Call it the case of the annoyingly overused newspaper lede
By William M. Hartnett on Sep 28, 2007 in featured, newspapers, whinging
Lazy newspaper writing drives me crazy. Trite phrases, pointless thesaurus-diving … I’m getting worked up just thinking about it. We’ve covered “to be sure” and “in a wide-ranging interview,” and lately I’m incredibly bothered by the “call it” lede. Some recent examples of the “call it” lede, followed by the subject of the story:
- Call it a case of life imitating art. (A guy obsessed with street rods.)
- Call it a case of déjà vu. (Separate fires on consecutive days at the same apartment complex.)
- Just call it a case of too many Chiefs and not enough Lions. (A high school football game.)
- Call it the case of the mystery subpoena. (An attorney facing disciplinary action.)
- Call it the case of the disappearing hedge fund manager. (Um, a disappearing hedge fund manager.)
- Call it the case of the disgruntled Michael Vick fan. (Vick fan threatens to blow up local jails.)
Hey, I have an idea! Let’s not “call it” anything, let’s just get to the point of the stupid story already.
pat | Oct 1, 2007 | Reply
kick … ass … post.
Buffalo Scribe | Oct 1, 2007 | Reply
Welcome to the world of newspaper writers echoing what they hear on TV news. Here’s a hint for young print journalists: Do not watch local news on television. It will do you more harm than good.
William M. Hartnett | Oct 2, 2007 | Reply
Ah, but would you “Call it a case of newspaper writers echoing what they hear on TV news?”
Julian1066 | Jun 3, 2009 | Reply
Shots rang out…shocked and saddened…laid to rest…fire ripped through…slammed right into…bus plunged…wild weather…rumble of thunder…headed to…and let’s not forget how every news item leads off with “Well…” and the next verbal paragraph begins with “Now…”
Isn’t it amazing how the trite phrases are used more than the actual reportage itself?