# 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:** 5
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2001, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910/83 "2001-11-25T17:21:08Z")
I need to believe in something. S. Claus, the Easter Bunny, Betty Crocker, Cecil. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2001, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910/84 "2001-11-25T17:39:27Z")
[handy]I need to believe in something. S. Claus, the Easter Bunny, Betty Crocker, Cecil.[/handy] …a Moderator contract, etc… ---
**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:** [November 25, 2001, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910/85 "2001-11-25T17:49:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Derleth \* > \*\*(I’m sorry, but I have the book in front of me.) _Biggest Secrets_ says, and I quote: > > > [@](#): > > > > (page 33) > > We hate to blow a fellow vade mecum author’s cover, but _Straight Dope_ columnist Cecil Adams (variously described as “one of the world’s legendary recluses” and “reputedly the world’s smartest human being,” and never photographed) is a guy named Ed Zotti. Zotti is credited as Adams’s “editor and confidant.” > > Believe it if you want, disregard it if you want, but Poundstone is a respectable author. \*\* In Great Debates we discussed [The Poundstonian Heresy](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=65861) in depth a few months back. In the thread, **C K Dexter Haven** reported that “Ed has said that Poundstone plied him liberally with libation during that interview, and that he (Ed) was as intoxicated as a mephitic weasel, and would have confessed to about anything, from the Jack the Ripper murders to the moon-landing hoax.” Poundstone is a fine researcher, but not perfect. For example, on page 21 of _Biggest Secrets_, he states that Katharine Hepburn’s birthday is November 8th. Actually it’s May 12th – November 8th is her brother’s birthday, although for many years she claimed it as her own. I am sure Uncle Cecil would not have made the same mistake. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Jojo \* > \*\*So I’m sure Cecil is here under another guise, although maybe he doesn’t have the time to be a constant presence. > > You want my guess as to who he is? > > CKDexter would be high on my list, just my impression from reading this thread. He seems to have knowledge of what Cecils mental and emotional state may or may not be. \*\* When I made an extensive post about a number of errors which appeared in a _Straight Dope_ column about radio callsigns, Cecil eventually ran a comprehensive follow-up column of corrections. Later, a Staff Report column covering the supposed history of the SOS distress call appeared, which contained numerous errors and omissions. I posted my corrections for that, but this time the response was along the lines of “thinking too hard makes my head hurt” – I might be a little harsh there – and the flawed, uncorrected Staff Report lives on. Thus, I do not think these two persons are the same. ---
**Author:** ![barflyer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/dc4da7/32.png) [@barflyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barflyer)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2001, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910/86 "2001-11-25T18:15:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by TVeblen \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by Jojo \* > > \*\*You want my guess as to who he is? > > > > CKDexter would be high on my list, just my impression from reading this thread. He seems to have knowledge of what Cecils mental and emotional state may or may not be. \*\* > > No, no, **CKDext** is really Cary Grant! > Wait a minute…Cary Grant croaked years ago in Davenport, Iowa. > This cognitive dissonance stuff is just a _pisser_. \*\* I once did a little discovery work in that area. And I know the answer. But I’ve been told it’s not for people to talk about, so I won’t. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2001, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910/87 "2001-11-25T21:10:00Z")
I guess I’m a heretic, then. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Cecil\_Adams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Cecil\_Adams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cecil_Adams)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2001, 10:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910/88 "2001-11-26T10:42:35Z")
[http://www.straightdope.com/art/1979/790824.gif](http://www.straightdope.com/art/1979/790824.gif) I’m telling you, you never want to be late with a cartoonist’s check. ---
**Author:** ![Francesca](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9fc348/32.png) [@Francesca](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Francesca)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2001, 10:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910/89 "2001-11-26T10:50:34Z")
Yay! [sub]That is all.[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![techchick68](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ea5d25/32.png) [@techchick68](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/techchick68)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2001, 10:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910/90 "2001-11-26T10:53:23Z")
OMG he’s alive!!! \< techchick wavs at the insomniac Cecil \> Sure hope it’s him and not someone that hacked into the boards. ---
**Author:** ![grendel72](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/91b2a8/32.png) [@grendel72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grendel72)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2001, 10:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910/91 "2001-11-26T10:55:42Z")
The dead live!! The dead live!! AAugh!! Run for yr lives! ---
**Author:** ![Cecil\_Adams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Cecil\_Adams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cecil_Adams)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2001, 11:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910/92 "2001-11-26T11:42:36Z")
You people are too excitable. ---
**Author:** ![Bill\_H](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a5b964/32.png) [@Bill\_H](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_H)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2001, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910/93 "2001-11-26T11:47:42Z")
wow, does being in the time-space of greatness get you points anywhere? ---
**Author:** ![sirjamesp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@sirjamesp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sirjamesp)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2001, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910/94 "2001-11-26T11:47:50Z")
Just wanted to deprive a sycophant of this space. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![TwistofFate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2001, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910/95 "2001-11-26T11:48:17Z")
You turn up to degrade these minions but when I was looking for you you were to busy having cocktails and Hookers with UncleBeer? Bite me Adams, you loser. ---
**Author:** ![sirjamesp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@sirjamesp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sirjamesp)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2001, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910/96 "2001-11-26T11:49:08Z")
Damn! Missed! ---
**Author:** ![Bill\_H](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a5b964/32.png) [@Bill\_H](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_H)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2001, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910/97 "2001-11-26T11:49:32Z")
'fraid you’ve been out sycophanted there, pal. ---
**Author:** ![TwistofFate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2001, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910/98 "2001-11-26T11:51:30Z")
I’m sorry, O perfect master. forgive me, I know not what I say ::grovel, grovel cringe bow stoop fall:: ---
**Author:** ![sirjamesp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@sirjamesp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sirjamesp)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2001, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910/99 "2001-11-26T11:53:10Z")
Just you wait, **Bill H.** - I’ve got my eye on you now. ---
**Author:** ![Cougarfang](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c67d28/32.png) [@Cougarfang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cougarfang)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2001, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910/100 "2001-11-26T13:30:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Cecil Adams \* > \*\*You people are too excitable. \*\* OMIGAWD! IT’S CECIL!!! AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! _runs around wildly shrieking_ _Calms down a little. Just a little._ “Perfect Master”? I thought it would be something like “Omniscient, Omnipotent, and Omnivorous One”. Just about sums him up… 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Jojo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecd19e/32.png) [@Jojo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jojo)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2001, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910/101 "2001-11-26T13:44:10Z")
He was getting scared because I was getting too close to the truth:) Nice to meet you, Mr Adams. ---
**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:** [November 26, 2001, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910/102 "2001-11-26T14:44:13Z")
Disclaimer: this is in no way “official” information. The USPTO frowns upon its employees passing along any official info in this manner. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by handy \* > **It might be old to you; but you haven’t nor has anyone else explained about the mark registration.** _I_ have, at least once. > [@](#): > > **If you can answer why they dropped the mark in '89 & if they have a new one, I’d be most happy to read.** Look at it this way. Are you familiar with the phrase “patent pending”? The tradmark equivalent of this is “™”, and is usually replaced with “®” if and when the application gets approved. The application for “Cecil Adams” that was submitted by the _Chicago Reader_ was refused just over three months after it was received. I am unable to determine what the reason was. Over the next 30 months, the _Reader_’s attorneys tried to get the tradmark examiner to reverse his or her opinion but was unable. Once the attorneys exhausted their options, the file was abandoned and there were no further attempts at obtaining a registered tradmark. Even though the file was abandoned, the _Reader_ can continue to use “Cecil Adams” for as long as they please. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Guinastasia \* > \*\*In all seriousness, if Cecil’s name WAS a trademark, I think there’d be a little TM or something after his name when it appears on the books. And it doesn’t. > > Don’t believe me? Look at any new V.C. Andrews book, which are all ghostwritten. There is a TM after her name. > > 😃 \*\* The difference here is the “Cecil Adams” file was abandoned and this wasn’t. In fact, the application was approved (registration #1729248) just over 9 years ago so there should be an ® instead. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-dead-and-replaced/54910.md?page=6)