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'''Cecil Adams''' is a name, generally assumed to be a [[pseudonym]], which designates the uncertain [[author]] of ''[[Straight Dope|The Straight Dope]]'', a popular question and answer column published in ''[[The Chicago Reader]]'' since [[1973]]. The author is believed to be [[Ed Zotti]], who claims to be Adams' "assistant and editor". |
'''Cecil Adams''' is a name, generally assumed to be a [[pseudonym]], which designates the uncertain [[author]] of ''[[Straight Dope|The Straight Dope]]'', a popular question and answer column published in ''[[The Chicago Reader]]'' since [[1973]]. The author is believed to be [[Ed Zotti]], who claims to be Adams' "assistant and editor". It is notable that none of the 'teeming millions' have ever reported seeing Cecil Adams and Ed Zotti in the same room at the same time. |
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The column has since been syndicated in thirty [[newspaper]]s in the [[United States]] and [[Canada]] and is also available online. Billed as the "World's Smartest Human Being," Adams responds to often unusual inquiries with abrasive humor (often directed against the questioner), and at times exhaustive research into obscure and arcane issues, urban legends, and the like. On more than one occasion, Cecil has been forced to retract an answer or at least modify it substantially when confronted by "the teeming millions," which he does in a gentlemanly and good-humored manner, often claiming overwork and staff shortages. On rare occasions, Adams has made appearances on the Straight Dope's Message Board. |
The column has since been syndicated in thirty [[newspaper]]s in the [[United States]] and [[Canada]] and is also available online. Billed as the "World's Smartest Human Being," Adams responds to often unusual inquiries with abrasive humor (often directed against the questioner), and at times exhaustive research into obscure and arcane issues, urban legends, and the like. On more than one occasion, Cecil has been forced to retract an answer or at least modify it substantially when confronted by "the teeming millions," which he does in a gentlemanly and good-humored manner, often claiming overwork and staff shortages. On rare occasions, Adams has made appearances on the Straight Dope's Message Board. |
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Revision as of 22:13, 25 June 2008
Cecil Adams is a name, generally assumed to be a pseudonym, which designates the uncertain author of The Straight Dope, a popular question and answer column published in The Chicago Reader since 1973. The author is believed to be Ed Zotti, who claims to be Adams' "assistant and editor". It is notable that none of the 'teeming millions' have ever reported seeing Cecil Adams and Ed Zotti in the same room at the same time.
The column has since been syndicated in thirty newspapers in the United States and Canada and is also available online. Billed as the "World's Smartest Human Being," Adams responds to often unusual inquiries with abrasive humor (often directed against the questioner), and at times exhaustive research into obscure and arcane issues, urban legends, and the like. On more than one occasion, Cecil has been forced to retract an answer or at least modify it substantially when confronted by "the teeming millions," which he does in a gentlemanly and good-humored manner, often claiming overwork and staff shortages. On rare occasions, Adams has made appearances on the Straight Dope's Message Board.
Personal details
Adams himself claims that he has "never been photographed," but Ed Zotti, who fulfills Adams' publicity engagements, has appeared in at least one photo captioned "Cecil Adams."[1]
In his columns, Adams has revealed a few details of his personal life. Although the FAQ section on his website states that chance references to "Mrs. Adams" may refer to his mother,[2] one article describes him making out with Mrs. Adams.[3] Likewise, a reference to his "little researchers" may or may not suggest that he has children. He is an accomplished traveler, and currently resides in Chicago. He is also left-handed[2] and may be balding[4] and colorblind.[5] He apparently attended Northwestern University (he mentions having taken a class with Northwestern English Professor Bergen Evans)[6] but also mentions once working as an electrician's apprentice.[7] He also mentions going to Catholic School and being taught by nuns.[8] He is of Irish descent.[9]
Published works
Cecil Adams' columns are archived at the Straight Dope website, which also hosts a popular internet forum, and there is a popular Usenet group, alt.fan.cecil-adams, as well. In 1996, the A&E Network briefly aired a show hosted by comedian Mike Lukas based on the column called, of course, The Straight Dope.
To date, Adams has published five collections of his The Straight Dope columns, and has watched as his "assistant" published a children's collection in The Straight Dope style titled Know It All.
He has been "fighting ignorance since 1973" (which is the column's motto), and there are more than 600 articles available for browsing in the online archive. Columns are accompanied by illustrations; the regular illustrator for over two decades is Slug Signorino, a successful commercial artist, who, like Cecil, is very secretive. His illustrations often depict Adams as a turkey wearing a mortar board.
Cecil regularly refers to his readership as "the teeming millions," a phrase shared by (and presumably lifted from) Bram Stoker's Dracula.
Notes
- ^ Piper, Paul S. (1995). "What makes Cecil Adams the world's greatest reference librarian?". American Libraries. 26 (2): p. 147. ISSN 0002-9769. OCLC 854299.
{{cite journal}}:|format=requires|url=(help);|pages=has extra text (help); Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ a b "The Straight Dope: Who is this man called Cecil Adams?". StraightDope.com. The Chicago Reader. Retrieved 2007-04-19.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Adams, Cecil. "Does passionate kissing cause your chewing gum to disintegrate?". The Straight Dope. The Chicago Reader. Retrieved 2007-04-19.
- ^ Adams, Cecil (1992-08-28). "Does sex make your acne worse?". The Straight Dope. The Chicago Reader. Retrieved 2007-04-19.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Adams, Cecil (1986-03-07). "Who decided red means "stop" and green means "go"?". The Straight Dope. The Chicago Reader. Retrieved 2007-04-19.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Adams, Cecil (2005-10-14). "Why is William Shakespeare considered the greatest English language writer of all time?". The Straight Dope. The Chicago Reader. Retrieved 2007-04-19.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Adams, Cecil (1992-11-20). "How come the U.S. uses 120 volt electricity, not 240 like the rest of the world?". The Straight Dope. The Chicago Reader. Retrieved 2007-04-19.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Adams, Cecil (1996-02-16). "Why is the heart considered the center of love and affection?". The Straight Dope. The Chicago Reader. Retrieved 2007-09-07.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Adams, Cecil (1993-07-30). "Who are the "black Irish"?". The Straight Dope. The Chicago Reader. Retrieved 2007-10-08.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)