News-Record.com

At least one reader has called and another has e-mailed about a headline on today's editorial page. It reads:

"Senators don't lose to no one."

And it prompted Shirley Simpson to respond in an e-mail:

"It disturbs me greatly when I see such a misuse of the English language in one of your headlines -- today's editorial page, July 2, 2007 -- "Senators don't lose to no one". Surely you have better proof readers than this. I only hope that you were trying to be funny and that in reality you know better. Still, I feel you have a responsibility to model exemplary literary skills."

My story (and I'm sticking to it):

"Yes, we know better, Ms. Simpson, and yes, we were trying to be a little bit funny.

"What you perceive in today's "Short Stack" item as atrocious grammar is actually an intentional play on words that is meant to be a double-negative.

"The headline 'Senators don't lose to no one' attempts to pose this question: If the Democrats believe Elizabeth Dole is so 'vulnerable,' why haven't they found someone to run against her?
The headline's implied point: Dole certainly won't lose her bid for re-election if nobody runs against her.

"If we would have written the less grammatically jarring 'Senators don't lose to anyone,' it would not have reflected what were trying to say. Nor would it have made any sense.

"On the other hand, maybe it didn't make sense anyway.

"After all, a play on words, like a joke, works only if people get it. Maybe we were trying too hard?

"Thanks for your sharp eye and for keeping us on our toes."