24 APRIL 1964, Page 14

PURPOSELY ON PURPOSE

SIR,—My Kenyan grandfather, who died in 1880. amused the irreverent ■ oung by using the word 'purpose' when informing his family of an intention. 'I purpose to' do such and such. (Johnsonian definition : 'to design, intend, resolve) How fascinating it is to look at the changing meanings of words, and what a weakness it is that some have become portmanteau-words—'amenity' for instance containing anything from sewerage to landscape. Too many people today make a word 'mean just what I choose it to mean,' without know- ing, alas, that they are only imitating 1-lumplY- Dumpty.

ClIARINI. M. R. KTNYON