# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=278 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 279 --- ## [The rabbit test](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-rabbit-test/43328)
**Author:** [@Digit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digit)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 6, 2000, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-rabbit-test/43328 "2000-12-06T21:04:20Z")
It didn’t have to be a rabbit. I know a woman who worked in a research facility in Russia in the 70’s and 80’s. Pregnancy kits were expensive or unobtainable there at the time so women in the facility who thought they m… --- ## [Is the south side the baddest side of town?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-south-side-the-baddest-side-of-town/42510)
**Author:** [@d8uv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/d8uv)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 6, 2000, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-south-side-the-baddest-side-of-town/42510 "2000-12-06T18:57:44Z")
Things appear to be flipped in Alaska. For instance, The ‘slums’ of Anchorage are on the North-west part of town. In fact, The rich neighborhoods on on the south side! Also, Alaska’s big towns are also on the south sid… --- ## [What about horses in gelatin?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-about-horses-in-gelatin/43457)
**Author:** [@BadAfrican](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BadAfrican)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 6, 2000, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-about-horses-in-gelatin/43457 "2000-12-06T17:15:22Z")
I read Cecil’s answer about using horses to manufacture glue, but what about using them in gelatin? I have a vegatarian friend who checks the ingredients of every package of candy before he eats it to make sure there’s … --- ## [Are Manatees white or Dark Meat?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-manatees-white-or-dark-meat/44075)
**Author:** [@caldron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/caldron)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 6, 2000, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-manatees-white-or-dark-meat/44075 "2000-12-06T12:28:21Z")
For a historical perspective on this subject, check out: http://members.home.net/calderon/food.htm#manatee --- ## [My leg is shaking uncontrollably(Cece hasn't covered this)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-leg-is-shaking-uncontrollably-cece-hasnt-covered-this/44209)
**Author:** [@red\_dragon60](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/red_dragon60)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 6, 2000, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-leg-is-shaking-uncontrollably-cece-hasnt-covered-this/44209 "2000-12-06T02:23:39Z")
Sometimes when sitting in class, my leg shakes out of it’s own volition. Usually when I have the ball of my foot on the ground and the heel up. My doc told me the name for it, but I forgot what it was. That’s what I am l… --- ## [Did Clement Moore Write 'A Visit From St. Nicholas'?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-clement-moore-write-a-visit-from-st-nicholas/44155)
**Author:** [@Humble\_Servant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Humble_Servant)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 6, 2000, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-clement-moore-write-a-visit-from-st-nicholas/44155 "2000-12-06T00:02:07Z")
The Santa Claus column discusses “A Visit From Saint Nicholas,” long attributed to Clement Moore. The New York Times recently published an article by David Kirkpatrick entitled, “Whose Jolly Old Elf is that Anyway?,” di… --- ## [The White Man Cometh](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-white-man-cometh/42896)
**Author:** [@Exion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exion)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2000, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-white-man-cometh/42896 "2000-12-05T23:54:54Z")
I disagree with climate etc. effecting Western Agressiveness. I think that it mostly comes down to a lack of Ingrained culture. The Western Societies after Roman times could be opressive at times. but they highly rew… --- ## [Catholic Hell](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catholic-hell/41710)
**Author:** [@ndps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ndps)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2000, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catholic-hell/41710 "2000-12-05T22:19:46Z")
Hello! Unfortunately, I couldn’t figure out how to reply on the SDSTAFF reply to the thread “Who Invented Hell?” http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mhell.html but I was able to figure out how to post a new message. Sor… --- ## [Are Horses made in to glue](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-horses-made-in-to-glue/43705)
**Author:** [@Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monkey)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2000, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-horses-made-in-to-glue/43705 "2000-12-05T07:35:09Z")
While i was reading this particular answer i was reminded of a job i had as a student. My friend Steve and I were working at a factory that made cardboard displays for companies including Kodak etc… One particular line… --- ## [Rock Climbing terms](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-climbing-terms/42175)
**Author:** [@denalione](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/denalione)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2000, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-climbing-terms/42175 "2000-12-05T05:52:07Z")
Some that weren’t mentioned: Deck - to hit the ground on a lead fall. Crater - What you create when you deck. Beach whaling - real poor mantle technique. Usually consists of laying your upper body on the ledge and squ… --- ## [Why Europe Dominated the World](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-europe-dominated-the-world/43700)
**Author:** [@Keenath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keenath)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2000, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-europe-dominated-the-world/43700 "2000-12-04T22:04:56Z")
Actually, my philosophy teacher had an interesting slant on this one, which may even have something to do with it. The reason Europe dominated the world was the Holy Roman Empire, or in a more general sense, Christianit… --- ## [uniqueness of car keys](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uniqueness-of-car-keys/30855)
**Author:** [@kaleidoskope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaleidoskope)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [December 3, 2000, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uniqueness-of-car-keys/30855 "2000-12-03T18:01:35Z")
One day as my mother was leaving the house in a hurry, she accidentally picked up the wrong set of car keys. She did not realize this until after she got back home, however, because the keys she had picked up worked fine… --- ## [Who Invented Hell?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-invented-hell/42050)
**Author:** [@scotandrsn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scotandrsn)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2000, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-invented-hell/42050 "2000-12-01T07:15:31Z")
It was always my understanding that the ancient greek system divided Hades into 3 sections: One for the very good, one for the very bad, and one for the moderately okay, if you will. The good place was known as the Elysi… --- ## [Prostitution and illegality](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prostitution-and-illegality/43372)
**Author:** [@girlie3k](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/girlie3k)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2000, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prostitution-and-illegality/43372 "2000-12-01T01:57:42Z")
About prostitution and Cecil’s comments: According to a study made in the early nineties in Stockholm, Sweden (a country considered as “civilised western society”) the most common cause of death among the studied prosti… --- ## [Aaron's staff](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aarons-staff/43099)
**Author:** [@Craig\_H](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Craig_H)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2000, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aarons-staff/43099 "2000-11-30T23:54:22Z")
Just when you thought the dead horse had been beaten to dust… In http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mark4.html, SDStaff Dex wrote: Well, maybe not. The main diagonal of a 2.5 cu x 1.5 cu x 1.5 cu (45"x27"x27") recta… --- ## [an answer to chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-answer-to-chronos/43394)
**Author:** [@Righteous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Righteous)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2000, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-answer-to-chronos/43394 "2000-11-30T17:43:35Z")
i see that the moderator mr winkleried doesnt want me to discuss my point of view here but i just wanted to answer chronos who responded to me. i know youre joking about forcing people to read these articles but the fac… --- ## [Europeans dominated](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/europeans-dominated/42883)
**Author:** [@dazeofourlives](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dazeofourlives)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2000, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/europeans-dominated/42883 "2000-11-30T17:36:51Z")
As an aside to this question of why the Europeans dominated the rest of the world and not vice versa - I’d forward the notion that there have essentially been only two REALLY significant developments in human history so … --- ## [MSG receptor?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/msg-receptor/42893)
**Author:** [@tamulis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tamulis)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2000, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/msg-receptor/42893 "2000-11-30T17:03:44Z")
Back to a side note in the bird eating chili report. In short, what MSG receptor? Where is it, on the tongue? Should I buy a can of MSG and try to find the receptors, and coincidentally, find out what MSG tastes like? T… --- ## [article on male body part](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/article-on-male-body-part/43300)
**Author:** [@Righteous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Righteous)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2000, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/article-on-male-body-part/43300 "2000-11-30T12:11:02Z")
doing an internet search i found an article about how to make one’s private organ bigger. why do you publish this kind of smut on the internet? children can go to your site. i could see some young person finding that art… --- ## [I just read the new math question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-read-the-new-math-question/41280)
**Author:** [@Ashleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashleth)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2000, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-read-the-new-math-question/41280 "2000-11-29T23:43:08Z")
Its 3 am, not sleeping blah blah blah. I just had to say that when i started reading the sample problems I just about wet myself. --- ## [How to tell if your rabbit is pregnant...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-if-your-rabbit-is-pregnant/43275)
**Author:** [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2000, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-if-your-rabbit-is-pregnant/43275 "2000-11-29T23:40:00Z")
(in case you were wondering)… No, you don’t inject rabbit urine into a female person–you squeeze its tummy. Presumably you know how to do this without causing it to miscarry (the article below doesn’t specify how you’re… --- ## [Are laser pointers dangerous?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-laser-pointers-dangerous/42524)
**Author:** [@Jamoross](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jamoross)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2000, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-laser-pointers-dangerous/42524 "2000-11-29T08:01:43Z")
So here’s this Staff Report on the relative hazards of laser pointers and I think to myself that this is right up my alley, so I’d better go jump into the discussion and help dispel any ignorance that might creep in an… --- ## [Caffeine source](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caffeine-source/43013)
**Author:** [@syberghost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/syberghost)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 28, 2000, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caffeine-source/43013 "2000-11-28T23:43:25Z")
http://www.thinkgeek.com is a great place to find the latest high-caffeine beverages. They have several that aren’t mentioned here, so I think Cece needs to do an update, please. Jolt probably isn’t on top anymore, plus… --- ## [I just wanted to share](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-wanted-to-share/42971)
**Author:** [@Doug\_Bowe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_Bowe)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 28, 2000, 7:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-wanted-to-share/42971 "2000-11-28T07:40:56Z")
For anyone unfamiliar with Cecil’s take on this one From time to time a word question will come up on this board and someone will quote Evan Morris from his “Word Detective” website. Well, old Evan has finally gotten ar… --- ## [Europeans dominated](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/europeans-dominated/42882)
**Author:** [@dazeofourlives](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dazeofourlives)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2000, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/europeans-dominated/42882 "2000-11-27T22:58:24Z")
As an aside to this question of why the Europeans dominated the rest of the world and not vice versa - I’d forward the notion that there have essentially been only two REALLY significant developments in human history so … --- ## [Did a vacuum-flush commode once suck a woman's insides out?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-a-vacuum-flush-commode-once-suck-a-womans-insides-out/41954)
**Author:** [@bmorey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bmorey)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2000, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-a-vacuum-flush-commode-once-suck-a-womans-insides-out/41954 "2000-11-27T21:44:30Z")
There was a true and very tragic incident similar to this in Melbourne three or so years ago. A infant, about four year old, was sat on the filter cover on the edge of the parent’s swimming pool. Unbeknown to the parents… --- ## [Question about China](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-china/42879)
**Author:** [@WashU77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WashU77)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2000, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-china/42879 "2000-11-27T18:39:08Z")
A Cecil classic http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a970620.html discussed the dominance of Europe. That article reminded me a question I’ve long held, but been to busy/lazy (pick one) to research myself. How is it th… --- ## [About the Hell mailbag answer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-hell-mailbag-answer/41325)
**Author:** [@mazzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mazzer)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2000, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-hell-mailbag-answer/41325 "2000-11-27T17:07:35Z")
I’m talking about this article, of course. So, if there was no Hell in the Bible, per se, where were Satan and his renegade angels banished to? Isn’t this something that happens in the Bible? Can that place be reconcile… --- ## [Asparagus and Pee](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asparagus-and-pee/42272)
**Author:** [@zut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zut)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2000, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asparagus-and-pee/42272 "2000-11-27T13:06:12Z")
I was browsing through Cecil’s classic columns and came across one entitled “Why does asparagus make your pee smell funny?” In this column, Cecil notes However, that’s not the way I learned it. I understood that the ab… --- ## [Did humans have one common ancestor?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-humans-have-one-common-ancestor/42060)
**Author:** [@scotandrsn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scotandrsn)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2000, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-humans-have-one-common-ancestor/42060 "2000-11-26T05:39:15Z")
Your response to the above question states that there is no possibility that there was a solitary ancestor of current humanity. I thought it proper to a sense of a complete answer to the question to mention that there ha… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=277) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=279)