The Straight Dope 10/08/2004

The Straight Dope -- By Cecil Adams
http://www.straightdope.com

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THE STRAIGHT DOPE 10/08/2004

Dear Cecil:

In this time of high gasoline prices, the Teeming Millions need your
guidance (well, at least I do). What is the difference between premium
and regular gas, and is this difference worth the extra money? I
normally put premium gas into my car because I don't mind paying two or
three extra dollars at the pump. Am I being scammed by the gas stations,
or is the benefit to my car worth it? --Jeff, via e-mail

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Cecil replies:

Not to introduce a radical concept, Jeff, but have you tried reading
your owner's manual? If it says to use premium, my advice is to use
premium. If it says regular, use regular. The fact that your note
indicates no acquaintance with such matters suggests that you may in
fact be a scam victim, assuming by this you mean "someone who believes
what he hears in commercials." I have a hard time working up much
outrage over this deception, since discovering the facts requires so
little effort. If you don't mind paying the extra money for no reason,
don't expect the oil companies to suffer any pangs accepting it.

For more, see:
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/041008.html

STAFF REPORT

Dear Straight Dope:

What's the origin of "deviling" in food preparation, e.g., deviled eggs,
deviled ham, deviled crab, etc.? When I bring deviled eggs to a picnic,
am I unwittingly consigning my friends to an eternity of darkness? Or
are they (the eggs, not my friends) merely sinfully delicious? -- Joel,
Pittsburgh, Pa 

SDSTAFF Una replies:

I'll address two questions here--the one you asked, and one you didn't.
Yes, it's Bonus Time here at the House of Cecil, and you're our next big
winner!

The word "devil" as applied to food first appears in 1786, when it was
used to describe a "(highly seasoned) fried or boiled dish" (references
1, 6). From reference 1:

Devil . . . A name for various highly-seasoned broiled or fried
dishes, also for hot   ingredients. 1786, Craig "Lounger NO. 86 'Make
punch, brew negus, and season a devil.'"   

For more, see: 
http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mdeviledeggs.html

STRAIGHT DOPE CLASSIC - 12/25/1987

Dear Cecil: 

It's 2:30 AM. It's Friday morning. There's a bluesy tune on KNON. And
I'm finally making the big move. Why does my reflection turn upside down
in my entire stock of spoons? I have a feeling you're the man with the
straight dope. --Monica, Dallas

PS: Enclosed is exhibit A.

Cecil replies:

Nice opening, Monica; somewhat disorienting segue. But if you want to
talk about spoons, fine, we'll talk about spoons. Much as I appreciate
the thought, it wasn't necessary for you to enclose a sample spoon. I
too have spoons. They all work the same way--the bowl acts as a
"parabolic reflector." (It's not a perfect parabola, and it's not a
perfect reflection, either.) Light coming from above is reflected down,
light coming from below is reflected up, and the result is an inverted
image. We thus have a remarkable thing: a mirror that, in contrast to
standard mirrors, reverses up and down but not left and right. 

For more, see:
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_082.html

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