# Hey Cecil, how do you pronounce your name? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [March 16, 2011, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-cecil-how-do-you-pronounce-your-name/574972 "2011-03-16T22:43:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Randy\_Seltzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ee7513/32.png) [@Randy\_Seltzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Randy_Seltzer)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2011, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-cecil-how-do-you-pronounce-your-name/574972/1 "2011-03-16T22:43:28Z")
Is the first syllable like celery (so the name rhymes with “vessel”) or is the first syllable like seahorse (so the name roughly rhymes with “diesel”)? I’ve found resources that say both are correct, [sup]1[/sup] I’ve found sources that say only the latter is correct,[sup]2[/sup] and I’ve found sources that say the former is for surnames and the latter is for given names.[sup]3[/sup] This dispute has arisen before,[sup]4[/sup] and various people have claimed to have heard the Perfect Master speak His name (usually claiming the “SEE” version). There is even legend of a long-lost website FAQ that gave a definitive answer. But I don’t think it can be considered canon until He says so Himself. So what’s the word Cecil? Your pal, Randy [sup]1[/sup] Both: > **[Pronunciation of Cecil Cecil : How to pronounce Cecil Cecil](https://inogolo.com/pronunciation/Cecil)** > > How to pronounce Cecil Cecil. > **[Definition of CECIL](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Cecil)** > > (Edgar Algernon) Robert 1864—1958 1st ViscountCecil of Chelwood English statesman… See the full definition [sup]2[/sup] “See”: > **[How to pronounce $searchfor? (RECOMMENDED) - PronounceNames.com](https://www.pronouncenames.com/pronounce/cecil)** > > How do you say $searchfor? Learn how to pronounce $searchfor in different countries and languages with audio and phonetic spellings along with additional information, such as, type of name, other spellings, meaning. [sup]3[/sup] Surname/given name: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=273938&postcount=6](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=273938&postcount=6) [sup]4[/sup] Old threads: > **[Correct pronunciation of "Cecil"...](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=16087)** > > What’s the correct way to pronounce Cecil’s name? Is it “seh-sill” or “see-sill” or “seh-sull” or what? I have this horrible fear of bringing up his columns in casual conversation and having someone say “IDIOT! It’s not pronounced like THAT…” ... > **[How does Cecil pronounce Cecil?](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=31307)** > > I always assumed it was SEE-s’l, but now that I think of it, I don’t know of anyone with the name who pronounced it that way. I could be mistaken, but I think both Cecil B. De Mille and Cecil Rhodes pronounced it SEH-s’l. My dictionary admits either... > **[How are we supposed to pronounce...?](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=44944)** > > …Cecil Adams? Is it SEH-cil (as in Cecil B. DeMille)? Or is it SEE-cil (as in Cecil the Sea-Sick Sea Serpent)? > **[Seesil or sessil?](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=55348)** > > How is Cecil’s name pronounced, or at least how does Cecil prefer it to be pronounced? Here in Australia, and back in my native Britain Cecil is pronounced “Sessil”, but I’ve heard the Yanks prefer “Seesil”. Not a cerebral topic I know… > **[How do you pronounce "Cecil"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=152087)** > > I’ve heard the name pronounced two ways-- “see-sul” and “sess-ul”. Which one is the correct pronunciation in referring to Cecil Adams? > **[How does Cecil Adams pronounce his name?](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=178136)** > > Is it SEE-Sil or is it SES-Sil? NOTE: Yes, everyone is aware that there is no such person. No need for [insert Ed Zotti joke here]. ---
**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:** [March 17, 2011, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-cecil-how-do-you-pronounce-your-name/574972/2 "2011-03-17T00:32:49Z")
He pronounces it See-sil, rhyming with diesel. ---
**Author:** ![Randy\_Seltzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ee7513/32.png) [@Randy\_Seltzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Randy_Seltzer)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2011, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-cecil-how-do-you-pronounce-your-name/574972/3 "2011-03-17T01:02:42Z")
Yeah, your name comes up a lot in the above-listed threads, **Dex**. And while I guess you’re a pretty good resource, you’re no Cecil. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2011, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-cecil-how-do-you-pronounce-your-name/574972/4 "2011-03-17T02:20:10Z")
> [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](#): > > He pronounces it See-sil, rhyming with diesel. Isn’t diesel pronounced deez-ul not dee-sil? ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2011, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-cecil-how-do-you-pronounce-your-name/574972/5 "2011-03-17T03:10:22Z")
Let’s look at the percentages here. 90%+ of everyone in the world who pronounces their name as SESS-sul is British. Our SEE-sul is 100% Amurican. Period. Can you imagine someone like Mike Royko sitting down with some jamoke named SESS-sul for a discussion about life in Chicago? No. It never would have happened. ---
**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:** [March 17, 2011, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-cecil-how-do-you-pronounce-your-name/574972/6 "2011-03-17T11:28:25Z")
> [@Randy\_Seltzer](#): > > Yeah, your name comes up a lot in the above-listed threads, **Dex**. And while I guess you’re a pretty good resource, you’re no Cecil. 😛 True enough, but the sad fact is that Cecil rarely posts, and almost never in threads about Himself. I wish it were otherwise, but reality (alas) ain’t easily molded to our wishes. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2011, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-cecil-how-do-you-pronounce-your-name/574972/7 "2011-03-17T19:33:15Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Isn’t diesel pronounced deez-ul not dee-sil? Not is my dialect - it rhymes. ---
**Author:** ![amberperl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8797f3/32.png) [@amberperl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amberperl)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2011, 10:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-cecil-how-do-you-pronounce-your-name/574972/8 "2011-03-18T10:47:49Z")
> [@Randy\_Seltzer](#): > > Is the first syllable like celery (so the name rhymes with “vessel”) or is the first syllable like seahorse (so the name roughly rhymes with “diesel”)? I’ve found resources that say both are correct, [sup]1[/sup] I’ve found sources that say only the latter is correct,[sup]2[/sup] and I’ve found sources that say the former is for surnames and the latter is for given names.[sup]3[/sup] This dispute has arisen before,[sup]4[/sup] and various people have claimed to have heard the Perfect Master speak His name (usually claiming the “SEE” version). There is even legend of a long-lost website FAQ that gave a definitive answer. But I don’t think it can be considered canon until He says so Himself. So what’s the word Cecil? > > Your pal, > > Randy > > [sup]1[/sup] Both: > [http://inogolo.com/pronunciation/Cecil](http://inogolo.com/pronunciation/Cecil) > [CECIL Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster](http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cecil) > > [sup]2[/sup] “See”: > [Learn How to Pronounce Cecil | PronounceNames.com](http://www.pronouncenames.com/pronounce/cecil) > > [sup]3[/sup] Surname/given name: > [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=273938&postcount=6](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=273938&postcount=6) > > [sup]4[/sup] Old threads: > [Correct pronunciation of "Cecil"... - Factual Questions - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=16087) > [How does Cecil pronounce Cecil? - Factual Questions - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=31307) > [How are we supposed to pronounce...? - Factual Questions - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=44944) > [Seesil or sessil? - Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=55348) > [How do you pronounce "Cecil"? - Factual Questions - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=152087) > [How does Cecil Adams pronounce his name? - Factual Questions - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=178136) > > NOTE: Yes, everyone is aware that there is no such person. No need for [insert Ed Zotti joke here]. “hehe. interesting one ^^”. ---
**Author:** ![Sparky812](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Sparky812](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparky812)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2011, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-cecil-how-do-you-pronounce-your-name/574972/9 "2011-03-18T11:16:03Z")
> [@samclem](#): > > Let’s look at the percentages here. > > 90%+ of everyone in the world who pronounces their name as SESS-sul is British. > > Our SEE-sul is 100% Amurican. Period. > > Can you imagine someone like Mike Royko sitting down with some jamoke named SESS-sul for a discussion about life in Chicago? No. It never would have happened. [Cecil Fielder](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cecil_Fielder) is British? ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2011, 11:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-cecil-how-do-you-pronounce-your-name/574972/10 "2011-03-18T11:42:22Z")
> [@Sparky812](#): > > [Cecil Fielder](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cecil_Fielder) is British? No, he just likes to throw British people around. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![constanze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f9ae1b/32.png) [@constanze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/constanze)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2011, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-cecil-how-do-you-pronounce-your-name/574972/11 "2011-03-18T20:18:37Z")
> [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](#): > > He pronounces it See-sil, rhyming with diesel. Huh? That doesn’t make any sense to me. Must be a dialect form? Could you maybe convince the Great Master to speak his name into a microphone and post the wav file, to solve it once and for all? (Or copy one of his radio appearances into a computer file?) ---
**Author:** ![Loopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loopus/32/15343_2.png) [@Loopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopus)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2011, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-cecil-how-do-you-pronounce-your-name/574972/12 "2011-03-19T18:08:59Z")
Yeah where I come from (Texas), “diesel” rhymes with “weasel” and “easel,” and none of those rhyme with “Cecil.” The best rhyme in my dialect that I can come up with for Cecil is the contraction “lease’ll” for “lease will,” as in “Your _lease’ll_ be up at the end of the month.” ---
**Author:** ![John\_W.Kennedy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_w.kennedy/32/1031_2.png) [@John\_W.Kennedy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_W.Kennedy)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2011, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-cecil-how-do-you-pronounce-your-name/574972/13 "2011-03-20T19:26:38Z")
“Diesel” rhymes with “weasel” on the Island of Sodor, too.