rowback

n. a reversal (of opinion, policy, or stated fact), esp. when intended to be surreptitious. Subjects: English

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Citations: 1963 Frank Johnson Nevada State Journal (Reno) (July 3) “Journalistic ‘Rowback’ Art He Hasn’t Mastered” p. 9: A “rowback” is an important if little-known tool of the journalistic trade. It is the reporter’s artgum eraser. If used skillfully enough, the readers will not even realize he has made a correction. 1988 Wilbur G. Landrey St. Petersburg Times (Florida) (June 12) “Kinnock thinks again about nukes” p. 5D: A week ago, Kinnock began a famous rowback that I read about in the London newspapers last Monday morning. He still wanted to get rid of the Trident submarine missile systems contracted by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, he said in a television interview, “but the fact is that it does not have to be something for nothing. The fact is now that it can be something for something.” 2003 Mark Hennessy Irish Times (Dublin, Ireland) (Oct. 1) “FF lobby for deal on smoking ban grows” p. 7: The smoking ban, due to come into force in January, yesterday dominated nearly two hours of debate at the weekly Fianna Fail parliamentary party meeting. However, Mr Martin rejected all calls for a rowback and insisted that the Government had no option but to go ahead with the ban. 2004 William Powers (National Journal) (Apr. 10) “Our Man Dan”: Have you read Okrent on that “squirrelly journalistic dance step known to old-timers as a ‘rowback’ “? That’s when a news outlet tries to cover up an erroneous story with a new story that conveniently neglects to mention the first one.

Posted 8 Sep 04 | Permalink | Tell a Friend