A selection of headlines from stories in the news. They use English in a way that you might think is intended to confuse but it’s all perfectly clear to the native speaker.

The Daily Star had fun with the story of a mum of 28 who was banned from every nightclub in her area because she was dressed too revealingly.  The headline was “How Bare You”; a play on the phrase “How dare you?”, which is usually used to challenge someone who is doing or saying something we strongly disagree with.  They substituted the word “bare” which is used to describe something that lacks covering or clothing.

Of course the nightclubs in question didn’t really ban her for wearing skimpy clothes, they banned her for being too old to wear skimpy clothes.  Men!