# Has Cecil gone soft on me? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [September 13, 2000, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-cecil-gone-soft-on-me/33069 "2000-09-13T20:05:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Frumpy\_Jones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Frumpy\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frumpy_Jones)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2000, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-cecil-gone-soft-on-me/33069/1 "2000-09-13T20:05:45Z")
Back in 1995 I wrote a letter to Cecil which made the papers (I felt honored – go look for COLIN JOYCE (my real name). Anyway, back when he wrote it, and up until I looked at it a year ago, his reply started with “Ya mean well Colin, but you can’t ask a decent question to save your life.” ZING! I was touched to be ZINGED by Unca Cecil. But today I had a debate going with a co-worker and decided to show him what Cecil said on the matter. So I search here and find it and it now starts off with “MAYBE SO”. _MAYBE SO?_ _ **MAYBE SO!!!** _ What happened to the ZING? I deserved it, I felt. or at least I LIKED it. So what’s happened. Is Cecil now an old softie? What gives? ---
**Author:** ![Arnold\_Winkelried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2000, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-cecil-gone-soft-on-me/33069/2 "2000-09-13T20:45:07Z")
Welcome to the SDMB, and thank you for posting your comment. Please include a link to Cecil’s column if it’s on the straight dope web site. To include a link, it can be as simple as including the web page location in your post (make sure there is a space **before** and **after** the text of the URL). Cecil’s column can be found on-line at this link: [What does “the right to bear arms” really mean? (10-Feb-1995)](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a5_123.html) * * * moderator, [Comments on Cecil’s Columns](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/forumdisplay.php?forumid=1) ---
**Author:** ![Arnold\_Winkelried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2000, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-cecil-gone-soft-on-me/33069/3 "2000-09-13T20:48:36Z")
To answer your question, yes, Cecil Adams is now as cute and cuddly as a Teddy Bear. Age has smoothed away the rough spots. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2000, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-cecil-gone-soft-on-me/33069/4 "2000-09-13T22:49:04Z")
tell Cecil that a combination of viagra and couples therapy works wonders for this problem. ---
**Author:** ![Starfall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b19c9b/32.png) [@Starfall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starfall)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2000, 9:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-cecil-gone-soft-on-me/33069/5 "2000-09-15T09:11:03Z")
The page is no longer on [http://www.straightdope.com](http://www.straightdope.com), but you can see a cached copy at [http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:www.straightdope.com/columns/950210.html](http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:www.straightdope.com/columns/950210.html) As mentioned above, the edited version (which also appears in Triumph of the Straight Dope) is at [http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a5\_123.html](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a5_123.html) ---
**Author:** ![Frumpy\_Jones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Frumpy\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frumpy_Jones)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2000, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-cecil-gone-soft-on-me/33069/6 "2000-09-15T12:11:33Z")
Thank you starfall! Now, can someone tell me why this reply was changed? I didn’t mind getting ZINGED at all. It’s also cool to know I’m in a book! Yippie! ---
**Author:** ![Ed\_Zotti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/fbc32d/32.png) [@Ed\_Zotti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ed_Zotti)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2000, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-cecil-gone-soft-on-me/33069/7 "2000-09-15T23:29:10Z")
I changed it. What good is being an editor if you can’t edit? You take that James Joyce. Man, I coulda made something out of that guy. That said, if you really want I can change it back. You masochist. ---
**Author:** ![Frumpy\_Jones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Frumpy\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frumpy_Jones)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2000, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-cecil-gone-soft-on-me/33069/8 "2000-09-16T00:25:53Z")
Unca Cecil’s little minion editor (Redundant?) recently chirped \*\* > [@](#): > > I changed it. What good is being an editor if you can’t edit? You take that James Joyce. Man, I coulda made something out of that guy. That said, if you really want I can change it back. You masochist. \*\* To be honest, Unca Cecil’s _ **"I’ll tell you a thing or two attitude"** _ is one of things that made me one of the TEEMING MILLIONS. That bozo with his “Why do clocks run clockwise” books . . . A cure for insomnia, and it’s like reading a letter from your grandma. Unca Cecil is like reading a letter from your Tourette-ridden grandma who isn’t allowed to write letters anymore. And that’s why I love him. So, yeah, please put it back, and also fix it in the damn book! 🙂 XOXO, Frumpy Jones (AKA Colin Joyce) P.S. And what, didn’t you do a good enough Job editing it way back in '95? P.S.S. And I take offense at you making light of my Great great great great Grandfather Jimmy. P.S.S.S. Is someone letting air out of tire? P.S.S.S.S. Actually, I think it’s a snake. ---
**Author:** ![el\_mono](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ea666f/32.png) [@el\_mono](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/el_mono)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2000, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-cecil-gone-soft-on-me/33069/9 "2000-09-16T13:31:19Z")
Yo, Frump. Relax. Take it easy. I worry 'bout ya! ``` For the record I agree with you. It was Cecil's smug, sarcastic style that initially attracted me to his columns and eventually to join the teeming millions. I also agree that he's gotten a little softer in his dotage (sorry Ceece). But hey, the questions and answers selected for publication are still interesting and informative. The current incarnation of Unca Cecil has managed to retain a bit of the old "edge", the blade has simply dulled and tarnished a bit. Thank goodness that the original luster is still visible beneath the patina. Also for the record: subsequent Post Scripts require that you add an additional P. PS, PPS, etc. Also, use no periods. Think good thoughts... ``` ---
**Author:** ![Frumpy\_Jones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Frumpy\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frumpy_Jones)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2000, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-cecil-gone-soft-on-me/33069/10 "2000-09-16T13:53:24Z")
el\_mono recently typed: \*\* > [@](#): > > Also for the record: subsequent Post Scripts require that you add an additional P. PS, PPS, etc. Also, use no periods. \*\* Alright. Time for a small lesson. Repetative PS’s with additional S’s = Funny. World O Funny. Anything that hiss’es or makes a SSSSSSS sound is open for fun. Repetative PS’s with P’s = ONE motorboat joke and ONE Stuttering joke. Sometimes you just CAN’T follow THE RULES. Is the sound of something racing over your head happening a lot to you? Take care. ---
**Author:** ![el\_mono](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ea666f/32.png) [@el\_mono](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/el_mono)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2000, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-cecil-gone-soft-on-me/33069/11 "2000-09-16T17:15:16Z")
The joke wasn’t lost on me, Frump-meister. It seemed to me that your thread’s main subject and purpose was to point out that Cecil had softened up and that you resented having the answer to your question edited for publication in book form. The purpose of my final paragraph was to offer you another ZING since your first was unjustly taken away. Frankly, I was hoping you’d take the opportunity to ZING me back. Was it good for you? Thanks for playing. I do agree with your main point, though, and am happy to know that I’m not alone among the millions! Think good thoughts… ---
**Author:** ![Frumpy\_Jones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Frumpy\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frumpy_Jones)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2000, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-cecil-gone-soft-on-me/33069/12 "2000-09-21T16:45:53Z")
Just testing my sig with my favorite quote. Decided I should have one. Ignore if you wish 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Frumpy\_Jones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Frumpy\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frumpy_Jones)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2000, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-cecil-gone-soft-on-me/33069/13 "2000-09-21T16:51:05Z")
Hmm… That didn’t work. Wonder why. Ah! I have to make a choice at the bottom. How do I default that thng to on? ---
**Author:** ![Ed\_Zotti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/fbc32d/32.png) [@Ed\_Zotti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ed_Zotti)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2000, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-cecil-gone-soft-on-me/33069/14 "2000-09-21T23:02:01Z")
> [@](#): > > So, yeah, please put it back Fixed. Online, anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Frumpy\_Jones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Frumpy\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frumpy_Jones)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2000, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-cecil-gone-soft-on-me/33069/15 "2000-09-21T23:48:15Z")
Yea! Thank you so much Ed!