28 JUNE 1924, Page 12

"SHOCKING" WORDS.

[To the Editor Of the- SPECTATOR.] SIR,—As an addition to Mr. Stephen Gwynn's survey of "• shocking " words, it may sunrise your readers to learn that in a large part of -the United' States itis- almost as in- delicate to mention in mixed company the male of " cow " as the female of " d6g." Strangely 'enough, this • tabu exists among rural whites in- parts of the South. It was once my misfortune to drop the word inadvertently at the dinner table and to be met with an unmistakably constrained