LETTER : Old insult

Sir: With reference to Eric Partridge having the final word on "toe-rag" (Letters, 21 June), I suggest that the first word should go to Sir John Aubrey. In his Brief Life of Ralph Kettell (late seventeenth century) he records some words of that scholar and divine:

"Dr Kettell, when he scolded at the idle young boies of the colledge, he used these names, viz. Turds, Tarrarags (these were the worst sort, rude Rakills) Rascal-Jacks, Blindcinques, Scobberlotchers ..." (The italics are mine).

G T EDDY

Stalbridge

Dorset