# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=78 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 79 --- ## [Colorful language](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colorful-language/570308)
**Author:** [@Ishmael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ishmael)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2011, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colorful-language/570308 "2011-02-09T15:42:13Z")
This is a comment on a ‘classic’ of dear unca Cecile’s, from January 24, 1986: “Could early man only see three colors?” Link. It occurred to me that words to describe various colors could be tied to the development of… --- ## [looping or rolling a commercial jetliner](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looping-or-rolling-a-commercial-jetliner/570492)
**Author:** [@northernguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/northernguy)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 7, 2011, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looping-or-rolling-a-commercial-jetliner/570492 "2011-02-07T21:15:46Z")
Recently a reader questioned whether it would be possible to loop or roll a jetliner because the forces involved might tear the wings off. The Straight Dope asserted that would not be a likely source of failure. A few … --- ## [Maps](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maps/570220)
**Author:** [@luis82](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/luis82)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2011, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maps/570220 "2011-02-05T13:43:11Z")
I noticed that Bethlehem, Israel, where Jesus is believed to have been born, is pretty close to the center of the map. Could this be why maps are drawn the way they are? LINK TO COLUMN: On maps, why is north always up… --- ## [Straight Dope turns 38 years old today](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-turns-38-years-old-today/569931)
**Author:** [@whitetho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whitetho)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2011, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-turns-38-years-old-today/569931 "2011-02-04T18:34:38Z")
The First Straight Dope Column appeared on this day exactly 38 years ago. Although since Chicago has been covered under a few meters of snow, I suspect Ed Zotti, Cecil’s most recent editor, has been fighting for survival… --- ## [Could early man only see three colors?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-early-man-only-see-three-colors/569521)
**Author:** [@Fowardpass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fowardpass)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2011, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-early-man-only-see-three-colors/569521 "2011-02-04T02:40:01Z")
This is from Calvin and Hobbes, the comic strip. It explains a lot. Calvin: Dad, how come old photographs are always black and white? Didn’t they have color film back then? Dad: Sure they did. In fact, thos… --- ## [Two Rook Rule in Chess](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-rook-rule-in-chess/569336)
**Author:** [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2011, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-rook-rule-in-chess/569336 "2011-02-03T01:50:22Z")
Forget about the Monopoly. I’m perplexed about this “2-rook rule in chess.” (1) I never heard of it. (2) It’s nothing like castling. (3) You cannot move even one rook ahead one square until the rook pawn on it has … --- ## [The purpose of neckties](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-purpose-of-neckties/569868)
**Author:** [@pagerussell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pagerussell)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2011, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-purpose-of-neckties/569868 "2011-02-03T00:53:56Z")
cecil, I think you have overlooked one very viable purpose of the necktie: simply to cover up the buttons on collared shirts. If you look at classic attire, you will notice that few buttons show. This is the purpose of c… --- ## [Which freezes faster, hot water or cold water?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-freezes-faster-hot-water-or-cold-water/569652)
**Author:** [@cresco299](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cresco299)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2011, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-freezes-faster-hot-water-or-cold-water/569652 "2011-02-02T17:17:46Z")
With regards to a variation of this post that was covered some time ago… I got a little egg on my face this past weekend when my buddy claimed that it was common knowledge that boiled tap water somehow changed it’s mo… --- ## [Are pit bulls dangerous?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-pit-bulls-dangerous/569587)
**Author:** [@laurence](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/laurence)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2011, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-pit-bulls-dangerous/569587 "2011-02-02T00:50:21Z")
From my own experience with many dogs, pit bulls are no more dangerous than any other breed, unless they have been trained (and abused) by their owners. Each day I take my own dog - a cattle breed - to a local dog par… --- ## [Colors and early man](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colors-and-early-man/569082)
**Author:** [@vislor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vislor)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2011, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colors-and-early-man/569082 "2011-02-01T18:17:48Z")
In response to this: Could early man only see three colors? - The Straight Dope I have this: 5 Insane Ways Words Can Control Your Mind | Cracked.com (#3) Now, I’m not saying that cracked is a source that should be… --- ## [Celtic Language?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celtic-language/569777)
**Author:** [@cinsavant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cinsavant)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2011, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celtic-language/569777 "2011-02-01T17:13:14Z")
In the column on crossword’s he refers to the word Arepo in a word puzzle saying that it means plow in Celtic. The problem is there’s no such language as “Celtic” The language celts speak is Gaelic. --- ## [Indians selling Manhattan](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/indians-selling-manhattan/363543)
**Author:** [@Steven\_Estes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steven_Estes)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2011, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/indians-selling-manhattan/363543 "2011-02-01T15:30:22Z")
Hi, Cecil– In your discussion of how the $24 the idians got for Manhattan, you assess today’s value of the money in terms of silver (and find that it would be very little in today’s money). That’s no doubt true. But, I… --- ## [brownish white foam](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brownish-white-foam/569078)
**Author:** [@Ricardo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ricardo)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2011, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brownish-white-foam/569078 "2011-02-01T15:01:38Z")
The “brownish white foam” happens when the water is not hot enough to properly make tea, i.e. it hasn’t reached full boiling temperature. --- ## [Colors](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colors/568889)
**Author:** [@cmoose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmoose)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2011, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colors/568889 "2011-02-01T04:35:28Z")
In grade school in the '30s I was taught the seven colors of the rainbow through the mnemonic name Roy G. Biv. Start with these and add a couple for brown and gray (grey in Cecil’s column) and you get about nine as a ba… --- ## [Colors and Rainbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colors-and-rainbows/569289)
**Author:** [@djinteractive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/djinteractive)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2011, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colors-and-rainbows/569289 "2011-02-01T02:42:20Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/449/could-early-man-only-see-three-colors In Cecil’s column he states “Yet an American describing it will list the hues as red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, or something … --- ## [Who's America’s top judge?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-america-s-top-judge/569648)
**Author:** [@Igor70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Igor70)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2011, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-america-s-top-judge/569648 "2011-01-31T23:59:42Z")
F.Q.'s question in http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2975/who-is-america-s-top-judge is a trifle misleading. S/he states: “You’ve got fifty states, and each one has a supreme court and lower courts,” which isn’t … --- ## [Semen an antidepressant](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/semen-an-antidepressant/569575)
**Author:** [@laurence](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/laurence)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2011, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/semen-an-antidepressant/569575 "2011-01-31T14:37:40Z")
All this talk about semen, condoms, condom users, effects of semen etc. is a lot of nonsense. What makes women happy is not penises, semen, ejaculations, condoms and such. Closeness, kindness, affection, cuddling an… --- ## [Mighty Cecil Hath Been Dissed. Link](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mighty-cecil-hath-been-dissed-link/568863)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2011, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mighty-cecil-hath-been-dissed-link/568863 "2011-01-31T01:14:24Z")
The Font Of All Wisdom hath been naysaid by a snotty cephalopod. --- ## [Why cant they make highways last forever](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-they-make-highways-last-forever/569563)
**Author:** [@laurence](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/laurence)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2011, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-they-make-highways-last-forever/569563 "2011-01-30T23:26:01Z")
The answer to this is quite simple and basic, (despite all the complicated explanations): Nothing lasts forever, period. --- ## [Straight Dope January 28, 2011: Brown bottles better for beer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-january-28-2011-brown-bottles-better-for-beer/569300)
**Author:** [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2011, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-january-28-2011-brown-bottles-better-for-beer/569300 "2011-01-30T16:29:32Z")
From: Are brown bottles better for beer? - The Straight Dope The rest of the column is at the link of course. I’ll note it was pure coincidence that the liquor as an antiseptic column ran just last week. --- ## [Liquor as an antiseptic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquor-as-an-antiseptic/568513)
**Author:** [@TSBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TSBG)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2011, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquor-as-an-antiseptic/568513 "2011-01-29T00:44:56Z")
Column. The column inspired me to take a look at the little bottle of antibacterial gel I carry with me in case of a need to clean my hands without other means. The active ingredient is 62% ethyl alcohol. However, the… --- ## [Holes in styrofoam cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holes-in-styrofoam-cups/569040)
**Author:** [@Yoyodyne\_Propulsion\_Systems](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yoyodyne_Propulsion_Systems)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2011, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holes-in-styrofoam-cups/569040 "2011-01-26T13:39:06Z")
This explains the “non-toxic” citrus-based model glue my mom tried to switch me to in the early 70’s! As I recall, about as effective as hot tea at fusing polystyrene kit parts… --- ## [Theory of flight](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theory-of-flight/531416)
**Author:** [@Don\_Hood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_Hood)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2011, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theory-of-flight/531416 "2011-01-24T23:09:22Z")
I have been taught the flawed theory of lift (air traveling faster over the top cteates a low pressure area…etc.). I also know that while building and flying models, I have built planes that have NO airfoil (flat on top… --- ## [Was there once a female pope?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-there-once-a-female-pope/568829)
**Author:** [@chidino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chidino)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2011, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-there-once-a-female-pope/568829 "2011-01-24T22:08:09Z")
Cecil, been reading and relying on you for far too many years (for both of us). Just a quick question, and sorry to drag this chestnut out of the SD vault – but I was always taught by the various monks/nuns/priests I’ve… --- ## [What happened to the Ark of the Covenant?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-the-ark-of-the-covenant/563450)
**Author:** [@wwjd38](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wwjd38)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2011, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-the-ark-of-the-covenant/563450 "2011-01-24T19:32:22Z")
A question was posted, asking, “What happened to the Ark of the Covenant?” When giving the answer, you began by stating the following: First, what exactly is the Ark of the Covenant? It was a wooden chest, the design … --- ## [Hotel California lyrics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hotel-california-lyrics/568361)
**Author:** [@forrie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/forrie)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2011, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hotel-california-lyrics/568361 "2011-01-21T22:59:22Z")
A good friend of mine told me it was based on Don Henley’s experience of being in a juvenile group “camp” called Elan in Maine. Elan has a long sordid history, Google around for more info. It still exists, but perhap… --- ## [Necktie Illustration](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/necktie-illustration/567503)
**Author:** [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2011, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/necktie-illustration/567503 "2011-01-18T20:02:31Z")
The classic column “What is, or was, the purpose of men’s neckties?” is accompanied by a Slug drawing chronicling the evolution of the modern necktie, culminating with a man in a noose. Funny. But… isn’t the guy with th… --- ## [Swastika origins](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swastika-origins/567964)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2011, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swastika-origins/567964 "2011-01-18T03:56:30Z")
Interesting column. I wonder, though, about this sentence in the second paragraph: “Schliemann himself was not a racist, but the swastika was soon taken up by less principled writers, who were attracted by the Aryan … --- ## [Horse statue code addendum](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/horse-statue-code-addendum/567660)
**Author:** [@AhWibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AhWibble)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2011, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/horse-statue-code-addendum/567660 "2011-01-15T14:17:35Z")
Recently, there was sad chuckling at Victor R. Stanwick’s attempt at humour when he asked why there are no horse statues with four feet off the ground: To which Cecil replied that merry-go-rounds do indeed have just t… --- ## [A speculation on postwar baby genders](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-speculation-on-postwar-baby-genders/567674)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2011, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-speculation-on-postwar-baby-genders/567674 "2011-01-15T02:55:59Z")
Comment on Are more male babies born after wars? Just a wild-ass theory I thought of. I think we can safely assume that if there is a gender bias among babies, it must be a genetic trait. And I think it’s easily arguabl… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=77) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=79)