I am informed that versions of an observation in today's print column have been bouncing around the Internets for a few years.

(Insert classic bad word here.)

I do not blame the submitting reader. He's a good guy. And people can independently come up with similar ideas. But I should have checked it.

Of course, some individuals do not realize it is wrong to pass off another's work as their own.

A few years ago, when a new features editor was in his first week on the job he noted that something in an upcoming Slice column (submitted by a medical doctor) was a note-for-note rip-off of a national comedian's routine. Or possibly a remarkable coincidence.

In any event, on that occasion, I had time to replace it. Today I learned too late.

(Insert another bad word here.) 

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