# Is Cecil dead and replaced? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [February 17, 2001, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910 "2001-02-17T21:00:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mercutio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/51bf81/32.png) [@Mercutio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mercutio)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2001, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910/1 "2001-02-17T21:00:22Z")
I dunno what it is. He hasnt posted here in over a year and as this thread [thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=60242) states, his reports aren’t as funny as they used to be. 😃 Kidding, kidding. ::cowers:: Actually I’m just wondering where the big man is hiding, I still find him to be very amusing. So, if you read this, Hi Cecil! ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2001, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910/2 "2001-02-17T21:19:01Z")
Cecil is VERY highly motivated by money. He doesn’t get any additional money for posting here, and he’s something of a technophobe as well. He’s not likely to post here unless it’s something that a) interests him b) amuses him or c) serves some other purpose of his own. He doesn’t actually enjoy posting (I know, he’s missing out, but he doesn’t like cats, either) so you won’t see him around much. He didn’t post much on the old AOL message boards, either. Lynn ---
**Author:** ![Mercutio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/51bf81/32.png) [@Mercutio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mercutio)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2001, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910/3 "2001-02-17T21:27:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Lynn Bodoni \* > **Cecil is VERY highly motivated by money.** That Capitalist Pig! ::cowers some more:: ---
**Author:** ![whitetho](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whitetho/32/1059_2.png) [@whitetho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whitetho)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2001, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910/4 "2001-02-17T23:49:53Z")
In many cultures, one way to show your importance is by the length of time you make people wait for your arrival. And we all know that Cecil is a _very, very_ important person. (I find this more comforting to believe than to think that Unca Cece is no longer willing to deign to associate with “those little people” who go without heat and food so they can scratch together enough money to buy his books. Don’t worry about us–I’ll just put another sweater on…) ---
**Author:** ![Odieman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a87d85/32.png) [@Odieman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odieman)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2001, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910/5 "2001-02-18T00:31:49Z")
And when he does show up you have to give him the proper homage…(see signature) Keith ---
**Author:** ![Ringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/779978/32.png) [@Ringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ringo)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2001, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910/6 "2001-02-18T02:31:13Z")
> [@](#): > > He hasnt posted here in over a year… The most recent post that I remember from Cecil was about four and a half months ago: [Dingoes, fairy penguins and other maligned creatues of my home](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=39747) That might not be the last, as he was quite active (for Cecil) on the board that month. ---
**Author:** ![Mercutio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/51bf81/32.png) [@Mercutio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mercutio)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2001, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910/7 "2001-02-18T02:37:07Z")
Whoops! I’m sorry Unca Cece! I did not mean to post an untrue fact! I just did not do good enough research! Oh god, please don’t beat me! ---
**Author:** ![MikeG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikeg/32/4329_2.png) [@MikeG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeG)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2001, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910/8 "2001-02-18T02:55:56Z")
Actually, the real Cecil has been retired for fifteen years and living like a king in Patagonia… hmmm…"Dread Pirate Cecil…now that could be a good user name… ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2001, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910/9 "2001-02-18T04:24:05Z")
**Cecil** ’s very latest post: [Is Cecil smarter than Ben Stein?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?postid=805214#post805214) (12 October 2000) ---
**Author:** ![Mercutio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/51bf81/32.png) [@Mercutio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mercutio)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2001, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910/10 "2001-02-18T05:01:51Z")
Anyone up for a “Where’s Cecil” book series? Everytime we think we have you pinned down you are spotted somewhere else. Who do you think you are? Elvis? ---
**Author:** ![TVeblen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4bbf92/32.png) [@TVeblen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TVeblen)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2001, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910/11 "2001-02-18T05:07:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mercutio \* > \*\* > I’m sorry Unca Cece! > I did not mean to post an untrue fact! > I just did not do good enough research! > Oh god, please don’t beat me! \*\* “Untrue fact”–huh? Inadequate research? Cecil has spent years, lonely _years_ fighting idiocy. Okay, so not all of them were entirely lonely. But the Teeming Millions keep asking questions about sex. Sex, sex, sex. It takes _research_, damnit. Have some respect for scientific method and dedication, all right? Cecil isn’t into beating–unless it relates to a valid query, of course. And Slug can get inspired about it. Of course Slug gets his hormones in an uproar over library paste. Vermin? Cece just sets traps and logs how long it takes the corpses to dissolve in Coke. Better hope he’s too absorbed in research at the moment or your family may end up paying their final respects to an ominously fizzy beaker. Piously glad I’m not Mercutio, Veb ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2001, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910/12 "2001-02-18T06:22:09Z")
Everyone, everyone… I am Cecil’s evil twin, who knows nothing. Just consider me his representative on the Boards. Shower ME with your gifts and money and sex and adoration and worship. And sex. ---
**Author:** ![little\_me](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dbc845/32.png) [@little\_me](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/little_me)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2001, 9:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910/13 "2001-02-18T09:00:50Z")
The way to check on someone’s last post is to go to their profile. [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/member.php?action=getinfo&username=cecil%20adams](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/member.php?action=getinfo&username=cecil%20adams) > [@](#): > > \*Profile For Cecil Adams \* > > Date Registered: 03-10-1999 > Status: Perfect Master > Total Posts: 75 > Last Post: 10-12-2000 11:08 AM > Is Cecil smarter than Ben Stein? > Current Email: Click here to email Cecil Adams > Homepage: [http://www.straightdope.com](http://www.straightdope.com) > ICQ Number: > AOL Instant Messenger Handle: > Yahoo Instant Messenger Handle: > Biography: Occupation: Special Master of Knowledge > Location: Chicago, IL, USA > Interests: The universe, except golf ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2001, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910/14 "2001-02-18T17:32:13Z")
“Is Cecil dead and replaced?” Excellent assumption & true too. You must know more than almost anyone here. First of all, according to the US Patent & Trademark Office, the mark for “Cecil Adams” is DEAD. I don’t know if the supers here are covering up for this fact or not, however, as it’s a frequent subject & also public knowledge, being it can be found in the trademark database, but the registration of “Cecil Adams” is DEAD & has been since March 29, 1989. Why people, especially the supers here continue to assume that the mark is ALIVE, is beyond me. The exact proof of this is located in the US Patent & TradeMark office & I do provide this information if you don’t believe me: 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 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 As to how or where he was ‘resurrected’, Im sure Lynn would be happy to tell us 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![ShakeNBake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8e7dd6/32.png) [@ShakeNBake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShakeNBake)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2001, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910/15 "2001-02-18T17:42:26Z")
You know, on his last few posts he did sound weakly. ---
**Author:** ![Spatial\_Rift\_47](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a8b319/32.png) [@Spatial\_Rift\_47](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spatial_Rift_47)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2001, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910/16 "2001-02-18T18:52:30Z")
It is possible Cecil snagged himself a plain old user name and is posting in the guise of an ordinary member. He could be any one of us! DUN-DUN-DUNNNNNN (loud, reverberating tones). . . ---
**Author:** ![Montfort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Montfort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Montfort)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2001, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910/17 "2001-02-18T19:50:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Admiral Borg \* > \*\*It is possible Cecil snagged himself a plain old user name and is posting in the guise of an ordinary member. He could be any one of us! DUN-DUN-DUNNNNNN (loud, reverberating tones). . . \*\* You mean, he’d be a sock puppet? Let’s try to find him! :o (Of course, if you suspect anyone is or has a sock puppet, you’re supposed to notify the moderators and administrators, rather than outing them publicly.) ---
**Author:** ![ShakeNBake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8e7dd6/32.png) [@ShakeNBake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShakeNBake)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2001, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910/18 "2001-02-18T21:27:57Z")
I thought he did have another name. Ed something. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![SuaSponte](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/67e7ee/32.png) [@SuaSponte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuaSponte)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2001, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910/19 "2001-02-19T00:06:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by handy \* > “Is Cecil dead and replaced?” > > Excellent assumption & true too. You must know more than almost anyone here. First of all, according to the US Patent & Trademark Office, the mark for “Cecil Adams” is DEAD. > > I don’t know if the supers here are covering up for this fact or not, however, as it’s a frequent subject & also public knowledge, being it can be found in the trademark database, but the registration of “Cecil Adams” is DEAD > & has been since March 29, 1989. > > Why people, especially the supers here continue to assume that the mark is ALIVE, is beyond me. The exact proof of this is located in the US Patent & TradeMark office & I do provide this information if you don’t believe me: **Handy** , you sucker. Just shows that Unca Cece is a lot smarter then J.D. Salinger. He plans ahead. When Cece’s teenager lover writes a tell-all book about his bizarre sexual fetishes and diet, he can send **Little Ed** out to say, “The book is obviously bunk. Look at this Trademark application - **Cecil doesn’t exist**!! Now, I hope that’s the last we here of these ridiculous allegations.” Sheer brilliance. Sua ---
**Author:** ![TVeblen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4bbf92/32.png) [@TVeblen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TVeblen)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2001, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910/20 "2001-02-19T01:46:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by handy \* > \*\* > I don’t know if the supers here are covering up for this fact or not, however, as it’s a frequent subject & also public knowledge… > > Why people, especially the supers here continue to assume that the mark is ALIVE, is beyond me… > \*\* Sigh. It was inevitable. I almost posted, “ **handy** will be along any minute with his old Cecil-trademark schtick”. Totally unwarranted optimism led me to hope that for once, maybe _just once_ you wouldn’t leap upon your favorite hobby horse and ride it into the ground. Odd how it’s one of the very few topics that motivates you to a complete response rather than your usual 1-2 line drive-by posts. It’s beyond me why you’re so obsessed with the trademark status and read a willful conspiracy into it. Get a grip, willya? Someone writes under the name Cecil Adams; you may have noticed the columns here? Or the books? They’re still around and they’re still produced under the name Cecil Adams. They exist. It’s not unprecedented for an author’s name to be used by a stable of rotating ghostwriters. Is that deliberate fraud or a hideous conspiracy? Only if you’re intent on viewing it that way. I have no idea who actually writes Cecil’s columns. And I don’t care. They’re fun, informative and some of the best, funky debunking around. The “dead” status at the trademark office somehow fails to render the worthwhile, ongoing Straight Dope null and void. If it does for you, your loss. You aren’t blowing the lid off of some vast, ominous conspiracy. Get some perspective, already. Heck, just _rent_ some perspective. Sheesh. This is like being stoned to death with popcorn. Veb [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910.md?page=2)