Oct
22
2005

news lingo decoded

Lost Remote has a funny list decoding frequently-used terms heard on television news. The list explains what the terms used to mean, and what they mean now. Among my favorites:

  • “We have new details…”
    OLD: We have found out additional facts that are new and pertinent to your understanding of this complex story.
    NEW: We got nothin’, but we’re rewriting the copy in the present tense.
     
  • “Go to our website for more information.”
    OLD: Go to our website for the exact same information.
    NEW: Go to our website for more information buried among car ads, Google ads, our marketing message, our “community” work, team bios, show schedules and how to buy advertising on our channel.
     
  • “We are making calls right now to find out more.”
    OLD: We are making calls to our contacts who can give us the inside scoop.
    NEW: We are waiting for the AP update thingy to go “ping”!

(Link found via TV Newser.)

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Posted at 12:26 PM in journalism/media, language

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