Why is the host of a broadcast news program called an anchor?
Anchor is, of course, short for anchorman, but with the rise of women in the broadcast industry, the position was shortened to anchor to make it suitable for both genders.
Whether you prefer anchor or anchorman/woman, the term arose via semantic extension from the sense of "the strongest runner (or swimmer) on a relay team." This use, in turn, is speculated to have its roots in the anchor man positioned at the end of a tug of war, but this connection has not been proven.
(San Diego's classiest news anchor.)
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