# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=40 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 41 --- ## [power punch, Cain velasquez at 2230 lbs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/power-punch-cain-velasquez-at-2230-lbs/676805)
**Author:** [@tetris1985](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tetris1985)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2013, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/power-punch-cain-velasquez-at-2230-lbs/676805 "2013-12-21T07:02:26Z")
An article mentions that the power of the Ivan Drago punch in Rocky 4, arouns 2100 lbs is not realistic. But in a video of sport science they have recorded Cain Velasquez, heavyweight champ of the UFC at 2230 lbs. What d… --- ## [How come portraits on coins are in profile while those on bills are full face?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-come-portraits-on-coins-are-in-profile-while-those-on-bills-are-full-face/676666)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2013, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-come-portraits-on-coins-are-in-profile-while-those-on-bills-are-full-face/676666 "2013-12-19T19:40:45Z")
Thought we had a thread about this column already, but I can’t find it. This thread addresses some of the issues, though, and includes a link to the column: Why are profiles on US coins facing left or right? - Factual… --- ## [Hotel California location update](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hotel-california-location-update/675304)
**Author:** [@tonyfop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tonyfop)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2013, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hotel-california-location-update/675304 "2013-12-18T16:01:12Z")
I just read today’s golden oldie about “colitas”, http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/1053/in-the-song-hotel-california-what-does-colitas-mean, and I just wanted to point out that one of the possible locations for t… --- ## [Suicidal munchkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suicidal-munchkin/676586)
**Author:** [@Whammo72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whammo72)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2013, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suicidal-munchkin/676586 "2013-12-18T14:39:44Z")
My apologies if this has been re-hashed to death. I have not seen it if it has. In Cecil’s column he points out the hanging munchkin was obviously a bird. A youtube search proved this to me and then I found another youtu… --- ## [James Bond's Martini: Cecil vs. Nottingham University](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/james-bonds-martini-cecil-vs-nottingham-university/676253)
**Author:** [@StusBlues](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StusBlues)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2013, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/james-bonds-martini-cecil-vs-nottingham-university/676253 "2013-12-17T22:32:10Z")
In this column (one of my favorites), Manny from the SDSAB explains why James Bond wanted a Martini “shaken, not stirred.” If you’ve not time to read the column, Manny maintains that a vodka martini is best appreciated v… --- ## [Re: Was Captain Bligh really the jerk he's been made out to be?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-was-captain-bligh-really-the-jerk-hes-been-made-out-to-be/654373)
**Author:** [@ancientanne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ancientanne)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2013, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-was-captain-bligh-really-the-jerk-hes-been-made-out-to-be/654373 "2013-12-17T20:14:47Z")
I am actually a direct descendant of Captain Bligh, and my grandmother was a Bligh. Bligh only had daughters, but one married a cousin, Bligh. If you really want current research on the Bounty, read the book of the same… --- ## [Copyright Traps revisited](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copyright-traps-revisited/527372)
**Author:** [@Chris\_Vertoy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chris_Vertoy)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2013, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copyright-traps-revisited/527372 "2013-12-17T18:05:15Z")
Saw a very good response from Cecil Adams about imaginary streets, parks and towns put on maps in order to discourage possible copyright plagiarism. It was an old article, from 1991, I think. It must have been before t… --- ## [Lottery Cash vs Annuity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lottery-cash-vs-annuity/658623)
**Author:** [@Fooser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fooser)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2013, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lottery-cash-vs-annuity/658623 "2013-12-13T22:07:58Z")
Setting personal motives aside interest rate calculation is a valid consideration on making a decision of cash vs annutiy for lottery winnings. Another consideration not mentioned is that the long term annuity of 20 or … --- ## [Deck us all with Boston Charlie](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deck-us-all-with-boston-charlie/675633)
**Author:** [@John\_W.Kennedy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_W.Kennedy)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2013, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deck-us-all-with-boston-charlie/675633 "2013-12-11T02:43:54Z")
In What are the lyrics to Walt Kelly’s classic carol, “Deck Us All With Boston Charlie”?, the words of the bridge to the second verse are clearly intended to be: Hunky / Dory’s / pop is / lolly Gaggin’ on the / wagon, … --- ## [better mileage, a/c or windows](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-mileage-a-c-or-windows/671649)
**Author:** [@SpyOne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpyOne)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2013, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-mileage-a-c-or-windows/671649 "2013-12-08T20:57:26Z")
Relating to this thread: http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/1010/what-gets-the-better-gas-mileage I would think it is impossible to give a categorical answer for a fairly obvious reason: the answer depends on vari… --- ## [Duke \[John Wayne\]'s military service](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duke-john-wayne-s-military-service/387039)
**Author:** [@shep5100](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shep5100)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2013, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duke-john-wayne-s-military-service/387039 "2013-12-07T06:54:17Z")
John Ford was an Admiral in the US Navy. You don’t think he could have gotten Duke in? The reverse is the truth… Duke begged Ford to help him enlist and Ford told him he was worth more to morale and selling bonds by maki… --- ## [Shoe? Wtf](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shoe-wtf/675688)
**Author:** [@96zj4me](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/96zj4me)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2013, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shoe-wtf/675688 "2013-12-07T06:34:03Z")
I read on here about shoes on the side of road and disagree I drive from north seattle to south seattle and I always see random shoes on the road I can account for the occasion rubber boot falling off construction truck … --- ## [Abstinence and moderation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abstinence-and-moderation/671014)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [December 6, 2013, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abstinence-and-moderation/671014 "2013-12-06T22:41:02Z")
This quote from today’s column is utterly useless. Shame Cecil! The relevant statistic is: of those who underwent abstinence (through AA or otherwise), what percentage were able to resume drinking normally? The 82% … --- ## [Is 5 percent of U.S. energy wasted on food that gets thrown away?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-5-percent-of-u-s-energy-wasted-on-food-that-gets-thrown-away/675422)
**Author:** [@Alex\_Jensen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alex_Jensen)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 6, 2013, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-5-percent-of-u-s-energy-wasted-on-food-that-gets-thrown-away/675422 "2013-12-06T20:50:19Z")
You state, “In largely rural economies, farms are small, production methods are relatively primitive and inefficient, and waste due to losses in storage and transit is high…In the developed world, in contrast, industrial… --- ## [having even and odd numbers on opposite sides of the street is an American practice](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/having-even-and-odd-numbers-on-opposite-sides-of-the-street-is-an-american-practice/674170)
**Author:** [@sweeperpan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeperpan)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [December 3, 2013, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/having-even-and-odd-numbers-on-opposite-sides-of-the-street-is-an-american-practice/674170 "2013-12-03T19:41:24Z")
No it isn’t. Most UK streets have even numbers on one side, odds on the other. It only differs where there are no numbered properties on the other side of the street. --- ## [Has a stopped clock ever really helped solve a crime?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-a-stopped-clock-ever-really-helped-solve-a-crime/675084)
**Author:** [@doneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doneck)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2013, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-a-stopped-clock-ever-really-helped-solve-a-crime/675084 "2013-12-01T01:09:53Z")
“In 1919 taxi driver Dosylva Cote was waylaid and beaten to death while en route between Worcester and Clinton, Massachusetts. Although his automobile was taken, his money and watch were not. The watch had stopped at 3:3… --- ## [What do "drawn and quartered" and "keelhauling" mean? August 4, 1995](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-drawn-and-quartered-and-keelhauling-mean-august-4-1995/674904)
**Author:** [@X1menes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/X1menes)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2013, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-drawn-and-quartered-and-keelhauling-mean-august-4-1995/674904 "2013-11-30T16:44:04Z")
Dear Cecil, Having just read your column above, and the comments, I would like to comment on the order of execution (no, I am not sorry about that!) of the actions of “hanging, drawing and quartering”. I have in fron… --- ## [Is there a term for "trade names that become generic"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-term-for-trade-names-that-become-generic/443011)
**Author:** [@rudy713](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rudy713)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2013, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-term-for-trade-names-that-become-generic/443011 "2013-11-30T04:28:29Z")
I was blogging on this topic and stopped to do some research on the concept of trademarks losing their ownership. I came across your post and disagree with the use of “genericide.” Please see my post: http://www.anothe… --- ## [My Practice on the older SS Cards](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-practice-on-the-older-ss-cards/674640)
**Author:** [@Backwoods](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Backwoods)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [November 28, 2013, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-practice-on-the-older-ss-cards/674640 "2013-11-28T23:10:12Z")
Cecil, I believe the Social Security number is inseparable from its card. My receiving of a number came with and on my card all incorporated with the statement not to use for identification. There is no justifiable re… --- ## [Why do cash registers have this thing with "Frank"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cash-registers-have-this-thing-with-frank/674967)
**Author:** [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [November 28, 2013, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cash-registers-have-this-thing-with-frank/674967 "2013-11-28T00:04:26Z")
Re: Why do cash registers say, “insert document to be franked”? Who’s Frank? I hadn’t ever noticed cash registers using the word this way before, but what do I know? I’m not a cashier and I suppose that message only ap… --- ## [Why don't we ditch nukes and coal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-we-ditch-nukes-and-coal/673090)
**Author:** [@wreckage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wreckage)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2013, 10:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-we-ditch-nukes-and-coal/673090 "2013-11-26T10:15:23Z")
Hello, Cecil. Your informative contribution doesn’t seem comprehensive as far as renewable energy sources goes. You mention biomass, wind, hydro-electric and nuclear, but what about the humble solar panel? This is fro… --- ## [Does anyone have all the podcast episodes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-have-all-the-podcast-episodes/627698)
**Author:** [@wilywampa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wilywampa)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2013, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-have-all-the-podcast-episodes/627698 "2013-11-25T13:53:54Z")
The RSS feed for the podcast, which is what iTunes and other podcatchers use to find and download the episodes, only contains the most recent 20 episodes. Most people who have listened since the 20th episode or earlier s… --- ## [Secret Service and a plotzed prez](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-service-and-a-plotzed-prez/519978)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2013, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-service-and-a-plotzed-prez/519978 "2013-11-23T15:53:06Z")
This column is well-researched, well-written, and an outstanding addition to the annals of SDSAB lore. Three cheers for Elendil’s Heir. --- ## [Sex in Space](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sex-in-space/674194)
**Author:** [@GRobLewis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GRobLewis)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2013, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sex-in-space/674194 "2013-11-20T21:47:04Z")
Ah, Cecil, you have (at last) betrayed your ignorance! As anyone with a knowledge of basic physics would know, a Lava Lamp will not function in space, as it requires gravity. LINK TO COLUMN: Has anyone ever had sex in … --- ## [Why are Indian eunuchs warned about unsafe sex?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-indian-eunuchs-warned-about-unsafe-sex/674180)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2013, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-indian-eunuchs-warned-about-unsafe-sex/674180 "2013-11-20T00:06:38Z")
Interesting column - don’t remember seeing it before, and I’d never heard of hijras before, either. “Flaming for the yokels” - heh. Wiki has a lot more about this interesting subculture: Hijra (South Asia) - Wikipedi… --- ## ['Skosh' reminds me...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skosh-reminds-me/674077)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2013, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skosh-reminds-me/674077 "2013-11-17T21:19:51Z")
A classic column on the homepage answers the origin of ‘skosh’, meaning ‘a little bit’. It surprised me to see it there, as I thought everyone knew where it came from. Personally, I’d like ‘dijobe’ (slang for Daijoubu … --- ## [The Ark of Covenant](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ark-of-covenant/674115)
**Author:** [@Edoardo\_Recanati](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edoardo_Recanati)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2013, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ark-of-covenant/674115 "2013-11-17T21:13:14Z")
Did you know that for 2,500 years the fate of the Ark met absolute indifference? It was God’ s will (see Jeremiah 3:16), but only until our days in which we see predicted miracles being realized in front of our eyes. \[… --- ## [Why are races always run in a counterclockwise direction?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-races-always-run-in-a-counterclockwise-direction/669804)
**Author:** [@no\_relation](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/no_relation)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2013, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-races-always-run-in-a-counterclockwise-direction/669804 "2013-11-17T15:45:41Z")
I actually considered my question myself, and I concluded that it’s because, when you’re sitting outside the track (as the stands tend to be), the racers pass by you from left to right, which, in our right-handed tendenc… --- ## [Snooze Bar](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snooze-bar/673748)
**Author:** [@hotpepper67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hotpepper67)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2013, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snooze-bar/673748 "2013-11-16T22:39:40Z")
For this possibility: (8) On a digital clock, nine is the greatest interval obtainable by advancing some sort of “snooze counter” on the ones column. But why mess with the ones column? Why not put the snooze counter on … --- ## [YKK](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ykk/673730)
**Author:** [@twnorman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twnorman)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2013, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ykk/673730 "2013-11-16T21:02:46Z")
On the 8th I got my latest email from “The Straight Dope” and I came across "Straight Dope Classic #3 - 10/05/1990. I enjoyed it and wanted to leave a comment. The title is: “What does ykk mean on zippers?” Here is my c… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=39) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=41)