Dead mouse admits lying?
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"Dead mouse in protein supplement claimant admits lying", BBC News 2/7/2018:
A man has admitted to lying about buying a pack of protein powder containing a dead mouse.
Adam Brenton tweeted criticism of Myprotein Impact Diet Whey seller The Hut.com Ltd and contacted local press with his claims.
The story was widely republished but "unequivocal" evidence proved the mouse was not present at delivery.
Those familiar with British headlinese will have recognized that "Dead mouse in protein supplement" modifies "claimant", but outsiders may wonder what a protein supplement claimant is, and what a dead mouse is doing in one.
Obligatory screenshot:
[h/t Brett Powley]
John From Cincinnati said,
March 6, 2018 @ 11:26 pm
Dead mouse from BBC headlinese blogger explains tale
Viseguy said,
March 7, 2018 @ 12:39 am
What's a dead mouse doing in a protein supplement claimant? And how can it admit lying if it's dead?
rosie said,
March 7, 2018 @ 2:15 am
Even in headlinese, it's not usual for a NP containing a PP to modify another noun. Noun piles are more common. "Protein supplement mouse claimant" perhaps?
AntC said,
March 7, 2018 @ 4:16 am
"unequivocal" evidence proved the mouse was not present at delivery.
The mouse had an alibi? The mouse admitted it had abandoned its post?
"The fact of Desertion I will not dispute;
But its guilt, as I trust, is removed
(So far as relates to the costs of this suit)
By the Alibi which has been proved.
[Lewis Carroll of course]
Mr Punch said,
March 7, 2018 @ 9:56 am
Dead mice just lie there – it's what they do.
Robert Coren said,
March 7, 2018 @ 10:56 am
@Mr Punch: And like sleeping dogs, they should just be let do so.
Robert Coren said,
March 7, 2018 @ 10:56 am
@AntC: But it wasn't enough to keep him from being transported for life and then fined forty pounds.
BobW said,
March 7, 2018 @ 1:05 pm
Well of course, if it's dead it's lying (down).
Roscoe said,
March 7, 2018 @ 2:32 pm
@Mr Punch: Except for deadmau5.
JPL said,
March 7, 2018 @ 8:08 pm
Doctors operated on a person claiming contamination in a protein supplement product and found a dead mouse with a little note that said, "I was lying when I said that I was part of the protein supplement, and it's OK to eat me."
BZ said,
March 8, 2018 @ 1:03 pm
Wouldn't a British headline be a noun pile? Like "Dead mouse protein supplement claimant lied"? I'd say it's even less ambiguous to the uninitiated.
chris said,
March 9, 2018 @ 8:55 pm
A man has admitted to lying about buying a pack of protein powder containing a dead mouse.
So he actually stole it?
ajay said,
March 15, 2018 @ 7:00 am
"Dead mouse in protein supplement claimant admits lying"
Man: "We would like to claim that protein supplement!"
Small eldritch squeaky voice from within his abdomen: "No we wouldn't! We were having you on!"