Why you should take a second look at that headline

Mary Jane found in local cornfield

Back in the early 70s a headline in our local newspaper made me the talk of the campus.  I walked into Sociology 101 to find the front page taped to the front wall. In three-inch high letters, the headline read, “Mary Jane found in local cornfield," ... it took me awhile to live that down.

While this headline was awkward for me personally, other headlines make you think twice ... and chuckle every now and then.

Double Meanings From Around the World:
 Headlines that have a double meaning often sneak past editors. Some of these are hard to believe:

• Governor Swears in Legislature 
• March Planned For Next August 
• Patient At Death's Door--Doctors Pull Him Through 
• Stadium Air Conditioning Fails--Fans Protest 
• Queen Mary Having Bottom Scraped 
• Prostitutes Appeal to Pope 
• Child's Stool Great for Use in Garden 
• Idaho Group Organizes to Help Service Widows 
• 20-Year Friendship Ends at Altar

Opposite meaning:
Lawyers Give Poor Free Legal Advice

A little too clever:
Lingerie Shipment Hijacked--Thief Gives Police The Slip

Stating the obvious:

If Strike Isn't Settled Quickly, It May Last A While

Cold Wave Linked to Temperatures

Plane Too Close to Ground, Crash Probe Told

Man is Fatally Slain

Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Experts Say

Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers

Hershey Bars Protest

County Officials to Talk Rubbish

Farmer Bill Dies in House

Drunk Gets Nine Months in Violin Case 

Just plain funny:

• Blind Woman Gets New Kidney from Dad She Hasn't Seen in Years
• Stud Tires Out
• Panda Mating Fails; Veterinarian Takes Over
• Reagan Wins on Budget, But More Lies Ahead
• Two Sisters Reunited after 18 Years in Checkout Counter
• Is There a Ring of Debris around Uranus?
• Miners Refuse to Work after Death
• Stolen Painting Found by Tree
• Red Tape Holds Up New Bridge
• Man Struck by Lightning Faces Battery Charge
• Local High School Dropouts Cut in Half
• Prosecutor Releases Probe into Undersheriff
• Some Pieces of Rock Hudson Sold at Auction
• Sex Education Delayed, Teachers Request Training
• Many Antiques Seen at D.A.R. Meeting

Do you have a favorite headline mishap you remember?