16 JANUARY 1942, Page 4

There are, I admit, cases where the use of "infinitely"

is justified, or at any rate very nearly—to characterise the super- secrecy of some official communications, for instance. Here is one, a real case. An officer commanding a Home Guard platoon received in the latter part of December a familiar official buff envelope marked "Secret." Inside was a communication, also marked "Secret." It read:

- "For Distribution down to Platoon Commanders. Christmas, 1941.

To all volunteers of the — Home Guard. We at Zone Headquarters send our best wishes for Christmas and the New Year.

(Signed) , Zone Commander." Poets have popularised the connexion between zone and waist ; there is something to be said for spelling the second noun