# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=38 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 39 --- ## [the sun and cateracts.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sun-and-cateracts/681930)
**Author:** [@woodwork](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodwork)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2014, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sun-and-cateracts/681930 "2014-03-02T22:49:47Z")
Question people that drive into cities from the West in the morning, into the sunrise and back home, from the East into the sunlight in the afternoon… compared to those who drive from the East with there backs to the sun… --- ## [Dvorak keyboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dvorak-keyboard/680951)
**Author:** [@Oldfarmermac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oldfarmermac)\ **Replies:** 113\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2014, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dvorak-keyboard/680951 "2014-02-26T19:20:20Z")
Dvorak is so far ahead of qwerty that comparing the two is like comparing the performance of a new sports car to a sixty year old farm truck. I drive both and I’m not exaggerating at all. I used to use qwerty but it to… --- ## [nitpick on the dental uranium column](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitpick-on-the-dental-uranium-column/452694)
**Author:** [@tim314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim314)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2014, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitpick-on-the-dental-uranium-column/452694 "2014-02-24T17:02:43Z")
link Nagasaki was destroyed by a plutonium bomb. MODERATOR COMMENT: Please note that this thread is from 2008, revived in Feb 2014 in post #7. That’s OK, we don’t mind resurrecting old threads, but I just want read… --- ## [Kum Ba Yah](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kum-ba-yah/682017)
**Author:** [@Kofi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kofi)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2014, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kum-ba-yah/682017 "2014-02-24T03:02:32Z")
I agree with most of your article on the title post. However those Black people on the off South Caroline islands are not African American and they are not from West Africa: African American - Those people are Hebrew … --- ## ["All in, all in, spuggy in the tin." - Ollie Ollie Oxen Free](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-in-all-in-spuggy-in-the-tin-ollie-ollie-oxen-free/680706)
**Author:** [@Jogpuss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jogpuss)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2014, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-in-all-in-spuggy-in-the-tin-ollie-ollie-oxen-free/680706 "2014-02-22T15:26:12Z")
Alas, Cecil’s research team has let him down! Spuggy is a northern English word for a house sparrow.:slight\_smile: LINK TO COLUMN: What’s the meaning of "Ollie, Ollie oxen go free"? - The Straight Dope --- ## [Were hairballs once considered things of beauty?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-hairballs-once-considered-things-of-beauty/681631)
**Author:** [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2014, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-hairballs-once-considered-things-of-beauty/681631 "2014-02-20T18:55:35Z")
From this column: Any chance of posting a copy of said photo? --- ## [Re: Does smoking have any health benefits?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-does-smoking-have-any-health-benefits/681477)
**Author:** [@sudont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sudont)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2014, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-does-smoking-have-any-health-benefits/681477 "2014-02-20T13:57:12Z")
\*\*When talking about possible health benefits of nicotine, it seems to me that making a distinction between smoking methods would be appropriate. After all, there is a vast difference between inhaling large amounts of sm… --- ## [Will sitting too close to the TV, reading with bad light, etc., ruin your eyes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-sitting-too-close-to-the-tv-reading-with-bad-light-etc-ruin-your-eyes/681735)
**Author:** [@Bomolub](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bomolub)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2014, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-sitting-too-close-to-the-tv-reading-with-bad-light-etc-ruin-your-eyes/681735 "2014-02-20T11:10:19Z")
Back in the glorious 50s, I got to second grade before someone figured out that I was doing so poorly because I couldn’t see the blackboard. My vision was measured at 20-400, and I had bifocals from age 7. I vividly re… --- ## [What causes the "washboard" effect on unpaved roads?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-causes-the-washboard-effect-on-unpaved-roads/681524)
**Author:** [@black\_bird\_blue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/black_bird_blue)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2014, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-causes-the-washboard-effect-on-unpaved-roads/681524 "2014-02-19T15:20:57Z")
The 2003 answer to this referred to the vehicle suspension as being an important aspect of washboard formation, but it seems there only has to be something dragging the loose material and it forms into waves itself. Lat… --- ## [How do I go about renouncing my U.S. citizenship?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-go-about-renouncing-my-u-s-citizenship/438689)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2014, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-go-about-renouncing-my-u-s-citizenship/438689 "2014-02-18T14:24:59Z")
An oldie but a goodie: http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a4\_229.html An earlier thread that may be of interest (I referred to the Manashian case in post 14): Can I renounce my citizenship? - Factual Questions - Strai… --- ## [What's the most efficient speed to drive at?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-efficient-speed-to-drive-at/670987)
**Author:** [@GRobLewis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GRobLewis)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2014, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-efficient-speed-to-drive-at/670987 "2014-02-17T00:22:47Z")
This question (whether it’s more efficient to drive with the windows up and A/C on, or windows down and A/C off) What gets the better gas mileage: windows up, AC on, or windows down, AC off? - The Straight Dope reminded… --- ## [Do left-handers die young?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-left-handers-die-young/681329)
**Author:** [@Lydian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lydian)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2014, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-left-handers-die-young/681329 "2014-02-15T23:53:15Z")
If left-handers are clumsy, it’s mostly because everything we use every day is designed for right-handers. It’s like saying tall people have bad posture because they can’t sit up properly in compact cars. Power tools, ca… --- ## [Transplanting Tumors (February 7, 2014)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transplanting-tumors-february-7-2014/680783)
**Author:** [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2014, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transplanting-tumors-february-7-2014/680783 "2014-02-15T21:51:09Z")
Today’s most excellent article by the most excellent Cecil: \[Can tumors be transplanted?\](Can tumors be transplanted?) My pedantic observation: The questioner asks about transplanting cancerous tumors. Cecil answers in … --- ## [our itchy fellow travelers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/our-itchy-fellow-travelers/681423)
**Author:** [@Oldfarmermac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oldfarmermac)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2014, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/our-itchy-fellow-travelers/681423 "2014-02-15T15:57:30Z")
Fleas and lice live almost exclusively on the hairy portions of our bodies if we are so unfortunate as to be infected, and to a minor extent in our clothing which is basically nothing more than synthetic fur. The los… --- ## [0 degrees F](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/0-degrees-f/680221)
**Author:** [@Flick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flick)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2014, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/0-degrees-f/680221 "2014-02-14T23:18:20Z")
This means that body temperature for Roemer and Fahrenheit was equivalent to 96 F and 35.56 C. ETA: Column in Question: Did Cecil err in explaining the significance of zero Fahrenheit? - The Straight Dope – Rico --- ## [What's the meaning of "Ollie, Ollie oxen go free"?whats-the-meaning-of-ollie-ollie-oxen-go-free](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-meaning-of-ollie-ollie-oxen-go-free-whats-the-meaning-of-ollie-ollie-oxen-go-free/681339)
**Author:** [@Lydian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lydian)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2014, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-meaning-of-ollie-ollie-oxen-go-free-whats-the-meaning-of-ollie-ollie-oxen-go-free/681339 "2014-02-14T17:01:48Z")
German immigrant kids shouting “alle alle aus und frei” (everyone out and free) + a couple of generations of non-German-speaking kids playing the game = “Ollie, Ollie oxen go free.” Sicherlich! --- ## [better smoke?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-smoke/681303)
**Author:** [@Oldfarmermac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oldfarmermac)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2014, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-smoke/681303 "2014-02-14T15:35:23Z")
Cecil’s numbers in his April 20 ,2012 column are probably pretty good and if they aren’t, well they are probably as good as any others. The average quality of pot has definitely increased over the years along with the … --- ## [Re: Should you not throw rice at weddings because birds swallow it and explode?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-should-you-not-throw-rice-at-weddings-because-birds-swallow-it-and-explode/622616)
**Author:** [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2014, 7:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-should-you-not-throw-rice-at-weddings-because-birds-swallow-it-and-explode/622616 "2014-02-11T07:48:59Z")
One thing has been overlooked–most weddings are performed on Saturday mornings/early afternoons. Birds #2 all over the sidewalks whilst consuming rice. Church-goers track #2 all over inside of church attending 5PM/7PM Sa… --- ## [Cecil's Lousy Call Letter Answer (repost)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecils-lousy-call-letter-answer-repost/11)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2014, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecils-lousy-call-letter-answer-repost/11 "2014-02-10T12:30:40Z")
MODERATOR COMMENT: Please note that this thread is from 1999, revived in 2000, 2001, 2004 and a couple of other times. Please don’t bother to post anything that was already posted, and please don’t expect answers from … --- ## [Orange origin](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orange-origin/1204)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2014, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orange-origin/1204 "2014-02-09T15:51:07Z")
Cecil’s column http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1\_344a.html Cecil did take the etymology most of the way back. But before it was Sanskrit, it originated from Tamil. The word orange can be traced back through Frenc… --- ## [Re: Do Plants Have ESP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-do-plants-have-esp/679575)
**Author:** [@islandladi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/islandladi)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2014, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-do-plants-have-esp/679575 "2014-02-08T12:47:55Z")
Information may have changed! Peer Reviewed article: “And that was when something happened that forever changed Baxter’s life and ours. For the plant didn’t wait for him to light the match. It reacted to his thoughts!.… --- ## [Does a change in weather make people's joint ache?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-change-in-weather-make-peoples-joint-ache/678847)
**Author:** [@qazwart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/qazwart)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 7, 2014, 7:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-change-in-weather-make-peoples-joint-ache/678847 "2014-02-07T07:12:51Z")
Column Sorry. Post got away from me. Damn Tapatalk interface. I’ll try again when I’m at my computer. --- ## [Straight Dope still in its prime at 41](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-still-in-its-prime-at-41/680339)
**Author:** [@whitetho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whitetho)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2014, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-still-in-its-prime-at-41/680339 "2014-02-06T23:39:15Z")
Cecil Adams’ admirers – from the lowliest, but still important, in his own way, Straight Dope functionary \[Mr. E. Z.\], to an eternally grateful world – are indivisibly determined to celebrate the 41st anniversary of the … --- ## [Finacing a pirate ship is no problem, but what about the crew?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finacing-a-pirate-ship-is-no-problem-but-what-about-the-crew/679105)
**Author:** [@Mr\_Quatro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Quatro)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2014, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finacing-a-pirate-ship-is-no-problem-but-what-about-the-crew/679105 "2014-02-06T07:51:29Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/3144/what-would-it-cost-to-outfit-my-own-pirate-ship If this was a foreign flagged vessel using an all American crew could we use ACA to cover any medical mishaps to the pirate c… --- ## [why do birds/ fish seem to turn and move as one, en masse?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-birds-fish-seem-to-turn-and-move-as-one-en-masse/679945)
**Author:** [@kerryraw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kerryraw)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2014, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-birds-fish-seem-to-turn-and-move-as-one-en-masse/679945 "2014-02-06T02:28:23Z")
Though I know this was questioned many moons ago, I recently came across the word to describe this phenomenon. It’s allelomimesis. From what I understand, new studies show that the most stable cluster sized is formed by … --- ## [Air ionizers And Cecil. Updates?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-ionizers-and-cecil-updates/680465)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2014, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-ionizers-and-cecil-updates/680465 "2014-02-03T23:57:10Z")
This column– Do ionizers clear up odors? Have the claims of ionizer advocates been proven? Dismissed? --- ## [Wine Glasses -- Do They Make a Difference?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wine-glasses-do-they-make-a-difference/679874)
**Author:** [@winewhisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/winewhisperer)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2014, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wine-glasses-do-they-make-a-difference/679874 "2014-02-03T22:12:46Z")
Cecil’s answer to this question was very comprehensive. My feeling is this: you need one good glass for reds, and one for whites. The shapes and sizes will be slightly different because of the variation in body, aroma… --- ## [How do rockets mouve in a vaccum](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-rockets-mouve-in-a-vaccum/680037)
**Author:** [@Narajuna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Narajuna)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2014, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-rockets-mouve-in-a-vaccum/680037 "2014-02-02T23:53:51Z")
Or how to comment on this site…dont get it neither. Coulter, did’nt respond? Maybe He did get it, all I understood from that smart babble was how it works in our atmosphere. Karen would You have a link for failers to se… --- ## [Uh-oh. Is the SDMB the source for an urban legend meme?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uh-oh-is-the-sdmb-the-source-for-an-urban-legend-meme/680184)
**Author:** [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2014, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uh-oh-is-the-sdmb-the-source-for-an-urban-legend-meme/680184 "2014-02-01T14:00:03Z")
So, do we have to \*mea \*this culpa? Here’s the (archived) SDMB thread. ORIGINAL COLUMN: What’s the origin of “abracadabra,” “hocus-pocus,” and “presto”? - The Straight Dope --- ## [Atlantis in Neptune Lake, ND](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atlantis-in-neptune-lake-nd/679856)
**Author:** [@Rutabegger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rutabegger)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2014, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atlantis-in-neptune-lake-nd/679856 "2014-02-01T03:20:36Z")
Just searched for it on Google maps and didn’t find it. Does such a place actually exist or is it as mythological as Atlantis itself? LINK TO COLUMN: Is the lost city of Atlantis at the bottom of a lake in North Dakota… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=37) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=39)