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Words we never need

Discussion in 'Journalism topics only' started by inthesuburbs, Mar 17, 2018.

  1. Bronco77

    Bronco77 Well-Known Member

    One that's not only wordy and redundant but also a cliche is "going forward." It's all over the place in all types of copy, sports included. As in, "Wade will be the Heat's backup shooting guard going forward," which was a line I encountered in my final days at my former shop. It's like saying, "Smith has started the past seven games going backward."

    And here's one I came across in news copy the other day: "Admission to the St. Patrick's Day festival is free of charge."
     
    Last edited: Mar 18, 2018
    Dog8Cats likes this.
  2. SnarkShark

    SnarkShark Well-Known Member

    “First ever”

    It’s come up 8,753 times since UMBC won.

    First is first. Just say first.
     
  3. Vombatus

    Vombatus Well-Known Member

    Pussycat
     
  4. Azrael

    Azrael Well-Known Member

    Dude.

    Get help.
     
  5. HandsomeHarley

    HandsomeHarley Well-Known Member

    Absolutely. I always try to interchange team name and nickname, and avoid possessive nicknames at all costs.

    Hate referring to a team as "it," so I change it to the nickname so I can say "them."
     
    Tweener likes this.
  6. Old Crank

    Old Crank Active Member

    Anyone who uses going forward should be forced to immediately turn in their writer's card.
     
  7. MNgremlin

    MNgremlin Active Member

    I will remember this advice going forward.
     
  8. TexasVet

    TexasVet Active Member

    The Tigers took to the field
     
  9. TexasVet

    TexasVet Active Member

    ESPN's reference to UNC-Duke basketball as "Rivalry Renewed" ... They play each other twice a year, usually at least three times ...

    Rivalry renewed is when OU and Nebraska, or UT-A&M start playing again in football
     
  10. albert777

    albert777 Active Member

    When writing track and field stories, I usually wrote, "in a time of xx.x seconds," or, "2 minutes, 30 seconds," and, "with a leap/throw/distance of xx feet, xx inches," on first reference, on the assumption that readers are stupid, especially where track and field are concerned.
     
  11. playthrough

    playthrough Moderator Staff Member

    "Tweeted out"
     
    SnarkShark, MNgremlin and Slacker like this.
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