Unintelligibly illiterate BBC News article link text

FourPart · Post by **FourPart** » Fri Jun 05, 2015 2:27 pm

spot;1480258 wrote: Deliberately misleading ambiguity. If the link can be red two ways then it's badly constructed.

It reminds me of a few weeks ago when I was browsing sites looking for Motorbike Training Providers. One of them had on its homepage "We will teach you to stop using the brakes safely".

Post by **spot** » Mon Jun 08, 2015 7:01 am

The BBC News website really should put checks in place to prevent juxtapositions like "Alton Towers victim has leg amputated" beside "The making and unmaking of Oscar Pistorius", it's just not cricket.

Post by **spot** » Mon Jun 08, 2015 9:58 am

Ineptitude knows no limits...

According to Iranian media, out of a population of 78m people, more than 40m use the internet, 40 of whom are aged between 20 to 29 years.

BBC Monitoring - Instagram 'sorry' over Khomeini account closure

Seriously? Someone okayed that for publication?

G#Gill · Post by **G#Gill** » Mon Jun 08, 2015 10:25 am

Perhaps there wasn't a slip after all - maybe there are only 40 people aged between 20 and 29 years using the internet.

Post by **spot** » Mon Jun 08, 2015 10:28 am

Or perhaps they meant 16 million. If we all hold our breath long enough they might correct the sentence, who knows.

G#Gill · Post by **G#Gill** » Mon Jun 08, 2015 10:49 am

I have noticed that there are more and more mistakes, spelling, grammar etc. and I feel sure this is because people rely more and more on 'spell-checkers' instead of having 'proof-readers'. I'm sure a proof-reader would have noticed that error '40' and had it corrected before publication. By the way, Mr. Spot, do you get a red line beneath your 'red' or your 'reeder' ? I've just been given a red line under my 'reeder' but not under 'red' of course, because I suppose the spell-checker recognises it as being a colour ! I always have a bit of a titter when 'arse' is permitted but the other word for mule is not ! Why can't we have a British spell-checker on British PCs ?

In our local daily newspaper, in the classified advertisements, the favourite mistake is 'birth' when writing about sleeping arrangements inside a boat or caravan, when it should be berth !

FourPart · Post by **FourPart** » Mon Jun 08, 2015 3:04 pm

G#Gill;1480379 wrote: I have noticed that there are more and more mistakes, spelling, grammar etc. and I feel sure this is because people rely more and more on 'spell-checkers' instead of having 'proof-readers'. I'm sure a proof-reader would have noticed that error '40' and had it corrected before publication. By the way, Mr. Spot, do you get a red line beneath your 'red' or your 'reeder' ? I've just been given a red line under my 'reeder' but not under 'red' of course, because I suppose the spell-checker recognises it as being a colour ! I always have a bit of a titter when 'arse' is permitted but the other word for mule is not ! Why can't we have a British spell-checker on British PCs ?

In our local daily newspaper, in the classified advertisements, the favourite mistake is 'birth' when writing about sleeping arrangements inside a boat or caravan, when it should be berth !

Mine does have an English (UK) Spellcheck. I downloaded the English (UK) Dictionary, instead of the default English (US).

Post by **spot** » Fri Jun 26, 2015 2:16 am

"Queen to visit ex-concentration camp"?

She's scarcely likely to be visiting a currently operating concentration camp! Which sub-editor thought the "ex-" was appropriate?

Gimboids.

It is surely more informative, and takes less space, to write "Queen to visit Bergen-Belsen". Few people would fail to recognize the name, after all.

Post by **spot** » Fri Jul 03, 2015 4:37 am

A sentence from a news article this time, rather than a link. decided at the age of nine that she would devote her life to helping disadvantaged children but never had any of her own

Kids Company's Camila Batmanghelidjh to step down - BBC News

Well no, given her wealthy educated background that wouldn't have been even slightly possible, would it.

Post by **spot** » Sun Jul 05, 2015 2:19 am

The news link text says "Princess Charlotte to be christened".

And the absolute impossibility of Princess Charlotte not being christened? Where does that come into it.

"Princess Charlotte to be christened" is a statement of inevitability. "Princess Charlotte will not be christened", that would be news, the nation would talk of nothing else for weeks, the disestablishment of the Anglican Church would go onto the front burner and the order of succession would be debated in both Houses.

How can the question of whether Princess Charlotte is to be christened or not ever have been raised, much less reported? The BBC would do better to discuss the desirability of the child's future education taking place within the State system, that would be a more interesting use of the webpage in question.

Bruv · Post by **Bruv** » Sun Jul 05, 2015 4:43 am

It is to inform those that might be interested when and where rather than if.

Post by **spot** » Sun Jul 05, 2015 4:45 am

Bruv;1482020 wrote: It is to inform those that might be interested when and where rather than if.

Then it should have said so, instead of saying something different.

Bruv · Post by **Bruv** » Sun Jul 05, 2015 4:59 am

It is a 'Link' not an article it's purpose is to link to, to advertise the content, and it did, you visited the link.

Of course there is always a better phrase or progression of words that encapsulates everything required, but that would be the article.

Any interested party now knows the whereabouts and timing of the ceremony plus some back ground...........job done.

The link kept them happy and yourself......double whammy.

FourPart · Post by **FourPart** » Sun Jul 05, 2015 11:24 am

When one searches for fault, one will always find it.

Post by **spot** » Sun Jul 05, 2015 11:50 am

FourPart;1482052 wrote: When one searches for fault, one will always find it.

I can think of two possible links out of many - "Princess Charlotte to be christened" and "Royal christening today at Sandringham". Both are statements of fact. One fact is inane, the other is informative. The BBC should pull its socks up.

Post by **Betty Boop** » Sun Jul 05, 2015 3:35 pm

This one niggled me today

'Unwell' firefighters in hospital after Helston bonfire - BBC News

Yet, in the write up underneath it, it then states

'They have since been discharged'.

So, they are not in hospital then!! :rolleyes:

FourPart · Post by **FourPart** » Mon Jul 06, 2015 12:14 am

Betty Boop;1482093 wrote: This one niggled me today

'Unwell' firefighters in hospital after Helston bonfire - BBC News

Yet, in the write up underneath it, it then states

'They have since been discharged'.

So, they are not in hospital then!! :rolleyes:

It's a bit like the one about the fireworks that were taken to court for assault.

One was discharged. The other was let off.

Post by **spot** » Mon Jul 06, 2015 1:33 am

FourPart;1482115 wrote: One was discharged. The other was let off.

Go to your room.

Post by **spot** » Mon Jul 06, 2015 11:35 am

I refer the thread to the following content:The villager said: "Suddenly on Thursday afternoon it started and ran until the early hours of Sunday. It was very, very loud.

"We asked them to turn it down and they refused. People all around the valley heard it and complained"

The man said environmental health officers, who recorded noise levels at 55 dB, also asked the swingers to turn it down but they refused.

Swingfields swingers festival music 'too loud' - BBC News

I have a microwave oven which emits more than 55 dB and nobody's ever described it as loud. Perhaps the village was too noisy for the reporter, or the villager, to hear clearly what was being said.

FourPart · Post by **FourPart** » Tue Jul 07, 2015 9:33 am

I wouldn't have thought "Swingers" would have made that much noise.

G#Gill · Post by **G#Gill** » Wed Jul 08, 2015 7:46 am

The trouble is that sound, like music through speakers, is always so much louder and intrusive in the evening and over night as there is not much ambient noise to off-set music festival noise, like there is during daytime when there is more traffic and more aircraft noise. It is also a fact that the electric bass thumping of any band is far more noticeable a mile away than any other instrument or voice, and this can be very irritating over a long period.

Post by **spot** » Wed Jul 08, 2015 8:06 am

G#Gill;1482338 wrote: this can be very irritating over a long period.So can I, people tell me. I don't see it myself.

G#Gill · Post by **G#Gill** » Wed Jul 08, 2015 8:48 am

Mr. Spot, now who would have said that about you ? .................................................................. apart from me, from time to time.

Bruv · Post by **Bruv** » Wed Jul 08, 2015 9:10 am

G#Gill;1482345 wrote: Mr. Spot, now who would have said that about you ? .................................................................. apart from me, from time to time.

Not I......for sure......wouldn't dare.

FourPart · Post by **FourPart** » Wed Jul 08, 2015 3:10 pm

It also seems that those that have their car radios up loudest always have the same THUMP, THUMP, THUMP, THUMP, type track playing at all hours, day & night. There's absolutely no way they would be able to hear an approaching emergency vehicle at that volume.

Post by **LarsMac** » Fri Jul 10, 2015 6:37 am

Here's one from this morning"

The crucifix was based on a design by Luis Espinal, a Jesuit Priest assassinated by in 1980 by right-wing militia to whom Pope Francis paid tribute during his trip.

So, I am not sure, exactly, to whom Pope Francis paid tribute.

Should there not be another comma in there?

Post by **spot** » Fri Jul 10, 2015 8:06 am

That post, I fear, was my first laugh of the day.

Post by **Bryn Mawr** » Fri Jul 10, 2015 8:08 am

LarsMac;1482471 wrote: Here's one from this morning"

So, I am not sure, exactly, to whom Pope Francis paid tribute.

Should there not be another comma in there?

No? I can quite believe the Pope paid tribute to right wing militia - or was that the last one, I get confused

Post by **spot** » Fri Jul 10, 2015 8:16 am

That was the one before. The current one is the pinko commie hiding behind a dog-collar who'd better not show his face in a barracks if he knows what's good for him.

FourPart · Post by **FourPart** » Fri Jul 10, 2015 10:35 am

"Jesuit Priest assassinated by in 1980"

That's the bit I don't get.

Post by **spot** » Fri Jul 10, 2015 12:48 pm

Good lord what is the world coming to.

Late-night discharges 'unacceptable'

Fnarr!, as Finbarr Saunders would put it. The double entendre is alive and well on the BBC News webdesk.

crazygal · Post by **crazygal** » Fri Jul 10, 2015 5:29 pm

The Mirror are terrible for it as well.

Post by **spot** » Fri Jul 10, 2015 5:36 pm

crazygal;1482529 wrote: The Mirror are terrible for it as well.

*blink*

What a startlingly pleasing return! I'm not sure anyone's managed that size gap before. Welcome back, what's been happening, hiya!

crazygal · Post by **crazygal** » Fri Jul 10, 2015 5:55 pm

spot;1482531 wrote: *blink*

What a startlingly pleasing return! I'm not sure anyone's managed that size gap before. Welcome back, what's been happening, hiya!
Only 5 and a half years! lol.

I got an email wishing me a Happy Birthday and thought I'd come on for a nosy before I go to sleep. All good here thanks. How about you? x

Post by **spot** » Sat Jul 11, 2015 1:19 am

crazygal;1482535 wrote: How about you? x

I emigrated to Cornwall last year and I no longer write foolish nonsense online, having been promoted to Junior Moderator.

Post by **spot** » Sat Jul 11, 2015 10:03 am

This isn't a BBC page at all but it doesn't deserve a thread of its own.

I merely note that back when I was a lad, marrying someone on the same day you first met would have been very difficult to arrange.

Peter Andre fans have gathered outside a south Devon venue where the star is rumoured to be marrying the woman he met in Plymouth today.

Fans gather as Peter Andre wedding is held in South Devon | Plymouth Herald

FourPart · Post by **FourPart** » Sat Jul 11, 2015 10:23 am

No doubt it'll cost him a fortune when the Divorce settlement gets through.

I didn't think it was even legal in this country to be married that quickly. I'm not even referring to the business with the Banns & all that, with a Church wedding, but even in a Registry Office things have to be booked in ahead of time at the Council Offices, and they don't tend to be open on Saturdays anyway.

Post by **spot** » Sat Jul 11, 2015 10:26 am

The Archbishop of Canterbury can issue a permit, or licence, to marry instantly. It was forever cropping up in Georgette Heyer's Regency plots.

I thought the vile plonker was already married.

Peter Andre, you twerp, not the Archbishop of Canterbury.

FourPart · Post by **FourPart** » Sat Jul 11, 2015 1:01 pm

spot;1482556 wrote: The Archbishop of Canterbury can issue a permit, or licence, to marry instantly. It was forever cropping up in Georgette Heyer's Regency plots.

I thought the vile plonker was already married.

Peter Andre, you twerp, not the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Actually, the Archbishop of Canterbury is married - to Caroline Easton.

Bruv · Post by **Bruv** » Sat Jul 11, 2015 1:14 pm

I met my wife in town yesterday.........we married years ago though.

Post by **spot** » Sat Jul 11, 2015 2:35 pm

FourPart;1482570 wrote: Actually, the Archbishop of Canterbury is married - to Caroline Easton.

He is??

So much for assumptions about sexuality then. At least half the Archbishops of Canterbury since the days of Oscar Wilde have been gay as coots.

eta: that was perhaps unfair. A better word would be camp, I don't mean to imply they were sharing beds.

Bruv · Post by **Bruv** » Sat Jul 11, 2015 3:20 pm

Coots are gay ? They are not even flamboyantly coloured

Post by **spot** » Sat Jul 11, 2015 4:09 pm

Bruv;1482578 wrote: Coots are gay ? They are not even flamboyantly coloured

I think the more common form is alliterative -

OED: (as) queer as a coot (slang): conspicuously or flamboyantly homosexual; (also) conspicuously odd or peculiar. Cf. coot n.1 2b.

eg. 1961 N. Coward Diary 5 Mar. (2000) 466, I do wish that years ago Cyril had faced up to the fact that he was as queer as a coot.

The OED maintains that the original, long ago, was "mad coot" and referred (so they claim) to a bird also called a coot back then, the Foolish Guillemot. So if there was a "mad as a coot" and people like Coward enjoyed alliteration, the way they might, "queer as a coot" (with the double meaning of queer as mad as well as gay) makes sense, queer then being deniable as a reference to homosexuality. On reflection, "gay as a coot" was just me misremembering an obscure phrase.

FourPart · Post by **FourPart** » Sun Jul 12, 2015 4:25 am

Another example of the bastardisation / evolution of the English Language. Originally "Queer" would simply mean "Unusual" / "Out of Sorts". "Gay" would merely mean "Happy" / "Brightly Coloured". Even most swear words have perfectly acceptable origins. It is merely their misuse over time that makes them offensive.

Post by **spot** » Mon Jul 13, 2015 3:56 am

I hesitate to criticize the wonderful Jonathan Amos, but when describing New Horizons' selected pictures "Each new release brings surface features into sharper focus" would be a dreadful failure. Rather like the misaligned Hubble lens before the fix. Perhaps "Each new release brings surface features into sharper resolution" would be more accurate.

Only a day to go, the flyby is tomorrow.

New Horizons in 'great shape' for Pluto flyby - BBC News

crazygal · Post by **crazygal** » Mon Jul 13, 2015 2:17 pm

spot;1482554 wrote: This isn't a BBC page at all but it doesn't deserve a thread of its own.

I merely note that back when I was a lad, marrying someone on the same day you first met would have been very difficult to arrange.

Peter Andre fans have gathered outside a south Devon venue where the star is rumoured to be marrying the woman he met in Plymouth today.

Fans gather as Peter Andre wedding is held in South Devon | Plymouth Herald

I'm a big Peter fan, always have been. I hope it works out for them both. He's such a lovely guy but very immature for his age, the age gap between he and Emily should level that out. lol

Post by **LarsMac** » Mon Jul 13, 2015 4:40 pm

Maybe not illiterate, but I found this to be a bit odd.

In the headline link it states: Pluto 'little larger than anticipated'

While the scientist quoted actually stated: Pluto 'a little larger than anticipated'

One letter can make a little bit of difference, no?

Post by **spot** » Tue Jul 14, 2015 3:20 am

An entirely different emphasis, yes.

Post by **spot** » Thu Jul 16, 2015 7:09 am

'Sozzled' squirrel runs amok in club

Amok?

No, not amok. I don't believe the behaviour of the squirrel can carry the weight of that word, even in today's lax times.

G#Gill · Post by **G#Gill** » Thu Jul 16, 2015 2:16 pm

spot;1482839 wrote: 'Sozzled' squirrel runs amok in club

Amok?

No, not amok. I don't believe the behaviour of the squirrel can carry the weight of that word, even in today's lax times.

I believe the report said that the squirrel was 'staggering around' after appearing from behind a box of crisps ! Hardly running 'amok' which would indicate that the animal had been running riot ! He sure is going to have one dreadful hangover!