I feel I must protest about the editing of my recent letter (24 April), in which you changed “less than 2 pounds” to “less than a kilo”.

You are helping destroy the richness and history of our language, 2.54 centimetres by 2.54 centimetres, and I will go the extra 1,609.344 metres to stop this process – fighting 0.9144 metres by 0.9144 metres, and 0.3048 metres 0.3048 metres, I will defend every 0.40468564224 hectares, every 5.03 metres and 5.03 metres and 5.03 metres of this rich terrain.

If necessary, I will 0.454 kilograms on your doors, and use every 28.349523125 grams of my remaining strength to impede your efforts.

I will be going now, but not 201.168 metres!

Or, as I’d prefer:

You are helping destroy the richness and history of our language, inch by inch, and I will go the extra mile to stop this process – fighting yard by yard and foot by foot, I will defend every acre, every rod, pole and perch of this rich terrain.

If necessary, I will pound on your doors, and use every ounce of my remaining strength to impede your efforts.

I will be going now, but not furlong!

David Reed

London