22 APRIL 2006, Page 63

Q. Being rather behind in my Spectator reading, I have

just come across your advice page from 9 April 2005 regarding the thorny problem of addressing those who are the unmarried others of one’s relations. I like to use the gem of a phrase coined by Clark Gable, in a marvellous little film called It Started in Naples, wherein he addresses the mother of his brother’s child as ‘my sister-not-in-law’ although, admittedly, I do not usually use it when the person concerned is within earshot.

Name and address withheld A. Thank you for suggesting this concisely descriptive tool.