Off the Front Page and Off the Back

Jared in Kaiser, Oregon, wonders about his father’s response when someone asks how he’s doing: I’m staying off the front page and I’m staying off the back page. Although this specific phrase isn’t widespread, it may have to do with the old adage that a woman’s name should appear only three times, referring to her birth, her wedding, and her death. Traditionally, the back pages of newspapers have been the place for obituaries or crime news. This is part of a complete episode.