Some musings...

There was an interesting ST Opinion article today (May 22):

It was penned by the Chief Prosecutor in the Attorney-General's Chambers and I found it either free of legal jargon or, when used, such terms were explained. Kudos to him for taking the effort to ensure that the lay reader could follow his arguments. But journalists (at least those who edit what we call the "copy") are, by nature, disposed to "flag" anything that seems odd. Take the otherwise good idea of a "Prosecution Week":

No, I suggest another name -- not "Prosecution Week" -- be used! And since lawyers are supposed to be experts in the English Language, I shall desist from offering an alternative label.

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Clearly, Prosecution Week does not sound right, and some people might even make fun of it. Indeed good journalists should always keep asking: Does this sound right? Should it be explained, or should an alternative phrasing be used? This news story below actually has a very catchy and nice introduction:

But I felt the term "headbanging" needs to be explained, for two reasons. I had no idea what that is, and I must assume there are readers who are likewise clueless. So I checked online and found this link, "How to headbang":

http://www.wikihow.com/Headbang

There is even this advisory...

• Give yourself some head space or you will headbutt someone and they could take it the wrong way

The other reason? Let's just say there is a chance this unfamiliar term conjures up a double entendre!

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Headlines -- unless they are meant to pun on something -- should not have any unintended meaning:

Hmm, how about this alternative headline?...

Squatter swatter

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Finally, this news item below is perfectly fine, except that I have a story to tell about the term "chopper" as used here:

Singaporeans (and our neighbours across the Causeway) don't bat an eyelid when we say "chopper" -- as used in this context. That's because we think of this:

That's right... a kitchen cleaver.

But, in many other places, a chopper is this:

That's right... a wood chopper (there's also an electric appliance, the kitchen chopper but it's not germane here).

So, what's my story? An expatriate copy editor once confessed to me, "From time to time, I come across crime stories about people wielding choppers to attack others. But where do you get them? Singaporeans don't chop trees!"