#599

Mail Online, November 11, 2024

This is a common error. The word for ‘coming under intense criticism’ is ‘flak’, which evolved during the Second World War as a contraction of the German word Flugabwehrkanone meaning ‘aircraft defence cannon’ or anti-aircraft fire. I note that there are some internet sites which say that ‘flack’ is the right spelling, but this is nonsense. The only correct use of ‘flack’, as far as I am concerned, is an Americanism meaning a press or PR agent. Or poor old Caroline Flack.

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I cannot stress strongly enough that it takes years of experience to make a good sub-editor. When I was a junior sub, almost everyone else in the department was older and wiser, and the benefit of their experience was passed down to me. A chief sub would often point out how things could be improved. These days most older subs have been dispensed with and there is no one to teach or mentor the younger ones. Staffs have been so reduced that no one has time to guide anyone else.

This clinic is an attempt to pass on my experience using real examples. I would love to receive items from others as I do not read every paper every day. I will add new entries as I come across them.