Sir, - Does Kevin Myers ever run out of breath (for example, An Irishman's Diary, September 18th)? Or does he have a hyperactive righteous-anger gland? Even if he does, it must be a wearying condition, one likely to cause an occasional Homeric nod. In its original language, which is still spoken by some, squaw means the external female genitalia. It is not unusual for Irishmen to use something similar of Anglo-Saxon origin as an insult to all genders, but never as a descriptor of all females of a particular race.
If I were to describe someone as a bud, Mr Myers might have to consult some upstanding Connemara person to learn my meaning. But then he would simply learn an insult intentionally applied and not used in a thoughtlessly degrading fashion. I recommend hot milk and a good night's rest for Mr Myers. - Yours, etc., Des Johnson,
Forest Hills,
Queens,
New York,
USA.