# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=311 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 312 --- ## [Gettin to first base](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gettin-to-first-base/280)
**Author:** [@DWSKAMS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DWSKAMS)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 1999, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gettin-to-first-base/280 "1999-11-03T22:25:00Z")
Ever since I read the column about getting to first base I have been waiting to use it on a “friend” to make a quick buck. When thae chance finally showed up, all I got was static. He want’s proof! (As if Cecil wasn’t pr… --- ## [5th Amendment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5th-amendment/1268)
**Author:** [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 1999, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5th-amendment/1268 "1999-11-03T21:43:00Z")
With regards to the new Mailbag article at http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mfifth.html : The double-jeopardy clause and the witness-against-himself clause are the ones they use in cop shows and Perry Mason all the … --- ## [The rest of the Story](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-rest-of-the-story/1267)
**Author:** [@Kid\_Gilligan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kid_Gilligan)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 1999, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-rest-of-the-story/1267 "1999-11-03T21:36:00Z")
About three or four years ago, Paul Harvey told this rather odd story. I’ll let you decide if you believe it, but it has the ring of truth to it, to me. For the sake of brevity, I will leave out some details. Other detai… --- ## [Home Plate in Southwest Corner](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-plate-in-southwest-corner/279)
**Author:** [@woody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woody)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 1999, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-plate-in-southwest-corner/279 "1999-11-03T20:27:00Z")
Seems to me that Pittsburgh’s home plate is in the northeast corner and that Philadelphia’s is in the southeast corner. These are those big tall ugly donut stadiums built in the early 70s. Such little sun gets in that th… --- ## [water witching](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-witching/278)
**Author:** [@JillGat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JillGat)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 1999, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-witching/278 "1999-11-03T17:36:00Z")
From Mike(emailed to me)referring to a classic column, http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1\_168.html : “IM a general contractor working in California. Ive done dowsing before to locate water and sewer lines underneat… --- ## [HEPA Filters](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hepa-filters/277)
**Author:** [@Matt\_MacKinnon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Matt_MacKinnon)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 1999, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hepa-filters/277 "1999-11-03T14:56:00Z")
In an article written on September 10, 1999 (http://www.straightdope.com/columns/990910.html), Cecil wrote that, "nobody really knows what HEPA stands for. In ‘The Cobra Event,’ Richard Preston writes that it stands for … --- ## [Vicious prehistoric diseases](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vicious-prehistoric-diseases/276)
**Author:** [@Pushkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pushkin)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 1999, 8:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vicious-prehistoric-diseases/276 "1999-11-03T08:32:00Z")
If a wooly mammoth can be thawed out intact from ice, would global warming release all sorts of prehistoric diseases that we have no resistance to? The pyramids are supposed to contain vile ancient bacteria that killed … --- ## [Re: Resolution of film](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-resolution-of-film/1265)
**Author:** [@WhiteNight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhiteNight)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 1999, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-resolution-of-film/1265 "1999-11-03T06:23:00Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mfilm.html The answer is that film doesn’t have pixels, but the resolution question is ignored. I think the intent of the question was to determine the needed size of a computer image… --- ## ["fey charm"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fey-charm/1266)
**Author:** [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 1999, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fey-charm/1266 "1999-11-02T19:19:00Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mfellswoop.html I though “fey” was another term for “fairy/elf/Old One”, as in “Morgan Le Fay”. Does that use precede or antecede the “imminent death” meaning? Or am I confusing two s… --- ## [Fire and Brimstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fire-and-brimstone/1264)
**Author:** [@markmier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markmier)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 1999, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fire-and-brimstone/1264 "1999-11-02T04:48:00Z")
Actually, Cecil is wrong. The reaction of sulfur dioxide (SO2, formed by the burning of sulfur in air) does NOT form sulfuric acid (H2SO4) but rather sulfurous acid (H2SO3). To form sulfuric acid, the SO2 is “burned” in … --- ## [(Sweet) corn from America...???](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sweet-corn-from-america/275)
**Author:** [@johnson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnson)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 1999, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sweet-corn-from-america/275 "1999-11-01T21:30:00Z")
So corn clearly is from America…(http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1\_102.html). What is the story behind the Rosslyn Chapel, outside of Edinburgh, supposedly with a carving of corn from the 1460’s or so? I’m not inte… --- ## [Jesus and James](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jesus-and-james/274)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 1999, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jesus-and-james/274 "1999-11-01T15:09:00Z")
Back in July, someone asked whether Jesus had a brother. (( Did Jesus have siblings? ))Cecil’s response quoted the New Testament and mentioned some beliefs of the Catholic Church. Sorry, Cecil, but looking to standard … --- ## [What's the purpose of the hymen?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-purpose-of-the-hymen/273)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 1999, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-purpose-of-the-hymen/273 "1999-11-01T14:51:00Z")
Every schoolboy knows that the hymen is just one of those tamper-proof seals designed to keep the freshness in. --- ## [Y2K and MAC OS](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/y2k-and-mac-os/1263)
**Author:** [@pcalkins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pcalkins)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 1999, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/y2k-and-mac-os/1263 "1999-10-31T17:22:00Z")
Ed stated that Mac OS and Linux are probably Y2K compliant. MacOS has been Y2K compliant since its introduction- its method of date calculation is different from that used by most other OS’s. NO Y2K problems here- hopefu… --- ## [Audio laser](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/audio-laser/270)
**Author:** [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 1999, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/audio-laser/270 "1999-10-30T21:38:00Z")
Someone posted a few messages about this http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_114.html and left out the link to the classic column being referred to, and made errors in their first two posts. In trying to delete the… --- ## [Singles](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/singles/269)
**Author:** [@Laura\_Del\_Col](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laura_Del_Col)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 1999, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/singles/269 "1999-10-30T14:27:00Z")
Cecil wrote: \> In case you’re wondering, vinyl singles are \> still issued, although in greatly reduced \> quantities, mainly \> for the benefit of jukebox operators, \> record collectors, and indie music fans. Actually, … --- ## ["one fell swoop"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-fell-swoop/1262)
**Author:** [@Bradster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bradster)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 1999, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-fell-swoop/1262 "1999-10-30T05:24:00Z")
I suspect the Macbeth reference is an implied metaphor. A falcon “swoops” on its prey (it also “stoops” as it dives), and the lines suggest that the children and their mother – the chickens and their dam – were all carri… --- ## [Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/na-na-hey-hey-kiss-him-goodbye/268)
**Author:** [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 1999, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/na-na-hey-hey-kiss-him-goodbye/268 "1999-10-30T05:00:00Z")
Aw, Cece. You didn’t even mention that this song was coopted by the Giants last season to mark the last season at Candlestick. On second thought, maybe you’ve been to a game at the 'Stick and are no more sentimental abo… --- ## [Emergency Broadcast System](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emergency-broadcast-system/1261)
**Author:** [@Big\_Joe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Big_Joe)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 1999, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emergency-broadcast-system/1261 "1999-10-29T14:34:00Z")
I read the article about the EBS with great interest. The only time that I have heard the EBS signal when it was not a test was during the 1992 riots in Los Angeles. Basically the purpose for the message was to give cur… --- ## ["Earth" in other languages](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earth-in-other-languages/1260)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 1999, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earth-in-other-languages/1260 "1999-10-28T23:16:00Z")
Hey Jill- You seem to have missed the deeper meaning behind the question, making it seem banal rather than thought-provoking. What I believe the question really meant was “Do other lanuages call our planet ‘Earth’ (tra… --- ## [glass is liquid, david is wrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/glass-is-liquid-david-is-wrong/1257)
**Author:** [@metroshane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/metroshane)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 1999, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/glass-is-liquid-david-is-wrong/1257 "1999-10-28T16:49:00Z")
I was raised to believe glass is liquid not solid. I’ve even used this fact to swindle some mensa goons. but to my astonishment, when i read http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mglass.html , SDSTAFF David said ‘Before I… --- ## [wolf people](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wolf-people/267)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 1999, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wolf-people/267 "1999-10-27T20:54:00Z")
In regards to wolf people http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a3\_046.html I have a hard time buying the explanation of Amala and Kamala–assuming the facts are true. If one was 8 and the other was 18months, then if … --- ## [Leondardo](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leondardo/1256)
**Author:** [@dfahs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dfahs)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 1999, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leondardo/1256 "1999-10-27T15:21:00Z")
From http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mleonardo.html : That proves nothing. He painted these pictures because people PAID him to. The Last Supper is on a wall in a Monastery, and many of his other religious paintin… --- ## [Going Down! (Not the Stock Market)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-down-not-the-stock-market/266)
**Author:** [@manhattan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manhattan)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 1999, 7:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-down-not-the-stock-market/266 "1999-10-27T07:12:00Z")
Re Cecil on Elevators: Three of the four explanations of why an elevator’s “Close Door” button never seems to work have the button a) broken, b) intentionally disconnected, or c) never wired at installation. But the el… --- ## [Russian Roulette](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-roulette/265)
**Author:** [@dlv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dlv)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 1999, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-roulette/265 "1999-10-27T00:00:00Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/991022.html In fact, the only reference to anything like Russian roulette I could find in Russian literature was in the book A Hero of Our Time by Mikhail Lermontov (1840, translated… --- ## [how many dimensions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dimensions/1255)
**Author:** [@factr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/factr)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 1999, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dimensions/1255 "1999-10-26T13:13:00Z")
When you attempted to define how many dimensions could exist, you talked about time as a dimension and the creation of the universe. You overlooked one simple idea. You have a straight line, representing 1 dimension, yo… --- ## [Dr. Pepper is chemically Atni-Freeze!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-pepper-is-chemically-atni-freeze/264)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 1999, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-pepper-is-chemically-atni-freeze/264 "1999-10-25T20:01:00Z")
When listing ingredients of Dr. Pepper, Uncle Cecil says “Apparently in Canada lactic acid is sometimes listed on the can, as well as polyethylene glycol. …I guess polyethylene glycol could be one of those mystic spice… --- ## [Kudos to David B!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kudos-to-david-b/1254)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 1999, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kudos-to-david-b/1254 "1999-10-25T16:33:00Z")
Assuming that he’ the David behind today’s Leonardo DaVinci column, http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mleonardo.html This was a perfect chance for him to portray DaVinci as only an athiest and a skeptic. A lot of seri… --- ## [barney rubbles jobs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barney-rubbles-jobs/1250)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 1999, 9:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barney-rubbles-jobs/1250 "1999-10-25T09:58:00Z")
notify the execs–Here we come on the run with a burger on a bun and a dash of coleslaw on the side. oh your taste buds we will tickle with a coled dill p ickle and all of our potatoes are french fried fried fried. oh our… --- ## [non-"mirror image" mirror images](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-mirror-image-mirror-images/262)
**Author:** [@The\_Ryan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Ryan)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 1999, 9:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-mirror-image-mirror-images/262 "1999-10-25T09:03:00Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_082.html “Complex”? I have one in my bathroom. All you need is two mirrors at right angles. One reflects you, the other reflects the reflection, creating a “correct” image. Not t… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=310) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=312)