A good correction

You fuck up like that you just get back in the saddle again....

 

Back to the "--30--" thing.

Don't know if they're still there, but I recall Billy Goat's Tavern, the place in Chicago that was the basis for the "Cheezbooga, cheezbooga" routine in original SNL era, used to post 8x10's of famous Chicago newspaper folks. And the ones who died got a little plaque on the bottom of their photos engraved simply with "--30--".

That's why I use "--30--" on my copy, as a nod to tradition in our dying business (which someday might have its own "--30--" affixed to it). In fact, I encourage us all to use it! What d'ya say to that, gang!?

 

I've done this once before, but here goes...
And, wow. I'm about to sound like the old guy (and, I'm not that old):

Teletype symbols so one could discern the state of the story...
-30- was used long before "press releases."

-10- = first lede
-20- = first lede writethru, more tk
-30- = optional. end of transmission.

(-30- = nowadays just means end of send.)

Historical root: "-30-" has been used to signify "the end" or "over and out" since the Civil War when telegraphers tapped "XXX" to end transmissions. "XXX" is the Roman numeral for 30.

Here is a full list of the wire signals. You'll recognize some. They've been used for over 150 years, and if there are other military vets on the board, they can tell you some of the signals are still used today.

1 Wait a moment
2 Important Business
3 What time is it?
4 Where shall I go ahead?
5 Have you business for me?
6 I am ready
7 Are you ready?
8 Close your key; circuit is busy
9 Close your key for priorit business (Wire chief, dispatcher, etc)
10 Keep this circuit closed
12 Do you understand?
13 I understand
14 What is the weather?
15 For you and other to copy
17 Lightning here
18 What is the trouble?
19 Form 19 train order
21 Stop for a meal
22 Wire test
23 All copy
24 Repeat this back
25 Busy on another wire
26 Put on ground wire
27 Priority, very important
28 Do you get my writing?
29 Private, deliver in sealed envelope
30 No more (end)
31 Form 31 train order
32 I understand that I am to ...
33 Car report (Also, answer is paid for)
34 Message for all officers
35 You may use my signal to answer this
37 Diversion (Also, inform all interested)
39 Important, with priority on thru wire (Also, sleep-car report)
44 Answer promptly by wire
73 Best regards
88 Love and kisses
91 Superintendant's signal
92 Deliver promptly
93 Vice President and General Manager's signals
95 President's signal
134 Who is at the key?

 

I pulled a rather boneheaded one during military J-school. Writing a column, I misspelled Willie Mays. When I got my column back, minus an automatic 25 points for misspelling a name, I saw my instructor had written "Who do you think you are? Charlie Brown?"

 

I cherish any opportunity to dig up my favorite correction, from the Boston Globe, circa 1980s:

"In yesterday's editions of the Globe, statements attributed to Daffy Duck were actually made by Sylvester the Cat."

and of course, the classic kicker . . .

"The Globe regrets the error."

;D

 

I think the more likely option is that the photographer wrote the caption, and the desk let it slide through. Some places (stupidly) don't want you touching the caption, since you weren't there and don't know the context of it.

 

Any shop using that rationale deserves to go out of business tomorrow.

Dear god, everywhere I've ever been the first piece of advice is "Triple-check the cutlines; photographers can't write for shit."

 

Agreed, Zeke, but there are plenty of scruples-less newsrooms out there.

 

Photo captions should be scrutinized well, not only for spelling and context but also to remove stupid additions by photographers.

A man and woman are in a photo. The caption reads, "Sue Smith, left, visits with Bobby Jones at the park."

If any reader can't discern who Smith is without being told "left" then they should put down the paper.

More caption lunacy is when three or four people are in a photo but the identification begins with the guy "third from the left" and then bounces around. ID the damn people left to right, and learn proper grammar.

 

The left is mandatory, style-wise, at many papers. Identify the first person, from left to right, in a photo caption.

I have no problem with that.

 

I don't mind either, if it is needed.

If it is an obvious ID then it should be trimmed.

Same thing for a WR or RB, the only guy in the photo running with the ball, and the caption has, "Ritchie Ray (5) runs along the State sideline."

I never would have guessed the only guy in the photo, with the ball, is Ray without his number to help me.

Little stupid things lead to big stupid things.

 

Even better was an AP shot that ran last year when the horse was still alive. Barbaro was in the stable, with a dude brushing his mane, and the caption was, "Barbaro, left, is attended to by groom Rico Suave..."

Had that up on the wall in my shop for a solid year. No, we didn't run it that way.