Mailbox uncle
Mailbox uncle (or mailbox aunt ) is colloquial as a person who answers reader or listener inquiries about human problems in the column of a magazine or on the radio ( advisory journalist ). The letterbox uncle is rarely a real person, but mostly a pseudonym behind which several editors work for the rubric, and often has an academic degree . The topics covered range from interpersonal relationships in general and sexuality in particular, upbringing , illnesses and other life crises to questions relating to housekeeping , gardens and automobiles .
One of the most famous letterbox uncles in Germany was Dr. Sommer , an alleged psychologist behind whom an editorial team for the youth magazine Bravo was hiding. The inquiries are - if not fictitious - selected from the point of view of the extent to which they might interest the target group. It is often assumed that the questions and advice published are intended to entertain and retain the readership rather than to assist those seeking help; conversely, questions are sometimes launched in order to see a particular topic published at all.
See also
Web links
- Mailbox uncle and mailbox aunt in Duden, duden.de