Good editors need certain qualities. Excellent grammar. Attention to detail. A dirty mind.

Yes, a dirty mind. Think about it. An editor’s job is to correct mistakes and remove any distractions that might divert the reader’s attention or embarrass the writer. That includes accidental double entendres.

Now, I’m a pretty straight-laced gal. But I can spot a double-entendre a mile away, with my eyes closed.

So I had to laugh when I received an e-mail with this subject line from the alumni association at one of my alma maters:

Er…no thanks.

But I’d probably be interested in, say, “Chesapeake Bay Steamed Crabs & Community Service,” thank you very much. Which, I discovered in the body of the e-mail, was what was being offered.

Do you have any examples of e-mail subject line howlers? I’d love to see them. Send me an e-mail or post a comment.