Long ago, there was an SR staffer who used to refer to contributing essays or whatever to "NPR."

That, of course, stands for National Public Radio.

In reality, the contributions in question were to Spokane Public Radio. SPR is an important cultural presence. No question. But it is not the same thing as NPR, even if the Spokane station airs programs from the national network.

Eventually the SR person was asked about this curious blurring of acronyms. "You know the difference, right?"

The alleged "NPR" contributor pretended not to understand the point being made and offered an answer that might as well have been Nigel Tufnel in "Spinal Tap" saying, "These go to 11."

Stay tuned for more exciting tales of newsroom behaviors that have gotten on my nerves over the years.

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