I don’t think humor is in general a good defense for writing misleading headlines.
Humor is not a defense, but a good idea. The headline is misleading only to people who can’t parse language properly.
I doubt that too many people felt they were “misled” by the headline. I think most people got the joke.
I was trying to come up with a literary term for the device used. It seems like it’s a thing.
Someone pointed out “dysphemism” as a term to me here. But that wasn’t right. Just a little hyperbole for dramatic effect? For contrast with the hug?
I think of it as a “wink”. It’s not quite hyperbole, but, let’s say, a literary device that sets the mood and expectations. Basically it says “I’m not being entirely serious here”.
Humor is not a defense, but a good idea. The headline is misleading only to people who can’t parse language properly.
I doubt that too many people felt they were “misled” by the headline. I think most people got the joke.
I was trying to come up with a literary term for the device used. It seems like it’s a thing.
Someone pointed out “dysphemism” as a term to me here. But that wasn’t right. Just a little hyperbole for dramatic effect? For contrast with the hug?
I think of it as a “wink”. It’s not quite hyperbole, but, let’s say, a literary device that sets the mood and expectations. Basically it says “I’m not being entirely serious here”.