Saturday, October 04, 2003

Twisted English

Twisted English

So I log on this morning and start reading the news. The first story, about the attack of Roy Horn by one of his tigers mid-show last night, hits me square between the eyes. Journalist Adam Goldman writes "An audience member at The Mirage hotel-casino said the white tiger lunged at Horn, who tried to beat the animal off with a microphone."

The quotes and emphasis are mine. The unfortunate choice of words is Mr. Goldman's. He immediately follows up with this grammatically incorrect quote by another reporter. "''The tiger went for his neck, then drug him offstage,'' said Andy Cushman, a 23-year-old reporter from New Jersey."

Drug? Past pluperfect of 'to drag'? Not allowed in my copy of the Associated Press Style Book. And since when is it considered kosher to quote another reporter about anything? Reporters and journalists report the news, they don't make it. At least that was the way it was back in my college journalism class. But then again, that was the Stone Age. You know. Back when you had to beat off the saber-toothed tigre on the way to class. Eww! Ick!