# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=53 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 54 --- ## [Whence Came Jolly Roger](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whence-came-jolly-roger/637800)
**Author:** [@jbaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jbaker)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2012, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whence-came-jolly-roger/637800 "2012-10-26T12:13:21Z")
Cecil’s post on the origin of the Jolly Roger, Why was the pirate flag called the “Jolly Roger”? - The Straight Dope, is perhaps unduly dismissive of the theory that “jolly” refers to the grinning rictus of the tradition… --- ## [Gum Disintegration](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gum-disintegration/638837)
**Author:** [@randomface](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/randomface)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2012, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gum-disintegration/638837 "2012-10-25T16:20:27Z")
I have had this happen to me under stressful situations before, but never connected it to stress. I used to chew gum in class to help stay awake (I’m narcoleptic) and during particularly stressful exams it would basic… --- ## [Why do contests say "no purchase required"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-contests-say-no-purchase-required/638553)
**Author:** [@mfwillsvt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mfwillsvt)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2012, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-contests-say-no-purchase-required/638553 "2012-10-23T00:58:17Z")
I am curious as to whether non-profit organizations are exempt from the FCC’s rule. I’m speaking specifically about a public radio station which, during its periodic membership drives, promotes that anyone who pledges r… --- ## [Probability of rain](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probability-of-rain/638120)
**Author:** [@david\_42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/david_42)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2012, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probability-of-rain/638120 "2012-10-22T19:18:32Z")
Sorry Joyce, but you are wrong. Cecil’s answer is close. The probability of rainfall is based on current conditions and past performance. It is the chance that for a randomly chosen point in the area of prediction it wil… --- ## [Sanctuary](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanctuary/636784)
**Author:** [@jezzaOZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jezzaOZ)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2012, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanctuary/636784 "2012-10-20T03:49:57Z")
Article http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/3073/can-i-seek-sanctuary-in-a-church Describes some details of seeking Sanctuary but misses out on on a crucial element. That is the loss of property for those who take… --- ## [Water draining at equator.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-draining-at-equator/637835)
**Author:** [@Indian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indian)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2012, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-draining-at-equator/637835 "2012-10-18T13:29:15Z")
Cecil’s Column on Coriolis effect. A BBC video from the equator. --- ## [in regards to the woodchuck issue](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-regards-to-the-woodchuck-issue/637965)
**Author:** [@wearly062](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wearly062)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2012, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-regards-to-the-woodchuck-issue/637965 "2012-10-17T11:02:33Z")
If a woodchuck could chuck 700 pounds of wood . The pile beside which I stood. Would certainly be as high as my Hood. --- ## [Did John Wayne die of cancer from movie set](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-john-wayne-die-of-cancer-from-movie-set/637805)
**Author:** [@richardmid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/richardmid)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2012, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-john-wayne-die-of-cancer-from-movie-set/637805 "2012-10-15T21:02:10Z")
I dont remember when this hasppened but I remember Vince Neil had a house in the Hollywood Hills and his daughter died from a rare form of lukemia that is usually connected to over exposure to radiation.Wanna bet on wher… --- ## [Phi number in THE DA VINCI CODE](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phi-number-in-the-da-vinci-code/637608)
**Author:** [@rf7627](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rf7627)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2012, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phi-number-in-the-da-vinci-code/637608 "2012-10-14T07:02:51Z")
Your article about the phi number in the da vinci code was awesome… I just want to tell you that when i tried it on various parts of my body, IT WORKED…it was amazing… :):):):):slight\_smile: THANK YOU :wink: --- ## [Re: Who Killed Jesus (2002)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-who-killed-jesus-2002/637241)
**Author:** [@beccaspice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beccaspice)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 12, 2012, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-who-killed-jesus-2002/637241 "2012-10-12T18:43:11Z")
Dex – You missed one important point in your opening comments: A devout Christian wouldn’t believe that anybody “killed” Jesus. They’d believe, as he claimed, that he chose to die. If you take the gospels at face value, … --- ## [Putting out the Sun with ice cubes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putting-out-the-sun-with-ice-cubes/635359)
**Author:** [@TSBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TSBG)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [October 12, 2012, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putting-out-the-sun-with-ice-cubes/635359 "2012-10-12T17:33:33Z")
Column: http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/3071/how-many-ice-cubes-would-it-take-to-put-out-the-sun This might be the best column of all time. A proper level of non-strained humor, with a real and surprising an… --- ## [Origins of "faggot"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origins-of-faggot/190887)
**Author:** [@Twin\_Tattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Twin_Tattoo)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2012, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origins-of-faggot/190887 "2012-10-11T00:32:41Z")
This is in regards to the faggot column: http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mfaggot.html I’ve been reading up on boarding schools lately and many of those books talk about the origin of “faggot” meaning homosexual. As… --- ## [Why is sky dark at night?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-sky-dark-at-night/636476)
**Author:** [@Indian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indian)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2012, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-sky-dark-at-night/636476 "2012-10-10T20:35:07Z")
Cecil’s column. A new video explanation worthy of sharing. --- ## [Is hemp the answer to our environmental problems?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hemp-the-answer-to-our-environmental-problems/637231)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2012, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hemp-the-answer-to-our-environmental-problems/637231 "2012-10-10T01:39:21Z")
An oldie but a goodie! Editing note: The two paragraphs in the second letter, beginning “Hemp wasn’t used for \[nylon stockings.\]” and “If my current profession goes belly-up…,” ought to be italicized. --- ## [Missed the point of psychotherapy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/missed-the-point-of-psychotherapy/636549)
**Author:** [@Harry\_P.Male](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harry_P.Male)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2012, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/missed-the-point-of-psychotherapy/636549 "2012-10-09T18:58:55Z")
In decades of reading your column this is the first time I’ve felt you missed the point completely. Psychotherapy is not like killing germs and healing a patient. It is about the relationship between the therapist and … --- ## [Surreptitious autosterilisation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surreptitious-autosterilisation/636855)
**Author:** [@psythe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psythe)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2012, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surreptitious-autosterilisation/636855 "2012-10-09T16:54:42Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/1141/whats-the-best-way-to-sterilize-myself-without-telling-my-wife Thoroughly agree with Cecil that honesty is the best policy. However, in the gist of science itself not being… --- ## [Freemasonry](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freemasonry/633728)
**Author:** [@Doc\_Dish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doc_Dish)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2012, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freemasonry/633728 "2012-10-08T13:15:36Z")
In Cecil’s article from 1989 (What’s the story on Freemasonry? - The Straight Dope) he cites British author Stephen Knight as to the meaning of the name of the Freemasons’ Great Architect “Jahbulon”. Knight is best know… --- ## [Comment on Mores](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comment-on-mores/636137)
**Author:** [@fd10801](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fd10801)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2012, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comment-on-mores/636137 "2012-10-03T22:14:19Z")
From FactMonster , “William Graham Sumner” As a sociologist he did valuable work in charting the evolution of human customs—folkways and mores. He concluded that the power of these forces, developed in the course of hum… --- ## [Spruce Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spruce-goose/636377)
**Author:** [@IdahoMauleMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IdahoMauleMan)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2012, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spruce-goose/636377 "2012-10-03T16:08:59Z")
Sorry Mods, I don’t know how to paste links to the original article. It was in 2002. Just went to the Evergreen Museum yesterday in McMinnville, OR with my daughter. Saw the Goose. Wow. --- ## [Question on source of information](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-on-source-of-information/635331)
**Author:** [@dirkmuncie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dirkmuncie)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2012, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-on-source-of-information/635331 "2012-10-01T15:56:26Z")
I’m having trouble verifying a piece of information in the article titled “Is There a Historical Basis for Zorro?”, which is at www.straightdope.com/columns/read/1814/is-there-a-historical-basis-for-zorro. It was written… --- ## [Does Castration = Longer Life?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-castration-longer-life/633313)
**Author:** [@SulcoPete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SulcoPete)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2012, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-castration-longer-life/633313 "2012-09-30T13:37:58Z")
Cecil - In my opinion, castration would mean longer life in human men, because a castrated man would have a lower sex drive and therefore collect fewer STD’s in life. I’m no expert on the subject, but I do know two thin… --- ## [Are psych workers crazy column](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-psych-workers-crazy-column/636115)
**Author:** [@RonTheElderlawLawyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RonTheElderlawLawyer)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2012, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-psych-workers-crazy-column/636115 "2012-09-30T07:32:03Z")
Nice, even good, until the last sentence. Of course you want someone who knows your problem, and maybe had it themselves, but if they are good professionals, that hour is YOURS. --- ## [Pressurizing Air by Puckering](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pressurizing-air-by-puckering/635868)
**Author:** [@MikeBB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeBB)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2012, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pressurizing-air-by-puckering/635868 "2012-09-28T21:19:48Z")
In response to this column on cooling coffee with your breath, reader Michael Godfrey wrote: Cecil replied dismissively: I have trouble understanding how anyone could believe that you can’t alter the pressure of your… --- ## [No Market For Avocado Oil?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-market-for-avocado-oil/635400)
**Author:** [@YakWabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YakWabbit)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [September 27, 2012, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-market-for-avocado-oil/635400 "2012-09-27T22:35:41Z")
In the article on Blowing on Coffee and Vegetable Oil Fat (Why do you blow on coffee to cool it, but on your hands to warm them? Plus: if veggies have no fat, why is veggie oil all fat? - The Straight Dope), Cecil said “… --- ## [comment on popup ad question (long ago)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comment-on-popup-ad-question-long-ago/635958)
**Author:** [@sd712](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sd712)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 27, 2012, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comment-on-popup-ad-question-long-ago/635958 "2012-09-27T06:53:39Z")
I was reading the archives and on pg 12 (hey, I’m on vacation and I like reading archived message boards - don’t judge) there was a question about popup ads. I clicked on ‘comment on this answer’, but it only took me to … --- ## [Identical Twins](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identical-twins/633223)
**Author:** [@tossup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tossup)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 27, 2012, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identical-twins/633223 "2012-09-27T01:08:41Z")
Gosh, I was searching for information and I came across the question and answer regarding identical twins, and if they had identical fingerprints. Having identical fingerprints may be the case for identical twins; BUT t… --- ## [The word 'faggot' origination](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-word-faggot-origination/635759)
**Author:** [@Luk3112](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Luk3112)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [September 26, 2012, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-word-faggot-origination/635759 "2012-09-26T23:48:51Z")
I thought a faggot was a pile of sticks used in old times to burn homosexuals. Is this true? --- ## [Zombie warning DST](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zombie-warning-dst/635754)
**Author:** [@bahimes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bahimes)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 26, 2012, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zombie-warning-dst/635754 "2012-09-26T01:16:30Z")
Referring to this column: http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/1079/whats-the-purpose-of-daylight-saving-time Couldn’t find discussion, only the column itself, but as this time of year grows closer to the short da… --- ## [Buster Brown shoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buster-brown-shoes/482769)
**Author:** [@JimR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JimR)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2012, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buster-brown-shoes/482769 "2012-09-23T13:11:27Z")
No big deal, but it is still possible to buy Red Goose shoes (but maybe someone else owns the trademark now). My son had a pair of red goose sandals a few years ago, but I was ignorant of the history of the brand. --- ## [Fire actually can be ionized; via "What exactly is fire?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fire-actually-can-be-ionized-via-what-exactly-is-fire/634472)
**Author:** [@tv43](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tv43)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2012, 8:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fire-actually-can-be-ionized-via-what-exactly-is-fire/634472 "2012-09-23T08:58:29Z")
In “What exactly is fire?”, part of Wenhsingyu’s question is: Cecil answers: While almost all of Cecil’s answer is correct as usual, fire can be ionized, and used as both a rectifier and an amplifier with the additio… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=52) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=54)