# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=277 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 278 --- ## [new car smell](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-car-smell/46158)
**Author:** [@El\_Marko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Marko)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2000, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-car-smell/46158 "2000-12-18T22:33:24Z")
While the source of"new car smell" remains a mystery, I recently discovered that it is not unique to new cars. I recently had the opportunity to look around in a brand new military helicopter (a USNavy H-60 Seahawk) and… --- ## [Dos hot water freeze faster than cold water?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dos-hot-water-freeze-faster-than-cold-water/46144)
**Author:** [@Pnuk\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pnuk_Guy)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2000, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dos-hot-water-freeze-faster-than-cold-water/46144 "2000-12-18T14:31:59Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_098b Cold water freezes faster (in a sensible range) but hot water produces clearer ice cubes. Which is good for making cocktails --- ## [WARNING!!! Virus Warning About SD-Related Email!!!! READ NOW!!!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warning-virus-warning-about-sd-related-email-read-now/45605)
**Author:** [@manhattan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manhattan)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2000, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warning-virus-warning-about-sd-related-email-read-now/45605 "2000-12-18T01:10:49Z")
As many of you know, the Straight Dope Message Board today revoked the posting privileges of the (now former) member known as Jack Dean Tyler. A few minutes ago, the message board staff received an email from an address… --- ## [Yellow Number Five](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yellow-number-five/45505)
**Author:** [@RM\_Mentock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RM_Mentock)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2000, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yellow-number-five/45505 "2000-12-17T05:31:19Z")
Cecil’s column from 29-Aug-1997, Mountain Dew = shrinking 'nads? makes the comment that there is a link between aspirin sensitivity and tetrazine (FD&C yellow number five). I’m more concerned about that, then the shrinki… --- ## [Why does our moderator here now have 2](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-our-moderator-here-now-have-2/44423)
**Author:** [@Danielinthewolvesden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danielinthewolvesden)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2000, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-our-moderator-here-now-have-2/44423 "2000-12-17T01:26:27Z")
extra letters in his name? or am I crazy? Or, is this the wrong forum? Or both? :smiley: --- ## [bio-warfare column](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bio-warfare-column/44635)
**Author:** [@Freyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freyr)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2000, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bio-warfare-column/44635 "2000-12-16T05:24:14Z")
Here’s the link: bio-warfare My question is, was anything like the facility we saw in The Andromeda Strain ever built? Besides being a cool and wonderful hard SF movie, making something like this sounds very logical. --- ## [Murder of Joy Adamson](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/murder-of-joy-adamson/45726)
**Author:** [@mesinead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mesinead)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2000, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/murder-of-joy-adamson/45726 "2000-12-15T23:13:54Z")
Previously, Cecil answered a question regarding the true nature of Joy Adamson’s death, and that while it was initially thought that she had been mauled by a lion, in fact a 23-year-old herdsman named Paul Wakwaro Ekai w… --- ## [Grammar](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar/45662)
**Author:** [@SirBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SirBob)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2000, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar/45662 "2000-12-15T16:54:34Z")
On whether “acting strangely” is grammatically correct or not: it totally depends upon the context. For instance: acting could be acting as a gerund…for those of you that don’t know a gerund is bascially a verb with th… --- ## [A Possible Heresy, But . . . .](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-possible-heresy-but/45624)
**Author:** [@Jodi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jodi)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2000, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-possible-heresy-but/45624 "2000-12-15T04:03:51Z")
. . . Haven’t the Great and Powerful Cecil’s “columns” gotten a little, well, short lately? I mean, compare any column from his first three books to the his latest answer on the difference between white chocolate and rea… --- ## [Bond's martinis](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bonds-martinis/42693)
**Author:** [@Alan\_Smithee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alan_Smithee)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2000, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bonds-martinis/42693 "2000-12-14T23:29:32Z")
Betcha you didn’t subscribe to the Straight Dope mailing list. Betcha you thought there wasn’t any point, seeing how you check the site every day, anyway. Well, ha, ha, Mr. or Ms. Smartypants! If you had, you would have … --- ## [WARNING!!! Virus Warning About SD-Related Email!!!! READ NOW!!!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warning-virus-warning-about-sd-related-email-read-now/45608)
**Author:** [@manhattan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manhattan)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2000, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warning-virus-warning-about-sd-related-email-read-now/45608 "2000-12-14T20:29:53Z")
As many of you know, the Straight Dope Message Board today revoked the posting privileges of the (now former) member known as Jack Dean Tyler. A few minutes ago, the message board staff received an email from an address… --- ## [Ganzfeld experiments and ESP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ganzfeld-experiments-and-esp/45352)
**Author:** [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2000, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ganzfeld-experiments-and-esp/45352 "2000-12-14T13:03:59Z")
My favorite ESP experiment is, of course, the one that Bill Murray carries out at the beginning of Ghostbusters, the one where the pretty blonde, amazingly enough, gets 100% accuracy. http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag… --- ## [Japanese WW II POWs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/japanese-ww-ii-pows/45316)
**Author:** [@Ringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ringo)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2000, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/japanese-ww-ii-pows/45316 "2000-12-14T06:13:43Z")
I’ve found no shortage of info (although I’m always looking for more) on conditions of captivity, wartime experiences, locations of camps, memoirs, etc. for German (or european Axis) prisoners of war during WW II. What I… --- ## [Water poisoning: Is this true?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-poisoning-is-this-true/42851)
**Author:** [@zut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zut)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2000, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-poisoning-is-this-true/42851 "2000-12-13T18:34:33Z")
In the classic column, Is it true they allow “certified organic” produce to be sprayed with chemicals? (06-Jun-1997), Cecil makes the offhand comment, Really now, is this true? I’ve heard this before, along with argume… --- ## ["Animal" does not only mean non-human mammal](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animal-does-not-only-mean-non-human-mammal/42830)
**Author:** [@Kerry\_Shetline](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kerry_Shetline)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2000, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animal-does-not-only-mean-non-human-mammal/42830 "2000-12-13T16:36:22Z")
As long as The Straight Dope is out there fighting ignorance, perhaps a common oversight involving the word “animal” should be addressed. In answering the question “Is the camel the only animal that can’t swim?” you neve… --- ## [should you sign the back of your credit cards?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-you-sign-the-back-of-your-credit-cards/44433)
**Author:** [@whimsy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whimsy)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2000, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-you-sign-the-back-of-your-credit-cards/44433 "2000-12-12T22:17:42Z")
hope i am doing this right…with regard to this post. iwas in the post office the other day. of course we know that the postal service is far above the laws that ordinary citizens have to follow…ask anyone whose dog barks… --- ## [Did the popular image of Santa Claus originate in a Coca-Cola ad campaign?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-popular-image-of-santa-claus-originate-in-a-coca-cola-ad-campaign/44218)
**Author:** [@CindyLouWhoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CindyLouWhoo)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2000, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-popular-image-of-santa-claus-originate-in-a-coca-cola-ad-campaign/44218 "2000-12-11T17:00:58Z")
The modern image of Santa most certainly did come from the Coke advertising. He was made joyful and triumphant by artist Haddon Sundblom (who also used a self portrait for the Quaker Oats man) as part of a Coca-Cola camp… --- ## [Re: How come you can see through glass?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-how-come-you-can-see-through-glass/44812)
**Author:** [@physiker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/physiker)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2000, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-how-come-you-can-see-through-glass/44812 "2000-12-09T23:14:42Z")
Dear Cecil, I am flabbergasted at your answer to Daniel on the clarity of glass. The transparency of glass has absolutely nothing to do with it being viscous/crystalline/solid/liquid. It has only to do with the electron… --- ## [The Origin of "the Oscar"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-origin-of-the-oscar/44733)
**Author:** [@Devotchka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Devotchka)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2000, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-origin-of-the-oscar/44733 "2000-12-09T20:15:37Z")
I’ve read that Bette Davis nicknamed the award “Oscar” because its backside reminded her of that of Ham Oscar Nelson, who was her husband at the time. Where did I obtain this wacky info? Why, James Spada’s book, “More Th… --- ## [Old Sunglasses/UV Protection](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-sunglasses-uv-protection/44742)
**Author:** [@Solomon1975](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Solomon1975)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2000, 9:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-sunglasses-uv-protection/44742 "2000-12-09T09:12:28Z")
I was just reading through the archives and couldn’t resist giving a solid answer on this one. I am an Optician in Florida and I have to explain UV protection to people all day, five days a week. If your old sunglasses h… --- ## [How they determine city altitude](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-they-determine-city-altitude/44157)
**Author:** [@Keenath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keenath)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2000, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-they-determine-city-altitude/44157 "2000-12-09T05:57:04Z")
I don’t know what they do if one doesn’t exist, but in most cases the city’s elevation is measured at the local airport. For everything else you can fudge it by twenty or thirty, but an airport must know exactly how high… --- ## [clapping with one hand.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clapping-with-one-hand/44372)
**Author:** [@XvaporX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XvaporX)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2000, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clapping-with-one-hand/44372 "2000-12-08T23:42:57Z")
I do believe I know what it sounds like. I am double jointed and can clap with one hand by moving my arm up and down and having my hand slap my wrist. --- ## [Witches, Wicca, and Broomstyks.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/witches-wicca-and-broomstyks/38802)
**Author:** [@LadyEmantha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LadyEmantha)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2000, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/witches-wicca-and-broomstyks/38802 "2000-12-08T19:49:49Z")
Hello Far be it from me to challenage the “authority” of anyone on any subject, but i must point out a few glaring oversights… While most people feel that Gardners work was, at best, Shakey on witches… there is some ba… --- ## [So can elephants jump or not?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-can-elephants-jump-or-not/44546)
**Author:** [@Mojo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mojo)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2000, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-can-elephants-jump-or-not/44546 "2000-12-08T14:57:34Z")
In the current Mailbag article Are hippos the most dangerous animal?, Jill states that “but, like elephants, they (hippos) can’t jump.” I know the original Mailbag article on the subject of elephants jumping said that th… --- ## [Exploding Water](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exploding-water/44485)
**Author:** [@foxfyre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foxfyre)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2000, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exploding-water/44485 "2000-12-08T05:32:57Z")
Hi, This in regards to the recent article about exploding water in microwaves: http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mmicroboil.html Has Cecil or the Straight Dope Staff tried duplicating this effect in a scientific exp… --- ## [Birds and hot peppers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/birds-and-hot-peppers/43964)
**Author:** [@joblo39](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joblo39)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2000, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/birds-and-hot-peppers/43964 "2000-12-07T18:44:19Z")
Dear Master, I’m confused. In one of your priceless tomes, I remember some guy’s question from long ago, asking whether his was a great idea to swallow an entire bottle of Tabasco for a bet. You properly chastised him f… --- ## [How do they know what lethal gases smell like?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-know-what-lethal-gases-smell-like/43996)
**Author:** [@Nukeman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nukeman)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2000, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-know-what-lethal-gases-smell-like/43996 "2000-12-07T18:17:02Z")
Another point, but almonds have arsenic in them in small amounts, which gives them their distinctive taste, and its also present in apple pips, so if you bite an apple pip open, they taste of almond. Have you ever had a… --- ## [Blue Moon](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-moon/44100)
**Author:** [@RM\_Mentock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RM_Mentock)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2000, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-moon/44100 "2000-12-07T18:11:51Z")
While doing a search, I happened upon an old (1977 apparently) column about Blue Moons. I have seen some of the discussion about some of the old columns that have been editted slightly since their original appearance, bu… --- ## [Immaculate conception](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immaculate-conception/44451)
**Author:** [@kjkolb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kjkolb)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2000, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immaculate-conception/44451 "2000-12-07T17:57:39Z")
The article is “Why do folks say Jesus H. Christ?.” The url is http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1\_033. It may be blasphemy, but I have to respectfully disagree with Cecil. My disagreement is not about the origin of … --- ## [Chilis have their reasons the birds know not of?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chilis-have-their-reasons-the-birds-know-not-of/42339)
**Author:** [@Tom\_Arctus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Arctus)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [December 6, 2000, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chilis-have-their-reasons-the-birds-know-not-of/42339 "2000-12-06T22:40:43Z")
An insignificant quibble. The answer to the chili question says in part: \`\`The reason chilies incorporate capsaicin in their fruits . . . seems to be to ensure that their seeds are dispersed properly. When small birds c… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=276) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=278)