Your letters
15:50 UK time, Friday, 27 October 2006
Dr Reece Walker refers to the Princess Margaret maternity lawsuit as a "boondoggle" (Thursday letters) - a is something monstrously expensive that has little function (such as the Millennium Dome or, some might say, Princess Margaret herself). I think the word Dr Walker is looking for is "brouhaha" or "kerfuffle". All great words, though.
Neil Golightly, Manchester, UK
Can I thank Dr Walker for introducing me to "boondoggle." It will be a good name for my new cat.
Robin, Edinburgh
Thank you to those eagerly supplying me with a word for my lack of punning ability (Thursday letters). I feel much better now. And lack of caption ability? Bet that's not so easy...
Sarah, Edinburgh
Sarah, by my reckoning I have now submitted 10 entries to Punorama. I look every week to see if I've won, but to no avail - no pun in ten did! (Sorry, just get me coat.)
Tom, Leeds
Kay asked the ±«Óătv to stop using suffer/sufferer in stories about those with illnesses (Thursday letters). She might just note that the OED says that "suffer" has 14 shades of meaning, including the very neutral "experience". This means that you aren't necessarily spending all your time going "ouch" when you suffer an illness.
Herbert G, Leeds
Please could the ±«Óătv stop using the word “illness” and talk instead about “deferred health”? Thank you.
Sue, health novice, Twickenham
Kay says people with illnesses don’t suffer, “they deal with them and get on with life”. What about man-flu? Boy, does that cause suffering… you ladies out there know what I’m saying.
Christina, Inverness
Re . Being a member of the Friends of the Tank Museum, Bovington, and a former squaddy, I can confirm that driving a tank is relatively easy. However, DVLA are not geared up to private ownership. It is virtually impossible to tax, insure or MOT your own panzer for use on the open road.
Ian, Horsham, UK
Simon, Cambs queries braking left to turn left (Thursday letters) - but it makes sense. Try it. Stand up and keep your left leg on a spot while using your right leg to walk in circles; you'll circle to the left, if you don't fall over trying.
Ed, Clacton, UK
When MM says "Due to technical and manpower issues....." in the caption competition blurb, does this really mean that it's too much like hard work?
MCK, London
MM note: No.
I’ve been trying to trace a friend that I lost touch with years ago. Her name is Vicky, a teacher last known living in East London. What a coincidence if it’s the Vicky that posted on Monday. Did you used to live in a house share in Walthamstow in the early 90s? Do you remember the mannequin in the window, the orange paintwork or the marmite jars? If not, I apologise to all Monitor readers for misuse of the letters page in advance of the flack I will no doubt get for this letter. Sorry.
Clair, London
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