to point out a possible mistake on some publicity?

[verlainechasedrimbauds]

The trouble is, I'm doubting myself. I would like to be helpful and really don't want to annoy anyone. If I'm wrong, I really will come across as a twit. If I'm right, I may come over as a pedantic proof-reading freak. I want them to like me you see

I don't think it's too late to make a change.

The expression used is in a tag-line : "...to reap revenge on her two daughters".

Shouldn't that be "wreak" ? Is "reap" ever right in that context? Please could some literate person help me out?

You are correct it is "wreak revenge" and I don't think YABU to point it out.

I emailled Aussie Hair Shampoo because the blurb on the back of one of their products read "take a deep breathe" instead of "breath". They sent me a £5 voucher (not a years supply as I had cheekily requested but hey ho)

You are correct, it is 'wreak revenge', not 'reap'. I would tell them!

Reap is fine in that context.

Actually forget what I said, Fabby is right!

Reap means to harvest, so reap revenge from her two daughters would be more correct, wouldn't it?

I stand corrected too, I think? To be honest I've never heard the expression "reap revenge"? Means the same I take it? Or would it be like "reap revenge FOR her daughters?"

Or both?

To obtain as a result of effort revenge on her two daughters.

That does make sense though.

Thank you.

I can find plenty of examples of its use in journalism, but no evidence (so far) of its use as a phrase in a dictionary. Could anyone point me to it? I know "reap" means to "gather" and "garner" etc (as in "to reap rewards"), but I'm still wondering whether reap has been used here when wreak was meant. A bit like "upmost" instead of "utmost".

I'm grateful for the advice and will refrain from pointing it out unless and until I reap more evidence for wreak!

Is this woman taking revenge out on someone else for something they did to her daughters, or is she taking revenge out on her own children? again.

Google(the oracle of all things) gives 17,800 results for "reap revenge" and 130,000 for "wreak revenge".

So I'm still leaning towards thinking it should be wreak.

I was wondering that too Totem. Need to know more context?

It did cross my mind that "reap" had been used when "wreak" was meant.

Pmsl @ "reap more evidence for wreak :)

Ah, now you see, that's a good question .
Here's the full quotation:
" A woman believes she is becoming possessed by her murdered husband in order to reap revenge on her two daughters."

I think that's case for "wreak", don't you?

Can you tell I really want it to be "wreak"?

It is wreak, definitely.

If you don't mind me saying, it's a terrible tag line!

Erm, is it that the daughters murdered her husband for the revenge to be wreaked? Wreak would make sense then.

It's definitely wreak given the context.

Wreak.

If it was 'reap' it would be "FOR her daughters".

Also, by the by, I've now got that mans' voice in my head doing the tag line. The one that does the voiceovers to promote films, with the deep, gravelly tone.

"A cop on the edge.....hunting down the criminals that murdered his family....he'll stop at nothing...."

^^that one!

Erm, is it that the daughters murdered her husband for the revenge to be wreaked?

indeed, or is it the husband wants to take revenge on someone else.

I don't suppose you can tell us whether the daughters killed the husband, as that gives the plot away. Though, based on that tag line, I don't think I'll be rushing out to watch the film or buy the book.

shakey

Now you see, I don't consider it the greatest tag-line either and I don't think it has been give a huge amount of thought so far. It's not yet really in the public eye so I think this is the ideal time to at least mention "wreak". With any luck the tag line will change completely soon.

As far as I understand it, the father wants to wreak revenge on the daughters through the mother.

I'm embarrassed now as I wanted to help, not expose said tag-line to scrutiny and possible ridicule. No chance of a part now .

Wreak. Tell them, have courage in your pedantic self.

I think it should be wreak. I am tempted to say those instances of people using reap were used mistakenly - quoted a phrase that has been misheard in the past.

I saw it and thought "definitely wreak", but then further comments have made me think that reaping could also be appropriate.

Although "reap revenge on" doesn't seem right. Revenge isn't like a crop. You can exact revenge, you can take revenge, wreak revenge (obviously), but I think you have to reap the something of revenge. Something being bittersweet fruit or anything that ties in with the crop metaphor.

I think it's one of those phrases that is misheard, then used so often that it enters the language by default.

(But don't ask me, my DP thinks I'm weird for eating a snack to "put me on" until dinner, or when I say I'll "set the dishwasher away" when I mean switch it on.)

Verlaine- we'll be the souls of discretion :)

Besides, I'm sure if you've got any input, the entire premise/tag line will be unrecognisable when it's finalised ;)

And, yes, now you've mentioned the above, wreak is the clear winner :)