# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=36 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 37 --- ## [Heart as center as love and affection](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heart-as-center-as-love-and-affection/689710)
**Author:** [@Loki35](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loki35)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2014, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heart-as-center-as-love-and-affection/689710 "2014-06-04T13:50:05Z")
Ask someone–anyone–to point to himself or herself. Everyone points toward the general area of the heart. No one points to their head. It’s hard to say exactly what the “self” is, but we all seem to agree it lies, or is c… --- ## [Cosmonauts landing on land](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosmonauts-landing-on-land/689317)
**Author:** [@qazwart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/qazwart)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2014, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosmonauts-landing-on-land/689317 "2014-06-04T05:59:29Z")
I’m surprised that the article didn’t mention one of the hazards of a land landing: wolves. The cosmonauts carried a survival kit that includes a gun to help scare off wolves and tigers. The kit also has fishing line, a… --- ## [Microwaves and metal](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microwaves-and-metal/689880)
**Author:** [@Katishaw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Katishaw)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2014, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microwaves-and-metal/689880 "2014-06-03T23:59:54Z")
Tell Mrs. Adams marshmallows are nothing to worry about, if you use a little finesse. I like to put one jumbo-sized marshmallow on a small plate or in a medium-sized bowl on high power (~1100 watts) for under a minute. … --- ## [Paleolithic Diet](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paleolithic-diet/688046)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [June 1, 2014, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paleolithic-diet/688046 "2014-06-01T15:22:32Z")
My 2¢: Probably much more significant than grain, dairy and other agricultural foods is the tremendous amount of sugar in modern diets. Even if one avoids sweets and non-diet beverages, sugar is added to so many produ… --- ## [Excommunication](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excommunication/687290)
**Author:** [@MacLir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacLir)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [May 29, 2014, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excommunication/687290 "2014-05-29T00:29:14Z")
Thread How do I go about getting excommunicated? - The Straight Dope In the context, this phrase has some -err- connotations; was it deliberate? After all, it was an abbot under Pope Innocent III who spoke the origina… --- ## [Snuff films in popular imagination](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snuff-films-in-popular-imagination/688374)
**Author:** [@Vashbul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vashbul)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [May 28, 2014, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snuff-films-in-popular-imagination/688374 "2014-05-28T03:33:30Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/1170/is-there-such-a-thing-as-a-snuff-film The film titled “Snuff”, mentioned in the column, most certainly wasn’t the way the concept entered the public consciousness, but a bra… --- ## [Gun Buy Backs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-buy-backs/688591)
**Author:** [@SargeE7](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SargeE7)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2014, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-buy-backs/688591 "2014-05-24T03:42:29Z")
Like many euphemisms, this has not much to do with reality. 99% of the guns never belonged to the government in the first place, so they can’t really be bought back. As Cecil points out, they have no effect, and may di… --- ## [Who were the Aryans?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-were-the-aryans/688764)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2014, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-were-the-aryans/688764 "2014-05-22T04:04:30Z")
Earlier thread of mine as to this very report: Who were the Aryans? - Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports - Straight Dope Message Board The Tolkien letter to a German publisher, linked in the OP, is still worth a look. --- ## [Large breasts and carpal tunnel syndrome](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-breasts-and-carpal-tunnel-syndrome/649073)
**Author:** [@sixtyforty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sixtyforty)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [May 19, 2014, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-breasts-and-carpal-tunnel-syndrome/649073 "2014-05-19T12:58:35Z")
This post is in response to Are large-breasted women more likely to get carpal tunnel syndrome? This column (and probably some of the cited research) is based on the misguided perception that D-cup is synonymous with “h… --- ## [MR ED had to have more than Peanut Butter](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-ed-had-to-have-more-than-peanut-butter/687542)
**Author:** [@DOUGK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DOUGK)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 19, 2014, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-ed-had-to-have-more-than-peanut-butter/687542 "2014-05-19T01:32:58Z")
You will notice that he starts and stops on queue with every sentence. If they just gave the horse something sticky he would have continued to move his lips after the synced words. So what made him stop perfectly with th… --- ## [Why did Christianity become so popular?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-christianity-become-so-popular/687499)
**Author:** [@Stevereno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stevereno)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2014, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-christianity-become-so-popular/687499 "2014-05-14T14:08:26Z")
Cecil, You got most of it right, but not entirely. Jesus never founded the religion. Jesus was an Orthodox Jew, who preached Jewish apocalyptic teaching (coming kingdom of God, etc.). Being Jewish, he wouldn’t have t… --- ## [Navy Disease](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/navy-disease/687493)
**Author:** [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2014, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/navy-disease/687493 "2014-05-13T14:04:56Z")
Since there isn’t a thread. Is disease much of a problem in the U.S. Navy? - The Straight Dope From my experience talking with ex-Navy guys, I’m surprised Cecil didn’t mention VD. Stops in Thailand are popular. Also: … --- ## [PA in chemistry](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pa-in-chemistry/660991)
**Author:** [@GatoRat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GatoRat)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2014, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pa-in-chemistry/660991 "2014-05-12T18:02:00Z")
Or, Pa, is Element 91, Protactinium. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protactinium http://chemistry.about.com/od/elementfacts/a/protactinium.htm --- ## [The date determination of Easter is mathematical](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-date-determination-of-easter-is-mathematical/687952)
**Author:** [@whharr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whharr)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2014, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-date-determination-of-easter-is-mathematical/687952 "2014-05-12T14:30:59Z")
See the Explanatory Supplement to the Astronomical Ephemeris and the American Ephemeris and Nautical Almanac, (my version 1961), pp 420-429. “The rule for determining Easter as commonly expressed in popular language is … --- ## [Mary Celeste](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mary-celeste/688169)
**Author:** [@ozships](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ozships)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2014, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mary-celeste/688169 "2014-05-11T20:32:24Z")
Hi, the article on the Mary Celeste was interesting, I’d assumed the Rye bread theory was the one, but given the prize crew ate the food, very unlikely, as stated. The water spout theory is also in relation to pressure… --- ## [why do we twitch while falling asleep](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-twitch-while-falling-asleep/688193)
**Author:** [@lrobinson6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lrobinson6)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2014, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-twitch-while-falling-asleep/688193 "2014-05-11T16:06:32Z")
Just wanted to comment about Why do we twitch while falling asleep? - The Straight Dope and put the word out about hypnic jerks. Alot of people have un diagnosed Lyme disease and don’t know it. This can cause this. --- ## [Why Pterosaurs aren't Dinosaurs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-pterosaurs-arent-dinosaurs/126060)
**Author:** [@Darwins\_Finch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darwins_Finch)\ **Replies:** 95\ **Last updated:** [April 30, 2014, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-pterosaurs-arent-dinosaurs/126060 "2014-04-30T11:58:15Z")
So I decided to take a trip to Cecil’s “storehouse of knowledge”, and re-discovered the article, Pterosaurs aren’t considered true dinosaurs. Why not? Reading through the article, it occurred to me that it could probabl… --- ## [Is Monogamy Obsolete](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-monogamy-obsolete/686961)
**Author:** [@Powers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Powers)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2014, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-monogamy-obsolete/686961 "2014-05-08T05:26:48Z")
The column certainly answers the question of whether monogamy is declining. But it doesn’t address the question of whether it’s obsolete. Is monogamy merely a relic of an ancient moral code that no longer holds any re… --- ## [Jokes in the Bible](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jokes-in-the-bible/687365)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2014, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jokes-in-the-bible/687365 "2014-05-05T21:48:17Z")
Jokes in the Bible Depending on how broadly you want to define “Jokes,” there are a few in the Bible that Cecil missed: Teasing Song of Songs 8:8 (NIV): “We have a little sister; her breasts are not yet grown.” 1 Sam… --- ## [Why has no animal species ever evolved wheels?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-has-no-animal-species-ever-evolved-wheels/686816)
**Author:** [@David\_Ehrlich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Ehrlich)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2014, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-has-no-animal-species-ever-evolved-wheels/686816 "2014-04-28T00:01:44Z")
The problem with your CD example is that it not only lacks a fixed axle, but there’s no evident way to make the disc rotate. --- ## [What does "mano a mano" mean?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-mano-a-mano-mean/685174)
**Author:** [@avignani](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/avignani)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2014, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-mano-a-mano-mean/685174 "2014-04-26T01:36:22Z")
In Italian, this expression has nothing to do with fight. “A mano a mano” or “Di mano in mano” is used for an action extended over time, with a sense of gradual increase; e.g. “a mano a mano che leggevo il libro…” can be… --- ## [Cecil's column on Absorbine, Jr.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecils-column-on-absorbine-jr/686788)
**Author:** [@jayrey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayrey)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 24, 2014, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecils-column-on-absorbine-jr/686788 "2014-04-24T23:23:07Z")
I don’t want Cecil to lose any sleep at night worrying that Absorbine might get their human and equine products mixed up. I used Absorbine Horse Liniment on my horses and myself with no adverse side effects. Don’t know a… --- ## [Grape Nuts and "100% lean beef" scam](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grape-nuts-and-100-lean-beef-scam/686563)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 24, 2014, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grape-nuts-and-100-lean-beef-scam/686563 "2014-04-24T16:37:20Z")
I was reminded of this Classic Column: How can Grape-Nuts cereal contain no grapes or nuts? by a recent Snopes article: Claim: McDonald’s buys their meat from a company called ‘100% Beef’ --- ## [usual internal contradiction with French bashing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usual-internal-contradiction-with-french-bashing/684270)
**Author:** [@estavisky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/estavisky)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [April 24, 2014, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usual-internal-contradiction-with-french-bashing/684270 "2014-04-24T04:14:49Z")
in this very interesting and well documented article: How did World War I fighter planes keep from shooting off their own propellers? - The Straight Dope we can note one usual and funny contradiction, I cannot prevent m… --- ## [Column on Spam](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/column-on-spam/686784)
**Author:** [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [April 23, 2014, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/column-on-spam/686784 "2014-04-23T16:53:51Z")
So, when did the response by Paul Theroux get added? --- ## [a4v \["accepted for value"\] works](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a4v-accepted-for-value-works/673338)
**Author:** [@coilybeauty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coilybeauty)\ **Replies:** 110\ **Last updated:** [April 21, 2014, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a4v-accepted-for-value-works/673338 "2014-04-21T21:36:08Z")
I dont know Y she states its not true because i have proof that it does work. check on youtube…there are hundreds of people that have used a4v to pay off loans and bills. I have a personal friend that has used a4v to pay… --- ## [I Like Circus Peanuts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-like-circus-peanuts/644806)
**Author:** [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2014, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-like-circus-peanuts/644806 "2014-04-17T23:18:00Z")
Obligatory column link It’s true. I like Circus peanuts. Always have. It’s my dirty little secret. My parents knew something was off with me, but I just told them I was a heroin addict. It was best they not know the rea… --- ## [Federal Tax Revenue](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-tax-revenue/685865)
**Author:** [@Belisarius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Belisarius)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2014, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-tax-revenue/685865 "2014-04-17T14:49:31Z")
OK, but when I filed my first tax returns in the late '50s, early '60s, state taxes were almost an afterthought. Now congress mandates stuff and leaves it to the states to fund it. My NYS return is now as complex as the … --- ## [Does a woman retain traces of her male partner after giving birth?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-woman-retain-traces-of-her-male-partner-after-giving-birth/686252)
**Author:** [@Tootingkhamen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tootingkhamen)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2014, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-woman-retain-traces-of-her-male-partner-after-giving-birth/686252 "2014-04-17T14:27:50Z")
Cecil answersthis questionwith a very definite “no” but I remember reading an article in New Scientist magazine (UK) which said otherwise. I can’t find that article anywhere (this was several years ago) but searching fo… --- ## [Is there anything I can do for my dog when he does eat chocolate?!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anything-i-can-do-for-my-dog-when-he-does-eat-chocolate/272508)
**Author:** [@Mayuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mayuka)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2014, 10:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anything-i-can-do-for-my-dog-when-he-does-eat-chocolate/272508 "2014-04-12T10:02:00Z")
Hello Mr. Cecil, I need to ask you a very important question! :confused: I know that you have talked about the matter of DOGS EATING CHOCOLATE AND HOW IT IS POISON FOR A DOG TO EAT. But, I am very upset to say, that my… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=35) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=37)