3 MARCH 1950, Page 18

Caught on the Wrong Foot

SIR,—Janus, Guardian of the Gate, had better take heed to his own Latinity. Writing of Mr. Isaac Foot and his four sons in the Spectator of February 24th, he says: "Not quite a sesquipedalian achievement. but quinquepedalian indisputably." But sesquipedalian means one and a half feet: hence the joke is polysyllabic—but not intelligible.—I am, Sir, your obedient servant, W. P. MCKECHNIE. 9 Canaan Lane. Edinburgh, 10 [Janus writes: This is true ; a bad slip.]