# m&m's and wisecracks **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [May 17, 2006, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/m-ms-and-wisecracks/357123 "2006-05-17T17:06:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2006, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/m-ms-and-wisecracks/357123/1 "2006-05-17T17:06:48Z")
In this Straight Dope Classic, [How do they get the M’s on M&M’s?](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a3_112.html), Cecil relates the following anecdote: > [@Perfect Master](#): > > One more thing. While addressing a Mensa convention the other day (really), Cecil told the story of the letter about the M&M expiration date, concluding with the plaintive question, “what happens at 8:06?” From the back of the room someone promptly shot back the obvious answer: “They melt in your hand.” Does this count as the first Doper drive-by? 'Cos it would be nice to have it documented for posterity. ---
**Author:** ![Stentor\_2.5](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc8723/32.png) [@Stentor\_2.5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stentor_2.5)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2006, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/m-ms-and-wisecracks/357123/2 "2006-05-17T17:33:23Z")
Cecil addressed a Mensa convention?! We need to find someone who attended the speech and find out if he looks like Ed Zotti. ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2006, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/m-ms-and-wisecracks/357123/3 "2006-05-17T19:08:14Z")
No way. Everyone knows that Cecil looks mostly like [this](http://www.timboucher.com/images/jack_chick_god.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![tmcinroy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/51bf81/32.png) [@tmcinroy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tmcinroy)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2006, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/m-ms-and-wisecracks/357123/4 "2006-05-20T01:14:19Z")
How m&m’s are printed I assume that they are pad printed. This uses a silicone rubber pad to transfer the ink from the plate to the part, in this case the m&m’s are probably in impressions on a belt and printed a number at a time. One place to see more about this is [www.printexusa.com](http://www.printexusa.com) ---
**Author:** ![Iteachscience](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/bc8723/32.png) [@Iteachscience](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iteachscience)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2006, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/m-ms-and-wisecracks/357123/5 "2006-05-21T00:52:57Z")
If you want to know more about M&M’s, try this- put them m side up in a cup of water. Wait about 10 minutes. T hey will float to the top once the color coating is gone. (My Grandpa used to work for Mars candy co.) Truly 🆒 . ---
**Author:** ![Iteachscience](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/bc8723/32.png) [@Iteachscience](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iteachscience)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2006, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/m-ms-and-wisecracks/357123/6 "2006-05-21T00:54:52Z")
> [@Iteachscience](#): > > … > > T :smack: hey will float to the top once the color coating is gone… Whoops. ---
**Author:** ![ianzin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ed655f/32.png) [@ianzin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ianzin)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2006, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/m-ms-and-wisecracks/357123/7 "2006-05-21T03:55:49Z")
> [@Cluricaun](#): > > No way. Everyone knows that Cecil looks mostly like [this](http://www.timboucher.com/images/jack_chick_god.jpg) Oh my gosh… it’s the long-awaited, much sought, _photo of Cecil!_ Discovered at last! Yep, I’m pretty confident that’s exactly what He looks like. ---
**Author:** ![Myron\_Van\_Horowitzski](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de053/32.png) [@Myron\_Van\_Horowitzski](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Myron_Van_Horowitzski)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2006, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/m-ms-and-wisecracks/357123/8 "2006-05-24T17:50:24Z")
No, no, no! That’s obviously a picture of Pete Abrams of _Sluggy Freelance_.