# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=314 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 315 --- ## [Boat Steering Wheels on the Right Hand Side...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boat-steering-wheels-on-the-right-hand-side/1216)
**Author:** [@RobertinNewYawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RobertinNewYawk)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 1999, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boat-steering-wheels-on-the-right-hand-side/1216 "1999-09-23T04:14:00Z")
The Norse invented the SteerBoard, and it was placed on the right hand side of the boat…to be used by the predominantly right handed steersmen. Old habits die hard…especially in sailing, and all steering mechanisms conti… --- ## [Straightening/Relaxing Hair](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straightening-relaxing-hair/219)
**Author:** [@LemonGrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LemonGrl)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 1999, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straightening-relaxing-hair/219 "1999-09-22T03:35:00Z")
hey, i’ve got a pretty shallow question here, but maybe someone can help me out? anyway, i used to relax my hair using this product that loaded it up with chemicals, and i don’t want to keep using it since my hair has ki… --- ## [What's the difference between a lawyer and an attorney?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-a-lawyer-and-an-attorney/1206)
**Author:** [@davidbrantley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidbrantley)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 1999, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-a-lawyer-and-an-attorney/1206 "1999-09-22T00:42:00Z")
About 2 IQ points? Couldn’t resist. --- ## [The Big Apple -- The Windy City](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-apple-the-windy-city/218)
**Author:** [@Jomolungma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jomolungma)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 1999, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-apple-the-windy-city/218 "1999-09-21T19:00:00Z")
As to who gets the credit for dubbing New York the “Big Apple,” I will leave it to Cecil and Popik (weren’t they renowned vaudevillians?) to continue their struggle, mano a mano. But what of the origins of the “Windy … --- ## [The poor guy in the Paris Airport since '88](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-poor-guy-in-the-paris-airport-since-88/217)
**Author:** [@GlassGirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GlassGirl)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 1999, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-poor-guy-in-the-paris-airport-since-88/217 "1999-09-21T16:56:00Z")
I have been listening to the BBC, and a quick news report just came across that said that Iranian Merhan Nasseri was granted French citizenship and will be allowed to leave the airport. Don’t know if he is going on to th… --- ## [Indians, New + Old World Diseases](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/indians-new-old-world-diseases/216)
**Author:** [@rmhj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rmhj)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 1999, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/indians-new-old-world-diseases/216 "1999-09-21T02:42:00Z")
Cecil gave the ‘pro’ argument for syphilis being introduced to the old world from the new. Certainly popular culture has given this attribution also (e.g., Voltaire’s Candide, in which Dr. Pangloss’s syphilis is tra… --- ## [tumbleweeds](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tumbleweeds/1205)
**Author:** [@JillGat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JillGat)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 1999, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tumbleweeds/1205 "1999-09-21T00:13:00Z")
Sent to me by an astute reader: http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mtumbleweed.html It seemed to me that the response on the Tumbleweed question came from someone who has never been west of the Mississippi. The tumble… --- ## [Six-pack Rings](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/six-pack-rings/214)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 1999, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/six-pack-rings/214 "1999-09-20T23:05:00Z")
This brings to mind an article or articles I read on ships’ cargoes that had been lost at sea; one consisted of an ungodly number of rubber duckies that washed up on shores from South America to Alaska; another dumped t… --- ## [Exploding Birds](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exploding-birds/213)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 1999, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exploding-birds/213 "1999-09-20T18:16:00Z")
I’m referring to the question that was first published in May of 1997, about whether rice shouldn’t be thrown at weddings because birds exploded when they ate it. Cecil seems to think that’s hogwash, and I agree. I … --- ## [Carsickness from reading](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carsickness-from-reading/1202)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 1999, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carsickness-from-reading/1202 "1999-09-19T15:54:00Z")
I read the explanation of people getting carsick, and it makes sense, but what is the deal with carsickness being connected with reading? The only times I have EVER gotten carsick have been while I was reading in the ca… --- ## [Eye floaters](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eye-floaters/212)
**Author:** [@Gilligan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gilligan)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 1999, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eye-floaters/212 "1999-09-19T03:02:00Z")
Cecil’s explanation of eye “floaters” appears in More of the Straight Dope, and although I couldn’t find the column here, I thought this was a “Comment on Cecil’s Columns”. Anyway, how big are floaters? Are they microsco… --- ## [What's the origin of the myth that cats can suck the breath out of babies?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-origin-of-the-myth-that-cats-can-suck-the-breath-out-of-babies/211)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 1999, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-origin-of-the-myth-that-cats-can-suck-the-breath-out-of-babies/211 "1999-09-18T15:30:00Z")
What I have been told about the cats taking a baby’s breath away is that a cats like milk, and is attracted by the scent of milk on the baby’s breath. When you lightly blow around a newborn’s mouth and nose, the child wi… --- ## [Porphyria vs. Lupus in folklore](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/porphyria-vs-lupus-in-folklore/209)
**Author:** [@Boris\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boris_B)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 1999, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/porphyria-vs-lupus-in-folklore/209 "1999-09-18T03:10:00Z")
In his article: http://www.straightdope.com/columns/990507.html Cecil makes a persuasive case that porphyria can’t be an explanation for vampire legends. He also notes that porphyria had been proposed as an explanation … --- ## [Does it take more energy to go downstairs than upstairs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-it-take-more-energy-to-go-downstairs-than-upstairs/1167)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 1999, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-it-take-more-energy-to-go-downstairs-than-upstairs/1167 "1999-09-17T23:26:00Z")
I just found this website today, and there’s some very interesting information here. One thing I do have to comment on, although I’m sure someone has already mentioned it: there are two types of actions your muscles can … --- ## [Snake cruelty](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snake-cruelty/1158)
**Author:** [@Strainger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Strainger)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 1999, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snake-cruelty/1158 "1999-09-17T21:22:00Z")
Doug, I applaud your response to the guy whose question you responded to at www.straightdope.com/mailbag/msnakekill.html . I sincerely hope you set him straight. The topic itself was disturbing, but his letter sickened … --- ## [Parking](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parking/1156)
**Author:** [@GentDave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GentDave)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 1999, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parking/1156 "1999-09-16T23:03:00Z")
In response to the question: “Why is it easier to back into a space?” Link: http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mparalle.html A very good explination is given in a book called “The chicken from Minsk”. Unfortunately i… --- ## [One more advantage of silicone](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-more-advantage-of-silicone/1155)
**Author:** [@baggins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/baggins)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 1999, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-more-advantage-of-silicone/1155 "1999-09-16T12:05:00Z")
The mailbag article on silicon vs. silicone, http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/msilicon.html , fails to mention one of its most useful properties: It feels like boobies. If THAT ain’t a boon to civilization, I don’t … --- ## [The Events of July, 1952](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-events-of-july-1952/202)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 1999, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-events-of-july-1952/202 "1999-09-16T05:44:00Z")
While reviewing what you had to say about “The Roswell Incident” at http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a4\_052.html I felt motivated to ask you the same question I asked of a respondent to the “S.E.T.H.” thread severa… --- ## [Heavy bat vs light bat](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heavy-bat-vs-light-bat/1149)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 1999, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heavy-bat-vs-light-bat/1149 "1999-09-16T05:42:00Z")
Link to Mailbag item: http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mbat.html In the question about which is better: a heavy bat or a light one, SDSTAFF Ken appeals to F=ma. I strenuously object: F= ma is not applicable here K… --- ## [The Four Humors](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-four-humors/205)
**Author:** [@Loon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loon)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 1999, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-four-humors/205 "1999-09-16T05:19:00Z")
I believe that the four humors are Glad, Sad, Mad, and Silly. An equal opportunity / affirmative action Wiseass. --- ## [Jesus' Siblings and Virgin Birth](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jesus-siblings-and-virgin-birth/206)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 1999, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jesus-siblings-and-virgin-birth/206 "1999-09-16T04:27:00Z")
Link to column: http://www.straightdope.com/columns/990730.html Heaven forfend that I should contradict the Master; I have only a minor addition to a comment in the column. Cecil says: “Now some would have you believe … --- ## [WW2 smoking deaths](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ww2-smoking-deaths/204)
**Author:** [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 1999, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ww2-smoking-deaths/204 "1999-09-15T22:25:00Z")
Today’s classic archive article, http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a4\_097.html , ended with the note that as many as an “order of magnitude” (10 times) more World War II veterans have died as a result of smoking-relat… --- ## [Firing gravity?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firing-gravity/203)
**Author:** [@Sam\_Simeon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Simeon)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 1999, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firing-gravity/203 "1999-09-15T21:03:00Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a881216b.html With regards to the classic Cecil column where he was asked about a fired bullet and a dropped bullet which would hit the ground first, to wit he replied, “it depends.” … --- ## [kudo \[sing.\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kudo-sing/1153)
**Author:** [@TheIncredibleHolg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheIncredibleHolg)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 1999, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kudo-sing/1153 "1999-09-15T20:06:00Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mkudos.html Not everyone would agree with Dex here. Quoting from Merriam-Webster’s: Main Entry: ku·do Pronunciation: 'kü-(")dO, 'kyü- Function: noun Inflected Form(s): plural kud… --- ## [Fiestaware](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fiestaware/201)
**Author:** [@JillGat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JillGat)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 1999, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fiestaware/201 "1999-09-15T18:36:00Z")
From the classic column: http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a4\_099.html The question was about whether the old red Fiestaware dishes were radioactive, which they apparently they are, as well as containing some lead. I… --- ## [Follow up to Triumph](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/follow-up-to-triumph/200)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 1999, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/follow-up-to-triumph/200 "1999-09-14T16:30:00Z")
I have two questions– regarding tornados. So they mostly happen in the US because there’s a big mountain range running up the middle? And other continents don’t have big mountains in the middle? regarding lefties. Did … --- ## [guy in french airport](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guy-in-french-airport/199)
**Author:** [@eggo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eggo)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 1999, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guy-in-french-airport/199 "1999-09-14T05:57:00Z")
just 36 words. HOLY CRAP!! this guy is utterly insane. i can’t even bear to spend three hours in an airport let alone eleven years! my god, i don’t know weather to feel sorry for him or the airport. eggo --- ## [proper tea etiquette - http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/m971211b.html](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proper-tea-etiquette-http-www-straightdope-com-mailbag-m971211b-html/1148)
**Author:** [@Passepartout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Passepartout)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 1999, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proper-tea-etiquette-http-www-straightdope-com-mailbag-m971211b-html/1148 "1999-09-13T22:46:00Z")
Regarding the mailbag article on proper tea etiquette (http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/m971211b.html): I’ve never heard the “cracking tea cup” theory before but there actually is a rather good reason for putting the … --- ## [Humpty Dumpty](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/humpty-dumpty/1146)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 1999, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/humpty-dumpty/1146 "1999-09-13T16:54:00Z")
I have heard that Humpty Dumpy was supposed to be a mocking reference to King Charles I of England. --- ## [Humpty Dumpty](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/humpty-dumpty/196)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 1999, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/humpty-dumpty/196 "1999-09-13T05:39:00Z")
I have heard that Humpty Dumpy was supposed to be a mocking reference to King Charles I of England. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=313) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=315)