PLACE VERB FIRST IN HEADLINE? AIN'T GOOD GRAMMAR, READERS SAY

Your Daily Sketch editor has received gripes - from his wife and readers - about our habit of beginning some headlines with a verb, such as this week's "FREE DRIVER PINNED IN CRUSHED AUTO NEAR LONGMONT."

This is an old tabloid headline style very common in the early and mid-20th century. Partly to conserve page space. Partly brevity. Party fun to write. Alas yes, it is bad grammar in English 101 and above. Our photo provides evidence! It's a front page of the old New York Daily Mirror on Marilyn Monroe's death in 1962. We appreciate your comments! Yes, there is a method to our tabloid madness.

Our other recent sins include:

ARREST AURORA FIREBUG SUSPECT 

WON'T SELL OUR NATIONAL PARKS

SAVE LOST HIKERS TRAPPED ON MOUNT GARFIELD

Dat's da' way it is youse people.