Mea Culpa: Epicenter

[Ken Banks <edits -at- hawaii -dot- rr -dot- com>]

> An *epicenter* is the location on the surface of the earth directly
> above the subsurface earth movement that caused an earthquake. A
> nice, precise word, yet journalists are slithering all over
> themselves to use it when *center* is the correct word.

I just did what I should have done a long time ago, I picked up my 
American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, which allows 
epicenter to be used to mean, "A focal point." In a usage note, AHD 
states that its 82% of its usage panel "approves of figurative 
extensions of its use in dangerous, destructive, or negative 
contexts." The panel is less accepting (62%) of  it's use as a "focal 
point in neutral or positive events."

Al Geist's point concerning the various responsibilities of on-air 
people, writers, copy editors, and city editors is on the money. I've 
been burned more than once when inappropriate headlines ran over my 
stories. When I write to journalists (writers), I'm careful to allow for this.

Humbly yours,
Ken

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