# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=76 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 77 --- ## [Fetuses Tripping Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fetuses-tripping-out/575696)
**Author:** [@TravisFromOR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TravisFromOR)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2011, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fetuses-tripping-out/575696 "2011-03-31T16:46:13Z")
In Does LSD Cause Birth Defects, the genetic damage of LSD to our offspring is basically proven non existent. What are the psychological affects on the unborn caused by a mother taking LSD? I don’t think a massive hallu… --- ## [... Avoid Hangover](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avoid-hangover/576484)
**Author:** [@Sevastopol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sevastopol)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2011, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avoid-hangover/576484 "2011-03-30T20:06:37Z")
Cecil’s Article FWIW my informants tell me medical professionals turn up to inhale an hour’s pure oxygen at the hospital, which will apparently remove the symptoms of the hungover. --- ## [Do shadows weigh anything?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-shadows-weigh-anything/575958)
**Author:** [@blevblev](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blevblev)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2011, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-shadows-weigh-anything/575958 "2011-03-30T14:50:02Z")
Dear Cecil, I would like to pick a nit with you. Solar wind consists mostly of electrons and protons, which both have mass, which are responsible for any pressure that is applied to such things as comet tails or solar s… --- ## [Sam Cooke](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sam-cooke/576121)
**Author:** [@kdj997](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kdj997)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2011, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sam-cooke/576121 "2011-03-28T15:17:42Z")
Cecil is an idiot. It’s pathetic when you try to push a point to view so badly that you ignore facts or common sense. Conspiracy nuts and idiots like Cecil are equally bad. Let’s focus on this Sam Cooke he state as fact … --- ## [round manholes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/round-manholes/576083)
**Author:** [@demertis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/demertis)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2011, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/round-manholes/576083 "2011-03-28T12:04:02Z")
cecil please read some engineering and update the answer you gave about round manholes…strenght of materials says that if any other shape than oval or circle will expose great stress forces by the edges ,the airplane wi… --- ## [Was Monopoly originally meant to teach people about the evils of capitalism?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-monopoly-originally-meant-to-teach-people-about-the-evils-of-capitalism/575110)
**Author:** [@SoulBlazer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SoulBlazer)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2011, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-monopoly-originally-meant-to-teach-people-about-the-evils-of-capitalism/575110 "2011-03-27T19:43:27Z")
The new article this week (Was Monopoly originally meant to teach people about the evils of capitalism? - The Straight Dope) was very interesting, cause I’d never heard of this ‘original’ game that came out quite a bit b… --- ## [George Reeves passing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-reeves-passing/576029)
**Author:** [@Vandermeer1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vandermeer1)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2011, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-reeves-passing/576029 "2011-03-27T02:05:40Z")
Please!!! --- ## [lorem ipsum/etaoin shrdlu](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lorem-ipsum-etaoin-shrdlu/575745)
**Author:** [@ricmeyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ricmeyer)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2011, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lorem-ipsum-etaoin-shrdlu/575745 "2011-03-25T19:07:49Z")
At the New York School of Printing (now the High School of Graphic Communication Arts), our literary magazine, published twice a year, was entitled “SHRDLU” for the very reasons you confirm in your answer to John S., ba… --- ## [Qadaffhi's Name](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qadaffhis-name/575788)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2011, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qadaffhis-name/575788 "2011-03-24T13:41:26Z")
If Qadaffhi’s names are spelled in numerous variants, how come other famous Arabs usually have only one or at worst three or four different spellings for their: Saddam Hussein Osama/Usama Bin Laden Hosni Mubarak Anwa… --- ## [RE: Should you not throw rice at weddings because birds swallow it and explode?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-should-you-not-throw-rice-at-weddings-because-birds-swallow-it-and-explode/575729)
**Author:** [@drscience](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drscience)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2011, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-should-you-not-throw-rice-at-weddings-because-birds-swallow-it-and-explode/575729 "2011-03-23T23:14:04Z")
Read this article and have been listening to people discuss this often at weddings (as a wedding photographer and videographer) and around the net . . but . . prior to my current life, I was formerly an industrial scient… --- ## [Brass Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brass-monkey/575282)
**Author:** [@lstrclmn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lstrclmn)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2011, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brass-monkey/575282 "2011-03-21T19:05:32Z")
Regarding the phrase “Cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey.” I have been told that a brass monkey is (was) a contraption used on a sailing ship to hold the cannon balls. Brass, so as not to create sparks … --- ## [Ergot Poisoning in Salem](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ergot-poisoning-in-salem/574752)
**Author:** [@eden\_night](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eden_night)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2011, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ergot-poisoning-in-salem/574752 "2011-03-21T18:47:55Z")
RE: The question were the Salem witches a result of Ergot poisoning? Hi Cecil and everyone else! Far be it for me to contradict you Cecil, but I thought it might be of interest to you to draw your attention to the bo… --- ## [Does the Koran really promise Islamic martyrs 72 virgins?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-koran-really-promise-islamic-martyrs-72-virgins/417598)
**Author:** [@John\_Vasar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Vasar)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [March 20, 2011, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-koran-really-promise-islamic-martyrs-72-virgins/417598 "2011-03-20T22:42:53Z")
Yes J.Haas there are 72 virgins, but you will be surprised what they are doing. Remember the promise that everyone will be judged. “The Book of Life will be opened and everyone will be judged out of the Book of Life.” B… --- ## [Hey Cecil, how do you pronounce your name?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-cecil-how-do-you-pronounce-your-name/574972)
**Author:** [@Randy\_Seltzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Randy_Seltzer)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 20, 2011, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-cecil-how-do-you-pronounce-your-name/574972 "2011-03-20T19:26:38Z")
Is the first syllable like celery (so the name rhymes with “vessel”) or is the first syllable like seahorse (so the name roughly rhymes with “diesel”)? I’ve found resources that say both are correct, \[sup\]1\[/sup\] I’ve f… --- ## [How to Kill a cockroach](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-kill-a-cockroach/516536)
**Author:** [@debdavis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/debdavis)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [March 20, 2011, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-kill-a-cockroach/516536 "2011-03-20T01:47:06Z")
This post is in refernce to 1983 posting: Is this still the best answer, considering it’s over 20 years old now? I live in Colorado & have NEVER had cockroaches, but yesterday I found a cockroach in my house. It crawle… --- ## [Nicotine (How Can a Stimulant be Relaxing)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicotine-how-can-a-stimulant-be-relaxing/575136)
**Author:** [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2011, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicotine-how-can-a-stimulant-be-relaxing/575136 "2011-03-18T22:05:29Z")
Based on this post: I’m not a doctor, nor have I ever been a smoker. So, I have no expertise on this subject and no personal experience with the effects of nicotine. It’s entirely possible that Cecil has nailed this,… --- ## [Female Clitoral Circumcision](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/female-clitoral-circumcision/575178)
**Author:** [@Geedavey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geedavey)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2011, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/female-clitoral-circumcision/575178 "2011-03-18T20:48:42Z")
I just want to point out that there is another kind of female clitoral circumcision which is intended to have the opposite effect. A true circumcision, it trims the clitoral hood to better expose the tip of the clitoris … --- ## [Rhinos, Viagra, medicine and colds](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rhinos-viagra-medicine-and-colds/574425)
**Author:** [@TSBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TSBG)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2011, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rhinos-viagra-medicine-and-colds/574425 "2011-03-18T01:17:07Z")
Cecil says: “Why do Westerners buy over-the-counter cold remedies, even though most of them don’t do jack? … But Western fever remedies, as distinct from cold remedies, are cheap and effective” What does he mean here… --- ## [Can artists live in Ireland tax-free? - an update of sorts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-artists-live-in-ireland-tax-free-an-update-of-sorts/550157)
**Author:** [@Sisiutil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sisiutil)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2011, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-artists-live-in-ireland-tax-free-an-update-of-sorts/550157 "2011-03-16T17:40:47Z")
I just wanted to include or prompt an update on this 1983 Straight Dope Classic, recently featured in Cecil’s e-mail blast. In the article, Cecil states: This may have changed since 1983 (who am I to question the hard… --- ## [Why does the shower curtain blow in despite the water pushing it out (revisited)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-shower-curtain-blow-in-despite-the-water-pushing-it-out-revisited/574010)
**Author:** [@BReeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BReeve)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2011, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-shower-curtain-blow-in-despite-the-water-pushing-it-out-revisited/574010 "2011-03-14T15:46:29Z")
Did any of the 50000 tetrahedral cells represent a person standing in the shower?? Doesn’t a body standing in the middle of it, with the majority of water hitting the body & slowly running down effect this? In any even… --- ## [Why North is Up - the Seasons and the Calendar](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-north-is-up-the-seasons-and-the-calendar/567651)
**Author:** [@JQuaffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JQuaffer)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2011, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-north-is-up-the-seasons-and-the-calendar/567651 "2011-03-13T06:28:20Z")
Dear Cecil, Before we give in freely to the Southern Hemispheroids or those South Southeast whack jobs and start changing the maps and globes of the world I would like add to the discussion on why north should be up o… --- ## [Will wind power change the weather?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-wind-power-change-the-weather/573539)
**Author:** [@Hazy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hazy)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [March 12, 2011, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-wind-power-change-the-weather/573539 "2011-03-12T23:00:06Z")
It looks to me like all of those windmills would slow the earths rotation. LINK TO COLUMN: Will wind power change the weather? - The Straight Dope --- ## [Removing ticks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-ticks/569578)
**Author:** [@laurence](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/laurence)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [March 12, 2011, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-ticks/569578 "2011-03-12T03:16:03Z")
I do a lot of hiking and occasionally pick up a tick or two. It has been my experience that a few drops of rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide will cause a tick to dislodge and fall off. The alcohol or peroxide wil… --- ## [So Is The SD On A Hot Sex Kick At The Moment?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-the-sd-on-a-hot-sex-kick-at-the-moment/573371)
**Author:** [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [March 11, 2011, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-the-sd-on-a-hot-sex-kick-at-the-moment/573371 "2011-03-11T13:35:16Z")
Well, is it? Not that I’m complaining. But a quick look at the list of Cecil’s columns from the SD home page the past few weeks indicate the Ol’ Man must be needing something to keep him warm this Chicago winter (with … --- ## [Destino](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/destino/571928)
**Author:** [@EPanther](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EPanther)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2011, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/destino/571928 "2011-03-07T04:57:25Z")
I’m not sure how they worked out the rights, but I can tell you two things. One, I was in Barcelona a few months ago and took a side trip to the Teatro Dali, which was nothing short of amazing. One thing I found there… --- ## [First baseman and baseball](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-baseman-and-baseball/571713)
**Author:** [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2011, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-baseman-and-baseball/571713 "2011-03-08T12:23:27Z")
From Why is a ball always thrown to the 1st baseman as he leaves the field after an inning? - The Straight Dope This seems like a poorly thought out tradition. If he needs the ball when he takes the field, why is he g… --- ## [lineage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lineage/573699)
**Author:** [@natassia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/natassia)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2011, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lineage/573699 "2011-03-07T18:18:08Z")
I am a descendant of Joseph of Arimathea. --- ## [Bed sweat -- half an answer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bed-sweat-half-an-answer/567582)
**Author:** [@justin\_caise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justin_caise)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2011, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bed-sweat-half-an-answer/567582 "2011-03-06T18:43:00Z")
Dear Cecil, The answer to how much one sweats at night was only one part of the question. You didn’t address the issue of needing a new mattress every few years. How much sweat does a mattress need? When should it be re… --- ## [faternal twins](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/faternal-twins/573560)
**Author:** [@caren67401](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/caren67401)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2011, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/faternal-twins/573560 "2011-03-05T20:05:19Z")
I had faternal twins, same father but their weights were so different, both girls and living 5#1oz. and 2#13oz. explain this --- ## ["That man's father is my father's son"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-mans-father-is-my-fathers-son/571688)
**Author:** [@awmperry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/awmperry)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2011, 11:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-mans-father-is-my-fathers-son/571688 "2011-03-05T11:14:07Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/451/whats-the-answer-to-the-riddle-that-mans-father-is-my-fathers-son OK, so we know who the chap in the picture is - but what’s the implication of that? Is the guy in the dock t… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=75) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=77)