# There is no Cecil, is there? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [September 22, 2004, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-no-cecil-is-there/265528 "2004-09-22T18:14:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2004, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-no-cecil-is-there/265528/1 "2004-09-22T18:14:01Z")
I mean, I’ve been floating around the message boards (lurking) for almost two years. I’ve been posting regularly since July. And no one I talk to has ever even seen him (at least doesn’t admit to it). Even the mods / SDSAB don’t admit to it. So is there really a Cecil? Or is this the great secret of the SDMB, this is what lets you in the clique, when you figure out that there isn’t one. I always hated being left out! So tell me. Or forward your opinions on Cecil, what he actually looks like, who he is. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2004, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-no-cecil-is-there/265528/2 "2004-09-22T18:17:16Z")
HERETIC!!! STONE THE UNBELIEVER!!! ---
**Author:** ![Assuming\_facts\_not\_in\_evidence](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Assuming\_facts\_not\_in\_evidence](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Assuming_facts_not_in_evidence)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2004, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-no-cecil-is-there/265528/3 "2004-09-22T18:20:59Z")
There have been, I recall, four editors who have written with that title. There was a thread around here that showed the registration for the trademark as a fictitious name. Somebody else can look it up. ---
**Author:** ![Assuming\_facts\_not\_in\_evidence](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Assuming\_facts\_not\_in\_evidence](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Assuming_facts_not_in_evidence)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2004, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-no-cecil-is-there/265528/4 "2004-09-22T18:24:59Z")
[Cecil & Ed Awol](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=236261) ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2004, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-no-cecil-is-there/265528/5 "2004-09-22T18:30:39Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > HERETIC!!! > > STONE THE UNBELIEVER!!! Quit bitin’ my style. 😉 * * * Oh Dear, Sweet Little **Elenia28** , YES! OH YES! There is a **Cecil Adams**! He is all around us; in the trees, and the bubbling brooks, and among the stars in the sky, and hiding in the Merkin aisle in the Adult Bookstore, taking notes! And like Santa Claus, and Father Time, and Honest Politicians, **Cecil Adams** shall _always_ be with us! Did that comfort you, my child? ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2004, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-no-cecil-is-there/265528/6 "2004-09-22T18:32:43Z")
I see Cecils by the seashore. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2004, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-no-cecil-is-there/265528/7 "2004-09-22T18:33:46Z")
Holy cow. So it was all just a big trick? Cecil is just a trademark? I have been so mega-whooshed that my head is spinning. WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!! ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2004, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-no-cecil-is-there/265528/8 "2004-09-22T18:36:48Z")
It gets stranger. In an oft linked photo of Cecil, he looks like a dead ringer for Ed. Perhaps they are identical cousins. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2004, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-no-cecil-is-there/265528/9 "2004-09-22T18:39:19Z")
[Cecil Adams _vs._ Ed Zotti](http://www.ipass.net/whitetho/edcecil.htm). ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2004, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-no-cecil-is-there/265528/10 "2004-09-22T18:39:30Z")
[Posts made by **Cecil Adams**](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/search.php?searchid=427852) There’s a pretty good assemblage of evidence to indicate that “Cecil Adams” is the pen name of the individual who writes the columns, used to protect his secret identity from public scrutiny – just as “Polycarp” is not my actual name as shown on my birth certificate and driver’s license. Extended speculation has existed as to the actual “real” identity of “Cecil Adams” with the majority view being that it is **Ed Zotti** , which Ed has refused to confirm and has done some wonderful sidestepping to imply without stating outright that it is not. So form your own opinions. ---
**Author:** ![Papermache\_Prince](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f05b48/32.png) [@Papermache\_Prince](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Papermache_Prince)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2004, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-no-cecil-is-there/265528/11 "2004-09-22T18:44:06Z")
Zotti’s Letter to the Chicagoans: Verse 5 The fool says in his heart, “There is no Cecil.” They are corrupt, and their ways are vile; there is no one who does good. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2004, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-no-cecil-is-there/265528/12 "2004-09-22T18:44:58Z")
> [@Polycarp](#): > > So form your own opinions. Just don’t express them in GQ. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Ponder\_Stibbons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponder_stibbons/32/343_2.png) [@Ponder\_Stibbons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponder_Stibbons)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2004, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-no-cecil-is-there/265528/13 "2004-09-22T19:00:12Z")
> [@Bosda Di'Chi of Tricor](#): > > Oh Dear, Sweet Little **Elenia28** , > > YES! > > OH YES! There is a **Cecil Adams**! > > He is all around us; in the trees, and the bubbling brooks, and among the stars in the sky, and hiding in the Merkin aisle in the Adult Bookstore, taking notes! > > And like Santa Claus, and Father Time, and Honest Politicians, **Cecil Adams** shall _always_ be with us! > > Did that comfort you, my child? \ That was beautiful! \ ---
**Author:** ![xash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c6cbf5/32.png) [@xash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xash)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2004, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-no-cecil-is-there/265528/14 "2004-09-22T19:48:09Z")
Moved to ATMB. - **xash** General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2004, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-no-cecil-is-there/265528/15 "2004-09-22T19:48:18Z")
> [@Papermache Prince](#): > > Zotti’s Letter to the Chicagoans: Verse 5 > The fool says in his heart, “There is no Cecil.” They are corrupt, and their ways are vile; there is no one who does good. Even Snopes doesn’t have this quote. So how do we known it’s not an urban legend? ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2004, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-no-cecil-is-there/265528/16 "2004-09-22T19:55:41Z")
Hmmm…So much for my plan of dressing like the UPS guy, and showing up at the Reader’s offices with an important package that must be signed for by one C. Adams. Curses. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2004, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-no-cecil-is-there/265528/17 "2004-09-22T20:38:37Z")
So I’ve been thinking about this for the last hour or so, and I think: this is really disappointing. I grew up very _cough gullible cough_ and have spent years training myself to be skeptical about nearly everything. I check sources. I ask questions. Occasionally I am fooled still but not for long. Did no one else really believe there WAS a Cecil? I am so embarrased. Maybe I should go and join the “Intellectually Inferior” Doper crowd. I feel like someone just told me there is no Santa Claus. ---
**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:** [September 22, 2004, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-no-cecil-is-there/265528/18 "2004-09-22T20:42:04Z")
> [@Assuming facts not in evidence](#): > > There have been, I recall, four editors who have written with that title. > There was a thread around here that showed the registration for the trademark as a fictitious name. Somebody else can look it up. Appropriate username. “Cecil Adams” was a registered trademark (abandoned 1989). You see the record by searching the [U.S. Patent and Trademark Office](http://tess2.uspto.gov/bin/gate.exe?f=searchss&state=imlvrm.1.1) database. Yes, it does state “CECIL ADAMS DOES NOT IDENTIFY ANY PARTICULAR INDIVIDUAL BUT WAS DEVISED AS A FANCIFUL NAME”. But the registrations for “Miss Manners”, “Dear Abby”, and “Ann Landers” all have similar wording. While I don’t claim to have any knowledge as to whether there has been one “Cecil Adams” or many, the trademark registration doesn’t provide any evidence one way or the other. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2004, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-no-cecil-is-there/265528/19 "2004-09-22T20:47:45Z")
> [@Elenia28](#): > > I feel like someone just told me there is no Santa Claus. Elenia, I have some more bad news for you… ::ducks and runs out of thread:: ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2004, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-no-cecil-is-there/265528/20 "2004-09-22T20:53:32Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > Elenia, I have some more bad news for you… > > ::ducks and runs out of thread:: _blows a raspberry at WhyNot’s retreating form_ [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-no-cecil-is-there/265528.md?page=2)