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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