# 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:** 3
**Author:** ![John\_Corrado](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a88e4f/32.png) [@John\_Corrado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Corrado)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2001, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910/41 "2001-02-20T18:26:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by whitetho \* > Hmm, a tragic event like this would be a public record. Cite, please? (I thought so…) Oh, please. You can’t cite an event that was completely covered up. Next thing you know, you’ll be asking Kennedy conspiracy theorists for ‘cites’ that Oswald was actually quietly enjoying a movie with longtime friend J.D. Tippet when a time-traveling clone of Oswald fired three shots out of a super-accelerated rifle from the Texas Book Depository. > [@](#): > > Not to cast doubt on your veracity, but of course Cecil _never_ makes personal appearances. So, where is he making these so-called appearances? In your dreams? Visions? Hallucinations? To the staff of the Straight Dope, of course. Ask any of them. Have _they_ ever seen Cecil within the last two years? Oh, sure, Ed _claims_ to have seen them, but we know he’s in on the conspiracy. The Spaghetti-O’s picture tells all. > [@](#): > > Again, not Elvis, but Waylon, who is famous for giving up his seat to The Big Bopper on the 3-stars-death-plane. Thus, this is symbolic of Cecil’s continuing good health. (Anyway, this cover dates back to 1988, so you’re claiming it foretells Cecil’s demise 9 years later.) Sneaky, he was. > [@](#): > > Unca Cece’s 1999 dedication in _Triumph of the Straight Dope_ reads: _To Little Ed, in hopes that someday we’ll be able to figure out what it is with him, bratwurst, and rain._ If that doesn’t complete disprove these silly “Cecil is dead” rumors, then I don’t know what will. (Also, how do you explain the drawing of turkey-Cecil blowing smoke rings on the cover of _The Straight Dope Tells All_?) The smoke rings are a metaphor for the smoky back room where the deal was hatched, as well as for the clouds of smoke Ed Zotti felt his detractors would soon be lost in. As for the dedication- that’s the _key_, don’t you understand? Cecil was driving in a rainstorm and lost control of his car because he was trying to eat a bratwurst sandwich. Little Ed, who was riding with Cecil (we believe this had something to do with an upcoming contract negotiation with Ed Zotti, but we’re real unclear on those details) forever more had a pathological aversion to rain and bratwurst! It’s _so_ simple; why can’t you understand? ---
**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 20, 2001, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910/42 "2001-02-20T19:15:30Z")
The problem as I see it is that people are always bringing up Slug’s “Death Car” drawing at [http://www.straightdope.com/art/1976/760709.gif](http://www.straightdope.com/art/1976/760709.gif) and the “Dead turkey-Cecil” drawing at [http://www.straightdope.com/art/1979/790824.gif](http://www.straightdope.com/art/1979/790824.gif) when they really should be concentrating on the “Happily Ever After” drawing at [http://www.straightdope.com/art/1977/770415.gif](http://www.straightdope.com/art/1977/770415.gif). ---
**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:** [February 20, 2001, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910/43 "2001-02-20T19:34:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Chronos \* > Well, as **TVeblen** notes, we moderators don’t know anything more about Cecil than the rest of the members. Speak for yourself Chronos. I have valuable Cecil Adams information, available to any curious person for US$16.99 per tidbit. I take all major credit cards. No personal checks accepted. 5% cash discount. ---
**Author:** ![JeffB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeffb/32/188_2.png) [@JeffB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JeffB)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2001, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910/44 "2001-02-20T19:53:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by TubaDiva \* > The walrus was CKDexterHaven. For some reason, I find this to be one of the funniest things I’ve read in a long time. Arnold, is there tax on that? Can I get an educational discount? ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2001, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910/45 "2001-02-20T23:08:26Z")
Arnold commented: > [@](#): > > Speak for yourself Chronos. I have valuable Cecil Adams information, available to any curious person for US$16.99 per tidbit. I take all major credit cards. No personal checks accepted. 5% cash discount. Anyone considering investing in Arnoldian Cecil trivia should stop and consider the fact posted at nearly the beginning of this thread: > [@](#): > > Cecil is motivated by money. P’r’aps the burgeoning SD merchandising industry might be expanded by the **sale** of Cecil factoids, from the horse’s mouth, as it were? ---
**Author:** ![Mercutio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/51bf81/32.png) [@Mercutio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mercutio)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2001, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910/46 "2001-02-20T23:40:08Z")
10 Dopers are taken to remote areas to find information about thier fearless leader, Cecil Adams. What they do not know is that one of them is truly CECIL ADAMS and will stop at nothing to keep his team from knowing his true identity. Each week one of them will be ousted off the show wearing the “Who is the Cecil? dunce cap of ignorance” ™. If succesful, Cecil will once again become a hermit of society, if not, **1** lucky Doper will know who Cecil really is for the rest of thier lives, but for that information not to leak, the Doper will soon after be killed. Tuesdays at 8pm on ABC! The Cecil knows everything. The Cecil knows you. The Cecil will trick you. The Cecil will lie. The Cecil will throw himself at money. The Cecil will kill all who call him CeCe. The Cecil is watching you. Who Is The Cecil? ---
**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 21, 2001, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910/47 "2001-02-21T00:08:15Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by John Corrado \* > \*\*The other pictures also contain elements of the story- the punch on the nose represents the steering wheel impacting Cecil’s face and causing his death, the three people eating Spaghetti O’s represent Ed Zotti (the Roman), The Devil [snip] > \*\* I suspect you are referring to Slug’s drawing of a “devil car” at [http://www.straightdope.com/art/1980/801031.gif](http://www.straightdope.com/art/1980/801031.gif). However, I submit that [http://www.straightdope.com/art/1980/801114.gif](http://www.straightdope.com/art/1980/801114.gif) is conclusive proof that this so-called “fatal car accident” was little more than a flesh wound. > [@](#): > > **Cranberry sauce** I wonder if this cryptic comment means you are implying that a roasted Cecil would “taste like turkey”. [QUOTE] _Originally posted by Lynn Bodoni_ **Cecil is VERY highly motivated by money…** [quote] The truth of this statement is very well illustrated by [http://www.straightdope.com/art/1980/800523.gif](http://www.straightdope.com/art/1980/800523.gif). ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2001, 8:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910/48 "2001-02-21T08:26:21Z")
I don’t care if Cecil is real, I don’t care if he died on such-and-such date while driving a cartload of monkeys, I don’t care if he prefers boxers or briefs… All I care about is him telling the world that a Star Destroyer could trounce the Enterprise in battle. ('Course, now I know he’ll side with thos nutty Trekkies just to spite me… the bastard!) ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2001, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910/49 "2001-02-21T15:10:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by whitetho \* > **you are implying that a roasted Cecil would "taste like turkey."** Much as I revere and admire **Cecil,** I admit to having mighty little interest in how he “tastes.” However, I’ll take **Zotti’s** bratwurst if he’s not gonna finish it. ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2001, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910/50 "2001-02-21T15:13:58Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Ukulele Ike \* > However, I’ll take **Zotti’s** bratwurst_\* Happy 5000, Uke. You _really_ ought to know better by now than to give us leads that are this easy. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2001, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910/51 "2001-02-21T16:21:01Z")
Well, **Eve’s** been lying low recently, so I thought I was safe. Anyway, the thought of a double-brat on a hard roll, everything on, from the great midwestern Chicago/Sheboygan Sausage Belt, is enough to addle me completely. You Europeans…the sheer poetry of sausage is lost upon you. {insert winking smiley here} ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2001, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910/52 "2001-02-21T16:44:13Z")
I just went to Straight Dope archives! & searched for “Who is Cecil Adams”? No quotes. The first answer was: “What was the Leaning Tower of Pisa for?” Then I searched for it with quotes around it & got the same answer. Soon as I figure out the Pisa thing, I should have the answer 🙂 Actually, on the bottom of the page here it says ‘Copyright’, so he might not be trademarked; but copyrighted. If anyone wants to telenet to the copyright office for a look-see it’s right here: > **[Home | Library of Congress](https://www.loc.gov/)** > > The world’s largest library. View historic photos, maps, books and more. Contact experts for help with research. Plan a visit. Home of U.S. Copyright Office. Ya have to telenet it. ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2001, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910/53 "2001-02-21T16:44:30Z")
You’re absolutely right, Uke. I had forgotten how completely **American** a _Bratwurst_ really is. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Running\_with\_Scissors](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a183cd/32.png) [@Running\_with\_Scissors](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Running_with_Scissors)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2001, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910/54 "2001-02-21T18:24:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by whitetho \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > **Cranberry sauce** > > \*\*I wonder if this cryptic comment means you are implying that a roasted Cecil would “taste like turkey”. Think Strawberry Fields Forever ---
**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 21, 2001, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910/55 "2001-02-21T19:28:06Z")
_Think Strawberry Fields Forever_. That’s obviously just the cover story. Do I have to spell everything out? Hasn’t anyone else noticed that one of the persons posting to this thread is **ShakeNBake**? **John Corrado** = **Hannibal Lecter!** Run, Cecil, run! Run like the wind! You’re in terrible danger!!! ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2001, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910/56 "2001-02-21T21:04:33Z")
Ah, but if you age the bratwurst, it turns green and crunchy and tastes like frog legs. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2001, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910/57 "2001-02-21T23:17:29Z")
> [@](#): > > John Corrado=Hannibal Lecter! Nah, John’s more like one of those Pink Elephants from _Dumbo_. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2001, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910/58 "2001-02-22T01:46:10Z")
You mean a Heffalump? Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm…double- **John Corrado** on a hard roll, sliced onion and dill pickle, horseradish mustard, with a schooner of chilled Pilsener… ---
**Author:** ![FormerlyKnownAsBlank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/4491bb/32.png) [@FormerlyKnownAsBlank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FormerlyKnownAsBlank)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2001, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910/59 "2001-02-24T22:42:11Z")
He’s got a clone farm system going in Florida in the off season. There’s two whole teams getting ready to step in any time 😃 ---
**Author:** ![The\_Man\_Who](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c2a13f/32.png) [@The\_Man\_Who](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Man_Who)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2001, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910/60 "2001-02-25T02:33:15Z")
With regards to Cecil Adams being a trademarked name, I believe Billy Joel is also a trademarked name. And as better off the world would be if Billy Joel were the recluse genius who wrote only once a week and Cecil was the Billionaire rock star, I am happy the way it is. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910.md?page=4)