Phrases we could live without

Sir, – Valued Customer. We appreciate your call. All our operators are busy (=a sole operator, feet up, having a coffee). Thank you for your patience. – Yours, etc,

PADDY TERRY,

Rosemount Crescent,

Clonskeagh, Dublin 14 .

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Sir, – “As and from” – should be “As from” – frequently appearing in your august columns, alas! “Mitigate against” – meaningless. “Militate against” is what is meant. – Yours, etc,

DAVID GRANT,

Mount Pleasant, Waterford.

Sir, – How about “those of us who”, often used by those of us who don’t belong, subscribe, suffer, enjoy or support, as a way of trying to appear as if we do belong, subscribe, suffer, enjoy or support, or are affected! – Yours, etc,

PAT QUINN,

Emmet Road, Dublin 8.

Sir, – “A small open economy”. – Yours, etc,

PN CORISH,

Oaklands Drive,

Rathgar, Dublin 6.

Sir, – “Irish Rail would like to apologise for...” and ”....have a pleasant and comfortable journey”. Unlikely, as I stand wedged between a bicycle and a toilet door. – Yours, etc,

FRANK NEENAN,

Tullow Road, Carlow.