L.A. SPEAK

The dialect of dish. A former National Enquirer reporter blows the lid off tabloid-talk.

Freddie: n. a risky cover picture that results in a lot of sales. Derived from the time the Enquirer put the indefatigable Freddie Krueger’s image on the cover and the issue sold surprisingly well. “We took a chance on Bruce and Demi and it turned out to be a real Freddie. “

Hey, Martha: n. a story so hot that it will be of interest to everyone. As in: “Hey Martha, did you see the story in the Enquirer this week on Dan Quayle and Madonna?”

pop: v. to confirm a rumor by confronting the celebrity in person. “What a drag, I tried to pop Tony Danza the other day but the maid slammed the door in my face.” Syn. doorstepping. money quote: n. the quote that can sum up a whole story in one sentence. “What’s the money quote? “ “ ‘I killed John Belushi.’ ” “Great.”

slagging: n. a reaming, a story in which a person’s reputation is trashed. “We really gave Cher a total slagging last month, eh, mate?”

take a flier: v. to pursue a story despite a lack of substantiated evidence. “I took a flier with Julia Roberts’ nose job but I think it’ll be OK.”

trained seal: n. a paid “expert” who will back up the usual tabloid psychobabble story. “Get the trained seal on the phone. I need a quote on this ‘Depression Is Good for You’ story.”

Wacko Jacko: n . Michael Jackson. “Oh no, not another Wacko Jacko story.”