Straight Dope Archive

Does the title of the movie Gattaca refer to a DNA sequence?
A Straight Dope Staff Report by Son of Dex, a biochemist
September 15, 2000
Did Harley-Davidson patent the sound of its motorcycles? Do plants get cancer?
By Cecil Adams
September 15, 2000
What's the most poisonous creature on earth?
A Straight Dope Staff Report by Doug
September 12, 2000
Does the average person consume four spiders per year in his sleep?
A Straight Dope Staff Report by Doug
September 8, 2000
Can transsexuals have orgasm after sex reassignment surgery?
By Cecil Adams
September 8, 2000
How can ants walk on walls and ceilings?
A Straight Dope Staff Report by Doug
September 6, 2000
Why do fireflies only glow when flying upwards?
A Straight Dope Staff Report by Doug
September 4, 2000
Are vaccinations worth it?
A Straight Dope Staff Report by Jill
September 1, 2000
Is there such a thing as "photographic memory"?
By Cecil Adams
September 1, 2000
Can DNA from a booger be used as evidence?
A Straight Dope Staff Report by Hawk
August 30, 2000
What's the origin of the Sadie Hawkins dance?
A Straight Dope Staff Report by Dex
August 28, 2000
What time do the astronauts use in space?
A Straight Dope Staff Report by Manny
August 25, 2000
Is sunscreen ineffective in preventing skin cancer?
By Cecil Adams
August 25, 2000
Where do they get the blood for animal blood transfusions?
A Straight Dope Staff Report by Jill
August 23, 2000
Are toxic orange ladybugs the latest environmental threat?
A Straight Dope Staff Report by Doug
August 21, 2000
Why do mosquito bites merely itch while bee stings are painful?
A Straight Dope Staff Report by Doug and Jill
August 18, 2000
What are the five ways to get to first base without hitting the ball (revisited)?
By Cecil Adams
August 18, 2000
What's the origin of "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth"?
A Straight Dope Staff Report by Ken
August 16, 2000
Who was Typhoid Mary?
A Straight Dope Staff Report by Dex and McCaff
August 14, 2000
Honeybees have hives, wasps and hornets have nests--what do bumblebees have?
A Straight Dope Staff Report by Doug
August 11, 2000
Does the jackalope have a rabbit's body but an antelope's horns?
By Cecil Adams
August 11, 2000
Is there a historical basis for Zorro?
A Straight Dope Staff Report by Euty
August 9, 2000
What's the origin of "break a leg" in show business?
A Straight Dope Staff Report by Ken
August 8, 2000
What's the origin of "Kilroy was here"?
A Straight Dope Staff Report by Dex and Mac
August 4, 2000
Is recycling worth it?
By Cecil Adams
August 4, 2000
How do you use a bidet?
A Straight Dope Staff Report by CyberSybar
August 2, 2000
Do race car drivers weave around on the parade lap to heat their tires?
A Straight Dope Staff Report by TubaDiva
July 31, 2000
Are blue jays not really blue? Plus: has the copyright on "Happy Birthday" expired yet?
By Cecil Adams
July 28, 2000
Is light beer made by watering it down?
A Straight Dope Staff Report by Gaudere
July 27, 2000
Does a big nose help you sing better?
A Straight Dope Staff Report by TubaDiva
July 26, 2000
Who's richer, Bill Gates or Scrooge McDuck?
A Straight Dope Staff Report by Dex
July 24, 2000
What exactly is Aretha singing in "Respect"?
A Straight Dope Staff Report by Jill
July 21, 2000
Is the world's tallest building in North Korea?
By Cecil Adams
July 21, 2000
Can the mysterious chupacabra of Puerto Rico suck the blood of farm animals?
A Straight Dope Staff Report by David
July 19, 2000
What's the origin of Don Henley's song about "forgiveness"?
A Straight Dope Staff Report by Songbird
July 17, 2000
Why does helium make your voice squeaky?
A Straight Dope Staff Report by Alphagene
July 14, 2000
What's the world's largest commercially available bra size (revisited)?
By Cecil Adams
July 14, 2000
Do Disney movies contain subliminal erotica?
A Straight Dope Staff Report by Euty
July 12, 2000
What's the origin of keeping your fingers crossed?
A Straight Dope Staff Report by Dex
July 10, 2000
What happens to all the junked cars?
A Straight Dope Staff Report by Dogster
July 7, 2000
Followup: Does second-hand smoke cause heart disease?
By Cecil Adams
July 7, 2000
Are manatees white meat or dark meat?
A Straight Dope Staff Report by Jill
July 5, 2000
How does a Ouija board work?
A Straight Dope Staff Report by David
July 3, 2000
What's the story with the "Protocols of the Elders of Zion"?
A Straight Dope Staff Report by David
June 30, 2000
Does nonoxynol-9 protect against HIV?
By Cecil Adams
June 30, 2000
Why are pistachios colored red?
A Straight Dope Staff Report by Jill
June 28, 2000
How come some U.S. passports are different colors?
A Straight Dope Staff Report by Monty
June 26, 2000
What's up with people who think they're infested with bugs?
By Cecil Adams
June 23, 2000
Can you get lead poisoning from old dishes?
A Straight Dope Staff Report by Jill
June 22, 2000
What's the origin of the dunce cap?
A Straight Dope Staff Report by Gaudere
June 21, 2000
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