27 OCTOBER 1917, Page 15

(To THE Entree or THE " SPECTATOR.") SIB, —Thirty or

forty years ago the word "collywess," sometimes pronounced " connywees," was in frequent use in this part of Lancashire, and may still be heard to-day in the speech of the older folk. It was always used to express that the very opposite to what had been ordered or expected bad happened. That is to say, if a man had been told to turn to the right end instead had gone to the left, he had done " collywthe " to his instructions. It did not mean a partial mistake, or going away, and if the man had inclined slightly to the left "collywess " would not have been used. Only when the very contrary happened was this expressive word employed.—I am, Sir, &c., H. D. ASHTON.

Etienne, Darman.