The Straight Dope 09/01/2006

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

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THE STRAIGHT DOPE 09/01/2006

Dear Cecil:

Early this morning after a night of drinking I woke up and really had to
pee. I'm sure you know what I'm talking about. But what happens if I
don't? Is there a long-term health risk if I regularly choose to hold
it? If alcohol is thrown into the equation, are there other effects or
considerations? --Matt Groves, Valdez, Alaska

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Cecil replies:

I have to level with you, Matt. When I wake up after a long night with the
needle pegged on F, my first thought isn't: what if I held this in? But
that's OK--a willingness to think outside the box is the mark of a true
scientist. Luckily, you needn't experiment on yourself. Many folks who
really are scientists sometimes enjoy a cold one, and as often happens
following alcohol consumption, they've had occasion to study their
bodily functions up close. 

When you drink, liquid passes from your stomach and small intestine into
your bloodstream. Your body monitors how dilute your blood is, and
varies urine production depending on salt content and volume consumed. A
night of tippling gives you a lot of liquid to unload, and while you're
in bed your kidneys are going to be busy. 

For more, see:
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/060901.html

STAFF REPORT

Dear Straight Dope:

I've been reading The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown and was interested by
his explanation of the origin of the term "heretic"--he claims it originally
meant "choice" but was given its present meaning by the Roman
emperor Constantine. I've been trying to find corroboration for this story
but in searching the Internet found nothing. I would love to hear what
you have to say on the subject! --Andy 

SDSTAFF Fierra replies:

The theory put forward in The Da Vinci Code is that Constantine
suppressed some early gospels, and only included, indeed embellished,
ones that emphasized Christ's godly nature over his human one. This
plays into the idea, given much prominence in Brown's book, that
Christianity's earthy side was suppressed by prudish conservatives. In
this view, heretic comes from the Latin haereticus, "choice," referring
to those choosing to believe the original gospels--that is, the gospels
that people had read up till then, rather than the new, edited versions
Constantine wanted people to believe. In condemning these people,
Constantine gave "heretic" the pejorative sense it now has, that is,
someone who promulgates false doctrines. The Constantine referred to
here is Emperor Constantine I (272-337 AD), also called Constantine the
Great.  

Was Constantine the first person to use "heretic" in this sense?
It's unlikely, although there's a germ of truth to this story. The word
originates in Greek, as many Latin words did, and derives from a word
meaning "to choose" (hairetikos, from the verb hairesthai). But the word
had assumed a different connotation long before Constantine's day.

For more, see: 
http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mheretic.htm

STRAIGHT DOPE CLASSIC - 07/17/1992

Dear Cecil: 

Is it possible to be allergic to sex? (I'm serious--and a little bit
desperate.) I've heard some women are allergic to certain hormones and
this aggravates PMS. If this is true, I could be reacting to hormones
just as things are getting exciting. Help! -- Colinda J., Alexandria,
Virginia  

Cecil replies:  

Nothing personal, Colinda kid, but you sound like one of the classic 
Dates from Hell. However, you probably don't have what you think you have.  

It has long been known that some women suffer allergic reactions that
coincide with their menstrual periods. In some cases this may simply be
because menstruation makes them more susceptible to conventional
allergens. In other cases, though, they may have "female sex hormone
allergy"--that is, they've become allergic to their own sex hormones.  

For more, see:
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a3_214.html

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