# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=290 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 291 --- ## [How Much Does Cecil REALLY Know?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-cecil-really-know/24170)
**Author:** [@IzzyR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IzzyR)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [July 4, 2000, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-cecil-really-know/24170 "2000-07-04T06:33:29Z")
Cecil knows everything. In fact, he is the world’s smartest human. My question is, how much does he REALLY know? Cecil’s columns are definitely funny and informative. That’s how most or all of us ended up here. But ther… --- ## [Lead in your cookware](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lead-in-your-cookware/23534)
**Author:** [@ChiefScott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChiefScott)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2000, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lead-in-your-cookware/23534 "2000-07-03T19:18:52Z")
Great article, Jill. But you raise a question in my mind. You said, “I discovered the beautiful yellow and turquoise Italian dishes I got from my grandmother had lead glaze on them, and I had been using them to cook re… --- ## [Did Hitler Ban Guns?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-hitler-ban-guns/22659)
**Author:** [@Sneevil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sneevil)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2000, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-hitler-ban-guns/22659 "2000-07-01T15:02:17Z")
After reading your article “Did Hitler Ban Gun Ownership”?, I remain unclear as to your answer. You make an attempt to disprove various statements allegedly made by Hitler, but appear not to have formulated a concise a… --- ## [Popularity of scientific (non-)afterlife](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popularity-of-scientific-non-afterlife/24061)
**Author:** [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2000, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popularity-of-scientific-non-afterlife/24061 "2000-07-01T02:44:37Z")
Well, humph, Unca Cecil. Ending a column on Christianity (http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a5\_248.html) with a puzzled sneer at those who look forward into going into the void ignores the eloquent statement of Isaac … --- ## [Red Pistachios; The TM get there first](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/red-pistachios-the-tm-get-there-first/23924)
**Author:** [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2000, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/red-pistachios-the-tm-get-there-first/23924 "2000-07-01T02:00:55Z")
One might note that the question answered by Jill at Why are pistachioes colored red? was already answered by the Teeming Millions at Why are pistachios red?. That thread has a good link to the California Pistachio Commi… --- ## [bell, book, and candle?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bell-book-and-candle/23600)
**Author:** [@hardlyb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hardlyb)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2000, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bell-book-and-candle/23600 "2000-06-30T05:45:02Z")
Does anyone know where the bell and book are in the “bell, book, and candle” excommunication ceremony referred to in today’s classical column? The reference started me thinking about Kim Novak, and from there to Vertigo,… --- ## [Killing viruses](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killing-viruses/22095)
**Author:** [@Yuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yuck)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2000, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killing-viruses/22095 "2000-06-29T03:29:57Z")
I thoroughly enjoyed the article on viruses: “How come we can’t come up with a way to cure viruses?” found at http://www.straightdope.com/columns/000204.html However, in it Cecil said “The most effective approach is… --- ## [Circus Peanuts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/circus-peanuts/22921)
**Author:** [@David\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_B)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2000, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/circus-peanuts/22921 "2000-06-29T03:22:58Z")
I like Circus Peanuts, and I’m proud of it! http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a5\_222b.html So there. --- ## [angels on he head of a pin, or needle](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/angels-on-he-head-of-a-pin-or-needle/23806)
**Author:** [@mcgowan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mcgowan)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2000, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/angels-on-he-head-of-a-pin-or-needle/23806 "2000-06-29T00:59:58Z")
All things sublunary(under the moon) were thought to be composed of the four elements - earth, air, fire, water. Angels on the other hand were composed of the fifth element, ether, which could not combine with any of the… --- ## [Evolution and Creationism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evolution-and-creationism/20178)
**Author:** [@Bletchley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bletchley)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2000, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evolution-and-creationism/20178 "2000-06-28T12:35:54Z")
My 6 year old son gets differing information about evolution and creationism depending on what videotape he jams into the VCR. This irritates him and leads him to ask many difficult questions, especially about dinosaurs.… --- ## [Calling posters "Trolls"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-posters-trolls/1128)
**Author:** [@JillGat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JillGat)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2000, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-posters-trolls/1128 "2000-06-28T07:09:48Z")
I think we can safely use this “troll” term sparingly in the “Comments on Cecil’s Columns” forum. I don’t have a dictionary here that defines it as we computer-types use it, but to me a “troll” on a message board is some… --- ## [First president](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-president/1218)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2000, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-president/1218 "2000-06-27T22:35:35Z")
I read the mailbag answer on the first president http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mprez1st.html . The answer ends by saying that the country really started with the first president, and the column as a whole minimize… --- ## [Thou, thee, thine](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thou-thee-thine/942)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2000, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thou-thee-thine/942 "2000-06-27T21:03:45Z")
In german, the second-person plural object is ihr, and the indirect object is ihnen. You were correct in saying the polite form is always “sie”. The mailbag item being discussed is What do “thou,” “thee,” and “thine” m… --- ## [Manhole covers, again](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhole-covers-again/21835)
**Author:** [@TRH](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRH)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2000, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhole-covers-again/21835 "2000-06-27T19:17:41Z")
Isn’t it possible that at least one reason manhole covers are round is that a circle is the largest area with the minimum perimeter possible? This translates into a cover that doesn’t weigh as much or use as much steel a… --- ## [You fire a bullet and drop one -- which host the ground first](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-fire-a-bullet-and-drop-one-which-host-the-ground-first/21251)
**Author:** [@joemama24\_98](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joemama24_98)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2000, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-fire-a-bullet-and-drop-one-which-host-the-ground-first/21251 "2000-06-27T18:40:24Z")
Wrong answer, Cecil. All guns fire bullets on an arced trajectory. The bullet floats up a bit before it begins to fall. As such, the dropped bullet hots first, as it has less of a vertical fall to make. --- ## [passport colors](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passport-colors/23615)
**Author:** [@madd1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madd1)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2000, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passport-colors/23615 "2000-06-27T15:38:44Z")
Passport colors Blue passports were issued to military personnel on covert assignments in foreign countries as recently as 1993. I know this through personal experience. I have no idea if this can be found out officialy… --- ## [Esperanto](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/esperanto/22094)
**Author:** [@Yuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yuck)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2000, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/esperanto/22094 "2000-06-27T06:12:59Z")
How can a language with only two million “users” (trying to include everyone as mentioned in http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mesperanto.html ) be an “international” language? Two million is barely noise. I suppo… --- ## [David wrote an entirely biased article](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-wrote-an-entirely-biased-article/22057)
**Author:** [@backpack\_joe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/backpack_joe)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2000, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-wrote-an-entirely-biased-article/22057 "2000-06-26T22:43:39Z")
Who can disagree that the SD article regarding the question, “Do creationists accept microevolution but not macroevolution?” was completely biased. Rather than presenting the intellegent reading audience of such an info… --- ## [What is a troll?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-troll/1707)
**Author:** [@Saltire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saltire)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2000, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-troll/1707 "2000-06-26T16:49:27Z")
Well, the SDMB is getting even more prominent on www.straightdope.com. Not only are they pointing the casual visitors to the more interesting threads here (in the new ‘Threadspotting’ link), but the most common scourge … --- ## [Why do people clink their glasses together after a toast?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-clink-their-glasses-together-after-a-toast/22170)
**Author:** [@Miguel\_Osers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miguel_Osers)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2000, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-clink-their-glasses-together-after-a-toast/22170 "2000-06-26T04:38:32Z")
Hi, Down here we have the explanation that when you enjoy a cup of whine, you do it with only four senses You feel the temperature with the skin You smell it you tast it you view the color but you dont hear it there… --- ## [Dinosaurs... or are they?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dinosaurs-or-are-they/22339)
**Author:** [@Mustapha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mustapha)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2000, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dinosaurs-or-are-they/22339 "2000-06-26T03:57:46Z")
Another puzzler from the Pterosaur/Dinosaur debate. Those beasties that were called dinosaurs were divided into two groups: Saurischians and Ornithischians. I vaguely remember that they were divided based upon their hi… --- ## [Why animals don't have wheels](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-animals-dont-have-wheels/23454)
**Author:** [@cjd1984](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cjd1984)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2000, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-animals-dont-have-wheels/23454 "2000-06-25T16:04:53Z")
Consider this…If higher order animals had wheels, the only advantage would be when gravity is working with you (i.e. downhill). It would seem like it isn’t very energy conservative. When you walk uphill, or even level fo… --- ## [Slug Misspells a Word (Illustrated)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slug-misspells-a-word-illustrated/23400)
**Author:** [@whitetho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whitetho)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2000, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slug-misspells-a-word-illustrated/23400 "2000-06-25T04:21:35Z")
In the illustration for the teleportation column on page 198 of Triumph of the Straight Dope, Slug apparently forgot the “except after C” sub-clause of the “I before E” rule, because the teleport receptor is labeled “REC… --- ## [Bernie Taupin's Tostig link](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bernie-taupins-tostig-link/22639)
**Author:** [@Bruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bruce)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2000, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bernie-taupins-tostig-link/22639 "2000-06-24T16:30:39Z")
According to a reply about the origin of Alvin Tostig in Elton John’s song “Levon”, lyricist Bernie Taupin’s family origin was incorrectly attributed to Wessex. Two things: The general area known as Wessex (roughly encom… --- ## [What is the Third City project?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-third-city-project/23219)
**Author:** [@zut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zut)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2000, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-third-city-project/23219 "2000-06-24T01:30:19Z")
Someone asked a question in the “General Questions” forum relating to the Philadelphia Experiment; a question which Cecil answered here. In perusing the column cited, I see that the original question states: OK, assum… --- ## [Planet X? There's not even a Planet IX.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/planet-x-theres-not-even-a-planet-ix/21013)
**Author:** [@missdavis102](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missdavis102)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2000, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/planet-x-theres-not-even-a-planet-ix/21013 "2000-06-23T17:37:03Z")
Re: http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a5\_196.html I read an article in Natural History recently that indicated most astronomers and others interested in the workings of the solar system have blackballed Pluto. It has… --- ## [Zombies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zombies/23139)
**Author:** [@PinkMaggot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PinkMaggot)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2000, 11:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zombies/23139 "2000-06-23T11:19:06Z")
Well, I was browsing The Straight Dope’s many columns, when I came across the Q and A about Zombies. I read it in its entirety, and suddenly a book I read popped up in my head. It was called “Weird But True: A Cartoon en… --- ## [Non-pork Spam...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-pork-spam/23125)
**Author:** [@Saxman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saxman)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2000, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-pork-spam/23125 "2000-06-22T16:47:32Z")
One summer when I was in London and shopping for groceries, I came across “Zwan”, a spiced turkey-based canned meat. It seemed to be marketed as a “halal” (Islamic analogue of kosher) version of Spam. I didn’t try any (b… --- ## [Honeybee Tracheal Mites and Evolution](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/honeybee-tracheal-mites-and-evolution/22113)
**Author:** [@zut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zut)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2000, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/honeybee-tracheal-mites-and-evolution/22113 "2000-06-22T16:26:42Z")
After perusing the recent micro/macro-evolution mailbag article, I started wondering about the evolutionary status of honeybee tracheal mites. When was in college, 10+ years ago, I took a beekeeping class. The professor… --- ## [Spam at camp](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spam-at-camp/23194)
**Author:** [@Languid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Languid)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2000, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spam-at-camp/23194 "2000-06-22T15:38:22Z")
When I was a kid I spent a couple of summers in New Mexico at a camp called Prarie Trek Expedition. We traveled all over the southwest, and prided ourselves on “roughing it.” When we were at base camp we cooked our break… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=289) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=291)