Iowa college apologizes for offensive typo

In 10,000 handbooks, 'linch' printed instead of 'lunch' in black history item

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updated 4:40 p.m. ET Sept. 25, 2008

DES MOINES, Iowa - The president of an Iowa college says he's sorry about an unfortunate and offensive typo in a school handbook.

A calendar entry for Feb. 16, 2009, was supposed to read "Black History Lunch and Learn." Instead, it says "Black History Linch and Learn."

It sounds like "lynch," a term commonly used for hangings by a mob.

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The handbook was distributed to about 10,000 students before the mistake was discovered.

Des Moines Area Community College President Rob Denson says stickers are available to place over the entry, which will be corrected in the next printing.