TV anchor's obscene error becomes catchphrase overnight

A veteran New York City news anchor flubs a line and an obscene catchphrase goes viral on the Internet.

Ernie Anastos of Fox affiliate WNYW was bantering with the weatherman last night night when he cheerfully dropped an F-bomb on the air. What he likely intended to say was, "Keep plucking that chicken."

Anastos didn't appear to recognise the error, though co-anchor Dari Alexander's eyes bugged out after he said it.

Videos of the mistake circulated widely online, as the phrase took on a life of its own.

Fox isn't laughing, though.

The vice president and general manager of WNYW, Lew Leone, says he's "disappointed" in Anastos' comment and the anchor will apologise on the air Thursday evening.