Media Watchdogs Launch Compendium of ‘Second Mentions,’ Highlighting a Quirky Journalistic Tradition
A new book is cataloging the media’s penchant for playful, frequently enough elaborate, re-descriptions of common subjects – a practice known as “second mentions.” compiled by Matthew and Juliet Maguire, the collection shines a light on this enduring, and sometimes debated, stylistic quirk found across news outlets, from tabloids to the Financial Times and The Telegraph.
The Maguires’ work arrives at a moment of intense scrutiny of the news industry, especially as artificial intelligence reshapes content creation. While some view second mentions as a sign of lazy writng,the Maguires frame their project as a celebration of linguistic creativity and a source of levity in an increasingly serious news landscape. The practice-re-describing something already identified-has been a feature of journalism for over a century, tho its value remains a point of contention.Examples cited include the Financial Times‘ description of noodles as “the rapid foodstuff” and the Telegraph‘s labeling of pork pies as the “iconic meat and hot water crust pastry combo.” Matthew Maguire confessed a fondness for variations on “porker,” enjoying phrases like “the errant porker” and “the mischievous porker.” Juliet Maguire highlighted instances that elevate everyday items, such as rebranding a scotch egg a “porcine poultry hybrid,” noting, “It sounds very grand for something that’s very simple and every day.”
The debate over second mentions dates back to at least 1906, when HW and FG Fowler critiqued them in The King’s English, deeming some “not justified by expediency” and “cheap ornament.” However, Juliet Maguire argues the originality behind these phrases deserves recognition. “We see our book as more of a celebration of creativity,” she said. “There are people who might frown upon it, but we only see the joy.”
The Maguires believe their collection offers a welcome distraction. ”The news is quite a serious place at the moment,” Juliet Maguire explained. “So if this brings just a bit of levity and fun into people’s lives, than that’s what we’re aiming for.” A related article in The Guardian from September 6, 2025, explores how google’s shift to AI is upending the online news model.
