Possumblog

Adventures in Headline Writing

Fake grenade causes "explosion" at Pensacola area beach

Okay, here's the deal--Reuters has ruined the use of quote marks for all media. It is no longer possible to read a headline with quote marks and know for sure what's intended (sometimes you can't even tell what's going on when you read the story) but still, this has to be one of the more egregious uses of the marks.

PENSACOLA, Fla. (AP) — A fake grenade caused an "explosion" at a Pensacola area beach.

The Escambia County, Florida, sheriff's office says a woman found what she believed to be a live hand grenade in the water at Quietwater Beach. Several beachgoers called police about it, saying the pin was still attached. Another woman carried it carefully to shore.

But deputies later determined that it was actually a grenade-shaped cigarette lighter. Souvenir shops on the beach sell novelty lighters that resemble everything from chrome wheels to fish.

The fake grenade was later tossed out.

Look, AP--it's not a good idea to try to spice up a stupid story about a grenade-shaped cigarette lighter by using the word "explosion" ANYwhere in the story or headline--ESPECIALLY when there was no explosion, actual or figurative. News has become misleading and mendacious enough without actively trying to make it more so. Yes, I realize the intent was to say it caused an explosion of interest or activity or other some stupid thing, but please.

Second of all, if you DO find something like this and aren't sure what you've found--DON'T PICK IT UP AND CAREFULLY CARRY IT. Just call the police and let them handle it.

Posted by Terry Oglesby at September 15, 2006 09:02 AM