Celebrating the wonderful descriptive ability of the world's journalists
"The best thing on social media" — The Times "An extremely funny idea" — Victoria Coren Mitchell, Daily Telegraph "A delightful love letter to journalism" — Charlotte Ivers, Sunday Times
So... what is a second mention?
You've been reading them for years. Now you can't unsee them.
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To avoid repetition, journalists reach for inventive alternatives the second time they mention something in an article.
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Suddenly this ...
becomes š
Once you see one, you start seeing them everywhere, and it becomes addictive. This grammatical tool, christened ‘elegant variation', is used frequently, but it is not an exact science, and the results can sometimes be hilarious.
Every day, the Second Mentions team is sent examples of these, spotted by journalists who are keen to point out shining examples used by their fellow writers (or sometimes claiming responsibility for their own efforts!) and non-journalists who enjoy the simple pleasure of happening upon these ‘second mentions’ while reading news articles.
And so, from distended dachshunds to marine marauders, and from 5ft 1in. nonagenarians to pear-shaped money-guzzlers, The Little Book of Second Mentions is the perfect gift for everyone with an inventive passion for the English language – from those with a general interest in current affairs to those working in the media.ā
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The Little Book of Second Mentions is available to order through:āā
The Little Book of Second Mentions collects the finest and most desperate examples from over a decade of dedicated reading.
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If you've spotted one, let us know and add yours here.
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