Having worked as a psychotherapist for 12 years I concur that swearing makes us stronger (Report, 5 May). People brought up in a culture of obedience and “being good” repress their negative feelings, which can lead to passivity, inertia and depression. I teach clients that swearing in private is a harmless way to express pent-up anger and frustrations and can give us the energy and power to challenge long-held oppressive beliefs. When we practise we usually start laughing – a bonus.
Jen Fitton
North Connel, Argyll
• If any Tory is a “caggie-handed cheese-headed fopdoodle” (Report, 2 May), it’s David Cameron – who actually is left-handed – rather than Boris Johnson, who isn’t. Tom Watson should strive for accuracy rather than making sinistral slurs.
Derrick Cameron
Stoke-on-Trent
• Re Boris Johnson, Jeremy Corbyn and Mugwumps (Letters passim), I am surprised no one has mentioned Geoffrey Garratt’s book The Mugwumps and the Labour Party, published by the Hogarth Press in 1932. It mentions “the almost unavoidable touch of self-righteousness which makes the Mugwump unpopular”.
Emma Tristram
Arundel, West Sussex
• Growing up in Bristol I spent many happy hours at the Colston Hall (Letters, passim). Perhaps I could suggest that it be renamed Estlin Hall after Bristolian Mary Estlin, a well known abolitionist, secretary of the Bristol and Clifton Anti-Slavery Society and, of course, a woman.
Ian Churchill
Leeds
• I am Grandad Beard, my Dad was Grandad Pipe (Letters, passim). I guess I have imaginative children and grandchildren.
Tim Sellick
Sidcup
• My grandson calls my husband Babba. His other grandfather? Other Babba.
Morag Murchie
Chandler’s Ford, Hampshire
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