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The Meaning of Headlines: "scoop the crown" - Eurovision Contest


Several news outlets announced online on May 24, 2015, that “Sweden Scoops Eurovision 2015 Crown.” What does this mean: to scoop the crown?

The outlets include newscater.com, rfpradio.com, article.wn.com, currentnewstoday.net, and newstvegenre.altervista.org.

They were referring to Sweden winning the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest in which finalists representing 27 European countries competed in Vienna (along with Australia, the special guest for the 60th anniversary of the contest).

Instead of headlining “Sweden wins Eurovision 2015 crown” they used the word “scoop.” The Free Dictionary defines scoop (pronounced skoop) as “a shovellike or a cuplike utensil, usually having a deep curved dish and a short handle” – like a wide spoon. Their example is “ate two scoops of ice cream.” A scooping movement or action is to catch a ball, scooping it into one or two hands. Journalists have a scoop when they announce news first, before other agencies have covered the story – so this is not the use of the word in this case. It can also mean “a large, quick gain, as of money” or a prize, such as the Eurovision Song Contest. It can also mean to “get the better of” or to “outdo” and “beat” all other competitors.

The news outlets intended to show that Sweden didn’t just “win” the competition, but that they “scooped the crown” through a large, quick gain to take the prize from all other competitors quite convincingly.” It has greater and more evocative connotations than merely stating a “win.”

“To scoop the crown” is to win the ornamental head covering used for people in power or in the monarchy – a king or queen’s headwear. Webster’s Dictionary describes a crown as a reward for achievement, such as for a champion.

So did Sweden actually “scoop the crown”?

In the articles, the outlets emphasized the “scoop” – the great gains out-doing all competitors – by announcing Sweden’s Mans Zelmevlow, with his song, Heroes, scoring 365 total points. Second at 303 total points was Russia’s Polina Gagarina, with the song, A Milion Voices. This is indeed a convincing win – and indeed a “scoop.”


Sweden did scoop the Eurovision 2015 crown. Scorecard for the news headlines: 100% for the correct usage of an English phrase that not only headlines the article, but also provides an appropriate evocative image of Sweden’s great win.


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