# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=31 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 32 --- ## [Why is India 30 minutes out of step with everybody else?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-india-30-minutes-out-of-step-with-everybody-else/708767)
**Author:** [@Keithy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keithy)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2015, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-india-30-minutes-out-of-step-with-everybody-else/708767 "2015-01-18T21:32:15Z")
Another factor that may have influenced the choice of a 1/2 hour in the time differential could be the fact that India was a British colony. Us Brits are an idle lot and we head out to (what was) Bombay for a tour of dut… --- ## [Dirty, dirty money](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dirty-dirty-money/710002)
**Author:** [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2015, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dirty-dirty-money/710002 "2015-01-16T22:43:43Z")
The column for January 16, 2015 states when discussing U.S. bills: “Don’t get too excited, though: these amounts are so small that no one’s getting high off the U.S. Mint’s supply.” Paper currency is not manufactured by… --- ## [What did Prince Andrew's superiors in the Royal Navy call him?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-prince-andrews-superiors-in-the-royal-navy-call-him/647388)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2015, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-prince-andrews-superiors-in-the-royal-navy-call-him/647388 "2015-01-16T06:09:42Z")
Cecil’s 1987 column: What did Prince Andrew’s superiors in the Royal Navy call him? - The Straight Dope Thought we had a thread about it already, but I couldn’t find it. This touches on similar issues: Royals in the Mi… --- ## [Why is the sound of fingernails scraping a blackboard ao annoying.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-sound-of-fingernails-scraping-a-blackboard-ao-annoying/709393)
**Author:** [@veramis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/veramis)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2015, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-sound-of-fingernails-scraping-a-blackboard-ao-annoying/709393 "2015-01-15T18:15:53Z")
I have a hypothesis that the sound of fingernail scraping is annoying because of two things: It reminds us of the physical sensation of when our own fingernails scrape across similarly scratchy surfaces, and the sen… --- ## [Can animals smell fear?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-animals-smell-fear/709873)
**Author:** [@dlthewave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dlthewave)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2015, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-animals-smell-fear/709873 "2015-01-15T04:28:17Z")
I have no doubt that animals can sense fear, but if it’s really based on smell, wouldn’t you have to do more than just act like you’re not afraid? You would need to find a way to control either your scent or your actual … --- ## [Levi rivets](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/levi-rivets/709855)
**Author:** [@MacLir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacLir)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2015, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/levi-rivets/709855 "2015-01-15T00:31:36Z")
When I saw this article, I thought it would be about the crotch rivets, which allegedly were discontinued when a Levi Strauss exec went camping and spent some time squatting near the fire. When he stood up the heated … --- ## [Did Jesus really exist? And what's with the Shroud of Turin? November 22, 1985 is incorrect because](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-jesus-really-exist-and-whats-with-the-shroud-of-turin-november-22-1985-is-incorrect-because/672620)
**Author:** [@stardustwind54](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stardustwind54)\ **Replies:** 150\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2015, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-jesus-really-exist-and-whats-with-the-shroud-of-turin-november-22-1985-is-incorrect-because/672620 "2015-01-13T23:36:57Z")
the shroud of turin was re-tested in 2013 and it turns out that in 1988 the area carbon dated was a re-woven patch done by Poor Clair Nuns approx. 700 years ago. In 2013 the main part of the shroud was tested and it was … --- ## [Why is skin cancer more prevalent now than in ancient times?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-skin-cancer-more-prevalent-now-than-in-ancient-times/707034)
**Author:** [@srbeck13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/srbeck13)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2015, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-skin-cancer-more-prevalent-now-than-in-ancient-times/707034 "2015-01-12T19:45:11Z")
I think Cecil is misinterpreting life expectancy at birth. The fact that the average as of death was 25 or 30 does not mean that everyone lived a healthy life until they all dropped dead on their 25th or 30th birthday. … --- ## [Old column about surviving lightening strikes.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-column-about-surviving-lightening-strikes/708625)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2015, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-column-about-surviving-lightening-strikes/708625 "2015-01-06T18:32:53Z")
I happened upon this old column about people surviving multiple lightening strikes while participating in this thread about “average fighting skills” in which a poster GusNSpot claimed that his family had been the victim… --- ## [need a redo on silver spoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-redo-on-silver-spoon/337938)
**Author:** [@orange\_whip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/orange_whip)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2015, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-redo-on-silver-spoon/337938 "2015-01-06T18:26:36Z")
i cant believe nobody caught this. the experiment used full bottles of champaigne, the theory is that used bottles(like, half full)were preserved. to me, the jury is still out. --- ## [Slug Cartoon even more obscure](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slug-cartoon-even-more-obscure/708840)
**Author:** [@jezzaOZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jezzaOZ)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2015, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slug-cartoon-even-more-obscure/708840 "2015-01-05T03:05:20Z")
Does sleeping naked prevent diabetes? - The Straight Dope has the usual Slug cartoon, but I am somewhat bemused by the detail Why does the lady have a string tied to one toe while a sock is being removed from the other … --- ## [Sasquatch](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sasquatch/708216)
**Author:** [@heteromeles2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/heteromeles2)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2014, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sasquatch/708216 "2014-12-31T15:42:50Z")
I like the caloric take on why Bigfoot is unlikely, but we have to also consider the technical side, as pointed out by XKCD at xkcd: Settled Here’s the deal. We’ve got so many cell phones with cameras in the world that… --- ## [Are Asians Bad Drivers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-asians-bad-drivers/705893)
**Author:** [@waddlingeagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/waddlingeagle)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2014, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-asians-bad-drivers/705893 "2014-12-29T04:34:18Z")
A fair number of Asian countries have abnormally high accident rates due to a number of factors: loose or non-existent enforcement of traffic laws, a widespread belief that drinking improves your driving, a much higher p… --- ## [what's the deal with witches and broomsticks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-witches-and-broomsticks/605009)
**Author:** [@misha913](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/misha913)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2014, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-witches-and-broomsticks/605009 "2014-12-28T12:06:05Z")
I just ran across your message board. I like it. I thought you might like, also, to know that while I was teaching Russian language and culture in a local elementary school my research on Russian witches turned up a fe… --- ## [Oil and Dinosaurs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oil-and-dinosaurs/708038)
**Author:** [@Rutabegger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rutabegger)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2014, 10:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oil-and-dinosaurs/708038 "2014-12-28T10:12:15Z")
This is an ancient article. Maybe someone can extract oil from it? This is seems to be the latest: Siljan (lake) - Wikipedia TL;DR - nothing here, move along. --- ## [Is there a Santa Claus](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-santa-claus/708227)
**Author:** [@qazwart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/qazwart)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2014, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-santa-claus/708227 "2014-12-27T21:33:29Z")
Is there a Santa Clause? No there isn’t. Neither does the Easter Bunny exist. And, don’t get me started on unicorns and the Tooth Fairy! The world is a terrible place, vacant of magical gift giving creatures and full o… --- ## [Defending yourself in court: how many were lawyers themselves?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defending-yourself-in-court-how-many-were-lawyers-themselves/708242)
**Author:** [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2014, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defending-yourself-in-court-how-many-were-lawyers-themselves/708242 "2014-12-27T04:26:39Z")
In the column from a few days ago, the success rate of these amateur lawyers defending themselves seems to be pretty bad. But I would assume that the reason is because these people are not lawyers. Is there a stat for … --- ## [What would Earth be like without the Moon](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-earth-be-like-without-the-moon/707683)
**Author:** [@Mike\_Kownacki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mike_Kownacki)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2014, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-earth-be-like-without-the-moon/707683 "2014-12-25T02:33:41Z")
Glad to see this article - one or two points I’ve never seen before. It did, however, fail to mention what would happen if the moon was too large. Then the Earth’s rotation would synchronize with the moon’s rotation and … --- ## [Settling the phrase "cops" once and for all](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/settling-the-phrase-cops-once-and-for-all/707786)
**Author:** [@analogqueen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/analogqueen)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2014, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/settling-the-phrase-cops-once-and-for-all/707786 "2014-12-23T04:10:30Z")
\*The word “handcuff” is a popular corruption of the Anglo-Saxon “handcop,” i.e., that which “cops” or “catches” the hands. Now, one of the most common of the many slang expressions used by their special enemies towards … --- ## [Witches & Drugs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/witches-drugs/707608)
**Author:** [@furryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furryman)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2014, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/witches-drugs/707608 "2014-12-21T02:31:14Z")
I don’t have a cite, but I read once that almost everything we think we know about witches comes from confessions extracted by the Inquisition. Personally I find it hard to take anything a woman being tortured says serio… --- ## [Witches & Drugs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/witches-drugs/707607)
**Author:** [@furryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furryman)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2014, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/witches-drugs/707607 "2014-12-18T21:46:30Z")
I don’t have a cite, but I read once that almost everything we think we know about witches comes from confessions extracted by the Inquisition. Personally I find it hard to take anything a woman being tortured says serio… --- ## [Second Hand Smoke: In Defense of the 90 Percent Confidence Interval](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/second-hand-smoke-in-defense-of-the-90-percent-confidence-interval/707188)
**Author:** [@Admf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Admf)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2014, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/second-hand-smoke-in-defense-of-the-90-percent-confidence-interval/707188 "2014-12-18T07:24:22Z")
Cecil has covered second hand smoke twice, and he took issue with the fact that many studies relied on a 90 percent confidence interval. Original Column on Second Hand Smoke Followup These columns are from all the way… --- ## [The Straight Dope: Do your lifestyle choices matter once you’re really old?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-do-your-lifestyle-choices-matter-once-you-re-really-old/705324)
**Author:** [@Frank\_Walters](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank_Walters)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2014, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-do-your-lifestyle-choices-matter-once-you-re-really-old/705324 "2014-12-18T00:30:57Z")
Daniel T. is still just a kid at age 40. He’s got to stick to clean living until age 60 at least. I’m age 83, still working on multiple projects abroad for multinational development banks who never check the date of bir… --- ## [Prohibiting gays from donating blood](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prohibiting-gays-from-donating-blood/702360)
**Author:** [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2014, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prohibiting-gays-from-donating-blood/702360 "2014-12-15T15:53:19Z")
The column on the impact of gay men donating blood discusses the potential risks of widening the donor pool. However, there’s no discussion of the costs of not widening the pool. Are there studies on how many people die … --- ## [Chances of getting HIV](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chances-of-getting-hiv/707094)
**Author:** [@Nait](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nait)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2014, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chances-of-getting-hiv/707094 "2014-12-14T14:11:47Z")
The article on the chances of getting HIV from 2002 is out of date. The PARTNER Study has published an interim report and estimates that the risk of transmission is near zero if the positive person is on treatment and ha… --- ## [Are we living in a new "Gilded Age" of income inequality?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-living-in-a-new-gilded-age-of-income-inequality/253689)
**Author:** [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2014, 8:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-living-in-a-new-gilded-age-of-income-inequality/253689 "2014-12-13T08:27:19Z")
Cecil’s column on Income Inequality only seemed to look at a small part of the picture of income inequality. He examined the income of the top 0.1 percent, which seems a rather arbitrary point to do an analysis on incom… --- ## [Stainless steel](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stainless-steel/706338)
**Author:** [@woodhome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodhome)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2014, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stainless-steel/706338 "2014-12-04T20:15:26Z")
I don’t know if “ionization” is the reason stainless steel removes smells. But it would not be a crock. Ionization would make a salt. Salts are generally not volatile. This would result in eliminating smells. Especially… --- ## [Hep! Hep! Hurrah](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hep-hep-hurrah/366069)
**Author:** [@Frank\_W](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank_W)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 3, 2014, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hep-hep-hurrah/366069 "2014-12-03T18:40:19Z")
Further to the post on the above I wish to add further insight to the origin of this phrase. Hep! Hep! Hurrah originated after the Roman final siege of Jerusalem in 135 A.D. against the false Messiah, Bar-Cochebas, wh… --- ## [Morphine addiction following the Civil War](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morphine-addiction-following-the-civil-war/705859)
**Author:** [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 3, 2014, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morphine-addiction-following-the-civil-war/705859 "2014-12-03T03:52:31Z")
Cecil’s answer covers the morphine given to soldiers during the Civil War, but what were the numbers of women who were addicted to Laudanum? --- ## [Why is Satan often shown as having Goatlike features?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-satan-often-shown-as-having-goatlike-features/522647)
**Author:** [@General\_Derangement](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/General_Derangement)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2014, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-satan-often-shown-as-having-goatlike-features/522647 "2014-12-02T22:35:06Z")
In the article about Satan’s usually goatlike features, Cecil quotes something about left-handed goats. But I found an even better bible verse (for the record, I got this from another Straight Dope article. I don’t even … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=30) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=32)