# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=289 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 290 --- ## [How many speak English?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-speak-english/25535)
**Author:** [@Yuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yuck)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2000, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-speak-english/25535 "2000-07-19T00:17:16Z")
In Cecil’s column http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a3\_261.html (“What’s the international language of business, French or English?”), he states that over 400 million people speak English (does this include the Aussi… --- ## [Brand Names That Become Generic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brand-names-that-become-generic/24647)
**Author:** [@another\_ian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/another_ian)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2000, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brand-names-that-become-generic/24647 "2000-07-18T01:05:04Z")
SDSTAFF-Ian, It is with grave humiliation that I tow the shame of sharing a name with you. The correct one-word answer to Spike Parker’s question about brand names that come to represent the product generically (Xerox, … --- ## [Six Flags Column](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/six-flags-column/23207)
**Author:** [@Kiwibird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiwibird)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2000, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/six-flags-column/23207 "2000-07-17T22:03:46Z")
Today’s classic column is a question about the six flags flown over Texas. Cecil finished up by addressing the question of “six flags” flown over St. Louis, and thought that including the Spanish one was a bit of a stret… --- ## ["La Bamba" and how to do it.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/la-bamba-and-how-to-do-it/25692)
**Author:** [@nerowolfefan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nerowolfefan)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2000, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/la-bamba-and-how-to-do-it/25692 "2000-07-16T17:03:08Z")
In regards as to how to ld “La Bamba” see if any one can locate a copy of the “Arsineo Hall Show” that had Ritchie Valens brother on it.(If you do find a person who has this in their home tell them to up date their tapes… --- ## [Mutton Vindallo](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mutton-vindallo/25693)
**Author:** [@nerowolfefan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nerowolfefan)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2000, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mutton-vindallo/25693 "2000-07-16T04:02:04Z")
If you don’t watch the show your friend is talking about and they know it, call them a “smeghead” and watch as the confusion spreads across his face :slight\_smile: --- ## [Value of Frequent Flier Miles](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/value-of-frequent-flier-miles/25537)
**Author:** [@Yuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yuck)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2000, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/value-of-frequent-flier-miles/25537 "2000-07-14T16:27:42Z")
Cecil (or at least the Mrs. did) got about $1.00 per mile of value from his frequent flier account in http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a3\_136.html (“Why are air fares cheaper if you stay over Saturday night?”). Pre… --- ## [Steelers Helmet Correction](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steelers-helmet-correction/25557)
**Author:** [@PaulC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PaulC)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2000, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steelers-helmet-correction/25557 "2000-07-14T15:11:48Z")
When the helmet logos arrived, only half the shipment showed up. That’s why the logo is only on one side. --- ## [Gold](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gold/24203)
**Author:** [@PinkMaggot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PinkMaggot)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2000, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gold/24203 "2000-07-14T03:48:49Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mwhtgold.html I was just wondering- if 24 Karat gold is 99.99 % gold, what is the other 0.01 % of? (edited to make the post a clickable link) (this post has been edited by Arnold Wi… --- ## [Hidden Disney - Roger Rabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hidden-disney-roger-rabbit/25394)
**Author:** [@DavisMcDavis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavisMcDavis)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2000, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hidden-disney-roger-rabbit/25394 "2000-07-14T01:52:55Z")
There’s another hidden thing you can see in Roger Rabbit, I think even on the VHS version: After the opening cartoon, when Roger is supposed to see stars but instead sees birds, Baby Herman gets mad and storms off the … --- ## [Egyptian Brain surgery](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/egyptian-brain-surgery/25289)
**Author:** [@dubikan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dubikan)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2000, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/egyptian-brain-surgery/25289 "2000-07-13T06:35:27Z")
(following the column on why the heart is considered the seat of emotions - http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a5\_271.html) IIRC, egyptian skulls of Tut-Ankh Amon, or one of the other horror-film stars, had a hole in … --- ## [Why is the heart considered the center of love and affection?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-heart-considered-the-center-of-love-and-affection/25218)
**Author:** [@Lazarus\_Long](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lazarus_Long)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2000, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-heart-considered-the-center-of-love-and-affection/25218 "2000-07-13T06:34:11Z")
Strangely (to modern ears) the Bible and subsequently written Hebrew prayers often refer to the Kidneys as the seat of thought. God is even referred to in one prayer as “Diviner of kidneys and heart”! --- ## [Are manatees white meat or dark meat?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-manatees-white-meat-or-dark-meat/24745)
**Author:** [@sparkomatic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sparkomatic)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2000, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-manatees-white-meat-or-dark-meat/24745 "2000-07-13T02:42:03Z")
It seems to me that if we actually DO learn to eat (as a general poplulation) any rare creature such as the Manatee, its number will increase to perhaps that of chickens, pigs or cows?..What do you think? Mark in Boston … --- ## [Article on nonoxynol-9](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/article-on-nonoxynol-9/25348)
**Author:** [@Louie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Louie)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2000, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/article-on-nonoxynol-9/25348 "2000-07-12T20:18:12Z")
Commenting on Does nonoxynol-9 protect against HIV? : I saw this page today, which pretty much goes along what Cecil said about how ineffective the N-9 spermicide is against the spread of HIV. HIV preventive backfires … --- ## [ADMINISTRATIVE REQUEST: PLEASE READ](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/administrative-request-please-read/1710)
**Author:** [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2000, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/administrative-request-please-read/1710 "2000-07-12T15:47:07Z")
A request, please, of the Mailbag Faithful: When you are the first poster presenting a new topic in this forum, please provide a link (or the url) to the Mailbag item that you are commenting on. This makes it helpful fo… --- ## [Keeping your fingers crossed...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keeping-your-fingers-crossed/25197)
**Author:** [@Tomcat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tomcat)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2000, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keeping-your-fingers-crossed/25197 "2000-07-12T12:12:48Z")
Just for information’s sake, in many european countries and South Africa it is known as “Clutching Thumbs” or “Grasping Thumbs.” Your fingers don’t have anything to do with it. I was confused for awhile when having to re… --- ## [Singing 2 Notes At Once](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/singing-2-notes-at-once/24853)
**Author:** [@another\_ian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/another_ian)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2000, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/singing-2-notes-at-once/24853 "2000-07-11T04:23:16Z")
I am horrified to have uncovered what is doubtless Cecil’s only fallibility. His answer to Doug B.'s question on whether it’s possible to sing more than one note at once ( http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1\_078b.htm… --- ## [Lord Alfred Douglas](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lord-alfred-douglas/25161)
**Author:** [@screech-owl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/screech-owl)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2000, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lord-alfred-douglas/25161 "2000-07-11T04:11:11Z")
In a recent column on the “Protocols of the Elders of Zion”, SDSTAFF David mentioned “Lord Alfred Douglas, an anti-Semitic leader in London”. Is this the same Lord Alfred Douglas that was involved with the Oscar Wilde sc… --- ## [On snuff films and Jack Kervorkian](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-snuff-films-and-jack-kervorkian/24595)
**Author:** [@capacitor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/capacitor)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 10, 2000, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-snuff-films-and-jack-kervorkian/24595 "2000-07-10T21:21:57Z")
cecil there is a snuff film that exists: one that Dr. Jack Kervorkian made for 60 Minutes and to drum up support for phycisian-assisted suicide. It backfired; the film was used to put him to jailhim in jail. --- ## [Why is a raven like a writing desk?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-a-raven-like-a-writing-desk/24940)
**Author:** [@DaveoRad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaveoRad)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2000, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-a-raven-like-a-writing-desk/24940 "2000-07-08T07:21:09Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a5\_266.html In a '70s Richie Rich comic, Cadbury (the butler), trying to be funny, said: “Why is a raven like a writing desk? Because neither one can drive an automobile!” Of course,… --- ## [Does the head remain briefly conscious after decapitation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-head-remain-briefly-conscious-after-decapitation/24801)
**Author:** [@JoltSucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoltSucker)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 7, 2000, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-head-remain-briefly-conscious-after-decapitation/24801 "2000-07-07T23:14:02Z")
It seems to me that with today’s technology, that could be easily determined. Wire the head up (EEG, is it?) before decapitation, then watch what happens when you decapitate. Of course, the only likely human test subject… --- ## [Lar on the origin of XX](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lar-on-the-origin-of-xx/22635)
**Author:** [@Extralumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Extralumpy)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 7, 2000, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lar-on-the-origin-of-xx/22635 "2000-07-07T22:47:53Z")
This post is in reference to http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mxxx.html by Lars. I and a friend had been attempting to research this very item, at least in respect to it’s use to describe porn, not booze. You can ima… --- ## [Vacuum Commode Incident](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vacuum-commode-incident/24773)
**Author:** [@Perderabo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Perderabo)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 7, 2000, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vacuum-commode-incident/24773 "2000-07-07T14:29:05Z")
Here is the link: http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a5\_260.html But, umm, what happens next at the hospital??? Do they sit her on a positive pressure commode and blow the intestines back in? Or maybe shove a vacuum … --- ## [riots caused by art events](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/riots-caused-by-art-events/1648)
**Author:** [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2000, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/riots-caused-by-art-events/1648 "2000-07-06T22:21:52Z")
Did avant-garde arts events of a century ago really inspire riots? (27-Mar-2000) Another example not mentioned by the article is the riot at the premier of Victor Hugo’s play Hernani, on 25 February 1830 at the Comédie … --- ## [Infrared farts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/infrared-farts/24545)
**Author:** [@ChiefScott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChiefScott)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2000, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/infrared-farts/24545 "2000-07-06T21:40:47Z")
Never thought of this until Unca Cees brought this up. But yeah, what do farts look like using infrared photography. But while Cecil touts matches, I feel a butane lighter is the ideal ignition sourse. --- ## [The whole 9 yards.....](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-whole-9-yards/24710)
**Author:** [@Jeff\_McH](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_McH)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2000, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-whole-9-yards/24710 "2000-07-06T15:54:11Z")
The term the whole nine yards does not originate from the amount of fabric used to make certain clothes, or the cloth that covers a casket. It actually originates from WWII piolets. One string of bullets was nine yards l… --- ## [Hah! There is SO water on Mars! Maybe canals, too!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hah-there-is-so-water-on-mars-maybe-canals-too/23937)
**Author:** [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2000, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hah-there-is-so-water-on-mars-maybe-canals-too/23937 "2000-07-06T12:55:10Z")
In “Whatever happened to the canals of Mars?” Cecil says that there is “little water” on Mars. Now that they’ve found water on Mars, maybe they’ll find canals, too. NASA, among others, has actual manned Mars landing pl… --- ## [magnetic healing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/magnetic-healing/23947)
**Author:** [@gump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gump)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2000, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/magnetic-healing/23947 "2000-07-05T23:08:52Z")
For about 15 years, I worked on Magnetic Resonance Imaging machines, during part of which time I was a professional volunter subject in high-field magnets. I’ve been subjected to higher magnetic fields for longer times t… --- ## [Ouiji boards and other junk](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ouiji-boards-and-other-junk/24531)
**Author:** [@tripoverbiff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tripoverbiff)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2000, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ouiji-boards-and-other-junk/24531 "2000-07-05T17:12:21Z")
I don’t know much about this stuff, but Cecil’s suggestion that it works mainly by unconscious movements reminds me of an experiment I once heard of as a kid. I was told that if you tied an weight to a string and let it … --- ## [Followup question on "apollo moon landings fake?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/followup-question-on-apollo-moon-landings-fake/24615)
**Author:** [@russ404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/russ404)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2000, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/followup-question-on-apollo-moon-landings-fake/24615 "2000-07-05T07:08:45Z")
I remember reading/hearing that lots of equipment was left behind on the moon (landers, etc). Shouldn’t that stuff be visible from the earth with our powerful telescopes? If so, I would think that would put to rest all b… --- ## [Texas Chainsaw Massacre](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-chainsaw-massacre/24215)
**Author:** [@PinkMaggot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PinkMaggot)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2000, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-chainsaw-massacre/24215 "2000-07-05T00:40:24Z")
I’d just like to point out that in TCSM I, the survuivor found her way into an old, locked up room, with a dead woman in it. Also relating to the true story. In TCSM II, they find a shrine with another dead lady, “Grandm… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=288) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=290)