"Rita Jeptoo’s Agent and Coach, Paula Radcliffe, and NYC Marathon Pros React..." is a HORRENDOUS headline

LRC Community/Where to Run/Race Reviews LetsRun.com Community

9 years ago 10/31/2014 3:59pm EDT

What a monstrosity of a headline. "Rita Jeptoo’s Agent and Coach, Paula Radcliffe, and NYC Marathon Pros React to News of Jeptoo’s Positive “A” Drug Test" implies that Paula Radcliffe is her agent an coach. Why not "Rita Jeptoo's agent, coach, Paula Radcliffe, and NYC Pros," or "Rita Jeptoo's Agent and coach, as well as Paula Radcliffe and other NYC Marathon Pros..."

I'd normally write this off as bad grammar, but knowing the Brojo's knack for sensationalism, I can't help but think this was intentional.

9 years ago 10/31/2014 4:19pm EDT

re: CLICKBAIT Much?

Only problem with your theory is the brojos' love for Paula. They would never implicate or accidentally implicate her on purpose.

9 years ago 10/31/2014 4:19pm EDT

re: CLICKBAIT Much?

Well your suggestion of "Rita Jeptoo's agent, coach, Paula Radcliffe...." means you are applying "Rita Jeptoo's" to each item in the list, and the sentence should be read as Rita Jeptoo's agent, Rita Jeptoo's coach, Rita Jeptoo's Paula Radcliffe and Rita Jeptoo's NYC Marathon Pros. That doesn't work. It is per se ungrammatical. If you disagree and do not think "Rita Jeptoo's" applies to each term listed, then "coach" is just coach and does not mean "Rita Jeptoo's coach". The original headline is grammatical, just ambiguous. Like saying, "I'd like to thank my parents, God and Obama." It is correct, but could be read to mean the speaker's parents are God and Obama.

Perhaps to clear it up a bit the headline should just switch "NYC Marathan Pros" and "Paula Radcliffe". I doubt you would have had any problem with that: "Rita Jeptoo's agent and coach, NYC Marathon Pros, and Paula Radcliffe".

Who knows, but I really doubt this was intentinoal.

9 years ago 10/31/2014 6:05pm EDT

re: CLICKBAIT Much?

CLICKBAIT Much? wrote:
I'd normally write this off as bad grammar, but knowing the Brojo's knack for sensationalism, I can't help but think this was intentional.

I think we should just start exposing idiotic posters like the OP. Once a day, "here are the idiots out to cause trouble."

Instead of sending us an email saying you were confused you went to our forums posted that the headline is HORRENDOUS and drew attention to yourself. It's not helpful to the community at all and put everyone else a little more on edge.

I think the vast majority of people know Paula isn't Rita's coach. I am changing the headline as suggested as I see how it could be confusing to someone who knew very little about the sport.

Now, please go away from our forums and don't come back. See I can civilly disagree with you WITHOUT YELLING.

9 years ago 10/31/2014 6:57pm EDT

re: CLICKBAIT Much?

The headline must have been a Freudian slip!

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"Rita Jeptoo’s Agent and Coach, Paula Radcliffe, and NYC Marathon Pros React..." is a HORRENDOUS headline

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