21 MAY 1921, Page 15

TEE ORIGIN OF THE LONDON COSTERHONGERS. [To THE F.arroa OF

THE " SPECTATOR."] Sui,--Your American correspondent Mr. Kimber asks on April 23rd for any information which might bear out- a theory of the Spanish origin (considerably supported by their cos- tume) of the London costermongers. Only one small item occurs to me, the " costar " word donah for a lady, as in Albert Chevalier's old song, " Never introduce your donah to a pal." This word might, however, be part of a common English gipsy vocabulary, picked up in Spain.—I am, Sir, ha.,