Saturday, September 5, 2009...3:24 pm
Subbing tip #6: flak or flack?
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When someone comes under attack for something or other, many journalists pull out the old anti-aircraft metaphor to describe it. But here, sadly, their ignorance starts to show.
“Flak” comes from a German acronym for anti aircraft fire – Fl(ieger)a(bwehr)k(anone).
A “flack” is a slightly derogatory North American term for a publicity agent.
So ditch that “c” folks – you don’t need it. Unless you are under attack by someone in PR. Then it might work…
Related posts:
- Subbing tip #3: free rein vs free reign
- Subbing tip #7: Out there? Don’t go there
- Subbing tip #9: Faze or phase?
- Subbing tip #10: Where’s the question?
- Subbing tip #2: just deserts
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