Naff
Sir: The word `naff (Diary, 22 July) has gained its popularity in these anti-elitist times precisely because its meaning has to do with style and taste rather than class (it is......
Sir: Since Neologisms Often Originate From The Classical...
suggest that the word naff is an abbreviation of the word `non-affiance' (n.aft). Etymologically 'affiance' comes from the late Latin noun ad fidantia, then through the Old......
Sir: I Believe That The Man Indirectly Responsible For The
word `naff is none other than Lord Blake, Provost of the Queen's College in Oxford. I remember that in 1977 his membership of the Nation- al Association for Freedom was exciting......
Letters Rude Restaurateurs
Sir: Regarding rude restaurateurs, Josephine Quintavalle (Letters, 5 August) at least had the consolation of being ejected by Mr Pierre White unbilled. Last Saturday a group of......
Wordsworthy Values
Sir: Seeking 'triumphant vindication' of `the "common notion" of William Word- sworth', which I understand to be that he wrote good poetry when it put forth revolutionary views......
Dead Liberty
Sir: Diana Geddes is sweeping in her assumptions (`Taking liberties', July 15). One, she says signatories to Charter 88 complain. Two, she suggests that France is the only......
A Dictionary Of Cant
ALTERNATIVE. Crass, mediocre, un- shaven. Nigel Burke......
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