# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=98 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 99 --- ## [Generics vs Brand drugs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/generics-vs-brand-drugs/514841)
**Author:** [@psythe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psythe)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2009, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/generics-vs-brand-drugs/514841 "2009-10-30T19:27:09Z")
re the differences between original and generic drugs - most vets know that diazepam can occasionally cause “fulminant hepatic necrosis” - ie it can seriously cock up the liver - in cats when given orally. This has, app… --- ## [What's the origin of "English," the kind you put on a ball?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-origin-of-english-the-kind-you-put-on-a-ball/515256)
**Author:** [@scoddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scoddy)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2009, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-origin-of-english-the-kind-you-put-on-a-ball/515256 "2009-10-29T19:45:04Z")
Now I’m not American … or English … but I am a native English speaking Australian. In the extremely English sport of cricket, all sorts of terms are used to describe the ball doing something mysterious, usually by the i… --- ## [Arm & Hammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arm-hammer/515488)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2009, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arm-hammer/515488 "2009-10-29T13:12:05Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/182/did-tycoon-armand-hammer-have-anything-to-do-with-arm-hammer-baking-soda Interesting - I hadn’t known that. The column is dated 1982, but includes references to 1986 and 199… --- ## [Heinz 57 varities](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heinz-57-varities/514874)
**Author:** [@cmoose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmoose)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2009, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heinz-57-varities/514874 "2009-10-28T18:38:17Z")
When the famous slogan was created in 1896, there were just over 57 varieties, but Mr. Heinz admitted he liked the ring of the number 57 and stayed with it. See: Henry Heinz and Brand Creation in the Late Nineteenth Ce… --- ## [Why "Eutychus"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-eutychus/504856)
**Author:** [@The\_Senor-Rhetor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Senor-Rhetor)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2009, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-eutychus/504856 "2009-10-28T07:09:14Z")
Dear SDSAB, I must know why the replier was listed as “Eutychus,” since it is obvious that no one these days has that name. I am moderately familiar with the story in Saint Paul, but also with a story in the Latin text… --- ## [Why does every city seem to have a Yellow Cab company?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-every-city-seem-to-have-a-yellow-cab-company/514848)
**Author:** [@ryand](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ryand)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2009, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-every-city-seem-to-have-a-yellow-cab-company/514848 "2009-10-28T05:41:34Z")
Re: Why does every city seem to have a Yellow Cab company? - The Straight Dope Our town had a bit of a public debate about this when a certain local politician decided he wanted all the cabs uniformly yellow, for neatne… --- ## [Political silliness..](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/political-silliness/515073)
**Author:** [@KevinK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KevinK)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2009, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/political-silliness/515073 "2009-10-27T18:38:52Z")
Can you somehow answer questions without injecting your own political bias into them? I mean I know it’s possible. I come here to read information and facts. I have to deal with political zealots on both sides of the fen… --- ## [heartless socialists](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heartless-socialists/514875)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kerchak\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kerchak_1)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2009, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heartless-socialists/514875 "2009-10-27T05:02:25Z")
\*…After the heartless socialists running Ontario’s health care system forced epileptics to take generic versions of the antiepileptic drug Lamictal… \* I’m sure the ‘heartless socialists’ bit is a tongue-in-cheek refe… --- ## [Cecil's comment on Pit Bulls](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecils-comment-on-pit-bulls/508730)
**Author:** [@LALALEXIDANCER](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LALALEXIDANCER)\ **Replies:** 256\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2009, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecils-comment-on-pit-bulls/508730 "2009-10-27T04:57:11Z")
Hey guys! I must say most of his information was accurate. They don’t have, “locking jaws” that is next to impossible. Their bite is actually 2nd in strength to Rottweilers and third is the German Shepard bite. What … --- ## [meaningless car names](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meaningless-car-names/514659)
**Author:** [@mick1823](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mick1823)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2009, 9:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meaningless-car-names/514659 "2009-10-25T09:02:58Z")
I thought the genesis of the nonsensical naming of cars was the mistake Chevrolet made some time back with the Nova. Sounds great in English, but means “no go” in Espanol. mick in arlington --- ## [Polarized plugs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polarized-plugs/514520)
**Author:** [@Igor70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Igor70)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2009, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polarized-plugs/514520 "2009-10-24T03:47:57Z")
I’ve long ago made my peace with polarized plugs (Cecil’s post on this, \[URL=“I can’t plug in these new plugs! What’s the deal? - The Straight Dope”\]) is pretty dated, from 1983, but for all I’ve read explaining them, Ce… --- ## [Personal hygiene a recent invention](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personal-hygiene-a-recent-invention/514872)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2009, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personal-hygiene-a-recent-invention/514872 "2009-10-23T19:50:16Z")
The idea that bathing is dangerous may have some merit. :slight\_smile: The water supply in the middle ages was heavily contaminated from open sewers, garbage, and decaying bodies (animal and human). The water was not… --- ## [Why do songs get stuck in your head?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-songs-get-stuck-in-your-head/514628)
**Author:** [@457i6tyug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/457i6tyug)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2009, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-songs-get-stuck-in-your-head/514628 "2009-10-23T19:11:07Z")
This is clearly a case of neurosis or OCD. Take a clonazepam or Xanax and you won’t have this problem any longer. Or simply relax and keep your focus on your goals for the day and these songs won’t get stuck in the first… --- ## [Re: Subliminal Advertising Column](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-subliminal-advertising-column/514401)
**Author:** [@Tenar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tenar)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2009, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-subliminal-advertising-column/514401 "2009-10-21T17:25:41Z")
Bad show, Cecil. The Straight Dope Classic column about subliminal advertising contains an egregious typo! The game referenced is spelled Husker Du (with umlauts over the "u"s), not Husker-Do. The fact that I remember… --- ## [Who Owns internet Content](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-owns-internet-content/513164)
**Author:** [@DORFMONT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DORFMONT)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2009, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-owns-internet-content/513164 "2009-10-21T16:42:35Z")
Several years ago I arranged to give a seminar by conference call. I gave verbbal permission to the conference organizer to record the lecture and distribute copies. --- ## [Early Earworm each day?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-earworm-each-day/514623)
**Author:** [@HWK123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HWK123)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2009, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-earworm-each-day/514623 "2009-10-21T16:39:32Z")
When I am attacked by the earworm it is usually when I first wake up. As far as I can recollect, it is not the same ditty each time either. One of my brilliant posits is that the human brain, like a computer, needs to go… --- ## [Flaw in the Hamburger calculation:](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flaw-in-the-hamburger-calculation/514073)
**Author:** [@pan1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pan1)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2009, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flaw-in-the-hamburger-calculation/514073 "2009-10-20T00:34:01Z")
Surely with demand this high, McDonalds is turning more than the usual 10-15% of some cows into hamburger. While a traditional butchering proces may involve slaughtering the cow and shipping the sides of beef to the g… --- ## [Apple Cider / Juice](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apple-cider-juice/514044)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2009, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apple-cider-juice/514044 "2009-10-19T22:57:55Z")
I’m surprised Cecil didn’t discuss Cider and Hard Cider. Hard Cider is always alcoholic. Hornsby’s is one of the more popular commercial brands. Cider is non-alcoholic. Cider and Juice… Cider is unfiltered apple jui… --- ## [The Shroud of Turin](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-shroud-of-turin/512794)
**Author:** [@Indian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indian)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2009, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-shroud-of-turin/512794 "2009-10-19T19:35:07Z")
\*Most people, and certainly most scientists, have accepted the idea that the shroud was made not long before it was first put on display in 1357. But how it was made we still have no clue. \*Says Cecil. The Shroud of T… --- ## [Ohruwurms](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ohruwurms/513913)
**Author:** [@NewsworthyGAB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NewsworthyGAB)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2009, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ohruwurms/513913 "2009-10-19T16:36:05Z")
In the Chicago Reader’s October 15 The Straight Dope, a woman named Meg complains about songs being stuck in one’s head. Her personal “stupid tune” that she reports she’s “getting really sick of” is Soft Cell’s wonderful… --- ## [Automobile day-night mirror (question based on your previous answer)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automobile-day-night-mirror-question-based-on-your-previous-answer/513903)
**Author:** [@richard23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/richard23)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2009, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automobile-day-night-mirror-question-based-on-your-previous-answer/513903 "2009-10-19T11:54:09Z")
Hi Cecil, Thanks for your great knowledge. I read your explanation of how a day-night mirror works. The wedge shape makes sense for when you flip the mirror up, the mirrored surface is pointed toward the ceiling and the… --- ## [Ketchup Bottles - Tall and Thin...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ketchup-bottles-tall-and-thin/514172)
**Author:** [@Barnable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barnable)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2009, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ketchup-bottles-tall-and-thin/514172 "2009-10-19T11:50:30Z")
My understanding of ketchup was that before they developed modern preservatives, a ring of crusty ketchup would develop at the top of the bottle (similiar to the crusty ketchup around the cap when it gets old and dries o… --- ## [Comment on Karate Board Breaking](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comment-on-karate-board-breaking/510540)
**Author:** [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2009, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comment-on-karate-board-breaking/510540 "2009-10-15T23:14:39Z")
Original Article: How do martial artists break boards and bricks using only their bare hands? - The Straight Dope Karate’s dirty little secret: Essentially, whenever you see any type of breaking demonstration where on… --- ## [Does a sauna or steam room do you any good?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-sauna-or-steam-room-do-you-any-good/510818)
**Author:** [@Orava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orava)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2009, 8:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-sauna-or-steam-room-do-you-any-good/510818 "2009-10-15T08:40:37Z")
Thank’s for the good answers. I wish to add some things about the Finnish sauna. If you have a migrane that automatically includes muscle tension, sauna might help you. 15 - 30 minutes in a warm (maybe not the hottes … --- ## [Taupin from Wessex?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taupin-from-wessex/513105)
**Author:** [@mark\_dallas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mark_dallas)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2009, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taupin-from-wessex/513105 "2009-10-14T22:55:08Z")
Bernie Taupin was born and raised in Lincolnshire, not “Wessex” (which, incidentally hasn’t existed for almost a millennium) and the counties that once constituted that area are on the other side of the country from Linc… --- ## [origin of ahoy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-ahoy/513315)
**Author:** [@kristinjoy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kristinjoy)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2009, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-ahoy/513315 "2009-10-14T15:56:13Z")
can’t it be that it’s from the czech language, because ahoi means hello in the czech republic. --- ## [Forum Rules: PLEASE READ](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forum-rules-please-read/274576)
**Author:** [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2009, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forum-rules-please-read/274576 "2009-10-10T00:16:02Z")
This forum is for posting comments about Staff Reports. Staff Reports are not written by Cecil, they are written by staff members of the Straight Dope Science Advisory Board (SDSAB), and occasionally by guests. If you’r… --- ## [y2k bug: a valid worry, not humbug.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/y2k-bug-a-valid-worry-not-humbug/512775)
**Author:** [@sethness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sethness)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2009, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/y2k-bug-a-valid-worry-not-humbug/512775 "2009-10-09T02:31:07Z")
The Y2k bug scare consisted of IT people worrying that an undefined number of computers and their software would be thrown significantly out of whack because those computers kept track of the year using two digits (00, 0… --- ## ["Fair use" doctrine](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fair-use-doctrine/513006)
**Author:** [@OnTheRock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OnTheRock)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2009, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fair-use-doctrine/513006 "2009-10-08T21:32:29Z")
The recent Straight Dope on republishing the work of others was interesting and enlightening as usual, but its not quite correct to say that a building owner can repaint a wall containing “a brilliant original sonnet” sp… --- ## [Dentyne..."brazen fraud"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dentyne-brazen-fraud/511968)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2009, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dentyne-brazen-fraud/511968 "2009-10-08T18:30:46Z")
In an aside on a column about whether toothpaste contains sugar, Cecil wrote: I know this is an old article from 1978, but, WTF? What a bomb to drop with no explanation. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=97) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=99)