# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=91 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 92 --- ## [Stoned (and roach and joint)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stoned-and-roach-and-joint/532684)
**Author:** [@TSBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TSBG)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2010, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stoned-and-roach-and-joint/532684 "2010-03-31T12:23:58Z")
Regarding: What’s the origin of the words joint, roach, and stoned? - The Straight Dope I’ve read a letter written by a soldier in the Civil War in which he describes getting “stoned” on corn liquor. That doesn’t she… --- ## [Bee poop?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bee-poop/532994)
**Author:** [@justin\_caise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justin_caise)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2010, 10:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bee-poop/532994 "2010-03-31T10:55:05Z")
Isn’t “propolis (plant resin, which can contain antimicrobial chemicals) and in small mites that make their living feeding on the hive’s residue, including fecal material and mold” what is sold as “Royal Jelly”? It costs… --- ## [Largest city parks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/largest-city-parks/533450)
**Author:** [@AhComeOn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AhComeOn)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2010, 9:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/largest-city-parks/533450 "2010-03-31T09:28:45Z")
I am 60+ years old. I grew up believing that Portland Oregon’s Forest Park was the largest city owned park in the US of A. You failed to mention it. It’s over 5,000 acres. There are lots of parks within limits of other c… --- ## ["86" that answer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/86-that-answer/532939)
**Author:** [@komara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/komara)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2010, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/86-that-answer/532939 "2010-03-30T16:16:14Z")
When all manner of alcoholic beverages were in short supply just after prohibition was repealed, 101 proof liquor was much more requested than the other available proof…86 proof. When the 101 proof version inevitably ra… --- ## [etymology = ready made word](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/etymology-ready-made-word/534197)
**Author:** [@ioannick3993](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ioannick3993)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2010, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/etymology-ready-made-word/534197 "2010-03-30T02:34:33Z")
i would take linguistic theory with a grain of salt because it is very easy to see how civilization developed and how language developed and was passed on to other neighboring states. By carefully examining and understan… --- ## [Ear candling does not remove ear wax](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ear-candling-does-not-remove-ear-wax/533946)
**Author:** [@iluvearcandles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iluvearcandles)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2010, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ear-candling-does-not-remove-ear-wax/533946 "2010-03-29T17:41:08Z")
There are too much misconception about ear candles. I love ear candles they are gently and soothing. Ear Candles are a natural and holistic modality that has been used from generation to generation. They are safe and r… --- ## [Is your dog a racist? Do tell!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-your-dog-a-racist-do-tell/524275)
**Author:** [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Replies:** 194\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2010, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-your-dog-a-racist-do-tell/524275 "2010-03-27T20:39:35Z")
Cecil was pondering a question from one of his readers about “racist” dogs - namely, dogs which seem to react badly to humans of one race or more different races than their owners. I know he’s gathered some hard facts on… --- ## [Are oil space heaters more efficient?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-oil-space-heaters-more-efficient/532792)
**Author:** [@scm1001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scm1001)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2010, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-oil-space-heaters-more-efficient/532792 "2010-03-25T21:31:12Z")
One correction to Cecil. Not all electric heaters are equally efficient. A heat pump can be 3-6 x more efficient than a simple electric heater as it dumps the “cold” outside --- ## [Sodomy = "Vile and Despicable"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sodomy-vile-and-despicable/532129)
**Author:** [@JoeDeRose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoeDeRose)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2010, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sodomy-vile-and-despicable/532129 "2010-03-25T20:46:07Z")
In (today’s column), a reprint from 1974, Cecil traced the origin of the word “boogie” through several eras, passing at one point through: Surely, even in the less enlightened period of the mid-1970s, he would have pre… --- ## [Can you look at your own eyeball?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-look-at-your-own-eyeball/532315)
**Author:** [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2010, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-look-at-your-own-eyeball/532315 "2010-03-25T19:58:17Z")
Re: Is exposure to small amounts of radiation beneficial? In the “MEDICAL QUESTIONS WE’RE STILL THINKING ABOUT” section at the end of the article, a Donald Carr asks: Assume one can take one’s eyeball out of its socket… --- ## [glow-in-the-dark materials safety](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/glow-in-the-dark-materials-safety/524544)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2010, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/glow-in-the-dark-materials-safety/524544 "2010-03-25T03:45:02Z")
Cecil’s column today discusses the safety of phosphorescent materials, and with regard to radium-based phosphors, includes the \[mitigated\] claim that “the best information available at the moment finds no real threat in … --- ## [Caesarean Section and Julius](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caesarean-section-and-julius/532258)
**Author:** [@emeslyaakov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emeslyaakov)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2010, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caesarean-section-and-julius/532258 "2010-03-25T01:09:54Z")
Cecil has commented before and currently (or perhaps it is a reprint) that it is mythic thinking to assert that Julius had a caesaean section and that the first mother to survive such an operation was in the 1500’s. So… --- ## [Definition of Runcible](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definition-of-runcible/533440)
**Author:** [@elvet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elvet)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2010, 10:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definition-of-runcible/533440 "2010-03-23T10:42:39Z")
I know what everyone thinks: that a runcible spoon is a spork or a grapefruit spoon. While this might appear to be popular opinion, read on. When I was growing up and reading Edward Lear’s nonsense omnibus, our family… --- ## [Staff Report from the Straight Dope Science Advisory Board What's the origin of "Rock, Paper, Scisso](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/staff-report-from-the-straight-dope-science-advisory-board-whats-the-origin-of-rock-paper-scisso/533448)
**Author:** [@daveandiputra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/daveandiputra)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2010, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/staff-report-from-the-straight-dope-science-advisory-board-whats-the-origin-of-rock-paper-scisso/533448 "2010-03-23T07:07:32Z")
on this Staff Report from the Straight Dope Science Advisory Board What’s the origin of “Rock, Paper, Scissors”? mentions the Indonesian version of “Rock, Paper, Scissors”, where the writer is curious about which finger… --- ## [New world ahead. No Fed. No IRS.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-world-ahead-no-fed-no-irs/533317)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2010, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-world-ahead-no-fed-no-irs/533317 "2010-03-22T20:15:34Z")
First of all, nowhere does the Holy Bible say you win. You’re just kicking at the goads, my “jewish” friend. In prophecy, the LORD is not GUESSING! what MAY happen. He’s telling us what He SEES! And he does not see yo… --- ## [It aint over till the fat lady sings](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-aint-over-till-the-fat-lady-sings/532911)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2010, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-aint-over-till-the-fat-lady-sings/532911 "2010-03-21T19:41:37Z")
It seems like this phrase often applies to political inaugurations. Usually, you’ll see the ex-president and in-coming president on the podium. A moment of silence and a rather obese female singer solemnly starts. I ha… --- ## [Plane on Conveyor Belt](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plane-on-conveyor-belt/531224)
**Author:** [@nilum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nilum)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2010, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plane-on-conveyor-belt/531224 "2010-03-18T04:36:49Z")
The original article can be found here: The idea is that the plane takes off on a conveyor belt going in the opposite direction at the same speed and the plane achieves flight… right? But that’s impossible. The flight… --- ## [Error in "Were Adam and Eve vegetarians?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/error-in-were-adam-and-eve-vegetarians/532520)
**Author:** [@andyclin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andyclin)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2010, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/error-in-were-adam-and-eve-vegetarians/532520 "2010-03-17T05:24:19Z")
This is an error found in the article Were Adam and Eve vegetarians? “Later, of course, Paul and the early Christians (at the Council of Jerusalem, reported in the book of Acts) decided that belief in their Messiah obvi… --- ## [alcoholism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alcoholism/531082)
**Author:** [@tim314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim314)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2010, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alcoholism/531082 "2010-03-16T18:25:15Z")
In this thread, Cecil lists a pretty horrific list of symptoms of alcoholism. One detail I didn’t see included . . . just how much drinking are we talking about here? --- ## [When the zombies take over, how long till the internet fails?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-the-zombies-take-over-how-long-till-the-internet-fails/530478)
**Author:** [@dvallej](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dvallej)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2010, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-the-zombies-take-over-how-long-till-the-internet-fails/530478 "2010-03-14T13:55:08Z")
i was reading this article: When the zombies take over, how long till the electricity fails? - The Straight Dope and i wonder about the almighty internet and what would happen with it in a zombie apocalipsis thx for any… --- ## [Is there a way to sleep less?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-sleep-less/530263)
**Author:** [@SCSimmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCSimmons)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2010, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-sleep-less/530263 "2010-03-14T06:25:02Z")
In today’s classic column repost, Cecil discusses D.E.'s dream of getting less sleep. One thing I’d love to see him look into is polyphasic sleep patterns. I’ve seen some discussion of that on these boards and elsewhere,… --- ## [Animal/word 'droppings'.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animal-word-droppings/531896)
**Author:** [@Ishmael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ishmael)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2010, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animal-word-droppings/531896 "2010-03-14T06:14:08Z")
Re: Does every type of animal dropping have its own name? - The Straight Dope. I have a number of ‘crossword puzzle dictionaries’ that I consult at times – they have way more synonyms than does poor Mr. Roget. While so… --- ## [Smoking and Alzheimer's](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smoking-and-alzheimers/532383)
**Author:** [@The\_Urban\_Spaceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Urban_Spaceman)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2010, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smoking-and-alzheimers/532383 "2010-03-13T19:31:06Z")
Column in question - Does smoking have any health benefits? 1995. In light of the most recent review of all previous papers dealing with smoking and Alzheimer’s (Cataldo et al. 2010), it may be wise to update the column… --- ## [Pigeons beat Monty Hall problem](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pigeons-beat-monty-hall-problem/531848)
**Author:** [@Powers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Powers)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2010, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pigeons-beat-monty-hall-problem/531848 "2010-03-13T19:27:03Z")
I hate to start yet another Monty Hall thread (see Unca Cecil’s column), but this is really a new tangent. Apparently humans – and this applies across cultures – have very good reasons for not intuitively understanding … --- ## [Cigarettes and the environment...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cigarettes-and-the-environment/530231)
**Author:** [@TomValois](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TomValois)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [March 12, 2010, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cigarettes-and-the-environment/530231 "2010-03-12T02:01:24Z")
Cecil brought the issue up in a recent comment, but didn’t expound upon it. What environmental effect do those 357 billion cigarette butts have? --- ## [Mileage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mileage/531910)
**Author:** [@dohebert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dohebert)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 11, 2010, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mileage/531910 "2010-03-11T16:18:57Z")
In a recent column, Cecil wrote that a motorcycle uses 2200 BTUs to transport a single rider one mile, and heavy rail uses 2600. The rail industry claims that they move one ton of freight “436 miles on a gallon of fuel,… --- ## [Comment on Can Coconut Juice be used as Plasma?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comment-on-can-coconut-juice-be-used-as-plasma/531513)
**Author:** [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2010, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comment-on-can-coconut-juice-be-used-as-plasma/531513 "2010-03-10T23:06:27Z")
First, here’s the column link: Can coconut juice be used as blood plasma? Plus: Are oil space heaters more efficient? - The Straight Dope In the biography of combat photographer/journalist Neil Davis, One Crowded Hour, … --- ## [Animal Droppings and Whale Vomit](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animal-droppings-and-whale-vomit/531919)
**Author:** [@CookieMomster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookieMomster)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2010, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animal-droppings-and-whale-vomit/531919 "2010-03-10T19:41:35Z")
Animal feces is not the only excrement to deserve it’s own name. Whale Vomit, more commonly known as ambergris, is a highly sought after excrement. As a matter of fact, it is more valuable than gold and the dream of many… --- ## [You horny?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-horny/531944)
**Author:** [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2010, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-horny/531944 "2010-03-10T16:17:18Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/248/whats-the-origin-of-horny I thought the term originated with the rutting season for deer, elk, moose and other antlered creatures. They have new horn growth during that time… --- ## [the shape of the earth?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-shape-of-the-earth/530371)
**Author:** [@miriam\_hassan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/miriam_hassan)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2010, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-shape-of-the-earth/530371 "2010-03-09T15:18:41Z")
The shape of the earth is spherical-like a ball…is this true or is it only a scientific guess? The reason im saying this is because, the earth has almost always been viewed from a lense- a convex lense mostly. Is it pos… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=90) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=92)