How do you pronounce "Cecil"?

Factual Questions
1

I’ve heard the name pronounced two ways-- “see-sul” and “sess-ul”. Which one is the correct pronunciation in referring to Cecil Adams?

2

Unless you have been properly introduced, it is likely he will not respond to either.

But, I have always used the sea-serpent pronunciation and The Master has not yet seen fit to correct me.

3

I’ve nearly always heard it pronounced See-sill.

4

No doubt there are exceptions, and I will get corrected, but it seems to be See-sil in the US and Sess-il in the UK.

5

Ya know, I’ve always pronounced it “Key-call”…

what?

6

Actually, you can pronounce it as “sir”.

7

ANother vote for See-Sill

8

Interesting question. I never thought about it before (and I pronounce it See-Sill, too).

I guess the Jews aren’t the only people who don’t know how to pronounce the name of their god!

Perhaps the Master would enlighten us?

9

When I call him “See-Sill” he says, “Yeah, babe?” so I’m guessing that’s right.

10

This question can be answered by the one and only. Cecil? (and If you mention my name I’ll bow in eternal worship, or until I get hungry and go to the kitchen). :smiley:

11

This is odd. I thought there was only one way to pronounce “Cecil,” and that was “sess-ul.” (And I am one of the exceptions, being in the US.)

“See-sill” sounds a bit bizarre, not really having heard such before.

12

Mr. Adams. Or Great and Mighty One. :smiley:

13

The only time I’ve heard “sess-ul” was on The Simpsons and then I think they were trying to be funny.

14

I’ve always been pronouncing it Sess-ul in my head. Thats how I always pronounced the first name of the the ex-1st baseman for the Detroit Tigers.

But then again, just because I pronounce it that way, doesn’t make it so.

15

Discussed before:

http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=16087
http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=31307

16

Another vote for Sess-ul. See-sul sounds very weird to me.

17

I can only say that Cecil himself pronounces it “See-sil”, accent on the See.

[ducking] Cess-sil is British affectation. [/ducking]

18

See-sil. Else Mike Lucas would be dead somewhere.

19

If you go to this Library of Congress site: http://www.loc.gov/nls/other/sayhow.html you will see that there are many Cecils in each camp. THE Cecil even gets a mention (as See-sil).

[fixed link]

20

Well, I’ll be bum-fuzzled.

And to think I’ve laughed up my sleeve in secret at Dopers I’ve heard pronounce it that way.

“See-sil.”

That’s just silly.