Janet Eldred does suffer from being educated in the States; although her writings have good messages, they are often expressed in 'Amerlish' - or even 'Yanklish'.

Her discussion on lavatories toilets, loos, bathrooms (January 20) was good, and shows the way in which we have become prissy.

We always try to dress up "unclean" words in a mass of "cleaner" words, often made up for the purpose.

Just two points were made which show that she is not English: she calls a tap a faucet, but a faucet is a pipe inserted into a barrel to draw off liquid! Then she asks why England has low-pressure water supplies when it has a low altitude; the second causes the first. Still, she's new to this country, and is obviously learning quickly.

Harry Hayes,

Chatsworth Drive,

Haxby,

York.

Click here to read Janet Eldred's column

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