I know that Microsoft Word spellchecker often comes in for some stick but it took the biscuit, for me, the other day.

Preparing a document for a feature on adult education I did not realise the checker was set to English (US) until a red line appeared under the word “numeracy”.

Upon pressing F7 I was offered the alternative spelling, “numeracies”. The mind boggles.

It reminded me of a stand-up comedian (whose name escapes me) on Russell Howard’s Good News who said the true test of Britishness was having spell-checker come up with the English (US) option and immediately saying, “No, no, no! I’m not having any of that nonsense, thank you very much,” and selecting English (UK).

Tommy Coyne, Powis Grove, Brighton