How do they come up with names for perscription drugs?

ANSWER PERSON RESPONDS: Like cats, drugs often have more than one name. There is the formal, generic name, created by the company, perhaps derived from its major ingredient. Then, of course, there is the marketing name, derived from the masterful efforts of marketing departments to [...]

What happened to the course evaluation information on ACES? It used to be there and now it is gone. Is there somewhere else to get this information?

ANSWER PERSON RESPONDS: There is an upgrade in the works, with a hoped for(!) ETA before registration for the spring semester. Let’s cut the grade on the project [...]

Schools such as Harvard, Yale and Stanford have two week shopping periods at the beginning of each term where students have the chance to visit many classes to search for professors. Duke’s system is incredibly lame in comparison. They also have no caps on many of their courses, so you can more easily get into [...]

What is the holy grail? Was Jesus married?

ANSWER PERSON RESPONDS: 1. Supposedly the cup used by Christ at the Last Supper, though the origin of the tale is uncertain. Perhaps that explains why Arthur’s knights had such a hard time finding it.

2. Other than to his career? No one has ever found a [...]

Answer Person, do you have been asked, or one that was the most fun to answer?

ANSWER PERSON RESPONDS: It would be very, very hard to pick a favorite. I find myself constantly challenged, intrigued by range of inquiries, delighted to find the humor in situations, and so honored that people come to me for [...]

Where in Durham can I get a keg of root beer? If not in Durham, where at all?

ANSWER PERSON RESPONDS: Greenshields Brewery & Pub in Raleigh (829-0214, http://www.greenshields.com/beers.htm#Root) specializes in regular beers, but they also brew their own root beer, and it is available in kegs. Not a common situation–glass predominates. Check out http://www.annoyances.com/rb/links.html [...]

When I make bagels at home, they come out much lumpier on the outside than the ones I could buy at Bruggers or even Alpine. I know that I do not shape perfectly, so that is one problem. But the real bumpiness on the surface seems to come in the boiling stage. Do you have [...]

How would one go about starting an undergraduate publication at Duke?

ANSWER PERSON RESPONDS: This same question appeared in the Perkins Lobby Suggestion Book.

Exactly the same question. Here is the same answer that will appear there.

You need to contact the Undergraduate Publications Board; 01 Flowers Bldg., 684-2220, Fax 684-8395,

http://www.duke.edu/web/UPB/index.html.

Make sure your [...]

Hey Library Folks!

I know I owe you some money (or a book – which I checked out 2 years ago, and in the drunken meanderings that were freshman year, promptly lost). But, I am on a leave of absense from Duke right now. Don’t worry, I’m not sick or having an emotional breakdown, and [...]

Answer Person, you are a very funny, sly creature.

ANSWER PERSON RESPONDS: And you are a serious, perceptive fan.

Thanks!