Straight Dope Archive

Why is the action in old silent movies so fast?
A Straight Dope Classic by Cecil Adams
April 12, 1991
If the world's wealth were divided equally, how much would each of us have?
A Straight Dope Classic by Cecil Adams
April 5, 1991
Why are rainbows curved?
A Straight Dope Classic by Cecil Adams
March 29, 1991
If you were thrown into the vacuum of space with no space suit, would you explode?
A Straight Dope Classic by Cecil Adams
March 22, 1991
Is it possible to have too much dietary fiber?
A Straight Dope Classic by Cecil Adams
March 8, 1991
Why do we put up yellow ribbons during wars, hostage crises, etc.?
A Straight Dope Classic by Cecil Adams
March 1, 1991
Did a state legislature once pass a law saying pi equals 3?
A Straight Dope Classic by Cecil Adams
February 22, 1991
Why don't magnets stick to aluminum?
A Straight Dope Classic by Cecil Adams
February 22, 1991
What is perfect pitch, and what good is it?
A Straight Dope Classic by Cecil Adams
February 8, 1991
Who decided women should shave their legs and underarms?
A Straight Dope Classic by Cecil Adams
February 6, 1991
What's up with the "neutral zones" near Saudi Arabia?
A Straight Dope Classic by Cecil Adams
February 1, 1991
What's in a Mickey Finn?
A Straight Dope Classic by Cecil Adams
January 18, 1991
Would Vietnam war money have been better spent bribing the enemy to stop fighting?
A Straight Dope Classic by Cecil Adams
January 11, 1991
Can Cecil solve this geometry stumper?
A Straight Dope Classic by Cecil Adams
January 4, 1991
Why do some water fountains produce two streams of water that merge into one?
A Straight Dope Classic by Cecil Adams
December 21, 1990
Why does the U.S. deliver foreign mail when we don't get any money for the stamps?
A Straight Dope Classic by Cecil Adams
December 14, 1990
What causes white spots on your fingernails?
A Straight Dope Classic by Cecil Adams
December 7, 1990
What is "branch water"?
A Straight Dope Classic by Cecil Adams
December 7, 1990
Is it possible to rain frogs, cats, dogs, etc.?
A Straight Dope Classic by Cecil Adams
December 7, 1990
What's the story on Wilhelm Reich and his orgone energy?
A Straight Dope Classic by Cecil Adams
November 30, 1990
Do "iron fortified" cereals really contain iron filings?
A Straight Dope Classic by Cecil Adams
November 16, 1990
What are the four common English words ending in "-dous"?
A Straight Dope Classic by Cecil Adams
November 9, 1990
What English word has five consecutive vowels?
A Straight Dope Classic by Cecil Adams
November 9, 1990
Did astronaut Neil Armstrong muff his historic "one small step" line?
A Straight Dope Classic by Cecil Adams
November 9, 1990
On "Let's Make a Deal," you pick Door #1. Monty opens Door #2--no prize. Do you stay with Door #1 or switch to #3?
A Straight Dope Classic by Cecil Adams
November 2, 1990
How will stars be arranged on the flag if the U.S. ever has 51 states?
A Straight Dope Classic by Cecil Adams
October 19, 1990
When did mankind figure out that SEX = BABIES?
A Straight Dope Classic by Cecil Adams
October 12, 1990
What are the "fins" on a fountain pen for?
A Straight Dope Classic by Cecil Adams
October 12, 1990
What does YKK mean on zippers?
A Straight Dope Classic by Cecil Adams
October 5, 1990
Why don't the raisins in Raisin Bran all wind up at the bottom of the box?
A Straight Dope Classic by Cecil Adams
September 14, 1990
What year numbering system was used in the time of Christ?
A Straight Dope Classic by Cecil Adams
September 14, 1990
Why do Christians worship on Sunday when the Bible says the Sabbath is on Saturday?
A Straight Dope Classic by Cecil Adams
August 24, 1990
What's the origin of the myth that cats can suck the breath out of babies?
A Straight Dope Classic by Cecil Adams
August 17, 1990
How do astronauts go to the bathroom in space?
A Straight Dope Classic by Cecil Adams
August 3, 1990
How do they make helium? It's an inert gas!
A Straight Dope Classic by Cecil Adams
July 27, 1990
Seven batters step up to the plate, the inning ends, no runs score. How?
A Straight Dope Classic by Cecil Adams
July 6, 1990
When did the Age of Aquarius officially start?
A Straight Dope Classic by Cecil Adams
July 6, 1990
If a chicken and a half can lay an egg and a half in a day and a half, how many hens to lay six eggs in six days?
A Straight Dope Classic by Cecil Adams
June 29, 1990
Is the food additive MSG bad for you?
A Straight Dope Classic by Cecil Adams
June 22, 1990
Why are magazines dated ahead of the time they actually appear?
A Straight Dope Classic by Cecil Adams
June 22, 1990
What's the meaning of "Ollie, Ollie oxen go free"?
A Straight Dope Classic by Cecil Adams
June 22, 1990
In chemistry, what do the letters "PA" stand for?
A Straight Dope Classic by Cecil Adams
June 15, 1990
If rabbits don't chew constantly, will their teeth grow to incredible lengths, causing them to starve?
A Straight Dope Classic by Cecil Adams
June 15, 1990
What does JCT stand for on highway signs?
A Straight Dope Classic by Cecil Adams
June 8, 1990
Are humans meat eaters or vegetarians by nature?
A Straight Dope Classic by Cecil Adams
June 8, 1990
What is the true source of the Kennedy family's wealth?
A Straight Dope Classic by Cecil Adams
June 1, 1990
Does colonic irrigation do you any good?
A Straight Dope Classic by Cecil Adams
May 25, 1990
Why does your skin stick to an ice-cube tray, but not to a Popsicle?
A Straight Dope Classic by Cecil Adams
May 18, 1990
Why do stars twinkle?
A Straight Dope Classic by Cecil Adams
May 18, 1990
Can opera singers shatter glass with their high notes?
A Straight Dope Classic by Cecil Adams
May 11, 1990
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