Blogger slams slam
As a blogger who sees lots and lots of headlines through various sources there is one thing I would love to do. I wish I could write a search and replace macro virus that would go through all of the various news organization style guides and make some changes.
Headline writers are just getting too lazy. One word I especially see used way too much is "slam" or "slams" Apparently everyday somebody is slamming something. In fact later generations if they go by news sources will be convinced that at one point there was an Pope who took the name of Slams since so many headlines say Pope Slams this and Pope Slams that. Though it isn't just the pope who gets the slam treatment, it is used throughout all headlines on just about any topic.
In almost all cases slam can be replaced with "disagree" or "criticizes." I guess those words just aren't as sexy for headline writers. But surely people get desensitized to always using slam and it will be less likely to catch your eyes.
Known as 
"CurtJester Slams Slamming."
Slamtastic article. You must be some sort of Slamson (minus Delilah). Makes me want to have a slam-bake in your honor, maybe with a side of lamb. Tell me, though: would you say these slams constitute spam, or would you slam this slam-spam headlines before they cram these stammering ham-handed slam jams in our yams?
Damn. I kicked that slam like Van Damme...and that ain't no sham!
"Slam" is used so much for the same reason that one used to see the word "solon" for "senator" or even "lawmaker." News style is often dictated by letter count--anything to shave the number of letters down will help a headline writer. The temptation is there, even when the image that results from ill-chosen words verges on the ludicrous.
Oh whoops! I didn't read the title of this post. Now I feel silly (and dated).
I consider "slam" a vast improvement over "rip". I don't know where you are writing from, but in New York incessants tabloid headlines proclaim that A does not "criticize" B, but "rips" them. Perhaps in other cities headline writers think it is worth using one more letter?
Especially when you consider words like "rip" and "slam" have other meanings.
How dare you slam our venerable headline writers...
AmericanPapist has been pwned. (Yes, this expression is also coming to a headline near you).
Everyone knows I'm too 1337 to be p@wn3d.
Reminds me of "Stand on Zanzabar".
Two phrases that needs to be retired from common use are "what's up with that?" and "That's what I'm talking about."
I noticed that too. In fact, a co-worker and I were discussing this very thing last week. They are either marketing to dummies or they are dumbing down marketing hoping to make us dumber. Similar to the ever descreasing size of the dictionary in "1984", slang words are replacing proper English even in print. Doubleplusgood!
How do you like the new slogan for Radio Shack?
"Do Stuff."
I am tired of hearing that someone "vowed" to do something. I can't count the number of times I have seen such a headline introducing a story where none of the people mentioned have done anything more serious than say they will do something.
Another pet niggle of mine is the word "unprecedented". I read one article which contained the line "in a move unprecedented since 2003..." Do these people even HAVE a dictionary? unprecedented means it has no precedent. Not even one waaaaay back in 2003!"
Interesting!
It pains me to be the voice of reason here in an amusing discussion...but as the wife of a journalist, I need to mention it's all about headlines and space. Slam and rip are both very *short* words.
Example: How many times do you see the word "Tot" (as in "Tot Found In Nearby Town") in the paper? And how often do you use it outside of Tater Tot hotdish references?
Having said that, I fully support your slam of slam.
I appreciate the conciseness of "slam" and "rip", but would like to see the milder and equally brief verb "rap" used more often. The Pope seldoms rips anything, but does rap things often enough.
Well, "Rips" could be short for "rip a new ...."
Really, would Dawn Eden have ever written YARD SLAMS RIPPER?
I'll admit I use it because it's shorter to write than 'disagree', espcecially when I'm trying to fit a heading under one line.
So I'll continue to use 'Slam' (and now Rip) since that's even shorter!
Or, if Sharpton was ranting and raving about conditions on Riker's Island, would it be AL RIPS SLAMMER?
Which brings up another peeve of mine, headlines that refer to public figures by first name only, expecting everyone to know which "Tony" or "Jane" they are referring to.
At least we don't get BEN RIPS ABORTION.