3 MARCH 1950, Page 18

Why Snob ?

SIR,—The name " snob " for a cobbler is by no means obsolete, as some of your correspondents suggest, but is, in fact, in general use still through- out the Royal Navy, where a rating who does shoe-making or repairing in his spare time is so described, without any other suggestion being attached to the name. Surely it is possible that the two meanings of the word derive from quite different roots.—I remain, Sir, your obedient