17 OCTOBER 1931, Page 11

frequent phrase : " it ought to be possible." It

annoys him. I sympathize. But we know what it means. There are other, less intelligible offenders. I should like to select one or two of the commonest, each week. At the moment the use of " practically "—for " nearly "—beats all competitors.

The other day I read that an ardent politician had " practically missed his train." Was it practical to be so late ? Did he miss it ? Or did he first get on to it and then fall off ?