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The other day the entire newsroom got a good laugh, thanks to the trusty spell checker on my computer.

I was emailing a woman in regards to a play in Oregon that my co-anchor John and I were planning to see.  I hit send and the automatic spell checker popped up.  I typically disregard it if I’m writing a very brief email, so I just hit “send.”

A few seconds later, John, who sits across from me, began laughing out loud.  Before I could even ask what was so funny, he was beckoning me to come over to his computer to read what was on the screen.

I peered over his shoulder and saw the email I had just sent!  It read like this:

Hi Dana!

I received your letter about tickets to the show.  My co-anchor, John Whiffletree, and I would love to come on Thursday, August 14.

Please let me know if seats are still available.

Thanks! 

Leigh

I couldn’t believe it!  I had actually just emailed someone and called my co-anchor JOHN WHIFFLETREE!

Now, I hope your last name isn’t Whiffletree because I don’t mean to offend anyone.  But I still can’t comprehend how or why spell check would change “Stofflet” to “Whiffletree” – the only similarity is the two f’s.  It was hilarious!

I immediately began laughing… to the point of tears… as John filled the entire newsroom in on his new last name.  I then quickly sent another email to Dana correcting my mistake.  I certainly didn’t want his ticket to say “Whiffletree” – that would cause a lot of confusion!

And talk about embarrassing!  Being a journalist who prides herself on accuracy (spelling is certainly a big part of that)… I still haven’t lived that one down.  I hope I’m not the only one who has had a spell check slip-up!

Has this ever happened to you?  What was the word that was changed and to what?  Please, share!

Moral of the story: Even when writing a two line email, always read the spell check suggestions before hitting send!