HAVE any other readers noticed a certain word that is slowly infiltrating almost all spoken English, sometimes totally out of context with the rest of the sentence and increasingly used by seemingly rash and intelligent people.

The word I refer to is 'basically', and, basically, I am becoming mentally weary of this over-used cliche.

Basically almost everyone is using it, and on occasions it is appearing in print as quotes. I would basically like to have it removed from the English language and regarded as taboo, along with familiar four-letter words which surprisingly are used less frequently than 'basically', basically.

Perhaps there should be a campaign to have a day set aside when it is forbidden to utter this horrendous word, and basically rid ourselves of this irritating, hackneyed expression.

Another minor bugbear (which is fast catching up on 'basically') is the utterly nonsensical 'sort of' which is usually tagged on to the end of sentences and accompanied by a rather silly giggle, presumably to make the 'offender' have an air of educated respectability when, in reality, they sound little short of a rambling buffoon. If you think this letter is an exaggeration, listen to TV and radio interviews, listen to salesmen, listen to Joe Public. They're all at it -- basically.

Derek Hilton

Oldhams Terrace

Astley Bridge

Bolton

Dear Editor,

Even though the contents of this letter are a serious criticism of the use of certain words etc, it is also intended to be 'tongue-in-cheek'.