amphibology

[underused]

amphibology
a phrase or sentence that is grammatically ambiguous (also amphiboly)

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Amphibology, also known as "syntactic ambiguity," is a situation where a sentence may be interpreted in more than one way due to ambiguous sentence structure. A "globally ambiguous" sentence can be interpreted in more than one way; a sentence that is "locally ambiguous" is temporarily confusing, but becomes clear once read in its entirety.

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The need for brevity often leads to amphibology in newspaper headlines. "The Lower Case" column of the Columbia Journalism Review publishes reader-submitted examples in a feature called Headlines editors probably wish they could take back.

For your consideration:

FARMER BILL DIES IN HOUSE

GOVT BANS MOVEMENT OF BIRDS

SERVICES FOR MAN WHO REFUSED TO HATE THURSDAY IN ATLANTA

19 FEET BROKEN IN POLE VAULT

RESEARCH FANS HOPE FOR SPINAL INJURIES

Comments

[underused]

Even the term is confusing. ☺

[mandralyne]

It is very confusing.