Question about "first ever"

[fossywriter8]

A couple things:
1) If it's (that would be it is in this case, not it has) used, I've used 'first-ever' instead of 'first ever'. Example: 'Podunk won its first-ever state title.'

2) I try to use terms like 'first in school history' and the like in stories, but what about headlines? 'First-ever'/'First ever' (see above) conveys the same meaning, but is less wordy and takes up less space. I know many will say 'First' is even shorter, but 'First-ever'/'First ever' leaves no doubt or question in a reader's mind.

 

[fossywriter8]

Since I was late to the party ...

Quote from: Mark 2010

A former journalism professor related this story from one of his former supervisors:

"The next time I read the word UPCOMING, I will be downcoming and some writer will be outgoing. Just COMING will suffice."

That's what she said! ;D

Quote from: mediaguy

I always like when the freshman forward playing in his eighth game scores a career-best 14 points. Wow, really?

A few years back had a freshman tie a school record with 49 points in a guy. Didn't have to write 'career-best' since he tied the record. He later scored 77 in a game, but the 49 is still the school record since he moved to another district in the same league (another story, another time) and wound up setting the state record for points in a career, errr, total time spent on a varsity high school team.

Quote from: Diego Marquez

Even worse is when the pitcher threw his first-ever shutout, allowing just two hits ...
Just is another unnecessary word that makes print too many times.

Just is another unnecessary word that makes print just too many times.[/fixed]

 

[Sic semper tyrannis]

Re: reference.

Yes, it's in the dictionary as a verb.

Kudo is also in the dictionary.

Words can get in the dictionary when enough people misuse them.

You can use the "it's in the dictionary" standard if you want. But using reference as a verb, or "verse" when you mean versus (heard that one on ESPNU again recently), or kudo -- these are words that signal to careful readers that you watch too much TV, and read too little.

Main Entry: anal–re·ten·tive
Pronunciation: \ˈā-nəl-ri-ˈten-tiv\
Function: adjective
Date: 1953
: exhibiting or typifying personality traits (as frugality and obstinacy) held to be psychological consequences of toilet training

— anal–retentive noun

— anal–re·ten·tive·ness noun

 

[inthesuburbs]

Look, if you say "ain't" during the job interview, and the interviewer thinks, hey, this guy didn' pay attention in school, the "it's in the dictionary" defense isn't going to help you.

There are words that are in the dictionary that make the speaker seem stupid.

 

[SF_Express]

Re: reference.

Yes, it's in the dictionary as a verb.

Kudo is also in the dictionary.

Words can get in the dictionary when enough people misuse them.

You can use the "it's in the dictionary" standard if you want. But using reference as a verb, or "verse" when you mean versus (heard that one on ESPNU again recently), or kudo -- these are words that signal to careful readers that you watch too much TV, and read too little.

Main Entry: anal–re·ten·tive
Pronunciation: \ˈā-nəl-ri-ˈten-tiv\
Function: adjective
Date: 1953
: exhibiting or typifying personality traits (as frugality and obstinacy) held to be psychological consequences of toilet training

— anal–retentive noun

— anal–re·ten·tive·ness noun

Sorry, Sic ... I'm hanging on to the notion that copy editors doing their jobs is "professional" and not anal.

That said, using reference as a verb seems to have been around long enough that it doesn't particularly bother me. Language and usage DO evolve.

The next time I see "kudo" in our copy will be my first, however...

 

[Johnny Dangerously]

This is just my second-ever time on this thread.

 

[bigpern23]

I'd like to add "this past," as in, "I took a huge **** this past Tuesday." It's last Tuesday, or even just Tuesday if the sentence is written clearly enough. "This past" is ridiculous.

I also hate the ubiquitous use of the word "would," as in, "He would score 50 points in the game." Would he? Or DID he? He SCORED 50 points. It's a much more active way to phrase it. "Would" just dilutes the verb, renders it as limp as a neutered dog after a fifth of Jack Daniels.

 

[Ace]

I'd like to add "this past," as in, "I took a huge **** this past Tuesday." It's last Tuesday, or even just Tuesday if the sentence is written clearly enough. "This past" is ridiculous.

I also hate the ubiquitous use of the word "would," as in, "He would score 50 points in the game." Would he? Or DID he? He SCORED 50 points. It's a much more active way to phrase it. "Would" just dilutes the verb, renders it as limp as a neutered dog after a fifth of Jack Daniels.

I fear for your bowels and your dog.

I agree that too many writers water down their verbs.

 

[joe king]

I'd like to add "this past," as in, "I took a huge **** this past Tuesday." It's last Tuesday, or even just Tuesday if the sentence is written clearly enough. "This past" is ridiculous.

I also hate the ubiquitous use of the word "would," as in, "He would score 50 points in the game." Would he? Or DID he? He SCORED 50 points. It's a much more active way to phrase it. "Would" just dilutes the verb, renders it as limp as a neutered dog after a fifth of Jack Daniels.

That "would" construction just drives me berserk. If it already happened, just say what happened.

 

[Clerk Typist]

I'd like to add "this past," as in, "I took a huge **** this past Tuesday." It's last Tuesday, or even just Tuesday if the sentence is written clearly enough. "This past" is ridiculous.

I also hate the ubiquitous use of the word "would," as in, "He would score 50 points in the game." Would he? Or DID he? He SCORED 50 points. It's a much more active way to phrase it. "Would" just dilutes the verb, renders it as limp as a neutered dog after a fifth of Jack Daniels.

That "would" construction just drives me berserk. If it already happened, just say what happened.

Oh, it gets worse. How about "He would go on to score 50 points in the game." Would go on to? TV folks love that. Give me action verbs, please.