Sad to see “hanky-panky” on the list of most annoying expressions (Pass notes, 22 November). In 1862, Ruth Traill, perhaps the first female detective in English fiction, was introduced in Edward Ellis’s story Ruth the Betrayer as “a sort of spy we use in the hanky-panky way when a man would be too clumsy”. She was attached to the “notorious Secret Intelligence Office”. Rather splendidly, the head of this force was Eneas Earthworm, and his office was so secret that a plaque announced: “Eneas Earthworm: Secret Agent”.
Judith Flanders
Montreal, Canada
• The long read on romance in a care home (23 November) was touching, except for the line: “They probably drove everyone crazy, Mary thought. Two almost-80-year-olds going barmy for each other.” Seriously?
Linda Mockett (age 72)
Winnersh, Berkshire
• It was heartwarming to read about Monkey’s long journey and safe return back to his owner (Boy, three, reunited with lost toy after Monkey’s 600-mile rail adventure, 23 November), and cheering that he had been gibbon a new jumper.
Richard Barnard
Wivenhoe, Essex
• Having labelled the Rwanda asylum policy “batshit”, James Cleverly has now purportedly called Stockton a “shit-hole” (Report, 23 November). Perhaps he should have a word with Dominic Cummings to broaden his vocabulary.
Martin Freedman
London
• The third letter above was amended on 25 November 2023. An earlier version was misattributed to Terry O’Hara of Maghull, Merseyside.
