# Cecil and Ed AWOL? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 23, 2004, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-and-ed-awol/225758 "2004-01-23T14:11:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ebola\_Gay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a183cd/32.png) [@Ebola\_Gay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ebola_Gay)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2004, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-and-ed-awol/225758/1 "2004-01-23T14:11:44Z")
Does anyone know why Cecil Adams and Ed Zoti are not listed as being members of the Chicago Reader [staff](http://www.chireader.com/readerinc/staff.html)? I would think that Ed would be listed as an editor, and Cecil as a columnist or a contributing writer. I’m a semi-newbie here at the SDMB, and lurk more than post, but I know that there are occasional discussions about the existence of these two characters. So, if the Reader wanted to make a statement that these two really existed, then why are they not listed in the masthead? ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2004, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-and-ed-awol/225758/2 "2004-01-23T14:21:06Z")
Dunno about Zotti, but “Cecil Adams” is registered trademark, which means he’s a fictitious character. No, I don’t have a cite, but if you go to the US trademark website you can look it up. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2004, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-and-ed-awol/225758/3 "2004-01-23T14:26:57Z")
> [@Revtim](#): > > Dunno about Zotti, but “Cecil Adams” is registered trademark, which means he’s a fictitious character. > > No, I don’t have a cite, but if you go to the US trademark website you can look it up. Here’s the search page: [http://tess2.uspto.gov/bin/gate.exe?f=searchss&state=a06v60.1.1](http://tess2.uspto.gov/bin/gate.exe?f=searchss&state=a06v60.1.1) which came up with: Word Mark CECIL ADAMS Goods and Services (ABANDONED) IC 016. US 038. G & S: NEWSPAPER COLUMN. FIRST USE: 19730202. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19730202 Mark Drawing Code (1) TYPED DRAWING Serial Number 73631921 Filing Date November 24, 1986 Current Filing Basis 1A Original Filing Basis 1A Owner (APPLICANT) CHICAGO READER, INCORPORATED CORPORATION ILLINOIS P.O. BOX 11101, FORT DEARBORN STATION CHICAGO ILLINOIS 60611 Attorney of Record RICHARD H. COMPERE Type of Mark TRADEMARK Register PRINCIPAL-2(F) Other Data CECIL ADAMS DOES NOT IDENTIFY ANY PARTICULAR INDIVIDUAL BUT WAS DEVISED AS A FANCIFUL NAME Live/Dead Indicator DEAD Abandonment Date March 29, 1989 ---
**Author:** ![Spiff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiff/32/9852_2.png) [@Spiff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiff)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2004, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-and-ed-awol/225758/4 "2004-01-23T14:59:51Z")
> [@Revtim](#): > > Here’s the search page: > [http://tess2.uspto.gov/bin/gate.exe?f=searchss&state=a06v60.1.1](http://tess2.uspto.gov/bin/gate.exe?f=searchss&state=a06v60.1.1) > > which came up with: > > Word Mark CECIL ADAMS > Goods and Services (ABANDONED) IC 016. US 038. G & S Cool. Since it’s an abandoned mark, maybe **Ebola Gay** should start up a column, or a nightclub act, or whatever, and bill him/herself as “Cecil Adams” – and the Chicago Reader couldn’t raise a fuss. ---
**Author:** ![mnemosyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c4cdca/32.png) [@mnemosyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mnemosyne)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2004, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-and-ed-awol/225758/5 "2004-01-23T17:48:34Z")
> [@Revtim](#): > > Live/Dead Indicator DEAD Cecil’s DEAD?? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooooooooo!!! : runs screaming out of the thread : ---
**Author:** ![Muad\_Dib](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/35a633/32.png) [@Muad\_Dib](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muad_Dib)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2004, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-and-ed-awol/225758/6 "2004-01-23T18:08:53Z")
> [@Revtim](#): > > Dunno about Zotti, but “Cecil Adams” is registered trademark, which means he’s a fictitious character. > > No, I don’t have a cite, but if you go to the US trademark website you can look it up. Just because his _name_ is a trademark, does not mean that he is not real. So YOU SHUT UP WITH YOUR FILTHY WHORE LIES!!! :mad: :mad: :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Spiff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiff/32/9852_2.png) [@Spiff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiff)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2004, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-and-ed-awol/225758/7 "2004-01-23T18:46:20Z")
Cecil alive or dead, fake or real are interesting topics for speculation, but I think the OP is asking: Why does the Reader have a column in its pages that has Cecil’s byline attached to it, but does not list him in the masthead? I mean, if the Reader has a secret to protect (Cecil is dead, Cecil never existed, the column is ghost written by committee, etc.), then why isn’t the Reader consistent it its fiction and list Cecil as a columnist? Or do the Reader’s editors get off on fueling speculation? I mean, c’mon, cover your tracks Reader … do something to throw the bloodhounds off the scent! ---
**Author:** ![nvestigator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5a626/32.png) [@nvestigator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nvestigator)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2004, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-and-ed-awol/225758/8 "2004-01-23T18:51:56Z")
> [@Muad'Dib](#): > > Just because his _name_ is a trademark, does not mean that he is not real. To back up **Muad’Dib** on this one, let’s take just one example. Now, we’ve all heard of Billy Joel, right? His name is a also a trademark. Now, I’ve seen Billy Joel on television and heard him on the radio. Surely you’re not telling me he doesn’t exist. So in conclusion, you’re not going to burst my happy little bubble. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2004, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-and-ed-awol/225758/9 "2004-01-23T19:41:39Z")
I’m sure the answer would be that Cecil is a syndicated columnist and not on the staff of the Reader at all. Therefore he doesn’t belong on the masthead at all. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2004, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-and-ed-awol/225758/10 "2004-01-23T21:57:01Z")
> [@nvestigator](#): > > To back up **Muad’Dib** on this one, let’s take just one example. Now, we’ve all heard of Billy Joel, right? His name is a also a trademark. Now, I’ve seen Billy Joel on television and heard him on the radio. Surely you’re not telling me he doesn’t exist. > > So in conclusion, you’re not going to burst my happy little bubble. “Other Data CECIL ADAMS DOES NOT IDENTIFY ANY PARTICULAR INDIVIDUAL BUT WAS DEVISED AS A FANCIFUL NAME” Sorry… ---
**Author:** ![Call\_me\_Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/90ced4/32.png) [@Call\_me\_Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Call_me_Frank)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2004, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-and-ed-awol/225758/11 "2004-01-23T22:17:57Z")
Pen name, anyone? I mean let’s look at ourselves for a moment, shall we? There are over 43,000 Dopers registered to _this message board_, if you were the man behind “Cecil Adams”, would _you_ want 43,000+ knowing your name and approximate location? I think it’s entirely plausible that there is a person who writes the column under the name “Cecil Adams”… ---
**Author:** ![Chairman\_Pow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/838e76/32.png) [@Chairman\_Pow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chairman_Pow)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2004, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-and-ed-awol/225758/12 "2004-01-25T02:25:26Z")
First Santa, then the Easter Bunny, now Cecil. Zotti’s got some explaining to do. If Zotti exists, that is… Although they do have that article trying to cover up why Ed’s picture got published in the Librarian’s award for best Research Librarian ever…[http://www.ipass.net/whitetho/edcecil.htm](http://www.ipass.net/whitetho/edcecil.htm). I don’t know if that helps, but it makes me feel better. Swamp gas, my ass. ---
**Author:** ![Invisible\_Chimp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f05b48/32.png) [@Invisible\_Chimp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Invisible_Chimp)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2004, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-and-ed-awol/225758/13 "2004-01-25T05:10:39Z")
After finding out that Cecil Adams was a pen name, I always assumed Ed Zotti was Cecil. They’ve never been seen at the same time, place. Hmmm. ---
**Author:** ![Ruby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/13edae/32.png) [@Ruby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruby)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2004, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-and-ed-awol/225758/14 "2004-01-25T05:15:35Z")
Using that logic, Cecil Adams and _I_ have never been in the same place at the same time. I can assure you, **Ataraxy** , that I am not Mr. Cecil Adams! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Chairman\_Pow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/838e76/32.png) [@Chairman\_Pow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chairman_Pow)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2004, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-and-ed-awol/225758/15 "2004-01-25T05:41:00Z")
_Using that logic, Cecil Adams and I have never been in the same place at the same time. I can assure you, Ataraxy, that I am not Mr. Cecil Adams!_ Sure, you can assure us, but can you prove it? ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2004, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-and-ed-awol/225758/16 "2004-01-25T21:09:48Z")
> [@Call me Frank](#): > > Pen name, anyone? I mean let’s look at ourselves for a moment, shall we? There are over 43,000 Dopers registered to _this message board_, if you were the man behind “Cecil Adams”, would _you_ want 43,000+ knowing your name and approximate location? But when Cecil, or “Cecil,” started the column in 1973, the concept of an Internet message board with tens-of-thousands of members wasn’t even fathomable. He, or “he,” wouldn’t have taken a nom de plume for that type of security reason. ---
**Author:** ![Call\_me\_Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/90ced4/32.png) [@Call\_me\_Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Call_me_Frank)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2004, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-and-ed-awol/225758/17 "2004-01-25T21:18:35Z")
> [@Happy Lendervedder](#): > > But when Cecil, or “Cecil,” started the column in 1973, the concept of an Internet message board with tens-of-thousands of members wasn’t even fathomable. > > He, or “he,” wouldn’t have taken a nom de plume for that type of security reason. Damn, didn’t think of that. I suppose all hope is lost then. ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2004, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-and-ed-awol/225758/18 "2004-01-25T23:37:38Z")
First off, Cecil is an eccentric genius. Even from the first, he was afraid that if people could identify him (through pictures, for instance), he’d be mobbed by fans every time he went to the grocery store. Hence, he’s been very protective of his identity. Second, Cecil started writing long before Ed Zotti was around the READER. His first editor was Mike Lenahan, and his second editor was David Kerr. Ed didn’t get on board until (IIRC) the late 70s, and Ed’s been the only one who’s been able to put up with Cecil’s eccentricities for more than a few years. I’m not sure why Ed or Cecil aren’t listed on READER staff, I’ll ask and get back to you. ---
**Author:** ![Manduck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manduck/32/256_2.png) [@Manduck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Manduck)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2004, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-and-ed-awol/225758/19 "2004-01-26T01:33:50Z")
> [@nvestigator](#): > > To back up **Muad’Dib** on this one, let’s take just one example. Now, we’ve all heard of Billy Joel, right? His name is a also a trademark. Now, I’ve seen Billy Joel on television and heard him on the radio. Surely you’re not telling me he doesn’t exist. > > So in conclusion, you’re not going to burst my happy little bubble. But _you_ burst _my_ happy little bubble by reminding me that _Billy Joel_ exists. It’s not fair! :mad: