# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=284 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 285 --- ## [Transsexuals and orgasms](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transsexuals-and-orgasms/32541)
**Author:** [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2000, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transsexuals-and-orgasms/32541 "2000-09-20T21:25:31Z")
Sorry, no link to this article yet. It’s the latest one. I just can’t see that much of any tactile sense would be left in a glans after so much cutting up of intervening tissue. I’ll bet the guys getting the operation a… --- ## [the Harley Sound](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-harley-sound/33665)
**Author:** [@Fitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fitz)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2000, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-harley-sound/33665 "2000-09-20T18:50:53Z")
I just need to make a small but (I think) important point regarding the fabled “Harley sound”. For the record, it’s not the size of the engine, or even the fact that it’s a V-twin, per se, that gives the Harley Davidson … --- ## [Xerox and other abused trademarks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xerox-and-other-abused-trademarks/29630)
**Author:** [@Duvie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duvie)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2000, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xerox-and-other-abused-trademarks/29630 "2000-09-20T13:43:03Z")
So, Cecil, you used “Xerox” as a verb in your Jackalope column, and didn’t even capitalize it. I know that many trademarks become so embedded in our consciousness that we think of them as the true generic word for the co… --- ## [MOVED THREAD: Rods by harbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moved-thread-rods-by-harbo/33789)
**Author:** [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2000, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moved-thread-rods-by-harbo/33789 "2000-09-20T00:42:32Z")
If you are looking for the topic called “rods” started by harbo, I have moved it to the forum COMMENTS ON MAILBAG ANSWERS, where it more properly belongs. Sorry, Arnold, for poaching. And sorry, harbo, I usually send a… --- ## [Trademarking sounds](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trademarking-sounds/33637)
**Author:** [@BobT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobT)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2000, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trademarking-sounds/33637 "2000-09-19T21:58:20Z")
Regarding Cecil’s column on Harley-Davidson’s attempt to trademark its sound http://www.straightdope.com/columns/000915.html There aren’t many trademarked sounds, the last time I checked there were about 20. I believe … --- ## [Gattaca statistics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gattaca-statistics/33315)
**Author:** [@kjsheehan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kjsheehan)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2000, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gattaca-statistics/33315 "2000-09-19T20:59:11Z")
The column is at: http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mgattaca.html I’m a lawyer, not a statistician, so someone may need to correct me, but the probability calculation in the column struck me as a bit off. The column n… --- ## [Galileo, Hammer, Feather II: The Electric Boogaloo](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/galileo-hammer-feather-ii-the-electric-boogaloo/33320)
**Author:** [@Joe\_Cool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joe_Cool)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2000, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/galileo-hammer-feather-ii-the-electric-boogaloo/33320 "2000-09-19T20:01:58Z")
My original thread, Galileo, A Hammer, & A Feather (incidentally the first thread I ever started on the SDMB, so I feel sort of attached to it) was really interesting, but got really far off topic. My point in the OP was… --- ## [Boxing Rules - Re: "How do they score boxing?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boxing-rules-re-how-do-they-score-boxing/31227)
**Author:** [@SEQUITOR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SEQUITOR)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 2000, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boxing-rules-re-how-do-they-score-boxing/31227 "2000-09-18T19:46:45Z")
The SDSTAFF (Ian) gave an incomplete (and misleading) answer to the subject question. There are 4 criteria that judges use when scoring a professional boxing match. They are: Ring Generalship Effective Aggressiveness C… --- ## [Jam and Jelly](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jam-and-jelly/32375)
**Author:** [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 2000, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jam-and-jelly/32375 "2000-09-18T18:46:12Z")
I’ve had a jam and jelly question for a while and now since the issue has come up on today’s S.D. Classic (I would post the link but I don’t know how to find out the URL of the column; sorry)I will raise the issue for th… --- ## [Can a bullet fired into the air kill someone when it comes down?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-bullet-fired-into-the-air-kill-someone-when-it-comes-down/29842)
**Author:** [@Danalan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danalan)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 2000, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-bullet-fired-into-the-air-kill-someone-when-it-comes-down/29842 "2000-09-18T18:02:23Z")
My father reports a cousin who inexplicably fell to the ground, dead, while putting up hay. This was in an open field in Montana, almost 60 years ago. Upon examination, the dead boy was determined to have a small hole i… --- ## [Difference for corporate returns?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-for-corporate-returns/33591)
**Author:** [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 2000, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-for-corporate-returns/33591 "2000-09-18T13:50:31Z")
in this column: http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a960405.html Cecil answers a question about late tax returns. In it, he states that “All penalties and interest are figured as a percentage of what you owe. If you ow… --- ## [Astronaut's time](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/astronauts-time/30859)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2000, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/astronauts-time/30859 "2000-09-17T04:45:44Z")
In the article on what time do astronauts keep? Manny’s answer got sidetracked into discussing Universal Time. But do astronauts actually set their watches to UTC? I always thought they used either Eastern time (time at … --- ## [droit du seigneur: a new theory](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/droit-du-seigneur-a-new-theory/33379)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2000, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/droit-du-seigneur-a-new-theory/33379 "2000-09-16T05:47:12Z")
Concerning the Straight Dope column about medieval lords having the right of the “first night” with local maidens, I recently heard an interesting take on the theory. My sister, who is a Wiccan, claims that stories abou… --- ## [Leap-year babies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leap-year-babies/33144)
**Author:** [@DaveoRad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaveoRad)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2000, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leap-year-babies/33144 "2000-09-16T04:05:32Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a960209.html OK, the answer given is all very well and good, but what about the cold eyes of the law, which don’t take into account what time you’re born? Johnny, for example, born 3… --- ## [daddy Nurser](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daddy-nurser/33300)
**Author:** [@bungie\_us](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bungie_us)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2000, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daddy-nurser/33300 "2000-09-15T17:47:29Z")
You can buy this thing! I saw the book mentioned a while back and knew it was a joke, but then when a friend’s first baby was due, me and some buddies threw him an “anti-baby shower” – you know, dork gifts like beer drin… --- ## [Dr. Wilhelm Reich - Perfect Crackpot? Come on, no one is perfect.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-wilhelm-reich-perfect-crackpot-come-on-no-one-is-perfect/31119)
**Author:** [@Mr\_Dependable\_4U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Dependable_4U)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2000, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-wilhelm-reich-perfect-crackpot-come-on-no-one-is-perfect/31119 "2000-09-15T15:23:13Z")
Dear Mr. Adams, Here is a recent blurb from News of the Weird. No doubt you have heard of Dr. Wilhelm Reich before: Quoted from P. 08, WeeklyPlanet August 24-30, 2000, Tampa, FL 2nd Item in the column: News of the … --- ## [RE: What's in the briefcase in Pulp Fiction?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-whats-in-the-briefcase-in-pulp-fiction/33288)
**Author:** [@sinbad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sinbad)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2000, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-whats-in-the-briefcase-in-pulp-fiction/33288 "2000-09-15T11:53:11Z")
from empire august 2000: interview with tim roth: Q. What is in the briefcase? A. …for the record - it’s a battery and a lamp. LOL! I love it when people tell you nothing. McGuffins are beautiful. Bring 'em on! --- ## [The Federal Reserve: power and ownership](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-federal-reserve-power-and-ownership/32560)
**Author:** [@Boris\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boris_B)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2000, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-federal-reserve-power-and-ownership/32560 "2000-09-15T06:45:05Z")
Here is the column I am discussing: On the whole I liked the column, but there are a couple of parts I would have explained differently. For one thing, I don’t think it’s common to refer to the Federal Reserve System a… --- ## [Which freezes faster, hot water or cold water (MOVED)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-freezes-faster-hot-water-or-cold-water-moved/33195)
**Author:** [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2000, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-freezes-faster-hot-water-or-cold-water-moved/33195 "2000-09-14T16:19:11Z")
The topic about hot water/cold water has been moved to the forum COMMENTS ON CECIL’S COLUMN … Link: Which freezes faster, hot water or cold water? \[Edited by CKDextHavn on 09-15-2000 at 06:55 AM\] --- ## [Which freezes faster, hot water or cold water?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-freezes-faster-hot-water-or-cold-water/33074)
**Author:** [@rjdegraff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjdegraff)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2000, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-freezes-faster-hot-water-or-cold-water/33074 "2000-09-14T16:15:41Z")
As I recall it (memory, of course, being the most convincing of all liars), water that has been boiled, then allowed to cool to the same temperature (say, room temperature) as water that has not been boiled, will freeze … --- ## [Rolling Rock's 33](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rolling-rocks-33/33075)
**Author:** [@Wrath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wrath)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2000, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rolling-rocks-33/33075 "2000-09-13T20:58:30Z")
Being new to the Straight Dope, I discovered the letter on the mysterious “33” and offer a suggestion: Is (or was) Mr. Tito, the original founder, or is any other Tito family member a Freemason? If so, that might accou… --- ## [Burning Corpses Sitting Up](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burning-corpses-sitting-up/30941)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2000, 7:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burning-corpses-sitting-up/30941 "2000-09-13T07:14:58Z")
In his column What happens during cremation?, Cecil quotes from a scientist who says that he has not heard of an instance of a corpse sitting up during the cremation process. That may be the case for cremation in a prof… --- ## [what's so strange about acting strangely?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-strange-about-acting-strangely/32382)
**Author:** [@Beruang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beruang)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2000, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-strange-about-acting-strangely/32382 "2000-09-12T22:20:29Z")
Not really an issue here, just something I need to get off my chest. In reference to http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a5\_151.html I understand perfectly the unquestionable rightness of Cecil’s response. I just thin… --- ## [Re: Do race car drivers weave around on the parade lap to heat their tires?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-do-race-car-drivers-weave-around-on-the-parade-lap-to-heat-their-tires/32911)
**Author:** [@Skiffboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skiffboy)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2000, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-do-race-car-drivers-weave-around-on-the-parade-lap-to-heat-their-tires/32911 "2000-09-12T19:07:40Z")
Alas, SDSTADD TubaDiva isn’t entirely correct with this answer. It’s true that racing slicks have rough spots, though it always seems to me that they have more after a race than before (picking up rubber from the track, … --- ## [Insects walking on the ceiling](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insects-walking-on-the-ceiling/32288)
**Author:** [@RickG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickG)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2000, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insects-walking-on-the-ceiling/32288 "2000-09-12T17:45:32Z")
With regards to this article: http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mflystick.html While I am loathe to raise doubts about an article written by someone who has so magnificently answered other entomology questions, I am s… --- ## [OPEN CHALLENGE to Cecil about astrology by a (different sort of) fanatic.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/open-challenge-to-cecil-about-astrology-by-a-different-sort-of-fanatic/29015)
**Author:** [@jabberwalkie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jabberwalkie)\ **Replies:** 141\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2000, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/open-challenge-to-cecil-about-astrology-by-a-different-sort-of-fanatic/29015 "2000-09-11T04:29:38Z")
NOTE TO GENERAL READERS: please do not waste your time replying to this now. wait until i get the results. thanks in advance for your patience. i also would like to mention that i have a lot of regard for Cecil’s techni… --- ## [Does the average person consume four spiders per year in his sleep?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-average-person-consume-four-spiders-per-year-in-his-sleep/32507)
**Author:** [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2000, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-average-person-consume-four-spiders-per-year-in-his-sleep/32507 "2000-09-10T02:41:15Z")
Cecil does not consider bed mites for this answer. Are bed mites at all related to spiders? They are both aranchnids, are they not? --- ## [Photographic Memory](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/photographic-memory/32038)
**Author:** [@Origato](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Origato)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2000, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/photographic-memory/32038 "2000-09-08T21:49:01Z")
While I have a vested interest in the topic and response, the best thing of all is Cecil’s comment!!! We all have photographic memories, it’s just that some of us don’t have any film. http://www.straightdope.com/colum… --- ## [The Rhesus factor](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-rhesus-factor/32486)
**Author:** [@bnl\_23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bnl_23)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2000, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-rhesus-factor/32486 "2000-09-08T18:33:38Z")
I was just reading the Straight Dope on marital blood testing in the US (http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a5\_193.html). I have to say, I find it incredible that someone from a department of Medicine is seriously say… --- ## [Fireflies that light on the way up](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fireflies-that-light-on-the-way-up/32096)
**Author:** [@Anopia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anopia)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2000, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fireflies-that-light-on-the-way-up/32096 "2000-09-07T23:35:20Z")
Doug wrote to Mark Fritz in Cincinnati that fireflies light on the way up only in the Cincinnati area, but I’ve lived in Texas all my life and I’ve long pointed out the fact that fireflies usually light only when rising.… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=283) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=285)