They Fired All the Copy Editors, Part XII: Headline in today’s local paper that defies interpretation:
No more energy hog destops
You can look at that one a long time. What’s a “destop?” Does it mean “go?” Or is it an archaic form of “stop?” If de hog runs out of energy, he destops what he’s doing? Maybe it’s an acronym or military-speak (Destiny Operation? Destitute Opportunists? Department of Social Temerity and Opprobrium?). But no, then it would be capitalized.
When you read the story, it turns out that the word is supposed to be “desktops.” Ohhh. It’s about computers. But that’s about all I can tell you because I didn’t understand the story, either.
What I’m Reading: “A Fine Dark Line” by Joe R. Lansdale, who won an Edgar Award for his stunning 2000 novel “The Bottoms.” Like “The Bottoms,” this novel is set in East Texas and tackles race relations, familial secrets and crime. This one’s set in 1958 and it centers on a family that runs a small-town drive-in theater. Terrific, so far.
Tips appreciated: Send news tidbits to steveb.anewscafe@gmail.com.
