23 FEBRUARY 1945, Page 14

CLICHES SIR,—The one that irritates me is the expression "task

force," which seems to be of American origin and is of general use, and has no apparent meaning. All naval forces, especially in the Pacific Ocean, seem to be " task " forces. The word " task " seems to be as meaningless now as was the word " shock " a few years ago, when nearly all bodies of fighting troops were described as " shock " troops.—Yours faithfully,