Zay N. Smith
Encyclopedia
Zay N. Smith is a journalist known for his work for the Chicago Sun-Times
. From 1995 to 2008, he wrote a popular daily column called QT, which was a mixture of humor and political commentary. He left the newspaper in 2009, shortly after it went into bankruptcy, to pursue other projects.
Smith's daily column had many running features, which included the following:
Smith's column also featured a running gag in which readers reported how many search engine
hits they can find for the phrase "tap-dancing militant Islamic fundamentalists" (or some similar variation). The Los Angeles Times
has referred to Smith as "our favorite Chicago columnist since Mike Royko
."
Reader contributions played a significant role in QT's content. One frequent contributor topic was punned variations on current headlines or movie titles; the best (or worst) were rewarded with the admonition "Stop it. Stop it now".
Before starting the QT column, Smith worked as an investigative reporter on stories ranging from laetrile smuggling to religious cults, as a foreign correspondent on such stories as the pilgrimages of Pope John Paul II
to Poland
and as a writer of major features. He played a key role in the 1978 Mirage Tavern
investigation, in which undercover reporters operated a bar on Chicago
's Near North Side while hidden photographers took pictures of city officials accepting bribes.
Smith is a graduate of Lawrence University
, did postgraduate work at the University of Iowa
and has taught at Northwestern University
.
He is the father of two sons, Bryant and Zachary.
Chicago Sun-Times
The Chicago Sun-Times is an American daily newspaper published in Chicago, Illinois. It is the flagship paper of the Sun-Times Media Group.-History:The Chicago Sun-Times is the oldest continuously published daily newspaper in the city...
. From 1995 to 2008, he wrote a popular daily column called QT, which was a mixture of humor and political commentary. He left the newspaper in 2009, shortly after it went into bankruptcy, to pursue other projects.
Smith's daily column had many running features, which included the following:
- We Have Seen the Present, and It Does Not Work
- The Not Me Decade, in which everybody else is responsible for everything
- Modern Education + the Criminal Mind =
- QT Abridged Too Far Dictionary of the English Language
- Lest We Forget that the Dark Ages Were a Faith-Based Initiative
- QT Trickle-On Economics Update
- The Case for the San Andreas Fault
- QT Modern Corporate Gibberish of the Week
- The Case for Zero Tolerance of Modern School Administrators
- QT Grammar R Us Seminar on the English Language
Smith's column also featured a running gag in which readers reported how many search engine
Search engine
A search engine is an information retrieval system designed to help find information stored on a computer system. The search results are usually presented in a list and are commonly called hits. Search engines help to minimize the time required to find information and the amount of information...
hits they can find for the phrase "tap-dancing militant Islamic fundamentalists" (or some similar variation). The Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
The Los Angeles Times is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California, since 1881. It was the second-largest metropolitan newspaper in circulation in the United States in 2008 and the fourth most widely distributed newspaper in the country....
has referred to Smith as "our favorite Chicago columnist since Mike Royko
Mike Royko
Michael "Mike" Royko was a newspaper columnist in Chicago, who won the 1972 Pulitzer Prize for commentary...
."
Reader contributions played a significant role in QT's content. One frequent contributor topic was punned variations on current headlines or movie titles; the best (or worst) were rewarded with the admonition "Stop it. Stop it now".
Before starting the QT column, Smith worked as an investigative reporter on stories ranging from laetrile smuggling to religious cults, as a foreign correspondent on such stories as the pilgrimages of Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
to Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
and as a writer of major features. He played a key role in the 1978 Mirage Tavern
Mirage Tavern
The Mirage Tavern was a drinking establishment at 731 N. Wells St. in Chicago purchased by the Chicago Sun-Times in 1977 to investigate widespread allegations of official corruption and shakedowns visited on small businesses by city officials...
investigation, in which undercover reporters operated a bar on Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
's Near North Side while hidden photographers took pictures of city officials accepting bribes.
Smith is a graduate of Lawrence University
Lawrence University
Lawrence University is a selective, private liberal arts college with a nationally recognized conservatory of music, in Appleton, Wisconsin. Lawrence University is known for its rigorous academic environment. Founded in 1847, the first classes were held on November 12, 1849...
, did postgraduate work at the University of Iowa
University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is a public state-supported research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the oldest public university in the state. The university is organized into eleven colleges granting undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees...
and has taught at Northwestern University
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees....
.
He is the father of two sons, Bryant and Zachary.