26 JUNE 1993, Page 30

Thought for food

Sir: The two words 'recipe' and 'receipt', meaning a list of ingredients and instruc- tions for combining them, are of similar antiquity. Whereas the first is sound Mid- dle English and widely understood, the sec- ond is Old French and its use an affecta- tion. I should be grateful if you would draw this to the attention of your food writers.

Dr Kim Davis

Flat 5, 55 Rupert Street, London W1