7 FEBRUARY 1987, Page 26

Pilgering

Sir: J.G. Dudley's question (Letters, 31 January) about the word `pilgering' and `pilgerish' is quickly answered. The verb to pilger means to regard with insight, com- passion and sympathy. It was coined by Auberon waugh, circa 1984, as a tribute to the work of one John Pilger, a well-known humanitarian journalist, who wrote widely about the world's underprivileged. It is pronounced with a soft 'g'.

Phillip Knightley

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