A Straight Dope Classic from Cecil's Storehouse of Human Knowledge

How many square feet of skin are on the human body?

February 4, 1977

Dear Cecil:

How many square feet of flesh are there on the human body? I'm thinking of making a coat out of my sister.

 

— Brought to you by Wiki44 —

Make Solar Panels in 1 Day

Learn how to build inexpensive solar panels and power generators for your own back yard. Save up to 90% on your power bill!

http://www.wiki44.com

Dear Donald:

You Teeming Millions have obviously been watching too much sex and violence on TV lately. Try curling up with a good book for a change--the World Almanac, for instance. You'd be surprised at how much interesting stuff there is under "Non-Federal Hydroelectric Plants in the U.S."

But back to business. The adult human body, being a notoriously variable commodity, comes factory equipped with an average fourteen to eighteen square feet of skin. Not enough for a coat, alas. I'd suggest either putting Sis to work as a macrame wall hanging or letting her stick around until it's time to redo the kitchen chairs.

Recent Additions:

A Straight Dope Classic by Cecil Adams
A Straight Dope Classic by Cecil Adams
A Straight Dope Classic by Cecil Adams
A Straight Dope Classic by Cecil Adams
A Straight Dope Staff Report by Elendil's Heir, Guest Contributor
A Straight Dope Classic by Cecil Adams
A Straight Dope Classic by Cecil Adams
A Straight Dope Classic by Cecil Adams
A Straight Dope Staff Report by Doug
A Straight Dope Classic by Cecil Adams

Send questions for Cecil Adams to: cecil@chicagoreader.com

Send comments about this website to: webmaster@straightdope.com

Advertise on the Straight Dope! Your direct line to thou- sands of the smartest, hippest people on the planet, plus a few total dipsticks.

Publishers - interested in subscribing to the Straight Dope? Write to: sdsubscriptions@cln.com.

Copyright 1996-2009 Creative Loafing Media, Inc. All rights reserved. No material contained in this site may be republished or reposted without express written permission. The Straight Dope is a registered trademark of Creative Loafing Media, Inc.

Other Creative Loafing Media, Inc. sites:

Creative Loafing Atlanta | Creative Loafing Charlotte | Chicago Reader | Creative Loafing Sarasota | Creative Loafing Tampa | Washington City Paper