# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=281 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 282 --- ## [Sources?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sources/37969)
**Author:** [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2000, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sources/37969 "2000-10-24T22:43:06Z")
In today’s column, Is that black line down the back of a shrimp what I think it is? (19-Oct-2000) (Geez, I hope that link works) SD staffer Hawk cites three reference-book sources for his response. On the practical le… --- ## [Gecko stickiness](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gecko-stickiness/37408)
**Author:** [@polybrent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/polybrent)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2000, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gecko-stickiness/37408 "2000-10-24T19:36:16Z")
This is a hot topic-was the subject of a prestigious article in the June 8 issue of nature (www.nature.com). People are looking into geckos to try to figure out adhesion (no less than Pierre Gilles DeGennes-Nobel prize w… --- ## [Hawk's vasectomy answer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hawks-vasectomy-answer/35692)
**Author:** [@LabRat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LabRat)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2000, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hawks-vasectomy-answer/35692 "2000-10-24T15:13:19Z")
Hawk, I work in a hospital laboratory. We do post-vasectomy sperm counts nearly every day. Based on my experience and that of the techs who actually perform the test, your answer is incorrect. In a male who has had a va… --- ## [New Guy In Town](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-guy-in-town/10)
**Author:** [@zebbmx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zebbmx)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2000, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-guy-in-town/10 "2000-10-24T00:11:54Z")
cool --- ## [Why did Islam succeed where Christianity failed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-islam-succeed-where-christianity-failed/32385)
**Author:** [@Beruang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beruang)\ **Replies:** 114\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2000, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-islam-succeed-where-christianity-failed/32385 "2000-10-23T03:32:03Z")
In http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a5\_248.html Unca Cece, explaining how and why Christianity became so popular, sez: ===================================== What set Christianity apart was its sophistication. It w… --- ## [Break A Leg](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/break-a-leg/37915)
**Author:** [@WillowGirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WillowGirl)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2000, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/break-a-leg/37915 "2000-10-22T23:42:21Z")
I was surprised to see the theories you came up with as to where ‘break a leg’ originated. I had it explained to me by a junior high student in a clown suit, but I guess if ya don’t have the sources, it’s no sin. Back i… --- ## [CARTOONS](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cartoons/36310)
**Author:** [@Dave\_Schaefer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dave_Schaefer)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2000, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cartoons/36310 "2000-10-20T22:17:46Z")
Scott - normally you Advisory Board guys are pretty much on target, but you missed on your “Eigth Man” answer. I’m sure that the Japanese manga and anime are awesome, but you might want to think twice about alienating us… --- ## [Bumblebees](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bumblebees/37239)
**Author:** [@Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monkey)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2000, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bumblebees/37239 "2000-10-20T20:58:02Z")
According to Cecil Bumblebees only live two-three feet above ground. Why do i have an entore colony living in my chimney then? We are on the second floor of a house and the chimeys are not interconnected with those on t… --- ## [dingoes with aussie accents](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dingoes-with-aussie-accents/34813)
**Author:** [@riverman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/riverman)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2000, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dingoes-with-aussie-accents/34813 "2000-10-20T11:46:26Z")
"In her best Australian accent Elaine Benes in Seinfeld once suggested to a stranger, “Maybe a dingo ate your baby.” This really bugs Aussies (which by the way is pronounced ‘Ozzies’ not ‘ossies’) Meryl Streep is a fi… --- ## [CN Tower](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cn-tower/35605)
**Author:** [@SavageNarce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SavageNarce)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2000, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cn-tower/35605 "2000-10-20T00:37:42Z")
Strictly speaking, the CN Tower makes no claims to being the tallest building in the world, only the tallest free-standing structure. Yes, it’s an antenna (or more properly, an antenna mast) but The Guru’s response about… --- ## [Muslims in space](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/muslims-in-space/36844)
**Author:** [@Chance\_the\_Gardener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chance_the_Gardener)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2000, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/muslims-in-space/36844 "2000-10-19T20:43:37Z")
I’ve long wondered about the direction where Muslims in a spot east of Mecca would pray. With Indonesia having so many Muslims for so long, I was sure someone would have worked that out by now. I’m impressed that the sol… --- ## ["As long as they spell my name right..."](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-long-as-they-spell-my-name-right/37307)
**Author:** [@Lux\_Fiat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lux_Fiat)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2000, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-long-as-they-spell-my-name-right/37307 "2000-10-18T20:01:37Z")
As a big fat comics geek, I felt it my duty to point out that in today’s column on geckos, Doug misspelled “Spider-Man”. See, unlike Batman or Superman, Spidey’s got a hyphen and a second capital letter. Unimportant, yo… --- ## [contrails, chemtrails, and stealth](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/contrails-chemtrails-and-stealth/22678)
**Author:** [@gbruno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gbruno)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2000, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/contrails-chemtrails-and-stealth/22678 "2000-10-18T15:18:07Z")
A recent column discussed the supposed hazard of “chemtrails”, i.e., chemicals released intentionally by government airplanes to enhance the formation of condensation trails. The web site http://contrailconnection.com is… --- ## [Jurassic Poke](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jurassic-poke/35820)
**Author:** [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2000, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jurassic-poke/35820 "2000-10-18T04:28:23Z")
Sorry, no link yet. You could come up with some good dinosaur names, depending on which position they preferred: Female Superiaurus Missionarydon Doggie Stylus Rex or maybe Masturbadon --- ## [Suffocating a child sleeping in your bed](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suffocating-a-child-sleeping-in-your-bed/36825)
**Author:** [@Freddy\_FuFu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freddy_FuFu)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2000, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suffocating-a-child-sleeping-in-your-bed/36825 "2000-10-17T21:04:59Z")
This a comment on the answer given in the straight dope classic: “What’s the likelihood of suffocating a child sleeping in your bed?” http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a961122b.html Cecil replies with a quote from t… --- ## [MOVED: Bumblebees](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moved-bumblebees/37271)
**Author:** [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2000, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moved-bumblebees/37271 "2000-10-17T15:47:10Z")
The thread started by Monkey, titled “Bumblebees”, has been moved to the forum COMMENTS ON MAILBAG ANSWERS. Here’s a link: Bumblebees --- ## [Is Jill behind the times?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-jill-behind-the-times/36482)
**Author:** [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2000, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-jill-behind-the-times/36482 "2000-10-17T12:13:17Z")
Now that we have a little better understanding of gravity, isn’t the more appropriate term “center of mass.”:smiley: http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mcamelswim.html --- ## ["Beware The Ides of March" (The what?)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beware-the-ides-of-march-the-what/37136)
**Author:** [@Doubleclick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doubleclick)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2000, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beware-the-ides-of-march-the-what/37136 "2000-10-16T23:24:15Z")
Everyone had heard that phrase, “Beware the Ides of March” but my question is, Why? And what the heck is an “Ide”? I’ve heard that some think it’s “Beware the Eyes of March” and it refers to the “eyes” of young men and … --- ## [Do you think Cecil has regained his edge back?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-cecil-has-regained-his-edge-back/36161)
**Author:** [@Silo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silo)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2000, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-cecil-has-regained-his-edge-back/36161 "2000-10-16T22:12:29Z")
Check out this column: www.straightdope.com/columns/001006.html Maybe it’s just a fluke, but I think Cecil has regained his edge back—at least temporarily. All hail the dynamic master! --- ## [Qibla questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qibla-questions/36817)
**Author:** [@raoulortega](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raoulortega)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2000, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qibla-questions/36817 "2000-10-16T16:08:35Z")
Which brings up some other questions-- which way does one face while in earth orbit? What about on the moon (or beyond?) In a hot air balloon over the Kaaba? In a similar vein-- how does one handle Ramadan if it occurs … --- ## [Azimuthal Qibla Map](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/azimuthal-qibla-map/37052)
**Author:** [@trygvenv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/trygvenv)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2000, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/azimuthal-qibla-map/37052 "2000-10-16T15:59:19Z")
I have posted an azimuthal world map, centered on Mecca. This can be viewed at: http://www.timepalette.com/qiblamap.html -Trygve --- ## ['Gift Horse' is literal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gift-horse-is-literal/30584)
**Author:** [@Hedgemeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hedgemeister)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2000, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gift-horse-is-literal/30584 "2000-10-14T14:39:58Z")
When I was young, I learned that ‘Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth’ was a subtle reference to the Trojan Horse ruse perpetrated by the Greeks wherein Greek soldiers hidden in a giant horse sculpture given to Troy as … --- ## [Earth Stops Spinning](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earth-stops-spinning/35788)
**Author:** [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2000, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earth-stops-spinning/35788 "2000-10-13T17:52:38Z")
From the column: What happens if the earth stops spinning? Cecil addressed what is probably the intent of the question with regards to the Earth stopping spinning, i.e. a magical instant of suddenly things are not movin… --- ## [Cathrine the Great](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cathrine-the-great/36099)
**Author:** [@cry2cin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cry2cin)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2000, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cathrine-the-great/36099 "2000-10-13T17:49:23Z")
Didn’t she also keep her brother incarcerated until his death? I’m not quite sure. I thought he was a prisoner at the age of six. --- ## [Suffocating a child in bed](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suffocating-a-child-in-bed/36372)
**Author:** [@thornz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thornz)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2000, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suffocating-a-child-in-bed/36372 "2000-10-13T17:26:53Z")
I don’t mean to say “according to my sources, you are WRONG MR. SMARTY PANTS!!!”, but I’m not quite sure how to phrase an intro for this that doesnt sound exceedingly snooty and like I’m trying to one up a person I hold … --- ## [can camels swim](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-camels-swim/36460)
**Author:** [@oglesbyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/oglesbyi)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2000, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-camels-swim/36460 "2000-10-13T05:12:39Z")
This is hearsay because I cannot remember the actual issue but National Geographic Magazine had an article years ago on the annual Amazonian floods. One of the photographs was of a sloth swimming. --- ## [Marriage requirements around the world.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marriage-requirements-around-the-world/20375)
**Author:** [@Kyberneticist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyberneticist)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [October 12, 2000, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marriage-requirements-around-the-world/20375 "2000-10-12T20:02:20Z")
After reading the classic Cecil on today’s front page - http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a5\_181.html - I was reminded of an e-mail I had received once. It was one of those “bizaare facts” e-mails. One of the “facts”… --- ## [De ja Vu](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/de-ja-vu/36546)
**Author:** [@Honesty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honesty)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 12, 2000, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/de-ja-vu/36546 "2000-10-12T19:56:54Z")
This is a bit old, but this has nagged me. Of course, Cecil has an awful habit of slamming anything that can’t be proven by science. But one has to wonder his take on De Ja Vu. \*\*What causes déjà vu? Almost all who’ve … --- ## [Witching Water](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/witching-water/21376)
**Author:** [@AngstMC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AngstMC)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [October 12, 2000, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/witching-water/21376 "2000-10-12T19:56:07Z")
In the article “Does dowsing for water really work?” http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1\_168.html (or see The Straight Dope book) I am writing to say that I have in fact seen this phenomenon firsthand while I was … --- ## [More Alive than Dead, Huh?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-alive-than-dead-huh/36585)
**Author:** [@lee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lee)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 12, 2000, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-alive-than-dead-huh/36585 "2000-10-12T11:50:34Z")
Ok Cecil answered these misguided souls in his column at http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_085.html but i am working with one. Please help me find cites to show him that the dead do indeed outnumber the living. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=280) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=282)