Breaking news is broken
There used to be a time when “breaking news” meant something was burning, a life was a stake or a Heisman Trophy winner was ridin dirty in a white Bronco.
Nowadays, it’s Bernanke saying that the economy “may ‘contract’ slightly” or the prez doing the NATO hustle and flow.
Is it just me or is something wrong with this picture? And don’t blame it on 9/11: Shoot, I remember going out on breaking news stories about dog bites.
Bites. Even nips. Nudges.
Not attacks.
I even remember some shops pulling out their BN banners for urgent Britney Spears information.
Since “breaking news” is being used for all types of stories, what should be used with something borderline or even, heaven forbid, 9/11-ish?
“We Really Mean It Breaking News?”
“Really Serious Breaking News?”
“Get The Hell Out Of Dodge Breaking News?”
“Fo Damn Sho Breaking News?”
Whoops. Just checked CNN. Naomi’s on the rampage.
How about “Hide Your Cellphones Breaking News?”