“Bury the Lede” vs. “Bury the Lead”
Both “bury the lede” and “bury the lead” are acceptable spellings of this phrase. However, “lede” is the journalistic spelling that originated in newsrooms in the mid-20th century. It was created to avoid confusion with “lead,” the metal traditionally used in printing presses. Even though digital printing has largely replaced physical printing, “lede” continues to be used in journalism today. In 2008, it was even added to the
Merriam-Webster dictionary.
Which One Should You Use?
Whether to use “lede” or “lead” depends on your audience and context. If you’re writing for a news publication or using the term in a journalistic context, “lede” is the preferred spelling. However, if you’re writing for a general audience or not referring specifically to journalism, either spelling is acceptable.
Never knew the story behind this until I just looked it up.