Sir, – Like Frank McNally, I do not like the use of the word “passed” to describe someone who has died (An Irishman’s Diary, November 29th).
My favourite euphemism is “gathered”. Its use is best illustrated by an apocryphal quote attributed to a Scottish ghillie: “They call it the dead man’s pool; he waded too far and he was gathered.” – Yours, etc,
JULIAN GAISFORD-ST LAWRENCE ,
Coil Dubh,
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Co Kildare.
