John Haden's complaint about the misuse of English in the job title 'head of legal' (see [2004] Gazette, 8 July, 16) reminds me of a story told by that witty author and broadcaster, Gervase Phinn.


When he was chief inspector of schools in north Yorkshire, he came across a head teacher at a Catholic primary school who used to answer the telephone with the words 'head of John the Baptist'. Clearly, use of a noun, even a proper noun, rather than an adjective, does not always provide clarity.



Ann O'Brien, head of legal services, HBOS, Halifax