21 DECEMBER 1974, Page 5

,Sir: In writing (December 7) that he has 'caught the

OED out" on the word exclaustrate, George Gale is presuma,blY not rebuking it for its failure to tOresee that the Times would one day Use it, but is implying that it was available to the OED for the latest supplement, if not earlier. Where? J. C. Maxwell halliol College, Oxford