# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=72 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 73 --- ## [More questions regarding chemtrails](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-questions-regarding-chemtrails/580440)
**Author:** [@monesmartgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monesmartgirl)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2011, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-questions-regarding-chemtrails/580440 "2011-07-11T18:09:11Z")
Why are there hundreds of chemtrails criss-crossing the sky one day, but not the next? Why do chemtrails start at a cities edge and cut off after the jets clear the other side? I’ve seen a chemtrail jet leave a trail acr… --- ## [Reply to: How did "faggot" get to mean "male homosexual"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reply-to-how-did-faggot-get-to-mean-male-homosexual/587602)
**Author:** [@realwyo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/realwyo)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 10, 2011, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reply-to-how-did-faggot-get-to-mean-male-homosexual/587602 "2011-07-10T03:39:52Z")
As I have heard for the use of the word Fagot (or Faggot): During Shakespearean times, there were no women actors; young men played the female roles, often wearing the period “ruffled collars” or “Fagots” (Faggots) as t… --- ## [Do Lobsters Feel Pain](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-lobsters-feel-pain/588367)
**Author:** [@tmarcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tmarcl)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2011, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-lobsters-feel-pain/588367 "2011-07-09T18:21:13Z")
In the article “Do Lobsters Feel Pain” there are two broken links. The second paragraph - “Recently Stuart Barr and some of his colleagues at Queen’s University Belfast published a study \[pdf\] on this very issue.” and … --- ## [Whats-the-deal-with-angels](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-angels/588102)
**Author:** [@Great\_Scott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Scott)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2011, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-angels/588102 "2011-07-08T19:04:30Z")
In Cecil’s article What’s the deal with angels? - The Straight Dope, in the subheading about Gabriel he says, “There is some confusion about Gabriel and the Holy Ghost in Christian writings, since in Matthew 1:20, the H… --- ## [Reply for Ark of the Covenant](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reply-for-ark-of-the-covenant/588065)
**Author:** [@odessabo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/odessabo)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 7, 2011, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reply-for-ark-of-the-covenant/588065 "2011-07-07T18:05:55Z")
The Knights Templar came along, thinking the Ark was the Holy Grail (I don’t quite understand that part), I believe it is due to Christ at the last supper declaring the the ‘cup’ as the new Covenant (replacing the ark… --- ## [Inflation Calculations in "Did Sherlock Holmes Really Exist?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inflation-calculations-in-did-sherlock-holmes-really-exist/550043)
**Author:** [@Kieran\_Bennett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kieran_Bennett)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [July 7, 2011, 8:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inflation-calculations-in-did-sherlock-holmes-really-exist/550043 "2011-07-07T08:24:36Z")
In “Did Sherlock Holmes Really Exist?” there are a couple of mentions of how much Doyle was paid for the Sherlock Holmes stories and how much that money would be worth today: The “then-current exchange rate” calculat… --- ## [Why do women athletes tend to be flat-chested?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-women-athletes-tend-to-be-flat-chested/587380)
**Author:** [@barberoux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barberoux)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [July 7, 2011, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-women-athletes-tend-to-be-flat-chested/587380 "2011-07-07T00:11:19Z")
What about Serena Williams? --- ## [is-there-any-mammal-species-in-which-the-males-breastfeed-the-young](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-mammal-species-in-which-the-males-breastfeed-the-young/587511)
**Author:** [@sue64](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sue64)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2011, 9:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-mammal-species-in-which-the-males-breastfeed-the-young/587511 "2011-07-06T09:15:09Z")
Quoting Cecil: “This evidently is the most efficient way to perpetuate the species, which should be comforting news for all you GUYS trying to romance bimbos in the local bistros.” Cecil–how is “guy” comparable to “bimbo… --- ## [What's the nursery rhyme "Sing a Song of Sixpence" all about?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-nursery-rhyme-sing-a-song-of-sixpence-all-about/587694)
**Author:** [@tovangar2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tovangar2)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2011, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-nursery-rhyme-sing-a-song-of-sixpence-all-about/587694 "2011-07-03T12:24:50Z")
Well, I was always told that the “pocket full of rye” represents about how many stars one can see in the sky at night. Rye seeds are VERY small and a few thousand can fit in a pocket. The blackbirds are the hours and w… --- ## [Re: What is the Origin of bated breath?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-what-is-the-origin-of-bated-breath/587045)
**Author:** [@natvlegl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/natvlegl)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2011, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-what-is-the-origin-of-bated-breath/587045 "2011-07-03T01:50:54Z")
This is in reference to the very fine answer to my question, (already asked) as I found at: What is the origin of “bated breath”? - The Straight Dope. I found I had made the mistake it said is commonly made (whew, not … --- ## [Photographic Memory Response?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/photographic-memory-response/581629)
**Author:** [@Farmer\_Jane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Farmer_Jane)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2011, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/photographic-memory-response/581629 "2011-07-02T16:03:32Z")
Hmm. So when the guy asked Cecil if there was such a thing as photographic memory, I was surprised at the response. Photographic memory is just a layman’s term for eidetic memory. While Cecil did mention the latter, why … --- ## [Acupuncture?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acupuncture/584780)
**Author:** [@EclipseMN](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EclipseMN)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2011, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acupuncture/584780 "2011-07-01T18:40:46Z")
Much as I hate to disagree with a properly cynical point of view on something as goofy as acupuncture, I feel I need to put forth some information on the subject that I feel has been overlooked. While it’s undoubtedly t… --- ## [One Shoe By the Road](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-shoe-by-the-road/584684)
**Author:** [@eightoh9](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eightoh9)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2011, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-shoe-by-the-road/584684 "2011-07-01T14:13:27Z")
The reason you rarely see a pair of shoes by the side of the road (Why do you always see just one shoe by the side of the road? - The Straight Dope) is related to the Second Law of Thermodynamics. Even if lost shoes star… --- ## [Death by a thousand cuts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-by-a-thousand-cuts/586695)
**Author:** [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2011, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-by-a-thousand-cuts/586695 "2011-06-30T21:27:56Z")
I’m starting this thread because there’s a li’l confusion about where to put responses. Here’s the link to the column: http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/3002/did-the-chinese-really-practice-death-by-a-thousand-cut… --- ## [Easter Bunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/easter-bunny/587017)
**Author:** [@fredricwilliams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fredricwilliams)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2011, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/easter-bunny/587017 "2011-06-28T23:16:35Z")
Seems a bit thin. Is it true that the Venerable Bede connected the holiday to a goddess of spring, Eastre or Eostre? Is she another incarnation (or name) for Ishtar? If so, then fertility is the name and bunnies and eggs… --- ## [Whale Swallowing Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whale-swallowing-man/585863)
**Author:** [@DORFMONT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DORFMONT)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2011, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whale-swallowing-man/585863 "2011-06-28T22:58:30Z")
Dolphins have been known to take drowning people in their snouts and propel them to the nearest shore. This is probably what happened to Jonah since the Aramaic word for whale actually means big fish. --- ## [The origin of the peace symbol](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-origin-of-the-peace-symbol/568649)
**Author:** [@John.St](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John.St)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2011, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-origin-of-the-peace-symbol/568649 "2011-06-28T04:39:44Z")
Cecil, please show us the international warning sign for radioactivity. Add a vertical line upwards from the center. What do you get? --- ## [What are those threads that float in your field of vision? May 23, 1986](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-those-threads-that-float-in-your-field-of-vision-may-23-1986/586063)
**Author:** [@Burghfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Burghfield)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2011, 11:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-those-threads-that-float-in-your-field-of-vision-may-23-1986/586063 "2011-06-27T11:30:52Z")
Dear Cecil, this can also happen if you are alcoholic. At a certain point of alcohol consumption (quite a lot really), the pressure increases on the eyes and can cause this effect. Often the symptoms appear as dots and l… --- ## [Exercise vs Eating Less](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exercise-vs-eating-less/585988)
**Author:** [@psythe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psythe)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2011, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exercise-vs-eating-less/585988 "2011-06-27T06:06:40Z")
Re: this post (Can you lose weight by keeping the thermostat turned down?) I’d like to point Cecilophiles to this essay by Professor Richard Muller of Berkeley. The website appears to be down ATM - hopefully just tem… --- ## [Re: Jehovah's witnesses at the door](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-jehovahs-witnesses-at-the-door/579394)
**Author:** [@Madame\_De\_Farge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Madame_De_Farge)\ **Replies:** 311\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2011, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-jehovahs-witnesses-at-the-door/579394 "2011-06-25T13:11:29Z")
Let me tell you what one man did when the Jehovah’s Witnesses or some such group came knocking at his door. He had just finished showering and was in his robe. So he opened the door, took his robe off, and said, “Come … --- ## [Faulty 'jake brake' link](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/faulty-jake-brake-link/586722)
**Author:** [@chill1222](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chill1222)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2011, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/faulty-jake-brake-link/586722 "2011-06-25T00:08:26Z")
Comment on Jill posted a link to explain how jake brakes work, but apparently the Jacobs Company has redesigned their page since she posted. The new link to that information is: Compression Release Engine Brake | Jac… --- ## [superstructure and balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superstructure-and-balance/586693)
**Author:** [@magpye100](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magpye100)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2011, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superstructure-and-balance/586693 "2011-06-24T17:24:48Z")
Seems to me that having large breasts (as I do) will change your balance, and not for the better. This would be a drawback in athletic competition. And certainly large breasts can physically get in the way. Playing 14-1… --- ## [Ditch coal & nuclear](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ditch-coal-nuclear/585552)
**Author:** [@Hattiephant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hattiephant)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2011, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ditch-coal-nuclear/585552 "2011-06-23T18:58:59Z")
Some other energy sources to exploit may be; tidal, geo thermal & solar thermal. We have alot of potential to cut down on waste too. Too often the debate is reduced to solar vs burning shit. LINKS TO COLUMNS: http:/… --- ## ["What is Rosicrucianism All About" Flawed](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-rosicrucianism-all-about-flawed/497256)
**Author:** [@infoanarchist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/infoanarchist)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2011, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-rosicrucianism-all-about-flawed/497256 "2011-06-22T14:40:11Z")
Just noting that the article with the above title actually promotes ignorance rather than fighting it. Consider a more factual rewrite with more than a single non-web source. --- ## [why do we have sinuses?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-have-sinuses/585844)
**Author:** [@abandaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/abandaman)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2011, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-have-sinuses/585844 "2011-06-21T16:11:00Z")
genetically speaking our body’s have the ability to evolve into most any shape\[over vast time frames\] sinuses cavity’s simply give us a place to develop blow holes or gills ETA: Link to column: Why do we have sinuses? -… --- ## [sex and sneezing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sex-and-sneezing/584807)
**Author:** [@rohanso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rohanso)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2011, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sex-and-sneezing/584807 "2011-06-19T06:17:07Z")
i tried to follow a thread here but wasn’t allowed to by the site. sometimes when i think about sex, i sneeze. it’s not every time i think about sex. and often, i think about sex, and don’t sneeze. but sometimes, the… --- ## [Pompatus](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pompatus/586009)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2011, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pompatus/586009 "2011-06-19T04:01:53Z")
The OED finds pompaticus as “showy, splendid” in Tertullian from as an adjective dating from Late Latin deriving from pompare, “to do a thing with pomp.” Pompatus per se is some weird-ass declension that I can’t hope to … --- ## [Yawning](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yawning/585824)
**Author:** [@67Mustang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/67Mustang)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2011, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yawning/585824 "2011-06-19T03:47:45Z")
Cecil, I appreciate your column on yawning. You did not mention the curious fact that sometimes yawning is contageous even over the phone. New theory? ETA: Link to column: http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/533/wh… --- ## [Extreme Large Numbers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extreme-large-numbers/571534)
**Author:** [@CalDude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalDude)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2011, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extreme-large-numbers/571534 "2011-06-17T17:51:58Z")
Recently I noticed on a Wikipedia page that there’s a number named the “MILL(IN)ILLION.” It’s not named for a “million”-- 10 to the (6th exponent), but rather 10 to the (3003rd exponent). Using the EXPONENT to BASE NAM… --- ## [Waking up before the alarm goes off](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waking-up-before-the-alarm-goes-off/583980)
**Author:** [@grue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grue)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2011, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waking-up-before-the-alarm-goes-off/583980 "2011-06-16T15:51:16Z")
From How come I wake up just before the alarm goes off?, Cecil missed another possibility (that still works in this day and age of digital alarm clocks): that when the alarm goes off, you’re already in a state of being a… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=71) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=73)