2 MARCH 1951, Page 5

To persons who, in reply to my objections to "

telecon " as, among other vices, a hybrid, quote a number of similar hybrids (like parasol) I would rejoin that that doesn't improve matters at all. However, one thing does, and that is this offering which reaches me from somewhere in Whitehall: An unfortunate hybrid is Telecon, A word not inspired from Helicon.

If I were a " Chink."

I should answer " I think This hollible word is Amellican."

The author, whose address, I note, is the Ministry of Etymology, would, I am sure, not use a slightly depreciatory term for Chinese but for the exigencies of rhyme.

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