# cecil credentials **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [September 23, 2002, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-credentials/129234 "2002-09-23T04:43:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![tim314](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim314/32/3468_2.png) [@tim314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim314)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2006, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-credentials/129234/21 "2006-01-12T14:12:50Z")
> [@el\_teso](#): > > what college did he go to? Northwestern University, I believe. I’m basing this on the fact that Cecil stated in [this column](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/051014.html) that he took a freshman lit. course taught by Bergen Evans. Evans was a well known professor of English Literature at Northwestern. ---
**Author:** ![gooftroopag](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gooftroopag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gooftroopag)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2006, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-credentials/129234/22 "2006-01-12T15:22:32Z")
I hear he’s related to citizen Publius of the ‘Federalist Papers’. ---
**Author:** ![Sean\_Factotum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/50afbb/32.png) [@Sean\_Factotum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sean_Factotum)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2006, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-credentials/129234/23 "2006-01-12T17:21:00Z")
And he _hates_ zombies of any type. ---
**Author:** ![SiXSwordS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/49beb7/32.png) [@SiXSwordS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SiXSwordS)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2006, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-credentials/129234/24 "2006-01-12T17:49:05Z")
> [@ClintPhoenix](#): > > \[Cecil] Is (or was) married \ > Clint I seem to recall Cecil mentioning that his (current? former? first? fifth?) wife was well endowed and that that caused her some discomfort when jogging. BTW, is this thread really appropriate to COCC? More of a MPSIMS or ATMB doncha think? ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2006, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-credentials/129234/25 "2006-01-12T18:08:36Z")
> [@Sean Factotum](#): > > And he _hates_ zombies of any type. Well, of _course_! Zombies want brains, right? Naturally, they’d want _his_ first! ---
**Author:** ![Sean\_Factotum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/50afbb/32.png) [@Sean\_Factotum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sean_Factotum)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2006, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-credentials/129234/26 "2006-01-12T19:13:22Z")
> [@Lute Skywatcher](#): > > Well, of _course_! Zombies want brains, right? Naturally, they’d want _his_ first! Of any type. Including the thread type. ---
**Author:** ![Trust](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b38774/32.png) [@Trust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trust)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2006, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-credentials/129234/27 "2006-01-12T22:27:41Z")
In all honesty, the whole thing is indeed meant to be a joke right? "How do we know that Cecil knows everything and is never wrong? Because he said so, and he would never lie to us. No, really. Listen, read the columns. Soon you will agree this is no ordinary man. " I have read the columns and have found he can find information slightly better than other people. Sure. But he also has a slightly evident bias in some of his columns. Just like all the rest of us. Besides, anyone that says they can answer any question given to them is not very intelligent. ---
**Author:** ![Rube\_E.Tewesday](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f0a364/32.png) [@Rube\_E.Tewesday](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rube_E.Tewesday)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2006, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-credentials/129234/28 "2006-01-12T23:28:42Z")
A blasphemer has come among us! Gather stones, but keep your eyes averted! ---
**Author:** ![Citizen\_Bob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@Citizen\_Bob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Citizen_Bob)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2006, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-credentials/129234/29 "2006-01-12T23:57:25Z")
hmm, Zaphod Beeblebrox? ---
**Author:** ![alterego](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6bbea6/32.png) [@alterego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alterego)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2006, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-credentials/129234/30 "2006-01-13T01:00:35Z")
Cecil write’s about baby boomers a lot, but where does he say he is one? The [closest I’ve found](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a3_114b.html) is > [@Cecil](#): > > If you post-baby boomers are tired of this ancient history, don’t blame me–you’re the ones who keep bringing it up. But he does say he was in Evans’ lit course: > [@Cecil](#): > > […] when I took an introductory lit class with one of the great teachers, a fellow named Bergen Evans. That lit course was offered in the late 40s. Baby boomers are generally from '46-'64. So unless Cecil was 2 years old as a freshman, he can’t be both. But I could definitely read that as him being a _pre_ baby boomer. Suppose he did take Evans course in, say, 1948. Further suppose that he took it when he was 18. That would mean he was born in 1930, making him 76 years old now and 33 when he started the column. Lots of assumptions, but actually quite reasonable, if you ask me. ---
**Author:** ![alterego](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6bbea6/32.png) [@alterego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alterego)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2006, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-credentials/129234/31 "2006-01-13T01:02:31Z")
s/write’s/writes/ =) ---
**Author:** ![RyJae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9d8465/32.png) [@RyJae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RyJae)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2006, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-credentials/129234/32 "2006-01-13T02:14:33Z")
Oh come on now this is getting silly, yes Virginia there is a Santa Clause and all that babble. We are all adults and we all know Cecil is just an alias of another wonderful genius who wishes to remain anonymous. I just do not like the paparazzi ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2006, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-credentials/129234/33 "2006-01-13T03:16:53Z")
Actually, as a poster noted not too long ago in this forum, it’s been pretty well documented that “Cecil Adams” at present is more than one contributor, all of whom have their work put out under this moniker solely for the purpose of entertainment. That this is verly likely to be so should surprise no one; for the last almost 10 years now, “Uncle Cece” has had writing styles quite varied depending upon the subject matter discussed. One can almost make guesses as to who the real contributors are, based upon careful look at the writing styles. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2006, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-credentials/129234/34 "2006-01-13T03:21:20Z")
> [@DSYoungEsq](#): > > Actually, as a poster noted not too long ago in this forum, it’s been pretty well documented that “Cecil Adams” at present is more than one contributor, all of whom have their work put out under this moniker solely for the purpose of entertainment. This is incorrect. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2006, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-credentials/129234/35 "2006-01-13T03:49:18Z")
The google ads are offering signed Dave Barry books. Do they know something about CA that we don’t? ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2006, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-credentials/129234/36 "2006-01-13T03:50:35Z")
> [@DSYoungEsq](#): > > for the last almost 10 years now, “Uncle Cece” has had writing styles quite varied depending upon the subject matter discussed. One can almost make guesses as to who the real contributors are, based upon careful look at the writing styles. 😉 :::looks at watch::::waiting::::still waiting::::: ---
**Author:** ![mr.jp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/48db29/32.png) [@mr.jp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mr.jp)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2006, 10:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-credentials/129234/37 "2006-01-13T10:16:43Z")
Abbie Normal: “We are all adults and we all know Cecil is just an alias of another wonderful genius who wishes to remain anonymous.” Do you have any evidence for that theory? It shouldn’t be that difficult to research. DSYoungEsq: “Actually, as a poster noted not too long ago in this forum, it’s been pretty well documented that “Cecil Adams” at present is more than one contributor (…)” Is it? Dont you find it weird then, that Cecil’s coloumns are much better written than the staff reports? Trust: “I have read the columns and have found he can find information slightly better than other people.” That is the biggest understatement ever, since Pilate said that “This Jesus person might cause a little stir.” ---
**Author:** ![RyJae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9d8465/32.png) [@RyJae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RyJae)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2006, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-credentials/129234/38 "2006-01-13T13:14:39Z")
Do not put me on the spot to ruin a perfectly fine myth. I won’t tell your children there is no Santa, and I won’t tell the good people here there is no Cecil. ---
**Author:** ![Mathochist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c89c15/32.png) [@Mathochist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mathochist)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2006, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-credentials/129234/39 "2006-01-13T15:31:27Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > This is incorrect. Sez a leading contender? ---
**Author:** ![SiXSwordS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/49beb7/32.png) [@SiXSwordS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SiXSwordS)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2006, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-credentials/129234/40 "2006-01-13T17:24:58Z")
> [@mr. jp](#): > > Abbie Normal: > “We are all adults and we all know Cecil is just an alias of another wonderful genius who wishes to remain anonymous.” > > Do you have any evidence for that theory? It shouldn’t be that difficult to research. My research indicates that we are NOT all adults and, moreover, we act like a bunch of kids! > [@mr. jp](#): > > Dont you find it weird then, that Cecil’s coloumns are much better written than the staff reports? IMO, they aren’t better written. Different, yes, but I find many of the staff reports to be more informative, more to the point and lacking the condescending (albeit witty) attitude of Cecil. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-credentials/129234.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-credentials/129234.md?page=3)