headline etymology

Headline Etymology

The word "headline" comes from the 17th-century printing term "running title", which referred to a line of text that ran above the main text of a page. Over time, the term "running title" was shortened to "running head", and then to "headline".

Meaning

A headline is a brief, concise statement that summarizes the main point or idea of a news story, article, or other written work. It is typically placed at the beginning of the text and is designed to attract readers' attention and entice them to read further.

Origin

The first recorded use of the word "headline" in the modern sense dates back to 1771, when it was used in a British newspaper to describe the line of text that ran above the main story on the front page. By the 19th century, the term "headline" had become widely used in newspapers and other publications.

In the early days of journalism, headlines were often sensationalized and exaggerated to attract attention. However, as the field of journalism became more professionalized, headlines became more factual and informative. Today, headlines are an essential part of any news story or article, and they play a vital role in communicating the main ideas and attracting readers' attention.

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