Letter: A question begged

Thursday 08 July 1999 23:02 BST

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Sir: At least two writers in your issue of 7 January - in common with TV and radio commentators any day of the week - misuse the expression "to beg the question".

Am I just an old-fashioned pedant to be bothered by this? To say that it bothers me only because I am just an old-fashioned pedant begs the question.

The question it raises is am I right to be bothered by it or am I just an old-fashioned pedant?

BARRY SHEPPARD

Brighton

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Letter: A question begged

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