Football pundit Jamie Redknapp and London Mayor Boris Johnson have been named and shamed for their poor use of the English language.
The pair were among the award “winners” in the Plain English Campaign’s annual Golden Bull booby prize to mark National Plain English Day.
The Golden Bull awards recognise the year’s most baffling examples of gobbledegook.
Politician Mr Johnson, a former newspaper editor, was nominated for a comment in a Transport for London press release where he called for London to become “A cyclised city”.
Other Golden Bull winners include NHS Lanarkshire for a staff document which used the sentence: “These are cascaded to senior staff across the organisation through to frontline staff via a structured mechanism to facilitate ownership of data.”
The language was labelled “baffling” by the Plain English Campaign, which held the awards ceremony in Manchester.
Former Liverpool and England player Redknapp was named the Foot in Mouth Award winner for his incorrect use of the word “literally” and other gaffes. Examples included: “These balls now – they literally explode off your feet.” And: “Steven Gerrard makes runs into the box better than anyone. So does Frank Lampard.”
Media organisations praised for their clarity and use of good English include the Daily Mail and York Press newspapers, BBC Breakfast and regional news programme Granada Reports. Private healthcare firm Bupa was named the best website and Rock Radio in Manchester won praise for it’s “five word weather report”.
The award for best national radio programme goes to footballer Robbie Savage on BBC Radio Five Live’s 606 programme.
Chrissie Maher OBE, founder of the Plain English Campaign, said: “I wasn’t surprised to see Sian Williams and Bill Turnbull mentioned since they are my personal favourites, but all the team on BBC Breakfast are clear and understandable. We do need people in media who are respected and set standards for the next generation. Robbie Savage understands what he’s talking about and he doesn’t make a big deal about it. He goes on air just like when he is out on the field – straight to the point and no messing.”
