23 MARCH 1985, Page 21

Name-calling

Sir: Richard West's references to 'Yob- boes' and 'Loonies' (2 and 9 March) are a vivid reminder of childhood when calling people names is such a handy technique of establishing superiority. When Hitler and Stalin were grown-ups they both applied the same method with some success. But to find the language of the eleven-year-old in the Spectator comes as a bit of a shock.

Andrew Palfreman

3 Westlands Avenue, Grimsby