Second Mentions
LightNews LightNews
banner
secondmentions.bsky.social
Second Mentions
@secondmentions.bsky.social
1.3K followers 620 following 190 posts
The Little Book of Second Mentions, out now https://amzn.to/43oYehw | secondmentions.com | [email protected]
Posts Replies Media Videos
secondmentions.bsky.social
Kebab: "the post-pub classic" www.thetimes.com/article/6725...
Picture of a woman preparing an octopus kebab. Headline reads: The octopus kebab - Camden's fishy twist on the post-pub classic
November 15, 2025 at 1:39 PM
secondmentions.bsky.social
🎁 Looking for the perfect Secret Santa present? 🎁

🧑‍🎄 In honour of Father Christmas, here are our favourite second mentions for the big man 🧑‍🎄

👉 All this and more in 'The Little Book of Second Mentions', out now
Once you've selected a synonym for Christmas itself, the festive/yuletide/seasonal/Mariah Carey time provides a veritable feast of second mentions, starting with the big man himself. Father Christmas, or Santa Claus if you prefer, is variously referred to as 'the bearded present-bearer' for PA News, 'the man in red' for the Halifax Courier, and 'the red-robed friendly present giver' for Reading Today. Another perhaps slightly euphemistic example is 'the broad-girthed giver of joy' for BBC News, though that interpretation might just be us... We reckon we might end up on the naughty list for that one.
November 12, 2025 at 9:38 PM
secondmentions.bsky.social
"the noble, katana-wielding heroes"

www.theguardian.com/culture/2025...
An article from the Guardian with the words "the noble, katana-wielding heroes" highlighted in pink
November 10, 2025 at 5:39 PM
secondmentions.bsky.social
🐻 As #PaddingtonTheMusical opens this month, we're here for all your second mentions needs 🐻

👉 All this and more in 'The Little Book of Second Mentions', out now

amzn.eu/d/aWn883j
Text reading: Meanwhile over on X, journalists Callum Thomson asked for our advice when trying to come up with a second mention for Paddington Bear, writing: "Not sure I can get away with "the Peruvian marmalade muncher, can I, Second Mentions'?" Of course, we can't speak on behalf of your sub-editor, but if you need more suggestions, then perhaps take inspiration from 'the furry Peruvian emigre' in The Guardian, 'the marmalade-loving bear' in the Halesowen News and, our favourite, 'the duffle-coat-wearing ursine' from BBC News. And, if you need a second mention for marmalade sandwiches, we suggest 'the bread and orange preserve staple', which featured in The Independent.
November 4, 2025 at 5:43 PM
secondmentions.bsky.social
We have a winner...
Image of Paddington bear with text from the Guardian reading: Big belly, wavy fur and a nose for trouble: we exclusively reveal the new-look Paddington. It's been the biggest secret in theatre: what will the marmalade-loving, hyper-polite Peruvian look like in Paddington the Musical? As the curtain rises, we speak to the new bear's creator, a veteran of Star Wars and PG Tips ads
November 4, 2025 at 8:02 AM
secondmentions.bsky.social
🍻 To mark the opening of its first ever pub, here are our favourite second mentions for Greggs 🍻

Let us know if you can do better...

www.greggs.com/news/welcome...
A bulletpoint list of synonyms for Greggs including 'the much-loved northern bakery chain', 'the pastry paradise', 'the sausage roll haven', 'the sausage roll stalwart', 'the pie-and-pastry giant', 'the steak-bake champion', 'the purveyor of sausage rolls and meat pies', 'the North East-based food-on-the-go firm'
September 24, 2025 at 1:55 PM
secondmentions.bsky.social
"the quasi-celebrity, leather jacket-wearing billionaire" www.cityam.com/nvidia-boss-...
September 17, 2025 at 6:10 PM
secondmentions.bsky.social
"the Sandhurst-educated leader of the gas-rich Gulf state"

www.thetimes.com/article/e520...
Text from The Times newspaper. After the bombing, Trump called Netanyahu, describing the attack as an "unfortunate incident". He also called the emir of Qatar to reassure the Sandhurst-educated leader of the gas-rich Gulf state that his country was safe from further Israeli attacks.
September 10, 2025 at 6:50 AM
secondmentions.bsky.social
When you want to avoid repeating Sting. And The Police. (Sent to us by a follower on the other site)

www.nme.com/news/music/s...
September 7, 2025 at 10:52 AM
secondmentions.bsky.social
"the begoggled chef" www.thetimes.com/article/fcbc...
August 31, 2025 at 1:59 PM
secondmentions.bsky.social
Big thanks to @hackblackburn.bsky.social for featuring us - and some mischievous moggies - in today's Times Diary!

www.thetimes.com/article/b809...
How to handle a cat While flicking through The Little Book of Second Mentions, a study of how journalists avoid repetition, it becomes clear that some of the most original work is being done by the local press. For instance, when a cat interrupted a Sheffield Wednesday match the nationals went with the all-too-oft-repeqtee 'mischievous moggie', whereas only Wigan Today used the term 'the naughty tortie'. The book lists some of the many occasions when 'mischievous moggie' has been used and it seems the British press believe that the first word covers all manner of sins. It has been used for cats who have done everything from get their head stuck in a tissue box through to stealing socks, but surely it was stretched to breaking point when applied to a cat that dragged home 20 wraps of cocaine.
August 27, 2025 at 9:10 AM
secondmentions.bsky.social
"the phantom-fighters"
August 24, 2025 at 3:24 PM
secondmentions.bsky.social
The Little Book of Second Mentions - out now!

📖 Get your copy here 👉 amzn.eu/d/hHxka2A
A quote from Adam Hurrey reading "this book isn't just a definitive, overdue exploration - it's a celebration" and a copy of The Little Book or Second Mentions in the bottom right hand corner
August 20, 2025 at 4:59 PM
secondmentions.bsky.social
Two days to go until The Little Book of Second Mentions comes out, featuring our favourites from the last 10 years.

Thanks to @charlotteivers.bsky.social and all the other talented journalists for your creativity and wit. We hope you enjoy reading it!

👉 Order here now: amzn.eu/d/gOEloy7
A quote from Charlotte Ivers reading, "A delightful love letter to journalism" with a copy of The Little Book of Second Mentions in the bottom right corner
August 17, 2025 at 5:28 AM
secondmentions.bsky.social
Big thanks to @hackblackburn.bsky.social for including us in today's Times Diary. 'Piggy comestible' is one of our favourites from the book (as well as in our diet...) 🐷

www.thetimes.com/article/3dc7...
Text reading: Many journalists will shudder at the publication of The Little Book of Second Mentions, which charts how we hacks struggle to avoid repetition. An example of this would be when one of my colleagues referred to Black Beauty as "the equine prota", but the book assures us that we are part of a tradition which dates back to Homer. The ancient poet called Odysseus "the great tactician" or "the sacker of cities", so perhaps he too would have referred to a pork pie as a "piggy comestible'". The latter is, I admit, my appearance in the book - although I'm disappointed that the authors overlooked my christening of Prince Andrew as "the sweatless wonder".
August 16, 2025 at 6:14 AM
secondmentions.bsky.social
'The Little Book of Second Mentions' - perfect for your next visit to the porcelain throne! Out August 19th 🚽

👉 Pre-order from Amazon now: amzn.eu/d/4kiLiQY
A copy of The Little Book of Second Mentions with a quote from Rachel Johnson underneath reading "I can't think of a better loo read"
August 13, 2025 at 7:49 AM
secondmentions.bsky.social
Yeah love it
August 9, 2025 at 3:29 PM
secondmentions.bsky.social
There's still time to pre-order The Little Book of Second Mentions - out 19th August!

👉 amzn.eu/d/dHLhVb3

(Thanks for *your* delightful words @stephenkb.bsky.social)
A quote from Stephen Bush reading "a delightful book for anyone who loves words" with a copy of The Little Book of Second Mentions in the bottom right corner
August 9, 2025 at 10:08 AM
secondmentions.bsky.social
If you're a fan of small, compact, fun-sized reading material, 'The Little Book of Second Mentions' is for you.

Pre-order here now 👉 amzn.eu/d/6S8Dj1P
A quote from Tim Shipman reading: "My favourite less-than-vast agglomeration of pages in print this year" with a copy of the cover of 'The Little Book of Second Mentions' in the bottom right corner
August 7, 2025 at 10:56 AM
secondmentions.bsky.social
What connects:
- the bendy yellow fruit
- the pungent bulb
- the unctuous golden liquid
- the flaky pastry snack

They are all second mentions for food. Find out which ones in 'The Little Book of Second Mentions', out on 19th August.

Thanks @vcorenmitchell.bsky.social for your kind words!
A quote from Victoria Coren Mitchell reading, "an extremely funny idea", with a copy of The Little Book of Second Mentions in the bottom right corner and the logo of Biteback Publishing in the bottom left corner
August 1, 2025 at 8:51 AM
secondmentions.bsky.social
‘Hands-free hydrator’ is elite
Water bladder as a ‘hands-free hydrator’
July 31, 2025 at 10:52 AM
secondmentions.bsky.social
Our old friend Chiles giving us a great one today, umbrellas, ‘the nasty, pointy, dangerous things’
Umbrellas; the nasty, pointy, dangerous things.
July 30, 2025 at 6:28 PM
secondmentions.bsky.social
The Little Book of Second Mentions is out on August 19... Just over three weeks to get your pre-orders in. amzn.eu/d/hhMM4qK We can't wait for you to read it!
A copy of The Little Book of Second Mentions and underneath is a quote from Matt Chorley reading "A very funny book"
July 27, 2025 at 9:31 AM
secondmentions.bsky.social
A very rare example of a mid second mention description here to describe the second mention
Bluey; ‘the cartoon heeler - an Australian dog bred to herd cattle’
July 21, 2025 at 2:25 PM
secondmentions.bsky.social
Here’s Ben Stokes as ‘the golden Vincent Van Gogh lookalike’ in @theobserveruk.bsky.social
Ben Stokes, ‘the golden Vincent van Gogh lookalike’
July 20, 2025 at 12:06 PM