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Question about "first ever"

Discussion in 'Journalism topics only' started by CarltonBanks, May 10, 2009.

  1. CarltonBanks

    CarltonBanks New Member

    Our ASE hates it when one of the staffers writes something to the effect of it was their "first-ever" trip to the playoffs, "first-ever" shutout, "first-ever" no-hitter, etc. Does anyone else have a problem with this. He says "it's just their first, not first ever." Just curious as to what everyone thought because I didn't find it in the AP Style Book and have seen "first ever" all over the place.
     
  2. lono

    lono Active Member

    First is correct.

    First ever is redundant.
     
  3. BRoth

    BRoth Member

    Google search shows lots of people use it:
    http://news.google.com/news?q=first%20ever&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:eek:fficial&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wn

    Of course, you can always go by the rule of never using extra words when one will suffice.
     
  4. CarltonBanks

    CarltonBanks New Member

    When you are talking about something like the first occurrence in school history of something, I think first ever is more concise than "first in school history." For instance: "St. Mary's clinched its first-ever playoff berth" as opposed to "St. Mary clinched the first playoff berth in school history." But I see it both ways.
     
  5. lono

    lono Active Member

    "St. Mary clinched its first playoff berth," suffices.
     
  6. CarltonBanks

    CarltonBanks New Member

     
  7. Rhody31

    Rhody31 Well-Known Member

    I don't think that works because its ambiguous. It doesn't state when. First playoff berth this decade? First playoff berth this year?
    First ever takes care of that.
     
  8. RickStain

    RickStain Well-Known Member

    Unless qualified, first means first.
     
  9. 2muchcoffeeman

    2muchcoffeeman Well-Known Member

    And is still grammatically wrong. "St. Mary clinched its first playoff berth in school history" fills in the gap for readers who failed reading comprehension. For the rest of us, first means first.
     
  10. Yeah, I'd go first and then qualify it with the appropriate modifier. First in school history eliminates confusion for even the most simple-minded.
     
  11. MileHigh

    MileHigh Moderator Staff Member

    Pet peeve of mine. First is first. Hate first-ever.
     
  12. lono

    lono Active Member

    Yo! What part of "first" don't you understand?
     
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