author:** [@Wolfgrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolfgrrl)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2000, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barber-poles/47525 "2000-12-29T00:04:33Z")
As I always understood it, the religious prohibition against Christian doctors performing surgery went back well before the 17th century. In fact, it dates back to 1163 CE. In both France & England, barber-surgeons were … --- ## [Why do older men have hair growing in their noses and ears?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-older-men-have-hair-growing-in-their-noses-and-ears/46983)
**Author:** [@paul\_watkins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/paul_watkins)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2000, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-older-men-have-hair-growing-in-their-noses-and-ears/46983 "2000-12-28T19:54:37Z")
This is not a scientific answer, but…an Australian stand-up comedian once said that hair loss is not hereditary - you simply had shy hair. His hair, he told us, was so shy it eventualy hid under his scalp, but you could … --- ## [Acupuncture works...at least for me](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acupuncture-works-at-least-for-me/1093)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2000, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acupuncture-works-at-least-for-me/1093 "2000-12-28T18:26:02Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/000324.html (link added - Jill) I’m sure you’ll get a thousand postings saying that whatever its scientific value, acupuncture has worked for them. I’m one of those. I consider myse… --- ## [MOVED - Ganzfeld](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moved-ganzfeld/47512)
**Author:** [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2000, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moved-ganzfeld/47512 "2000-12-28T15:41:17Z")
The thread «Ganzfeld», started by Jeremytt, has been moved to the «Comments on Staff Reports or Mailbag Answers» forum. moderator, «Comments on Cecil’s Columns» --- ## [Scooby Doo and Scrappy Doo](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scooby-doo-and-scrappy-doo/47302)
**Author:** [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2000, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scooby-doo-and-scrappy-doo/47302 "2000-12-28T04:11:28Z")
Thank you to Scott for an excellent report on Scooby Doo. http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mscooby.html Thoroughly researched, well-presented, an A+ all around. But, Scott, dear, you DO need to get a life, you know.… --- ## [Why is winter the season for colds, flu, etc.?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-winter-the-season-for-colds-flu-etc/47358)
**Author:** [@Ozma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ozma)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2000, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-winter-the-season-for-colds-flu-etc/47358 "2000-12-27T22:34:06Z")
Someone suggested to me once that the reason cold weather tends to be cold & flu season is simply becayse when it’s cold out, people spend more time indoors with each other, cozily sharing their germs. When the weather’s… --- ## [Origin of Santa Claus -- Re: Night Before Christmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-santa-claus-re-night-before-christmas/47264)
**Author:** [@onigame](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/onigame)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2000, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-santa-claus-re-night-before-christmas/47264 "2000-12-26T20:19:03Z")
The article “Did the popular image of Santa Claus originate in a Coca-Cola ad campaign?” ( http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/msantaclaus.html ) assumes without question that the authorship of “A Visit From St. Nicho… --- ## [burning water](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burning-water/46062)
**Author:** [@pjcamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjcamp)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2000, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burning-water/46062 "2000-12-26T17:56:16Z")
Cecil, whoever that is, states that water is one of the primary oxidation products of combustion. There is an easy way to see this at least with natural gas. Put a pot of cold water on a gas stove and turn on the flame.… --- ## [cordless tool batteries in cold weather](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cordless-tool-batteries-in-cold-weather/47024)
**Author:** [@megold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/megold)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2000, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cordless-tool-batteries-in-cold-weather/47024 "2000-12-25T00:35:48Z")
I store my cordless screwdriver and drill in my garage, where it gets cold in winter and hot in summer (duh!). Before I got married, my wife and I both had cordless screwdrivers, and both of the screwdrivers died at the … --- ## [More of those damn-ugly coelacanths have been found.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-of-those-damn-ugly-coelacanths-have-been-found/43959)
**Author:** [@jab1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jab1)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2000, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-of-those-damn-ugly-coelacanths-have-been-found/43959 "2000-12-24T15:19:04Z")
Cecil wrote about the coelacanth last February. Since then, more of the ugliest fish that have ever swam have been found near the northeast coast of South Africa. (Just 'cause they’re fascinating creatures doesn’t make '… --- ## [MOVED - Eyebrows](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moved-eyebrows/47084)
**Author:** [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2000, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moved-eyebrows/47084 "2000-12-24T14:35:55Z")
The thread «Eyebrows», started by gregmaster5, has been moved to the «Comments on Staff Reports or Mailbag Answers» forum. moderator, «Comments on Cecil’s Columns» --- ## [¡muchas gracias!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/muchas-gracias/46925)
**Author:** [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2000, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/muchas-gracias/46925 "2000-12-24T02:47:20Z")
\[list=A\]\[li\]I want to thank all of the wonderful posters (you know who you are) who take the trouble to provide a link to the Straight Dope column when the poster forgets it in the thread. You make my job so much easier.… --- ## [MOVED: Why do older men have hair growing in their noses and ears?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moved-why-do-older-men-have-hair-growing-in-their-noses-and-ears/47010)
**Author:** [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2000, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moved-why-do-older-men-have-hair-growing-in-their-noses-and-ears/47010 "2000-12-23T18:45:14Z")
The thread «Why do older men have hair growing in their noses and ears?», started by paul watkins, has been moved to the «Comments on Cecil’s Columns» forum. (edited to correct link) moderator, «Straight Dope Message … --- ## [Which freezes faster, hot water or cold water?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-freezes-faster-hot-water-or-cold-water/44495)
**Author:** [@Aubri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aubri)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2000, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-freezes-faster-hot-water-or-cold-water/44495 "2000-12-23T15:26:27Z")
I saw this one in elementary too. I think, given the explanation, the question is SUPPOSED to be, which /cools off/ faster. In that case hot water DOES cool faster according to the difference in temperature between the l… --- ## [Lunacy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lunacy/46546)
**Author:** [@Rebekah\_Gleaves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebekah_Gleaves)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2000, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lunacy/46546 "2000-12-23T06:16:00Z")
A comment on the lunacy column: Cecil wrote that in all probability nothing would happen should the moon disappear from the face of the, er, Earth. However, some naturalists believe that each female mammal, should she be… --- ## [Which bullet lands first?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-bullet-lands-first/46937)
**Author:** [@DrJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrJay)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2000, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-bullet-lands-first/46937 "2000-12-23T00:58:01Z")
In the 1988 column http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a5\_201a.html Cecil discusses which bullet lands first, one that is dropped, or a second one shot horizontally out of a gun. For the more “enlightened” view, he mak… --- ## [Can a baseball be hit farther with a heavy bat or a light one?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-baseball-be-hit-farther-with-a-heavy-bat-or-a-light-one/44660)
**Author:** [@dbradsha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dbradsha)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2000, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-baseball-be-hit-farther-with-a-heavy-bat-or-a-light-one/44660 "2000-12-22T23:58:58Z")
I believe your response was incorrect: “The law of physics governing baseball bats, and a lot of other things, is: F = ma Where F= force resulting, m=mass and a=acceleration.” This law does govern many things, howeve… --- ## [Preparing popcorn](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preparing-popcorn/46759)
**Author:** [@onigame](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/onigame)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2000, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preparing-popcorn/46759 "2000-12-22T22:47:51Z")
The mailbag answer at http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mpopcorn.html (“Does freezing unpopped popcorn make it pop fuller and fresher?”) basically says that dried out kernels won’t pop as well. Can I infer from thi… --- ## [Moved-- Why does water break its flow profile to bond to a solid surface?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moved-why-does-water-break-its-flow-profile-to-bond-to-a-solid-surface/46876)
**Author:** [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2000, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moved-why-does-water-break-its-flow-profile-to-bond-to-a-solid-surface/46876 "2000-12-22T17:27:52Z")
This thread has been moved to General Questions, at the request of the OP. --- ## [Why Doesn't Coke Eat Through the Cans](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-coke-eat-through-the-cans/46596)
**Author:** [@dwrege](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dwrege)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2000, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-coke-eat-through-the-cans/46596 "2000-12-22T05:09:56Z")
In breezing through the “classics” I read Cecil’s piece about the thin coating inside Coke cans that prevent the liquid from eating through the metal. I have it on good authority that Coke will indeed eat through the ca… --- ## [Victorian Christmases](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/victorian-christmases/46705)
**Author:** [@Fiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiver)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2000, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/victorian-christmases/46705 "2000-12-21T21:48:47Z")
In the column on Victorian Christmases Cecil mentioned the poem “A Visit From St. Nicholas” “by Clement Moore.” Cecil’s column is from 1992. This morning on NPR’s Morning Edition they interviewed a fellow who has found … --- ## [The Mars face.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-mars-face/45235)
**Author:** [@jab1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jab1)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2000, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-mars-face/45235 "2000-12-21T21:47:14Z")
Link to Staff Report I see Richard Hoagland hasn’t given up. SIGH If only he’d use his powers for good instead of evil… I mean, the man is more full of shit than the New York City sewers. If you want to have a laugh, g… --- ## [Buckets of coal](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buckets-of-coal/46702)
**Author:** [@Dterry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dterry)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2000, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buckets-of-coal/46702 "2000-12-21T17:44:28Z")
Perhaps this interest in Victorian Christmas things has other interest attached to it as well … Children hauling buckets of coal or working in the textile mills, women at home “happily” knitting or making dinner with ou… --- ## [MOVED THREADS (...if you can't find a thread that was here)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moved-threads-if-you-cant-find-a-thread-that-was-here/21267)
**Author:** [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2000, 8:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moved-threads-if-you-cant-find-a-thread-that-was-here/21267 "2000-12-21T08:20:47Z")
The thread “Billy the kid ,when did he die”, started by Billythekid, has been moved to the General Questions forum. If you run really fast, you just might catch it there. --- ## [The 17/23 correlation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-17-23-correlation/46017)
**Author:** [@MattTheCroc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MattTheCroc)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2000, 9:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-17-23-correlation/46017 "2000-12-20T09:51:34Z")
Is the Trilateral Commission the secret organization that runs the world? and (sort of)What’s the origin of miles and yards? Cecil seems stumped by “the 17/23 correlation” that some guy wrote in regards to the Illuminat… --- ## [hi](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hi/46400)
**Author:** [@beeblbrox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beeblbrox)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2000, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hi/46400 "2000-12-19T21:27:03Z")
Hello I am new. Just saying hi. :slight\_smile: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=275) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=277)