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 #2 (permalink) Sun Feb 24, 2008 4:37 am Can news have legs? |
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Without further context, I suppose it means that news travels.
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 Mister Micawber
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| #3 (permalink) Sun Feb 24, 2008 14:01 pm Can news have legs? |
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The expression that some particular news has legs means that it is interesting enough, and true enough, that people will care about it, and the news media will continue to report it in more detail.
If you hear a journalist say, "That story has no legs," it means that it's not something the public cares enough to read more about, or that there's not enough truth or documentation to allow further reporting on it. It means the story will disappear from the news soon. |
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Jamie (K)
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| #4 (permalink) Sun Feb 24, 2008 14:18 pm Can news have legs? |
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Thanks, Jamie-- a new one for me.
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| #5 (permalink) Sun Feb 24, 2008 22:39 pm Can news have legs? |
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This expression was said by one of newscasters when he
was talking about McCain's scandal that he had an inappropriate relationship with a female lobbyist few years ago.
The New York Times wrote it.
The caster said, if McCain could not explain clearly at the press conference, then "the news has legs".
Now I've got the meaning! Thanks!
But is this expression common
or some sort of slang?
Since it was used in news, I just wonder. |
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Phoo
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Torsten
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| #7 (permalink) Mon Feb 25, 2008 0:03 am Can news have legs? |
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Ups, I listened to the video again to make sure and it said
"the thing has legs" instead of "the news ...."
But I also find the definition of the expression in Longman and it says:
"have legs American English informal if a piece of news has legs, people continue to be interested in it and talk about it"
So "thing" "story" "news" etc...
any similar words can be the noun for this expression, can't they? |
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Phoo
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| #8 (permalink) Mon Feb 25, 2008 0:54 am Can news have legs? |
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Hi Phoo,
'Has legs' in a journalistic sense simply means 'will run'.
Alan
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| #9 (permalink) Mon Feb 25, 2008 1:40 am Can news have legs? |
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Hi Alan,
Are you saying only journalists use the term? |
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Phoo
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| Expression: "Is the home delivery available?" | leave sb wondering |
