October 8, 2006

Headline faux pas

Written by Shirley Karr in Jaunty Post

As you’re reading this, I’m at the Emerald City conference in Seattle or on my way home, but I thought I’d leave a chuckle for the day. Margo’s post on jokes earlier this week had me digging in my Humor file. Here’s one of my favorites.

Every now and then what we write takes on a meaning we didn’t intend. Words can be so pesky when you string them together in a sentence. Or headline…

A Wall Street Journal employee compiled the following list of actual headlines, from other papers, that the Journal staff rated as the most entertaining:

Astronaut Takes Blame for Gas in Spacecraft
Cold Wave Linked to Temperatures
Drunk Gets Nine Months in Violin Case
Enfields Couple Slain; Police Suspect Homicide
Enraged Cow Injures Farmer With Axe
If Strike Isn’t Settled Quickly, It May Last a While
Include Your Children When Baking Cookies
Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant
Kids Make Nutritious Snacks
Man Struck By Lightening Faces Battery Charge
Miners Refuse to Work after Death
New Study of Obesity Looks for Larger Test Group
Panda Mating Fails; Veterinarian Takes Over
Plane Too Close to Ground, Crash Probe Told
Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers
Prostitutes Appeal to Pope
Red Tape Holds Up New Bridges
Safety Experts Say School Bus Passengers Should Be Belted
Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Expert Says
Two Sisters Reunite After 18 Years in Checkout Counter
Typhoon Rips Through Cemetery; Hundreds Dead
War Dims Hope for Peace

Read any good headlines lately?

2:10 am | Share This

12 Responses to “Headline faux pas”

On October 8th, 2006 at 9:14 am
Margo Maguire Says:

These are great, Shirley! I couldn’t even pick one favorite - they’re all so good. Thanks for the chuckle this morning.
On October 8th, 2006 at 9:18 am
Robyn DeHart Says:

Ba-ha-ha-ha!!!!! Those are hilarious.
On October 8th, 2006 at 9:52 am
Melissa Says:

“Enraged Cow Injures Farmer With Axe”
Now if deer could just hold guns!
On October 8th, 2006 at 11:52 am
Jennifer Y. Says:

LOL!
On October 8th, 2006 at 12:03 pm
Isabel Says:

OMG, those are hilarious! I’m ROFLMAO, that’s just what I needed.

Can’t pick a favorite but Melissa your comment was perfect…
“Enraged Cow Injures Farmer With Axe”
Now if deer could just hold guns!
On October 8th, 2006 at 12:28 pm
Shana Says:

I love those, and the crazy headlines actually made me want to read the articles!

Hope you’re having a great conference in Seattle, Shirley!
On October 8th, 2006 at 6:06 pm
Anne Mallory Says:

“Include Your Children When Baking Cookies”

Gretel! Where are you?!
On October 8th, 2006 at 10:01 pm
Rainy Says:

I liked the two sisters reunited after 18 years in checkout counter.

I’ve been in those lines. That’s no joke!
On October 8th, 2006 at 11:19 pm
Shirley Karr Says:

So glad you liked them! I think it’s important to keep stuff that makes you smile, kind of a laugh-on-demand, hence my Humor folder.
Had a wonderful time at conference. Will post pics and details later when I’ve had a chance to recover. Three room mates, too many fabulous workshops to pick from, and karaoke in the lounge Saturday night. Sleep has just now become a priority again.
On October 9th, 2006 at 11:14 am
Lacey Kaye Says:

This totally cracked me up!
On October 9th, 2006 at 12:20 pm
AndreaW Says:

Those were hilarious!
On October 10th, 2006 at 4:03 pm
ladydawgfan Says:

“Astronaut Takes Blame for Gas in Spacecraft”

Bet they’ll never pack freeze-dried burritos again!!!

October 8, 2006

Headline faux pas

12 Responses to “Headline faux pas”

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