Ed Zotti
Encyclopedia
Ed Zotti is credited as being the "editor and confidant" of Cecil Adams
, the pseudonym
of the writer of the nationally syndicated column The Straight Dope. Many readers of Adams's column believe that Zotti is, in fact, Adams, though the latter has (according to addenda in The Straight Dope books) never been photographed and those in his employ are reticent on the situation.
William Poundstone
's 1993 book Biggest Secrets, which exposed a variety of professional, trade, and entertainment secrets, refers to Cecil as "a guy named Ed Zotti". The remark is made only in passing, without any supporting evidence.
Perhaps the strongest piece of evidence in support of the Zotti-is-Adams theory is that Zotti himself penned a book in 1991 entitled Know It All! The marquee device used on the cover is similar to the arched style used on the covers of the Straight Dope books. The book answers a variety of questions, much as Adams's column does, and the writing styles are very similar.
A February 1995 article in American Libraries
was accompanied by a photo of an individual captioned “Cecil Adams”. The September 1995 issue of Parenting
magazine features a photograph of Ed Zotti holding an infant. One author believes that the adult in each of the photos is clearly the same person.
Zotti attended high school at Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary
, where he served as editor of student newspapers.
Cecil Adams
Cecil Adams is a name, possibly a pseudonym, designating the American author of The Straight Dope, a popular question and answer column published in The Chicago Reader since 1973. Ed Zotti is Adams' current editor....
, the pseudonym
Pseudonym
A pseudonym is a name that a person assumes for a particular purpose and that differs from his or her original orthonym...
of the writer of the nationally syndicated column The Straight Dope. Many readers of Adams's column believe that Zotti is, in fact, Adams, though the latter has (according to addenda in The Straight Dope books) never been photographed and those in his employ are reticent on the situation.
William Poundstone
William Poundstone
William Poundstone is an American author, columnist, and skeptic. He has written a number of books including the Big Secrets series and a biography of Carl Sagan...
's 1993 book Biggest Secrets, which exposed a variety of professional, trade, and entertainment secrets, refers to Cecil as "a guy named Ed Zotti". The remark is made only in passing, without any supporting evidence.
Perhaps the strongest piece of evidence in support of the Zotti-is-Adams theory is that Zotti himself penned a book in 1991 entitled Know It All! The marquee device used on the cover is similar to the arched style used on the covers of the Straight Dope books. The book answers a variety of questions, much as Adams's column does, and the writing styles are very similar.
A February 1995 article in American Libraries
American Libraries
American Libraries is the official news and features magazine of the American Library Association. Published six times per year, along with four additional digital-only supplements, it is distributed to all members of the organization...
was accompanied by a photo of an individual captioned “Cecil Adams”. The September 1995 issue of Parenting
Parenting (magazine)
Launched in 1987 by Time Inc., Parenting is a magazine for families published in the United States. In February 2009, the magazine became two separate, age-targeted editions: Parenting Early Years, for moms of infants, toddlers and preschoolers; and Parenting School Years, for moms with kids in...
magazine features a photograph of Ed Zotti holding an infant. One author believes that the adult in each of the photos is clearly the same person.
Zotti attended high school at Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary
Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary
Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary was an American seminary preparatory school administered by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago for young men considering the priesthood...
, where he served as editor of student newspapers.