Heymatt: In radio communication, "Roger" means "message received," the code word for the letter "R." So why "Roger"? Also, I've heard the word "Roger" used with the word "Wilco," as in, "Roger, Wilco, over and …
January 26, 2006
Straight from the Hip
Archived articles
Roger? Roger? Hey, Roger!
Matthew Hears Voices
Hey, Matt!: Why is it that so many schizophrenics hear voices telling them to do something violent? Whenever we read about these poor souls, it's because they've heard a voice (usually God's) telling them to …
January 25, 2006
Is there a future after "Star Trek"?
Hey, Matt: I was digging through some old (really old) books left over from my junior high school days. As I was flipping through A Star Trek Catalog: The Complete Guide to the Fantastic World …
January 19, 2006
Kneading answers
Heymatt: Why do cats move their paws so much when you're petting them? -- Lisa T., the net It's called kneading, Lisa. Your pampered Fluffy is drifting back to her kittenhood, when kneading helped stimulate …
January 19, 2006
Birdie Boy, Birdie Girl?
Heymatt: How can you really tell that a bird is a male or a female? -- Kay, the net How can we really, really tell? Do I detect suspicion? Exasperation? Has someone been trying to …
January 19, 2006
Radio station KMAT
HY MTTHW LC! Why do radio stations have those consonant-filled names, like KQVO or KFMB? And why is there a disproportionate amount of the letter K? -- VWL-HNGRY IN NRML HGHTS THR R 5 VWLS …
January 12, 2006
A Fungus Among Us
Hey, Matt: I see guys in the gym, usually older, who wear sandals in the shower, presumably to avoid athlete's foot. Now, if I drop my trunks on the gym shower floor and then put …
January 12, 2006
Corpsenapping
Hey, Matt!: I was watching President Ford's funeral on C-SPAN and something occurred to me. The cameras kept cutting away to Betty, who was sitting in a huge armored Cadillac. At least I assume it …
January 12, 2006
It's all in your head
Matt: I think I have a wonderful singing voice. But my so-called friends tell me differently. I didn�t believe them until one day I tape-recorded myself and played it back. I couldn't believe that squeaky …
January 5, 2006
Mung beans on the menu
Heymatt: Does anyone cook mung beans, or are they only good for sprouting? Has anyone ever seen a mung bean recipe? GM, the net A bean is a bean is a bean. Those of the …
January 5, 2006
Stuff up your nose
Matthew Alice: When you smell something, does that mean that little particles of what you smell are going up your nose, or is it gasses given off by the object that we smell? Cindy, Mira …
January 5, 2006