# Teeming millions? Unca Cece's shadow? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 18, 1999, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teeming-millions-unca-ceces-shadow/1421 "1999-06-18T00:30:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 1999, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teeming-millions-unca-ceces-shadow/1421/1 "1999-06-18T00:30:00Z")
Any survey or scientific calculations done to arrive at this magic number, or is it more of a McDonald’s approach to basic arithmetic? Second part is purely academic unless the interested party manifests himself “in the flesh”: You think Unca is lurking in these parts of the woods or even maybe posting under a (second) nom de plume? ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 1999, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teeming-millions-unca-ceces-shadow/1421/2 "1999-06-18T02:59:00Z")
You cought me. I’m Cecil. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 1999, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teeming-millions-unca-ceces-shadow/1421/3 "1999-06-18T03:00:00Z")
… I’M Spartacus!! ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 1999, 8:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teeming-millions-unca-ceces-shadow/1421/4 "1999-06-18T08:52:00Z")
There indeed was a post on this board from Cecil Adams. It’s near the beginning of the history of this board and answers a technical question. IIRC the question he answered didn’t seem to attract much attention. And most of the few posts after the C.A. entry simply acknowledged the master. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 1999, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teeming-millions-unca-ceces-shadow/1421/5 "1999-06-18T12:47:00Z")
Cecil had promised that he would visit this site from time to time, and he has done so. The man is brilliant, but a technophobe, and it’s an effort to get him on the computer at all. Ed Zotti keeps saying, try it, you’ll like it, but to little avail. Let’s face it, a contributing factor: Cecil gets paid for answering the tough questions, he’s not real interested in thinking (or writing) for free. The term “teeming millions” is a metaphor, a clever turn of phrase. At the moment, this message board has an impressive teeming 1500 or thereabouts. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 1999, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teeming-millions-unca-ceces-shadow/1421/6 "1999-06-18T18:14:00Z")
CKDextHavn wrote: > [@](#): > > The term “teeming millions” is a metaphor, a clever turn of phrase. Deep down, CK, I didn’t actually think that the Straight Dope did some serious bean-counting. My question was more an attempt at levity than anything else 😉 Thanks for the info. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 1999, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teeming-millions-unca-ceces-shadow/1421/7 "1999-06-18T18:57:00Z")
In the epilogue of “Triumph of the Straight Dope” there is an interview with Ed Z. where the interviewer asked Ed if he’s the real C.A. Ed replies goes something like “Don’t I wish,” but as a burgeoning cynic I got to thinking. Is there any evidence or hints that may have appeared in any straight dope columns that lend credibility to this alleged Superman/Clark Kent scenario? ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 1999, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teeming-millions-unca-ceces-shadow/1421/8 "1999-06-18T21:50:00Z")
Falcon, 'tis rumored that: - Cecil has two eyes, nose in the middle, mouth underneath. Amazingly, Ed’s facial arrangment is very similar. - Both Cecil and Ed are male. - Cecil writes in American English. Ed edits Cecil’s work in American English. - Cecil refers to Mrs. Adams, his wife. Ed refers to Mrs. Zotti, his wife. I dunno, you skeptics, what does it take? ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 1999, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teeming-millions-unca-ceces-shadow/1421/9 "1999-06-19T02:03:00Z")
Maybe “teeming millions” refers to uncle Cece’s I.Q. points? * * * “When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro.” Hunter Thompson ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 1999, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teeming-millions-unca-ceces-shadow/1421/10 "1999-06-19T03:19:00Z")
I think Ed’s Cecil. For one thing, I doubt the claim that “Cecil Adams” has never been photographed. Even if you don’t have a car (which Cecil admits owning), you get your photo taken every time you get money from the ATM. That had me thinking that “Cecil Adams” is a pseudonym for somebody else. Another clue that points to Ed is the fact that Cecil never appears on his radio show. Why? Maybe because Ed Zotti is also on the show and the two can’t appear in the same place? We all know that Ed Zotti was not “Cecil”'s first editor, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t Cecil. It might just mean he decided to edit his own column under his own name. Zotti has written a book for kids called “Know It All” which not only gives a kids-friendly version of the Straight Dope, but also explains how to research unusual questions–something “Cecil” has to do every day. One more thing, when I read the introduction to _Triumph of the Straight Dope_, I thought I recognized the style and assumed it was Cecil writing–until I came to the end and saw the name “Ed Zotti.” * * * “I’m not bad, I’m just drawn that way…” –Jessica Rabbit, **Who Framed Roger Rabbit** ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 1999, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teeming-millions-unca-ceces-shadow/1421/11 "1999-06-19T03:30:00Z")
I believe that uncle Cece is real-but I’m having trouble believing anyone is named “Ed Zotti”! ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 1999, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teeming-millions-unca-ceces-shadow/1421/12 "1999-06-19T04:47:00Z")
Is Ed Zotti left-handed? ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 1999, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teeming-millions-unca-ceces-shadow/1421/13 "1999-06-19T06:18:00Z")
Did everyone forget His newspaper columns? And books? Must be “Teeming Several Thousands”, at least. Infidels. 🙂 Peace, mangeorge * * * Work like you don’t need the money… Love like you’ve never been hurt… Dance like nobody’s watching! Source??? ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 1999, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teeming-millions-unca-ceces-shadow/1421/14 "1999-06-20T05:20:00Z")
Come now, “teeming millions” refers to all the people who are not as enlightened or as well informed as Mr. Adams. No need to count - there are millions of you…er, us. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 1999, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teeming-millions-unca-ceces-shadow/1421/15 "1999-06-20T05:31:00Z")
Didn’t know that 😃 ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 1999, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teeming-millions-unca-ceces-shadow/1421/16 "1999-06-20T02:16:00Z")
Uncle Cecil also posted a message in the mailbag section a while ago, when the debate on the Ark of the Covenant got a bit heated: [http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mark6.html](http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mark6.html) ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 1999, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teeming-millions-unca-ceces-shadow/1421/17 "1999-06-21T05:44:00Z")
If Cecil is a real person, why is there no picture of him on any of his books? ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 1999, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teeming-millions-unca-ceces-shadow/1421/18 "1999-06-20T20:13:00Z")
I think it’s a little thing called anonymity, handy 😃 ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 1999, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teeming-millions-unca-ceces-shadow/1421/19 "1999-06-20T20:51:00Z")
Did anyone else ever see the Straight Dope TV show? That’s what first introduced me to Uncle C. IIRC, the show’s intro described the man in question as a “reclusive genius,” and even said that his real name is _not_ Cecil Adams. It makes perfect sense to me. If I wanted to have the benefits of fame (millions of adoring fans), but not the drawbacks (stalkers), I’d probably also use a pseudonym. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 1999, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teeming-millions-unca-ceces-shadow/1421/20 "1999-06-22T04:32:00Z")
I called in to a radio show in LA when Cecil was the scheduled guest, but Ed was on instead. I got to ask a question on the air, but when I was screened, I said, “C’mon, there’s no real Cecil, is there?” the moderator said, “Just go along with it.” * * * Remember, I’m pulling for you; we’re all in this together. —Red Green [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teeming-millions-unca-ceces-shadow/1421.md?page=2)