Words have meanings, including "star"

Many media members recently are either not doing their homework or don't know what a word means.

I'm talking about the misuse of the word "star."

The most recent irritating references have come in the reporting of the sad University of Virginia lacrosse homicide case. I realize there are a lot more important facts to check, but just because it's a minor point doesn't mean that you should not be accurate.

I've heard several TV reporters refer to both the victim, women's lacrosse player Yeardley Love, and the accused, men's lacrosse player George Huguely as "stars."

A quick trip to the U.Va. athletics website offers plenty of evidence that "star" isn't an accurate description.

If these reporters would take that time, they would see that Love, who played defense, only started three of 15 games. Huguely didn't start any of the Cavaliers' 15 games games and collected only four goals and three assists this season. Neither made the All-ACC team.

I'm sure that both displayed very good lacrosse talent or they would not have earned college scholarships. But there's no way that an athlete could accurately be called a star if they rarely or never start.

My youngest son has started every one of his recreation-soccer games this season. He's playing well and has scored a goal, but honestly compels me to report that you can't call him a star.

This isn't the only story in which "star" likely is at least overused.

Whenever a woman who does work in porn movies is described, she seemingly always is called a "porn star."

I'm sure that there are porn stars, but every porn actress who makes news is called a porn star. A woman who allegedly had a relationship with Tiger Woods has been given this title in every report I've seen. I don't care to check for the accuracy of these references. She may be a "star." But I'll bet it's unlikely that every porn actress who makes news is a "star."

I just wish that if reporters working on the Virginia lacrosse story can't take the time to check if the word "star" is accurate, that they simply would call them former players.