I WAS horrified to read the Oxford English Dictionary’s definition of ‘anthem’ as “an arousing or uplifting song identified with a particular group, body or cause” (Feature, January 4).

My copy’s definition is more circumspect. Alas! a check reveals that my edition was published while The Beatles were still on singing terms. There are no tribute groups for definitions; we’re stuck with the latest thing.

Stuart Maconie should be satisfied with that. Instead he prefers his own “slightly different” definition: “A whistle-able (sic) tune, memorable and easy, with quite vague lyrics”. Sounds like a definition of ‘pop song’ to me.

William Dixon Smith, Welland Rise, Acomb, York.