2 JANUARY 1959, Page 30

SIR,—'Antidisestablishmentarianism' and 'Praeter- transubstantiationalistical' have each in turn been cited

as the longest word in the English language. I do not profess to know the word which could legitimately claim this distinction (it is doubtful whether either of those mentioned so far is worthy of inclusion in any reputable dictionary), but `pneu- monoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis' (forty- five letters) must surely be a strong challenger in a list of possible candidates.—Yours faithfully,

MICHAEL DAWS

63 City Road, Norwich