Chris Pash reports the phrase at the end of the day “is the most popular cliche in journalism globally. It is all-pervasive.” Headline writers also love “Man Bites Dog” in some fashion. For example:

• “Man bites dog: Pawlenty has kind words for Obama” from the Minneapolis Star Tribune on May 4
• “The Nation: What Happens To Welfare Mothers?” Lead sentence: “It’s the man-bites-dog story that never ends.” from NPR today
• “Groin ailment slows St. Louis Cardinals’ Holliday” leading with “This is man-bites-dog material.” What the? That’s from the St Louis Post-Dispatch May 8.
Get more fun journalist’s cliches through the link.