# Back cracking **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [September 28, 2011, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-cracking/597850 "2011-09-28T05:00:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Tyrannorabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/41988e/32.png) [@Tyrannorabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tyrannorabbit)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2011, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-cracking/597850/1 "2011-09-28T05:00:18Z")
A Rosie O’Donnell reference from 1985? I’m not sure I buy it. (sorry if this is an old point - trying to search on this just broke the search function, and when I tried again in two minutes it just broke it again) * * * LINK TO COLUMN: [Is “cracking your back” to relieve backache a good idea? - The Straight Dope](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/602/is-cracking-your-back-to-relieve-backache-a-good-idea) ---
**Author:** ![gamerunknown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6bbea6/32.png) [@gamerunknown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gamerunknown)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2011, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-cracking/597850/2 "2011-09-28T07:11:58Z")
One hasn’t lived until they’ve had an Irish jig performed on their back. ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2011, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-cracking/597850/3 "2011-09-28T15:29:18Z")
I’m not sure about the original, **Tyrannorabbit** , but occasionally some editing is done to Cecil’s columns. For instance, when a column is reprinted in a book, it’s usually reviewed and updated as necessary; sometimes (but not routinely) there’s some updating when a “classic” column is posted on the website. So, there can be some material in the column that’s put in later than the publication date. See [Forum Rules](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=335641), Post #5. ---
**Author:** ![Powers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Powers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Powers)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2011, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-cracking/597850/4 "2011-09-30T01:26:24Z")
Although O’Donnell was on _Star Search_ in the early 80s, it appears that she didn’t really become a household name until some time after _A League of Their Own_ in 1992 – and possibly not even until her talk show went on the air in 1996. So the reference is almost certainly a later addition to the column. Makes one wonder what the original reference was. Powers &8^] ---
**Author:** ![withaK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8e7dd6/32.png) [@withaK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/withaK)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2011, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-cracking/597850/5 "2011-09-30T04:57:00Z")
I just happen to have my copy of _More of the Straight Dope_ handy, and looking at page 419, the original reference was Oprah Winfrey. ---
**Author:** ![Powers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Powers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Powers)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2011, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-cracking/597850/6 "2011-09-30T23:09:44Z")
Somewhat more plausible, but Oprah didn’t go national until 1986. Granted, she was big – ratings-wise – in Chicago in 84-85, but wasn’t The Straight Dope syndicated by then? Also, in the mid-eighties her weight problems were just getting started. I find it hard to believe that in 1985, the best “heavy female” reference Cecil could come up with was a local talk-show host who weighed south of 200 pounds. Powers &8^] ---
**Author:** ![SiXSwordS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/49beb7/32.png) [@SiXSwordS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SiXSwordS)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2011, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-cracking/597850/7 "2011-10-04T17:24:42Z")
Could it be updated to say a new entrant in Biggest Loser?