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Sorry Paulh - the fireworks must have affected my spelling 🧨

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On the subject of the few femine words with an -er ending, there are the old words baxter and brewster, originally a female baker and brewer respectively, though the words were later used with men too.

Perhaps malone can advise us whether brewster is still used in Scotland.

Orson, thanks. I really like both baxter and brewster, but have never seen or heard them being used - a pity, really!

Not crossword related, but I've just returned from a short road trip, and along the highway are highway dept. signs displaying "Drive Safe." Aaargh!

Well you are in the US I think, where they say "write me" and "gotten", tsk.

At the risk of being accused of treason, I have to say I prefer American spellings even though I don't feel I can use them. Color and plow, for example. Simpler is always better.

Paul H

Apologies for the late reply, I have been away. I enjoyed reading your interesting analysis.

You make a good point about the 2 four-letter P words. Originally Poms was an insult, but nobody takes offence at it nowadays. Conversely, the other P word was used insultingly, so that offence is always taken when it is used.

The local corner shop is run by an Afghani (that is what he refers to himself as). I dont know if that is viewed as offensive if used by other nationalities.

I have been called many things: Pom, Pape (another 4-letter P word), Mick, Scouser etc. I have never taken offence at any of them.

Tyke

Apologies also to you for late reply. I have been following the story and agree that Yorks have behaved incredibly badly, naively etc. I have sympathy for Ballance. He clearly regarded it as banter with a close friend. Unwise of course, but I have seen many examples of it in dressing-rooms over the years.

I hope Vaughan is cleared. I like him and he does express his opinions, which is refreshing. I was going to have a couple of days at the Leeds Test, but I cant see YCCC being cleared in time for it to take place there.

Orson

Re you posting on blond hair, I have read 2 reports of the passing of Ron Flowers, both of which referred to his blond hair. So the papers are now getting it right. I had previously seen only "blonde" hair.