1 AUGUST 1987, Page 24

Hapax legomena

Sir: Paul Johnson (The press, 18 July), asked for synonyms for 'community charge' and 'privatisation'. May I suggest `civil levy' or 'civic duty', and for 'privatisa- tion' how about 'penucopia' or 'pleonopo- lisation' — even though I admit that the last one makes 'privatisation' look quite deft.

R. J. C. Roberts

4 Lampits Hill Avenue, Corringham, Essex