# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=7 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 8 --- ## [What’s the origin of the gingerbread man?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-origin-of-the-gingerbread-man/825991)
**Author:** [@senoy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/senoy)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2018, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-origin-of-the-gingerbread-man/825991 "2018-12-12T13:04:01Z")
Since the internet has advanced greatly since 2001, a little google-fu gives me this: Apparently, Grantham Gingerbread was invented in Grantham (in 1740) which should not come as a shock to many people. It is a part… --- ## [A new answer to a decades-old mystery!! The "sperm trees" of LA](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-answer-to-a-decades-old-mystery-the-sperm-trees-of-la/825143)
**Author:** [@victoriahal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/victoriahal)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2018, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-answer-to-a-decades-old-mystery-the-sperm-trees-of-la/825143 "2018-11-30T05:08:47Z")
A friend from England posted this little note on facebook about trees getting their revenge for excessive pruning. The mention of a gonad-like odour reminded me immediately of Cecil’s column about the “sperm trees” of L… --- ## [Offal](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/offal/765438)
**Author:** [@David\_Ehrlich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Ehrlich)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2018, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/offal/765438 "2018-11-21T20:33:41Z")
If Americans are so averse to offal, how come it is priced so high? There was a time when liver, kidneys, sweetbreads, etc. were really cheap, and not infrequently seen on the table. Now, they sell for as much as the b… --- ## ["Turkey" the bird named for "Turkey" the country.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turkey-the-bird-named-for-turkey-the-country/824627)
**Author:** [@frubes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/frubes)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2018, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turkey-the-bird-named-for-turkey-the-country/824627 "2018-11-18T00:11:26Z")
As a youngster, I was taught that “tur-kee” is how the Hebrew word for “parrot” is pronounced. The Pilgrims, being well studied in Biblical matters, spoke Hebrew as well as Aramaic (the original Old Testaments was writt… --- ## [Today's "Tokyo Rose" subject](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/todays-tokyo-rose-subject/824256)
**Author:** [@mdcatdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mdcatdad)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2018, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/todays-tokyo-rose-subject/824256 "2018-11-10T14:43:37Z")
“Purple” was a cipher machine used by Japanese diplomats, not the military. The US exploited JN-25, a Japanese fleet code, to discover Yamamoto’s travel plans and ambush him. Regards, Gary (NSA retiree) --- ## [Lorem Ipsum source](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lorem-ipsum-source/823295)
**Author:** [@SteveG23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG23)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2018, 9:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lorem-ipsum-source/823295 "2018-11-10T09:12:16Z")
In “What does the filler text “lorem ipsum” mean?” dated February 16, 2001 and just re-posted as a “classic,” please note that the original source of the text is probably the edition of Cicero’s “De Finibus Bonorum Et Ma… --- ## [Escalator trolls](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escalator-trolls/823836)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2018, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escalator-trolls/823836 "2018-11-01T22:02:50Z")
Just had to mention what a great illustration accompanies this article: Why are there green lights under escalators? - The Straight Dope That would make a cool T-shirt! --- ## [Captain Bligh](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/captain-bligh/823157)
**Author:** [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2018, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/captain-bligh/823157 "2018-10-19T14:20:13Z")
In this week’s SDSAB column, the exploits of Captain Bligh of HMS Bounty fame are detailed. I noted that, following the mutiny, Bligh made a second voyage to Polynesia which successfully brought breadfruit to Blighty. … --- ## [The story of Typhoid Mary -- now with correction!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-story-of-typhoid-mary-now-with-correction/820732)
**Author:** [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2018, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-story-of-typhoid-mary-now-with-correction/820732 "2018-10-18T18:32:46Z")
We are re-running the Staff Report on Typhoid Mary, now with a correction supplied by Phillip Jones, a researcher who has become fascinated with the case and the broader implications of it, not just in terms of epidemiol… --- ## [Public nudity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-nudity/823072)
**Author:** [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2018, 9:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-nudity/823072 "2018-10-18T09:17:06Z")
This column about public nudity leaves me with a question. If one can be charged with indecent exposure, when others can see you, how come I could be forced to take a shower after gym class, without a private shower s… --- ## [Male pigs and corkscrew shaped penises](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-pigs-and-corkscrew-shaped-penises/822591)
**Author:** [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2018, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-pigs-and-corkscrew-shaped-penises/822591 "2018-10-11T19:18:31Z")
I just wanted to say that it was this column, appearing in the Chicago Reader, that first brought the Straight Dope to my awareness. --- ## [Clown Faces Painted on Eggs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clown-faces-painted-on-eggs/821583)
**Author:** [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2018, 9:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clown-faces-painted-on-eggs/821583 "2018-10-03T09:53:30Z")
I just want to say it makes me giggle to read the question: ‘if this is true (clowns painting their faces on eggs as trademarks) - how is it administered or enforced?’ As if they get official forms in the mail, and The… --- ## [Do insects sleep?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-insects-sleep/821895)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 26, 2018, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-insects-sleep/821895 "2018-09-26T02:06:24Z")
The 1999 Staff Report: Do insects sleep? - The Straight Dope Don’t know why the first four paragraphs are in italics; usually only the question and name of the person who asked it are in ital. Off to take a nap with my… --- ## [Straight Dope Fail on Fluoride](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-fail-on-fluoride/555537)
**Author:** [@maryi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maryi)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2018, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-fail-on-fluoride/555537 "2018-09-25T20:46:54Z")
Ironic that a website dedicated to fighting ignorance would be so rank with it. Regarding the Fluoride review - Perhaps Cecil Adams should read Christopher Bryson’s book - The Fluoride Deception (free on google books) wh… --- ## [Steam rising from manhole covers in U.S.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steam-rising-from-manhole-covers-in-u-s/821777)
**Author:** [@tavaritz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tavaritz)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2018, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steam-rising-from-manhole-covers-in-u-s/821777 "2018-09-25T00:34:26Z")
Hello. In the staff report SDStaff McCaff and SDStaff Manhattan replied to inquiry of steam from manhole covers in U.S.: "Yup, here in the U.S. we’ve got the Straight Dope, steam rising from the streets, and Starsky an… --- ## [References](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/references/821490)
**Author:** [@daems013](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/daems013)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 2018, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/references/821490 "2018-09-18T15:49:50Z")
Hi, I’m new to this site so correct me if I’m wrong, but I haven’t been able to find any references in the columns. Can someone help me where I can find these? I am interested in the underlying scientific articles wher… --- ## [The Slinky Cult](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-slinky-cult/575514)
**Author:** [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 2018, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-slinky-cult/575514 "2018-09-18T00:19:42Z")
Regarding Did the Inventor of Slinky join a cult in Boliviacolumn: According to his wiki, the religious organization that Slinky inventor Richard Jamesbecame involved with was the Wycliffe Bible Translators, an organiza… --- ## [Brothers and sisters](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brothers-and-sisters/820637)
**Author:** [@tavaritz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tavaritz)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2018, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brothers-and-sisters/820637 "2018-09-09T03:31:41Z")
In the article: Comments that children of two families where fathers and mothers are both identical twins the siblings are not brothers and sisters but cousins. I agree but want to state that this is trivially true i… --- ## [Re: What are the concluding lyrics to the Flintstone theme song? (Sort Of)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-what-are-the-concluding-lyrics-to-the-flintstone-theme-song-sort-of/820788)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 5, 2018, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-what-are-the-concluding-lyrics-to-the-flintstone-theme-song-sort-of/820788 "2018-09-05T14:20:52Z")
Sort of inspired by What are the concluding lyrics to the Flintstone theme song? I can’t figure out what African American?/Hispanic? woman is saying at the very beginning of the Michael Franti song, Say Hey. I hear “…c… --- ## [Does Cecil believe that hypnotism is real](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-cecil-believe-that-hypnotism-is-real/819782)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [September 5, 2018, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-cecil-believe-that-hypnotism-is-real/819782 "2018-09-05T07:35:55Z")
I’m putting this here because the question is about Cecil’s beliefs about hypnotism and not about whether chickens can be hypnotized. In today’s Cecil’s Classics report he says: (holding mine) This strongly suggest… --- ## [About embryology](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-embryology/820638)
**Author:** [@tavaritz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tavaritz)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2018, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-embryology/820638 "2018-09-02T17:18:20Z")
Hello. In article: Wrote: “For that matter, how does this whole business of “gene expression” work? I mean, you start off with a little blob of protoplasm, and the cells divide, and somehow one bunch of cells knows i… --- ## [Not so fast: Dropped bullet vs. Fired bullet](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-so-fast-dropped-bullet-vs-fired-bullet/712391)
**Author:** [@waddlingeagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/waddlingeagle)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2018, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-so-fast-dropped-bullet-vs-fired-bullet/712391 "2018-09-01T15:03:55Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/1373/you-fire-a-gun-and-drop-a-bullet-at-the-same-time-which-bullet-hits-the-ground-first The fired bullet demonstrably hits the ground last, but it has little to do with the cur… --- ## [Chicago Straight Dope--gone](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-straight-dope-gone/820148)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2018, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-straight-dope-gone/820148 "2018-08-27T02:31:27Z")
the short-lived column, The Chicago Straight Dope is no longer accessible. I had Cecil answer my question there. :frowning: --- ## [Gavels (and maces)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gavels-and-maces/810663)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2018, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gavels-and-maces/810663 "2018-08-26T11:55:00Z")
UK courtrooms may not use the gavel but don’t they (at least sometimes) use the mace? i.e., that staff they bang three times on the floor and say “hear ye, hear ye”, or something like that? Or am I thinking of sessions… --- ## [Why is Greenland considered an island but not Eurasia?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-greenland-considered-an-island-but-not-eurasia/819349)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2018, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-greenland-considered-an-island-but-not-eurasia/819349 "2018-08-23T14:30:00Z")
Re: Why is Greenland considered an island but not Eurasia?, isn’t this continent/island thing rather arbitrary anyways? I mean, Europe and Asia are separate continents, yet they are the same landmass. And some people th… --- ## [Bag pipes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bag-pipes/819669)
**Author:** [@rb57804\_students.panola.edu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rb57804_students.panola.edu)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 16, 2018, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bag-pipes/819669 "2018-08-16T02:26:50Z")
Cecil, Read some of your books in the previous century. Glad you are still around. I like bag pipes but when they are played poorly at an officer’s funeral it adds a new layer of sadness. Also happened pre 2000 Thanks … --- ## [Why is the Republican party called the GOP? And why the elephant?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-republican-party-called-the-gop-and-why-the-elephant/819464)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2018, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-republican-party-called-the-gop-and-why-the-elephant/819464 "2018-08-14T19:18:01Z")
Re: Why is the Republican party called the GOP? And why the elephant? I just have one question. And just to show you my question is relevant to this article, SDStaff Ian writes in it: (So he does bring up the politics… --- ## [the wicker man.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-wicker-man/819472)
**Author:** [@johnmuslelewicz\_yahoo.com](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnmuslelewicz_yahoo.com)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2018, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-wicker-man/819472 "2018-08-13T16:51:23Z")
Great movie. Great acting. But apparently misinterpeted. The wicker man was not a celebratiin but a sacrifice, a simple sacrifice of an enemy to please war gods so they would not interfer in the growth of the community. … --- ## [Can a 90-lb. chimp clobber a full-grown man?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-90-lb-chimp-clobber-a-full-grown-man/819100)
**Author:** [@sudont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sudont)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2018, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-90-lb-chimp-clobber-a-full-grown-man/819100 "2018-08-12T17:51:12Z")
In a recent column, (September 10, 1976), Cecil mentioned that keeping chimps as pets is a bad idea. I have heard myself that they can’t be kept once they reach adolescence, when their well-known propensity for aggressio… --- ## [Rosicrucians](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rosicrucians/819231)
**Author:** [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2018, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rosicrucians/819231 "2018-08-08T16:33:56Z")
I had a girlfriend whose boyfriend before me invited her on a “special date.” Turned out he was a Scientology member and the date was snooping around on the grounds of the AMORC HQ in San Jose . Purpose? To see if the… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=8)