# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=42 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 43 --- ## [pop goes the weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pop-goes-the-weasel/670600)
**Author:** [@goonerkif](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/goonerkif)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2013, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pop-goes-the-weasel/670600 "2013-10-08T02:34:55Z")
Hi I was browsing the archive and came across: What does “pop goes the weasel” mean? A Straight Dope Classic by Cecil Adams April 2, 1999 The full first verse of the rhyme is: Half a pound of twopenny rice, (pronou… --- ## [nuisance calls](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nuisance-calls/670603)
**Author:** [@goonerkif](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/goonerkif)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2013, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nuisance-calls/670603 "2013-10-07T18:09:55Z")
Hi On September 27 1996, Paul Bloom of Nevada asked; Is there any surefire way to stop telemarketing calls? In England we have a law preventing people from making unwanted calls, but it is a bit long-winded and it doe… --- ## [re: PMCS heat loss theory](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-pmcs-heat-loss-theory/670593)
**Author:** [@Frasier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frasier)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2013, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-pmcs-heat-loss-theory/670593 "2013-10-07T15:43:34Z")
Loss of body-temperature liquid does not cause a drop in body temperature—just as pouring some water from a kettle does not change the temperature of the remaining water. I’m surprised Cecil gave this theory a “maybe.” C… --- ## [Why were dinosaurs so big?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-were-dinosaurs-so-big/668178)
**Author:** [@GRobLewis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GRobLewis)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2013, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-were-dinosaurs-so-big/668178 "2013-10-07T14:22:32Z")
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe there’s a general principle in biology that, given the opportunity, organisms will tend to evolve to larger body sizes. A big benefit of being big is that it affords protection fro… --- ## [Hitting the Plate with a Bat](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hitting-the-plate-with-a-bat/670406)
**Author:** [@dave10](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dave10)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2013, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hitting-the-plate-with-a-bat/670406 "2013-10-05T12:08:15Z")
The reason a batter hits the plate with the bat is to make sure it has no hairline fractures, especially in the handle. From the time I was a tiny Little Leaguer in the 60s (still using wooden bats) until watching my ne… --- ## [Award winning kopi luwak coffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/award-winning-kopi-luwak-coffee/66610)
**Author:** [@John\_Kentzel-Griffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Kentzel-Griffin)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 26, 2001, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/award-winning-kopi-luwak-coffee/66610 "2001-05-26T18:57:19Z")
The most expensive coffee in the world won the 1995 Ig Nobel award for Nutrition. For those of you who don’t know about the Ig Nobel awards, they are awarded for results in science that cannot or should not be reproduced… --- ## [Comment on: Will sleeping in a closed room with an electric fan cause death?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comment-on-will-sleeping-in-a-closed-room-with-an-electric-fan-cause-death/661771)
**Author:** [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2013, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comment-on-will-sleeping-in-a-closed-room-with-an-electric-fan-cause-death/661771 "2013-09-28T19:50:13Z")
I’m surprised at the lack of research here. Several clues: Happens only in Korea. Happens only during the summer. Happens only in a closed room. Therefore: What is it about Korea that is different than the rest of … --- ## [Oral sex, how come "we're" not all dead?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oral-sex-how-come-were-not-all-dead/658907)
**Author:** [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2013, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oral-sex-how-come-were-not-all-dead/658907 "2013-09-28T19:15:22Z")
Note that a reader brings up my very question, where Cecil just kinda dissembles.:confused: And that is just the racier deadly scenario that basically all people have faced, if you’re a parent…yea babies ain’t taboo … --- ## [Police called "Pigs"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-called-pigs/669600)
**Author:** [@hazlnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hazlnut)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 27, 2013, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-called-pigs/669600 "2013-09-27T23:16:35Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2209/why-are-the-police-called-cops-pigs-or-the-fuzz The OED reference seems to refer to a regional or local joke, possibly involving a politician and/or a town fat :wink: on pig… --- ## [Colds/flus in cold season](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colds-flus-in-cold-season/669308)
**Author:** [@Bobbi\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bobbi_P)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 27, 2013, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colds-flus-in-cold-season/669308 "2013-09-27T19:55:05Z")
The REAL reason people gets more colds/flus in the cold months has little to do with temperature, but mostly to do with vitamin D deficiency. UCSD researchers recently discovered that the winter months bring shorter day… --- ## [If that meteor hadn’t killed off the dinosaurs...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-that-meteor-hadn-t-killed-off-the-dinosaurs/668761)
**Author:** [@JoelWhy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoelWhy)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2013, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-that-meteor-hadn-t-killed-off-the-dinosaurs/668761 "2013-09-24T13:47:53Z")
My understanding is that there is mounting evidence that dinosaurs were actually warm-blooded. Cold-Blooded Dinosaur Theory Put on Ice Not saying the evidence is definitive, but still thought it odd to see this stated… --- ## [Why is the sky blue?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-sky-blue/668120)
**Author:** [@jmrcm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jmrcm)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2013, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-sky-blue/668120 "2013-09-24T13:44:53Z")
It’s not scattered in all directions. If you’re orbiting earth - and you can check this out by looking at the international space station webcam the blue sky we’re used to seeing is completely invisible - form outer sp… --- ## ["What is the origin of the word 'Yankee?'"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-origin-of-the-word-yankee/668647)
**Author:** [@Peter\_M\_Fellows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_M_Fellows)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2013, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-origin-of-the-word-yankee/668647 "2013-09-22T01:47:57Z")
One explanation that occurred to me (without any documentation) was that it derived from the Indian term for English colonists. Specifically, the French allied north eastern Indians called the English colonists by the s… --- ## [Did cigarettes distributed to WWII GIs kill more men than died in battle?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-cigarettes-distributed-to-wwii-gis-kill-more-men-than-died-in-battle/669285)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2013, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-cigarettes-distributed-to-wwii-gis-kill-more-men-than-died-in-battle/669285 "2013-09-22T00:31:52Z")
The article Did cigarettes distributed to WWII GIs kill more men than died in battle? is one of the least rigorous articles I have ever seen from Cecil. Granted, and he admits, he is barely doing better than a Ouija boa… --- ## [Who is Uncle Ben and Aunt Jemima?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-uncle-ben-and-aunt-jemima/667811)
**Author:** [@Red\_Green](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Green)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2013, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-uncle-ben-and-aunt-jemima/667811 "2013-09-20T11:38:00Z")
Actually,Uncle Ben was a Black rice grower from the Gulf Coast.The image is of Frank Brown,a hotel matre’d in Chicago prior to WWII where the execs of the rice company frequented. Aunt Jemima was based on Nancy Green.Sh… --- ## [Trotters and Pacers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trotters-and-pacers/668655)
**Author:** [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2013, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trotters-and-pacers/668655 "2013-09-19T14:02:06Z")
Since Cecil brought up human beings, it’s worth noting that we hominids are trotters by nature. http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/986/why-do-some-dogs-walk-by-moving-both-legs-on-one-side-of-the-body-at-the-same-… --- ## [Canaan vs Ham](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canaan-vs-ham/669075)
**Author:** [@LarryXJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LarryXJ)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2013, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canaan-vs-ham/669075 "2013-09-19T00:45:42Z")
Commenting on Genesis 9:24, which states that when Noah awoke from his wine he “got to know what his youngest son had done to him,” a footnote in Rotherham’s translation says: “Undoubtedly Canaan, and not Ham: Shem and J… --- ## [Cats and "Pawedness"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-and-pawedness/669001)
**Author:** [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 2013, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-and-pawedness/669001 "2013-09-18T11:27:46Z")
Ummm… Maybe the paw the cat sticks in a tube (and, therefore, has limited use of) may not be it’s “preferred” paw - it’s a tough world, and maybe cats are smart enough to keep their “fighting paw” free to defend the pri… --- ## [Family with a daugter/odds they have a son](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-with-a-daugter-odds-they-have-a-son/668626)
**Author:** [@Skinny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skinny)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2013, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-with-a-daugter-odds-they-have-a-son/668626 "2013-09-16T20:43:13Z")
From the Monty Hall problem http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/916/on-lets-make-a-deal-you-pick-door-1-monty-opens-door-2-no-prize-do-you-stay-with-door-1-or-switch-to-3 Now, I don’t have a problem with the Monty… --- ## [If Pluto is a dog, what is Goofy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-pluto-is-a-dog-what-is-goofy/667518)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2013, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-pluto-is-a-dog-what-is-goofy/667518 "2013-09-16T20:02:16Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/978/if-pluto-is-a-dog-what-is-goofy Proof, yet again, that Wikipedia has an article on just about everything: Goofy - Wikipedia --- ## [Origin of paisley column just wrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-paisley-column-just-wrong/668928)
**Author:** [@shava23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shava23)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2013, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-paisley-column-just-wrong/668928 "2013-09-16T11:38:07Z")
Ancient history as Straight Dope columns go, I know, but in the interest of stuff that’s wrong on the net just eye-bleedingly wrong not standing without mention, I had to say something. http://www.straightdope.com/colum… --- ## [How was ice made and sold in pre-industrial times?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-was-ice-made-and-sold-in-pre-industrial-times/668290)
**Author:** [@greggolie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/greggolie)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2013, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-was-ice-made-and-sold-in-pre-industrial-times/668290 "2013-09-11T17:22:41Z")
Hi Cecil, I know this is being picky, but I expect unfailingly accurate answers from putatively the world’s smartest human. In the column How was ice made and sold in pre-industrial times, you stated, in describing ice… --- ## [The Straight Dope mentioned by the BBC News](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-mentioned-by-the-bbc-news/668643)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2013, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-mentioned-by-the-bbc-news/668643 "2013-09-13T01:49:21Z")
The BBC have an article on the Monty Hall problem which references this Straight Dope article. --- ## [Blood type](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blood-type/668167)
**Author:** [@sdturf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sdturf)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2013, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blood-type/668167 "2013-09-15T19:13:00Z")
Regarding Cecil’s column on Eat Right for your Type, which is a book of recommendations based on your blood type: I have been looking at various diets like this for many years. I do think there is some merit in this one… --- ## [Cecil Adams referenced in AlterNet](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-adams-referenced-in-alternet/668738)
**Author:** [@Claverhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claverhouse)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2013, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-adams-referenced-in-alternet/668738 "2013-09-13T12:40:43Z")
The ever entertaining AlterNet mentions Cecil Adams directly in regard to bed bugs and mattresses in 7 Rip-offs You Need To Know About, by Lynn Stuart Parramore, on the 6th September. Are icky little bugs filling up you… --- ## [What's up with Dianetics/Scientology?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-dianetics-scientology/627566)
**Author:** [@IceQube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IceQube)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2012, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-dianetics-scientology/627566 "2012-07-08T20:53:00Z")
From What’s up with Dianetics/Scientology? - The Straight Dope (one word bolded for emphasis) “caller” not “called,” right? Is there anyway I can listen to this particular radio broadcast, featuring Cecil? --- ## [The Straight Dope mentioned on I09](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-mentioned-on-i09/668671)
**Author:** [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2013, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-mentioned-on-i09/668671 "2013-09-12T21:02:25Z")
Found this article on smutty Roman coins called spintrae whose research apparently consisted in large part of reading Cecil’s column "Pay for Play. --- ## [Of mites and mattresses cite/ripoff...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-mites-and-mattresses-cite-ripoff/667817)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2013, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-mites-and-mattresses-cite-ripoff/667817 "2013-09-12T14:12:08Z")
Cecil’s old article on mites and mattresses Was used to write an entry in a Cracked piece today. Pretty cheap. All you need is an index to the Man and you could write for Cracked all day. But they did give the cite. … --- ## [Unraveling "the whole nine yards"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unraveling-the-whole-nine-yards/645245)
**Author:** [@Tammi\_Terrell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tammi_Terrell)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2013, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unraveling-the-whole-nine-yards/645245 "2013-09-11T23:44:56Z")
Cecil last formally discussed the origin of “the whole nine yards” in 1987. In tomorrow’s print edition of The New York Times, Jenny Schluesser describes recent developments in “whole nine yards” research, including t… --- ## [Going up in the Statue of Liberty's arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-up-in-the-statue-of-libertys-arm/600257)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2013, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-up-in-the-statue-of-libertys-arm/600257 "2013-09-06T04:21:25Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/612/could-visitors-once-go-into-the-statue-of-libertys-arm Work up there was the subject of a July 1946 Norman Rockwell illustration: http://images.art.com/images/products/regula… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=41) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=43)