quote:

Above Friday's Page 1 story detailing how some Chicago public school students dodge gangs and violence on their way to class appeared the headline "The gantlet."

Readers were incensed. And the gauntlets -- er, gloves -- came off.

In fact, the headline apparently sparked so much interest that the term "gantlet" rose to No. 10 on Google's list of hottest Internet searches Friday morning.

How could the Tribune commit such a grievous error? We'd clearly chosen the wrong word, dozens of readers told us by phone and e-mail and in online comments.

Had we?

Webster's New World College Dictionary, which we use in the newsroom, prefers "gantlet" when describing the act of running between two rows. The dictionary also accepts "gauntlet" in this usage, though the primary definition is a medieval glove worn by knights.

For consistency, newspapers adopt a style that ensures one, uniform use of certain terms. In the Tribune's case, we go with Associated Press style, which is to use the term "gantlet."

The response shows that the spelling we chose, though correct, was less familiar to readers. The alternative? Bow to common usage by choosing "gauntlet."

Can we all just pick up our gauntlets now and move on?