23 JULY 1983, Page 32

Competiti on

No. 1279: Obfuscation

Set by Jaspistos: A dialogue, please, bet- ween one person trying to ask a simple question in plain language (e.g. 'Will you marry me?', 'Could you tell me the time?') and another avoiding the issue with cir- cumlocutory jargon. Maximum 150 words. Entries to 'Competition No. 1279' by 5 August.