The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1916-01-22
SUGGESTIONS FOR
AMATEUR REPORTER

The other day an admiring, or sar-
castle, young friend asked me to tell
him how to become a newspaper re-
porter. As / had FIVE minutes to spare,
/ accommodated him.
My friend was advised to get note
book, a pencil, an Ascot tie, let his
heels run over and then get a job ON
a newspaper. The rest, promised him,
would come easy if he memorized few
pet phrases and used them.
For the benefit of the palpitating
public, which probably wants to know
Row journalism is done, the essential
phrases of newspaperdom here are
given and explained for the first (and
last) time:
BURLY NEGRO-Any negro who
has been arrested.
MASS MEETING-When three or
more citizens get together to protest
against the tax rate it should be called
a mass meeting. Strength and import
ance are thus attached to the item.
UNQUALIFIED SUCCESS = When
reporting amateur theatricals always
use this phrase. If newspaper reporters
get to telling the truth, there will be
TO more amateur theatricals.
BRILLIANT FUNCTION - Society
editors are allowed to use these words
once an issue in describing any social
men g reunion.
MYSTERIOUS WOMAN IN BLACK
Police reporters are urged to use this
expression more frequently. Nothing
creates interest like mystery and
woman.
Barred HER SOUI-When a pretty
woman kills her man and takes the
witness stand to explain, the headlines
should always contain the fact that
she barred her soul or "sobbed out her
story of injured innocence. :" Pretty
neat, that finjured innocence.
BANDIT is SURROUNDED; CAP
TURE A QUESTION OF HOURS
Even "Old Subscriber likes fiction,
and nothing more pleasing can be dish
cd up in this line, except story now
and then to the effect that ftthe San
Francisco Hotel Mems association an
ncunces hotel rates viii not be raised
incident to the Exposition"
LIE IS NAILED-When the opposi-
ton paper tells the truth about your
particular candidate, always "Nail
lie.D Some editors prefer "Canard.
ULTIMATUM ISSUE-Synonym fos
bluff
GAMBLING ABOLISHED-Suitable
for comic section. Always good joke.
JUPITER PLUVIUS-When writing
rain story, invariably mention Jupi-
ter Pluvius. 1t shows ones classical
education. Sport writer's may call it
fEJupe Pluve' with good effect.
CLEAR WATER SOON-On duh
day this will create a sensation.
NOTHING TO SAY; / STAND ON
MY RECORD-When you get the goods
on a public official, the above phrase
is usually acceptable. Probably it con-
tains more meat than a column the or
fetal might write.
PROMISING YOUNG POET-Any
home town boy who writes a poem on
Spring or other original topic.
POLICE SHAKE-UP-The public is
always willing to read this.
PROMINENT CITIZEN-This is
most flexible term. It takes in mail
carriers, bankers, real estate agents,
plumbers and preachers.
SOUNDED THE KEYNOTE-Be-
fore using this, be sure your paper is
supporting the speaker.
BOOSTERS-A nice, short word, in
valuable in head writing. It means
nothing and is safe.
COWARDLY sCoUNDREL - This
term is growing obsolete. Reporters
should be chary with these words (see
Penal Code) if the copyreader has eye
trouble.
CONFERENCE HELD-The secreta-
nv of the chamber of commerce never
holds a meeting with anybody. He
always confers.
DELICIOUS REFRESHMENTS -
Whatever they serve at a party with
safety can be so termed.
1T IS ALLEGED-Tn writing up a
social function, never use this trite
phrase. Good usage does not permit.
VIEW WITH ALARM-Candidate
only are allowed to do this.
BULLY - Use when covering
speech by Colonel Roosevelt.
MORBID ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS of
crowd at coroner's inquest.
CROWDED COURTROOM - This
phrase is seldom used but is very apt
in connection with divorce hearing.
COLD IN DEATH-Essential in de-
seribing a suicide.
DEMON RUM " While two-bits'
worth of rum hasn't been sold in town
in two years, always write Demon
Rum in referring to the Fhellish liquor
traffic.'' eVQUU
BEETLE-BROWED BARTENDERS
Although most bartenders are too
smart to drink the stuff they sell, and
honestly earn more money than most
lawyers, common usage demands the
above description when discussing bar
tenders.
MAY QUARANTINE TOWN-When
the Smith baby gets smallpox, the
above is justified and attracts atten-
tion.
YOUNG AND PRETTY-Any girl
under 81 who gets arrested, elopes, gets
hurt in Joy ride or graduates from
High school.
RIGID Observation-Disclosures
pirate when nothing is going to be done
BY the officials.
Piled WITH LIQUOR-Use when