Sources Say Tribune Co. CEO Bans "Journalese" Phrases For News Anchors, Folks

Tribune Co. CEO Randy Michaels is sick and tired of your empty "lingo" and cliched phrasing, people. Michaels took it upon himself to release a list of 119 words and phrases he would rather anchors for Chicago's WGN-AM never use again because many sound too "conversational." And folks, we gotta admit that, even though we've been guilty of the senseless crime of resorting to clichÃ©s in reporting, we're inclined to agree with Michael's list. These'll positively make your head spin, guys! Allegedly. The full list is after the jump. Enjoy. Flee meaning "run away" "Good" or "bad" news Laud meaning "praise" Seek meaning "look for" Some meaning "about" "Two to one margin" ... "Two to one" is a ratio, not a margin. A margin is measured in points. It's not a ratio. Yesterday in a lead sentence Youth meaning "child" 5 a.m. in the morning After the break After these commercial messages Aftermath All of you Allegations Alleged Area residents As expected At risk At this point in time Authorities Auto accident Bare naked Behind bars Behind closed doors Behind the podium (you mean lecturn) [sic] [Ed. note: LOL.] Best kept secret Campaign trail Clash with police Close proximity Complete surprise Completely destroyed, completely abolished, completely finished or any other completely redundant use Death toll Definitely possible Diva Down in (location) Down there Dubbaya when you mean double you Everybody (when referring to the audience) Eye Rack or Eye Ran False pretenses Famed Fatal death Fled on foot Folks Giving 110% Going forward Gunman, especially lone gunman Guys Hunnert when you mean hundred Icon In a surprise move In harm's way In other news In the wake of (unless it's a boating story) Incarcerated Informed sources say... Killing spree Legendary Lend a helping hand Literally Lucky to be alive Manhunt Marred Medical hospital Mother of all (anything) Motorist Mute point. (It's moot point, but don't say that either) [Ed. note: &hearts;] Near miss No brainer Officials Our top story tonight Out in (location) Out there Over in Pedestrian Perfect storm Perished Perpetrator Plagued Really Reeling Reportedly Seek Senseless murder Shots rang out Shower activity Sketchy details Some (meaning about) Some of you Sources say... Speaking out Stay tuned The fact of the matter Those of you Thus Time for a break To be fair Torrential rain Touch base Under fire Under siege Underwent surgery Undisclosed Undocumented alien Unrest Untimely death Up in (location) Up there Utilize (you mean use) Vehicle We'll be right back Welcome back Welcome back everybody We'll be back Went terribly wrong We're back White stuff World class You folks

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Sources Say Tribune Co. CEO Bans "Journalese" Phrases For News Anchors, Folks

Alex Alvarez

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Alex Alvarez