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Ambiguous newspaper headlines
Headlines frequently try to be clever. For example, a sports story might say New York Jets Run Out
of Fuel. A headline must communicate a lot of information in a small space. The words need to be chosen carefully. Some words or phrases can be read more than one way, and in a joke, this is often intentional. The headlines which follow contain meanings definitely not intended by the writer. These
actually appeared in newspapers. Your job is to figure out two things: What did the writer mean to say, and how else could the headline be interpreted.
For example: “ Farmer Bill Dies in House ” Actual meaning :
A proposed law has failed to survive the legislative process in the parliament (house). Alternative interpretation : A farmer named Bill died.
1. POLICE BEGIN CAMPAIGN TO RUN DOWN JAYWALKERS
2. SAFETY EXPERTS SAY SCHOOL BUS PASSENGERS SHOULD BE BELTED
3. DRUNK GETS NINE MONTHS IN VIOLIN CASE
4. GIRL HIT BY CAR IN HOSPITAL
5. IRAQI HEAD SEEKS ARMS
6. LUNG CANCER IN WOMEN MUSHROOMS
7. TEACHER STRIKES IDLE KIDS
8. REAGAN WINS ON BUDGET, BUT MORE LIES AHEAD
9. SQUAD HELPS DOG BITE VICTIM
10. MINERS REFUSE TO WORK AFTER DEATH
11. JUVENILE COURT TO TRY SHOOTING DEFENDANT
12. STOLEN PAINTING FOUND BY TREE
13. TWO SOVIET SHIPS COLLIDE, ONE DIES
14. KILLER SENTENCED TO DIE FOR SECOND TIME IN 10 YEARS
15. DRUNKEN DRIVERS PAID $1000 IN '
Now write an ambiguous headline of your own and explain what is ambiguous about it.
Sources: http://www.alta.asn.au/events/altss_w2003_proc/altss/courses/somers/headlines.htm http://tlc.ousd.k12.ca.us/~acody/headlines.html
7. TEACHER STRIKES IDLE KIDS
Actual meaning: Kids are idle because their teachers are participating in the strikes (protestations).
Alternative interpretation: A teacher punishes kids who are idle (lazy)
8. REAGAN WINS ON BUDGET, BUT MORE LIES AHEAD
Actual meaning: More lies ahead could mean: “a lot (of events) are awaiting us in the future”
Alternative interpretation: It could also mean: “many additional dishonesties(falsehoods) await us in the future”
9. SQUAD HELPS DOG BITE VICTIM
Actual meaning: The rescue squad helped a victim of dog bite.
Alternative interpretation: The squad (gang) helped a dog to bite someone.
10. MINERS REFUSE TO WORK AFTER DEATH
Actual meaning: Miners refuse to work any further, following the death of a miner (at the mining site).
Alternative interpretation: Miners refuse to work after (whose death? their own?) death.
11. JUVENILE COURT TO TRY SHOOTING DEFENDANT
Actual meaning: A person who is being accused of shooting someone will appear in court. (court trial )
Alternative interpretation: The court will attempt at shooting (killing) the person who is being accused.
12. STOLEN PAINTING FOUND BY TREE
Actual meaning: A stolen painting has been found near a tree.
Alternative interpretation: A painting was stolen, and therefore lost, however, a tree has found it.
13. TWO SOVIET SHIPS COLLIDE, ONE DIES
Actual meaning: Two soviet ships have collided, resulting in the death of one passenger.
Alternative interpretation: Two soviet ships collided and one of the ships died. (completely destroyed?)
14. KILLER SENTENCED TO DIE FOR SECOND TIME IN 10 YEARS
Actual meaning: A killer has been punished with life sentence for the second time in 10 years.
Alternative interpretation: A sentenced killer will die for the second time in 10 years.
15. DRUNKEN DRIVERS PAID $1000 IN '
Actual meaning: In 1984, drunken drivers had to pay a fine of $1000.
Alternative interpretation: Drunken drivers were paid $1000 in 1984.
http://www.alta.asn.au/events/altss_w2003_proc/altss/courses/somers/headlines.htm
