23 FEBRUARY 1985, Page 19

`Infamous'

Sir: In the course of his semi-literate account of Mrs Thatcher's first ten years as leader of the Conservative Party (Profile, 9 February), a writer of yours refers to her administration's `now infamous howlers'. That word 'infamous' has appeared in other curious contexts lately. As a spotter of popular catachreses, could I ask your man — through you -- what he means by `infamous'? This is not a rhetorical ques- tion. (Tell him a rhetorical question is one asked not for information but to produce effect.)

Kingsley Amis

189 Leighton Road, Kentish Town, London NW5