Answerbag: Jan Szafranski's answers

Answer to When was it decreed that women could not be priests, and why? Did a pope make this rule?

Thu, 05 Jan 2006 11:16:45 -0800

When was it decreed that women could not be priests, and why? Did a pope make this rule?

Just something to add to the mix... although there aren't supposed to be female preists, there once was a(n illegitimate and many many years ago) female Pope. This is why each new Pope is carried aloft over the heads of the cardinals to (ahem) check the genitalia.

Answer to If a murderer confesses to a priest, why does the priest not tell anyone?

Thu, 05 Jan 2006 11:00:18 -0800

If a murderer confesses to a priest, why does the priest not tell anyone?

A murderer doesn't actually confess TO a priest... (s)he confesses THROUGH a priest. As the dialogue is between God and the criminal the priest doesn't have the right to tell the authorities. As an arbiter, the priest can only stongly advise the criminal to go to the police, Remember...

Answer to What is the origin and meaning of the phrase, "with all due respect"?

Thu, 05 Jan 2006 10:49:28 -0800

What is the origin and meaning of the phrase, "with all due respect"?

Not sure what your question is... the phrase is just a standard English phrase... it's like asking where does 'please pass the salt' come from.

Answer to Which language (artificial or not) has the smallest vocabulary?

Wed, 04 Jan 2006 11:38:49 -0800

Which language (artificial or not) has the smallest vocabulary?

Maybe pidgin English... small English vocab... but can take an age to use. Take PIANO as an example... the word piano doesn't exist in Pidgin, but it is called "Old manlives in house you hit him white teeth he happy hit him black teeth he sad"

Answer to Has anyone successfully cheated on a game show?

Tue, 11 Oct 2005 12:05:23 -0700

Has anyone successfully cheated on a game show?

There was a famous case in the UK quite recently on "Who wants to be a millionaire" where someone made the �1000,000 by answering each answer following a cough. Whenever the right answer was mentioned, a cough was heard so the the contestant knew which option to go for. He was hung...

Answer to Is there a correlation between IQs and the portion of the brain being used?

Wed, 04 Aug 2004 11:32:52 -0700

Is there a correlation between IQs and the portion of the brain being used?

Good question... I don't think this study has been done (but I wait to be corrected). The brain has been scanned working using an MRI and has revealed much (I'm thinking of mirror neurons in particular) but as far as I'm aware, the scan reveals which portions are firing associated...

Answer to Who invented cement, and when?

Wed, 04 Aug 2004 11:24:48 -0700

Who invented cement, and when?

The Romans. I'll try to get the details and repost.

Answer to What exercises can I do to help me sing from my diaphragm?

Fri, 11 Jun 2004 03:30:08 -0700

What exercises can I do to help me sing from my diaphragm?

This is hard to explain (as I'm not a vocal teacher) but I'll give it a go. It is something you'll feel for yourself. You need to take a deep full breath 'into your stomach'. This is a proper breath which many people don't do. To breathe in correctly, your stomach...

Answer to Are the Amazing Spider-man and Spectacular Spider-man series still continuing as they started, or have they been retooled for new, younger fans?

Fri, 11 Jun 2004 03:18:27 -0700

Are the Amazing Spider-man and Spectacular Spider-man series still continuing as they started, or have they been retooled for new, younger fans?

Yes, the original series is still continuing as it always has and long will it flourish! What you may have seen is the new(ish) 'Ultimate' range which is a 'parallel Marvel reality' which has nothing to do with the established continuity of 'Spectacular' or...

Answer to What is a taxi medallion?

Fri, 11 Jun 2004 03:10:46 -0700

What is a taxi medallion?

If this is a US question, I can't be a 100% sure (being a Brit) but if it's the same as a UK Taxi plate, then this is the proof the the vehicle (and diver) have been licensed as a taxi-cab service. To qualify to work as a taxi (or cab), the vehicle not only needs to have a valid MOT and...

Answer to Has any of Newton's theories been proven inaccurate or incorrect?

Fri, 11 Jun 2004 03:02:00 -0700

Has any of Newton's theories been proven inaccurate or incorrect?

Not necessarily 'incorrect or inaccurate' but rather as 'incomplete'. I refer you to my answer on Einstein, but with respect to Newton, as a quick and dirty example to illustrate my answer: Newton's laws of motion work within the confines of the universe as he understood...

Answer to Has any of Einstein's theories been proven inaccurate or incorrect?

Fri, 11 Jun 2004 02:44:58 -0700

Has any of Einstein's theories been proven inaccurate or incorrect?

By its very nature, a theory is an unproven idea, so any of Einstein's theories remain unproven...either correct or incorrect. They have provided the basis for many other theories or sciences which in themselves may 'prove' or 'disprove' his theories, but again, these are...

Answer to What is the origin of the term "highway robbery"?

Fri, 11 Jun 2004 02:30:16 -0700

What is the origin of the term "highway robbery"?

Back when people with money could travel the roads, or the church was transporting idols, gold etc, way back when, the poor would resort to 'holding up' the coaches, horses, wagons etc. Famous theives include Robin (the) Hood (which is where the American term Hood or Hoodlum comes from)...

Answer to What is in a White Russian?

Mon, 07 Jun 2004 06:11:59 -0700

What is in a White Russian?

This is an answer I gave to a question elsewhere... I don't know how it ended up in the alcohol section. Please ignore this (unless you're interested in the historical aspect)... As far as I'm aware, 'White Russians' refers to those people who were originally different...

Answer to Who are the White Russians?

Mon, 07 Jun 2004 06:11:25 -0700

Who are the White Russians?

As far as I'm aware, 'White Russians' refers to those people who were originally different nationals bordering Russia prior to absorbtion. To explain this, take my father who was born in Poland nearish the Russian border. He was Polish. Russia subsequently enlarged,...

Answer to What was the Belfast Agreement?

Mon, 07 Jun 2004 06:02:22 -0700

What was the Belfast Agreement?

I'm sure someone else can give a more historically detailed answer, but a quick general answer would be that the agreement was a milestone in British/Irish history. The landmass off the west of Britain, Ireland/Eire, was occupied at some point in history by the British. A subsequent division...

Answer to What is an "Eliza Doolittle"?

Mon, 07 Jun 2004 05:42:32 -0700

What is an "Eliza Doolittle"?

Not what, but who is Elisa Dolittle? She is a literary character whose story has been made into plays (Pygmalian) films and musicals (My Fair Lady). It is the story of a common London girl working at the Covent Garden market who is 'sold' to Professor Higgins who was a theoretical...

Answer to What happened in Tiananmen Square in 1989?

Mon, 07 Jun 2004 05:30:07 -0700

What happened in Tiananmen Square in 1989?

Depending on your sources... ie the official or real explanation, either nothing happened (official) or, more accurately the real explanation that students at the time held a typical student protest in the square against the government, as students around the world are expected to do. The...

Answer to Do I need ZoneAlarm in addition to Norton Antivirus, or is one of them preferable?

Fri, 04 Jun 2004 11:19:39 -0700

Do I need ZoneAlarm in addition to Norton Antivirus, or is one of them preferable?

They both serve different functions in protecting your PC. Zone Alarm (new version pending) is a FIREWALL. This is a virtual wall which stands between you and the internet. It primarily stops any attempt to access your PC by an outside user. It also stops and program on your PC initiating a...

Answer to What is the biblical basis for the milk and honey mixture taken after baptism?

Fri, 04 Jun 2004 11:09:03 -0700

What is the biblical basis for the milk and honey mixture taken after baptism?

This isn't a Catholic tradition and it does not happen in any of the countries with which I am intimate. As such, there wouldn't need to be a biblical reference. It may be that some countries or ethnic groups have it as a traditional baptismal treat, but that is more to do with their...

Answer to Why is Japan called "the land of the rising sun"?

Fri, 04 Jun 2004 11:03:38 -0700

Why is Japan called "the land of the rising sun"?

Being situated in the Orient (Latin for East), in that geographically it lies in the East; and as the Sun rises in the East, and sets in the West; Japan could be described as the land which lies in the geographical region which is also where the sun rises... or "land of the rising sun"....

Answer to Why do some people get all the luck while others never get the breaks they deserve?

Sat, 29 May 2004 09:45:57 -0700

Why do some people get all the luck while others never get the breaks they deserve?

As unpopular as it may sound...luck, and bad luck, do exist. No-one knows how or why, but the trick is not to get obsessed with it. You're either lucky or not...live with it. It may seem that those who "work a lot at it" appear to have "good luck" but this is just a...

Answer to Can a Christian who is not Anglican marry someone who is Anglican in the Anglican Church?

Thu, 27 May 2004 03:21:58 -0700

Can a Christian who is not Anglican marry someone who is Anglican in the Anglican Church?

Speaking as a Catholic, if an RC wanted to marry an Anglican, then this is permissable if the Anglican agrees to become RC. This should mean that the Anglican becomes baptised as an RC and udergoes 'training' prior to the marriage. In practice though, this means that the Anglican agrees...

Answer to What were the six machines featured in 'The Thunderbirds'?

Thu, 27 May 2004 02:41:07 -0700

What were the six machines featured in 'The Thunderbirds'?

Thunderbirds 1-5 are as described elsewhere. Thunderbird 6 was actually an honoury title given to a Tiger Moth byplane in the Thunderbird movie of the 1960s. Other vehicles do include the Mole, Lady P's Rolls Royce and others. Some other bits 'n' pieces... Thunderbird 4 needed...

Answer to What is the color of Klingon blood?

Thu, 27 May 2004 02:27:36 -0700

What is the color of Klingon blood?

Why is Klingon blood red in earlier episodes and pink in the film? Well, as everyone should know, human blood isn't actually red... it's only when it reacts with oxygen in the atmosphere that it becomes red (to the eye...its actually dark yellow/orange). This is why veins appear blue in...

Answer to What's the technical difference between a fruit and a vegetable?

Thu, 27 May 2004 02:18:00 -0700

What's the technical difference between a fruit and a vegetable?

Quick and easy answer is that fruits propogate via seeds and vegetables do not... so if it has seeds, then it's a fruit, if no seeds, then it's a veggie. This is why tomatoes and cucumbers are fruits.

Answer to Do the Catholic teachings recognise Charles Darwin and the theory of evolution? Does the Catholic Faith recognise that dinosaurs existed?

Tue, 18 May 2004 05:10:25 -0700

Do the Catholic teachings recognise Charles Darwin and the theory of evolution? Does the Catholic Faith recognise that dinosaurs existed?

I concur with Travis Simpson's answer herein, but would like to point out that the question is really a non-question, such as " do you believe in UFOs" (to which the answer must always be "yes"... in other words 'do you believe that people see things they don't...

Answer to Is it true that Catholics are taught to believe in purgatory and limbo, and is there a biblical basis for this?

Tue, 18 May 2004 04:36:26 -0700

Is it true that Catholics are taught to believe in purgatory and limbo, and is there a biblical basis for this?

No, Catholics are no longer taught that Purgatory or Limbo exist. They *are* taught that these planes of existence used to be believed/taught prior to Vatican II about 50 years ago. This is why the terms exist today, and why writers such as Dante wrote about them. They came about to provide an...

Answer to What is the Immaculate Conception, and what is its significance?

Tue, 18 May 2004 04:02:08 -0700

What is the Immaculate Conception, and what is its significance?

The previous answer is correct and does not contradict the bible as the subsequent commentator suggests. This is why: Pope Pius IX stated in his dogma of 1854 that "the most Blessed Mary was, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of Almighty God and by...

Answer to Can it be harmful to wear a very tight corset?

Mon, 03 May 2004 04:49:08 -0700

Can it be harmful to wear a very tight corset?

If the corset is correctly made, then no. Obviously if you're pregnant or have recently had an operation then you must take more care, but visit a professional corset maker and you'll be okay.

Answer to My keyboard has an "FH" key. What does it do?

Thu, 29 Apr 2004 09:40:40 -0700

My keyboard has an "FH" key. What does it do?

I'm unaware of an "Fh" key...do you mean the "Fn" key? If so, this is the function keywhich is usually found on notebook computers (though not exclusively). The Fn key adds extra features such as swapping between PC screen and external monitor, sleep mode etc.

Answer to What is the line of authority of the Catholic church?

Thu, 29 Apr 2004 09:23:44 -0700

What is the line of authority of the Catholic church?

There is only one authority: God. On Earth, the Pope is his voice and therefore has His delegated authority. Everything else depends on job, be it missionary, teacher, accountant, parish priest etc.

Answer to What are the Sacraments Catholics receive during a lifetime?

Thu, 29 Apr 2004 09:19:13 -0700

What are the Sacraments Catholics receive during a lifetime?

A good previous answer, but you can't take Communion until you have had Confession, so I have an issue on the order. 1st Communion and 1st Reconcilliation (was 1st Confession) are sometimes taken together, or if not, then Reconcilliation comes first. This is because you cannot receive...

Answer to Do the Irish wear kilts?

Mon, 26 Apr 2004 11:29:58 -0700

Do the Irish wear kilts?

Yes... though not as often as the Scots. The kilt is traditional for the British Isles, and so belongs to the Irish as much as to the Scottish. I'm not sure but maybe even the Welsh have a claim. The kilts' designs/tartans are very similar but are unique to each clan (or family name)...

Answer to What can I do to improve my hand and foot speed?

Mon, 26 Apr 2004 11:19:34 -0700

What can I do to improve my hand and foot speed?

Resistance training and visualisation. Attach weights to your feet and hands and work out as usual, or attach elastic bands/bungees to your limbs and work out against them. Also remember to mentally picture your self with extra speed during rest time.

Answer to Are Catholics required to fast during the Easter Triduum?

Mon, 26 Apr 2004 11:09:52 -0700

Are Catholics required to fast during the Easter Triduum?

Not per se, but you can fast if you want to. You should 'sacrifice' something during the Triduum, and food is as good as anything, but it isn't the only option.

Answer to What is a colour scheme?

Mon, 26 Apr 2004 11:07:29 -0700

What is a colour scheme?

This cannot be explained here, suffice to say that it is the same as an artistic colour scheme. All the colours on your pallete should relate to each other, so if you have a blue colour scheme, then the predominant colour would be blue and any colour that goes with it. Obvious examples include...

Answer to Are there any home remedies for Attention Deficit Disorder?

Mon, 26 Apr 2004 11:00:32 -0700

Are there any home remedies for Attention Deficit Disorder?

Cutting out processed foods would be a good start, so no processed bread, crisps (chips), chips (fries), chocolate, fizzy drinks (sodas), etc.

Answer to What is the difference between S&M and bondage?

Mon, 26 Apr 2004 10:58:13 -0700

What is the difference between S&M and bondage?

I don't know in practical terms, but if it helps, S&M I believe refers to Sadism and Masochism (sado-masochist) which refers to someone who gets pleasure from inflicting pain (s) and from receiving pain (M). This pleasure can be sexual, so an S+M practioner derives sexual pleasure from...

Answer to How many words does an average American use or understand?

Mon, 26 Apr 2004 10:52:31 -0700

How many words does an average American use or understand?

If it's the same as a British person, around 10-15,000 memes (basic words, so 'run', 'runs', 'running' etc. count as one) by the time you leave school (about 16 years old in Britain... although you can stay on an extra 2 years for A-Levels).

Answer to What does MC stand for?

Mon, 26 Apr 2004 10:49:15 -0700

What does MC stand for?

It actually stands for "Master of Ceremonies".

Answer to What is the Catholic church's stand on homosexuals?

Mon, 26 Apr 2004 10:46:19 -0700

What is the Catholic church's stand on homosexuals?

Without getting too involved in details, a quick explanation is that the Catholic church believes that sex for sex sake, or for pleasure, is a no-no - sex exists only for procreation within marriage. In fact, marriage is void if the couple do not intend to have children. As sex is only justified...

Answer to After proper annulment can my divorced daughter remarry and receive Holy Communion?

Mon, 26 Apr 2004 10:35:15 -0700

After proper annulment can my divorced daughter remarry and receive Holy Communion?

If the annulment is 'proper', that is that the church has recognised that the conditions of marriage were not met, so that the marriage was never in fact completed, then a subsequent marriage would actually be the 1st real marriage (rather than a re-marriage, or a marriage after a...

Answer to Which city is famous for its gondolas and canals?

Mon, 26 Apr 2004 10:31:09 -0700

Which city is famous for its gondolas and canals?

Venice...in the North of Italy (as opposed to the Californian beach of the same name)... sorry for those who spotted my earlier typo.

Answer to I recently started exercising and I am having shortness of breath after I exercise. Why is this?

Wed, 21 Apr 2004 00:56:21 -0700

I recently started exercising and I am having shortness of breath after I exercise. Why is this?

While these answers are all correct, you should be aware that shortness of breath after exercise is also quite normal. When someone descibes being fit or unfit, this is actually a reference to how quickly breathing returns to normal... the quicker your breathing returns to normal, the fitter you...

Answer to As the 1980s are called the "Eighties" and the 1990s, the "Nineties", what are the 2000 to 2010 decades called?

Wed, 21 Apr 2004 00:43:44 -0700

As the 1980s are called the "Eighties" and the 1990s, the "Nineties", what are the 2000 to 2010 decades called?

The word that you're looking for is "naughts" not "aughts", and the decade is often referred to as the "Naughties" (pun intended I believe). There were several other suggestions at the turn of the century, but this is now the generally accepted term. With...

Answer to Who is the smartest man on earth?

Wed, 21 Apr 2004 00:40:38 -0700

Who is the smartest man on earth?

This is not an easy question to answer. To begin with first one needs to define 'smart'. If one uses the IQ system of measure it should be noted that this system is flawed and can only really answer the question "who is the man, or woman, who has the highest recorded IQ score...

Answer to How strong is Communion wine?

Wed, 21 Apr 2004 00:22:32 -0700

How strong is Communion wine?

Catholics believe that the wine at communion becomes the blood of Christ. As it is this transformation which is important, not the wine, it's up to the priest what wine is used and its strength. It is diluted with water as part of the ceremony, and again it's the priest's choice as...

Answer to Where does the custom of saying "God bless you" after a sneeze come from?

Tue, 13 Apr 2004 02:54:28 -0700

Where does the custom of saying "God bless you" after a sneeze come from?

During the Plague, if someone sneezed, they would usually fall ill and die thereafter. While we know that the sneezing is a symptom of the disease, in olden days, and for the more superstitious, the devil is always around waiting to enter the bodies of the god-fearing. A sneeze leaves a person...

Answer to Why do I constantly hear ringing in my ears? What can I do to stop it?

Tue, 13 Apr 2004 02:46:31 -0700

Why do I constantly hear ringing in my ears? What can I do to stop it?

Tinnitus is related to the blood flow around the brain, in particular those parts concerned with hearing. Migraines result from some interference with the blood flow, such as constricted blood vessels (sometimes caused by some medications), and tinnitus is like this. The ringing may appear in an...

Answer to How did Good Friday get its name?

Tue, 13 Apr 2004 02:28:07 -0700

How did Good Friday get its name?

Etymologically speaking, the word 'good' comes from the word 'God' so Good Friday could refer back to the original meaning of the word good (ie God's Friday). This is probable as Holy Week uses words in their original meaning, such as good=God and the Passion meaning...

Answer to Which came first, the chicken or the egg?

Tue, 13 Apr 2004 01:53:39 -0700

Which came first, the chicken or the egg?

Actually this conundrum refers to the 'Roman egg' which is the birth of the universe. The Romans beleived that the universe was born from an 'egg' so the answer was that the egg came before the chicken, however this wasn't a chicken egg. Curiously, the Roman egg as the...

Answer to How much is a pound worth in U.S. dollars?

Tue, 13 Apr 2004 01:45:41 -0700

How much is a pound worth in U.S. dollars?

Something you should also know, that while these answers are correct, they're only half the answer. Money is used to buy things and while the exchange rates show a translation of currencies, it doesn't mean that the goods you want to buy will cost that amount. A typical case in point is...

Answer to What are the standard camera angles and shots are normally used in filmmaking?

Mon, 12 Apr 2004 02:35:21 -0700

What are the standard camera angles and shots are normally used in filmmaking?

This is a long list... they are sometimes refered to by their TLAs (three letter abbreviations). Here are just some of the main ones to get you started: WA - wide angle HA - high angle LA - low angle CU - close up ECU - extreme close up LS - long shot OTS - over the shoulder (as in...

Answer to I heard that The Passion of the Christ includes information provided by a 17th or 18th century nun who received visions of the Crucifixion. Is this true? If so, who was she, and what were her visions?

Mon, 12 Apr 2004 02:29:06 -0700

I heard that The Passion of the Christ includes information provided by a 17th or 18th century nun who received visions of the Crucifixion. Is this true? If so, who was she, and what were her visions?

Apart from the Gospels, details of the Christ's Passion visible in the film come also from Catholic Tradition (Veronica's veil) and the writings of 2 nuns: The Venerable Maria de Agreda (1602-1665) and Venerable Anne Catherine Emmerich (1774-1824). You can google them for more info, but...

Answer to If Jesus was crucified on Good Friday and the Bible says the next day was the Sabbath, why is Sunday now considered the Sabbath?

Tue, 06 Apr 2004 00:49:24 -0700

If Jesus was crucified on Good Friday and the Bible says the next day was the Sabbath, why is Sunday now considered the Sabbath?

The Christian 'week' is derived from the Jewish observance of the Sabbath Day which as you point out is Saturday. The idea of a day of rest dedicated specifically to God was taken over by Christians but was transferred from the Jewish Saturday to the 1st day of the week, Sunday, in...

Answer to What is the most effective way to quit smoking?

Mon, 05 Apr 2004 04:10:31 -0700

What is the most effective way to quit smoking?

Will power! It doesn't matter which remedy you try (cold turkey, patches etc) unless you want to give up for yourself, it ain't gonna happen. Most people who try and fail do so because they think it's the remedy that 'cures' them of the habit. Others were only quitting...

Answer to Why was the original blonde girl in the Sugababes replaced?

Mon, 05 Apr 2004 04:03:49 -0700

Why was the original blonde girl in the Sugababes replaced?

Kelly left the band to set up home and have her baby... just before they were to make it big. She was replaced and the hit record video re-shot with the new girl.

Answer to What are the differences between a divorce and a separation?

Sun, 04 Apr 2004 08:25:24 -0700

What are the differences between a divorce and a separation?

If you're separated, you cannot re-marry as it's not a legal separation. A divorce is legally recognised thus allowing you to remarry

Answer to What is the difference between an "attached" and "detached" home?

Sun, 04 Apr 2004 08:23:45 -0700

What is the difference between an "attached" and "detached" home?

A standalone property, for a single family/dweller, with no sharing wall (ie no wall is shared with another property) is detached. An attached property has at least 1 shared wall... if there are only 2 houses sharing 1 wall, this is semi-detached, if there are 4 houses linked in a chain, this is...

Answer to Why do public restrooms in the United States always have a gap between the door and the frame so that, unlike in other countries, the person using the toilet can be seen from outside?

Thu, 01 Apr 2004 01:11:17 -0800

Why do public restrooms in the United States always have a gap between the door and the frame so that, unlike in other countries, the person using the toilet can be seen from outside?

I think that you've answered your own question! By the way, the loo doors in the UK also have gaps around them, as do the cubicles. The loos are also gender specific, so only boys in one, and girls in another. On the continent there are some shared gender loos which have no gaps... possibly...

Answer to What languages were used in The Passion of the Christ?

Tue, 30 Mar 2004 00:42:47 -0800

What languages were used in The Passion of the Christ?

Just to follow on, yes the 2 languages are Latin and Aramaic, and they are both 'dead'. This doesn't mean that they're not used today, just that they have stopped evolving, so there is no word in Latin for 'computer', but it is still used today, so not everyone will...

Answer to Is England supposed to be referred to as England, The United Kindom, Britain, or Great Britain?

Tue, 30 Mar 2004 00:22:39 -0800

Is England supposed to be referred to as England, The United Kindom, Britain, or Great Britain?

The country alone is 'England'. When it joined with Wales, this new presence was refered to as 'Britain'; and subsequently with Scotland...as 'Great Britain'. When 'Great Britain' further included Northern Ireland (as opposed to Ireland or Eire) the 4...