I’ve been hearing a new thing on the BBC lately that I really think is funny. The reporters have started saying “on the ground” all the time. “We now go to our correspondent Jane Doe who is on the ground in Kosovo.” They must have said it at least five times in the 5AM (1000 GMT) news and during the BBC show “Outside Source”.
It cracks me up, ‘on the ground’ as opposed to what? Floating in the sea? Hovering in the air? “We take you live to Richard Smith who is sitting in a tree in Southern France.” “We take you to Lilly Bloomer who is standing on one foot atop a flag pole in the Ukraine.”
There’s nothing wrong with it really, I know that they mean “on the scene” but “on the ground” is just funny to me because I wonder where people would think the reporter was if they didn’t tell us he was “on the ground”. And I hear the phrase being used more and more.
I love the BBC, I listen every day and think they’re the best, just FYI.
From a chair on the second floor of my house here in Grand Cayman, I hope you have a good week!
Replying here ‘on the ground’ actually not, sitting in a chair with a cup of tea in good old Blighty home of the BBC. To be honest there is so much of that type of silly intros we don’t notice them anymore. Now we will be listening out for it. Have a marvellous Monday.
Best wishes Molly
like a few years ago, all the reporters were ‘imbedded’.
my ass is on the recliner in West, Texas
Interesting. The news here usually says “on the scene” or “live from X”.
“on the ground”… I think it would be much more interesting if they did actually say where they are, like ” on a mound of rubble in XYZ” … it would be funny, and far more accurate.
I’m typing this while sitting in my lounge eating chocolate!
Yup…I think it’s pretty funny as well. Trying to make the news a little “sexier” with a little more flash!
And when they report they are both “on the air” and “on the ground” at the same time. And why is it that when people are being interviewed on TV they start their replies with “So…….”