12 AUGUST 1989, Page 18

Sir: Since neologisms often originate from the classical languages I

suggest that the word naff is an abbreviation of the word `non-affiance' (n.aft).

Etymologically 'affiance' comes from the late Latin noun ad fidantia, then through the Old French words affiance and later affiance which mean trust, faith, loyalty and pledge. It appears in the writings of Langland, Chaucer, Shakespeare and in the Litany of the Book of Common Prayer (1662). Essentially it refers to Royalty, the Church of England, Parliament and the Law. The root meaning of 'non-affiance' is the passive refusal to consent to or follow or agree with the Establishment.

Surely a further example of naff is the Church of England Synod's recent approv- al of divorced ordinands.

J. M. Foster

4 Broomfield Gardens, Henfield, West Sussex