Sir – John Wright’s erstwhile sub-editors in Harrogate are the ones who should have had their ears boxed (Summon up courage, Letters, January 21).
As your newspaper’s estimable Mr Gray has, I believe, recently pointed out, summons (not summonse, Mr Wright), is a perfectly respectable verb.
The OED has “summons (v.t.) — serve with summons” whereas “summon (v.t.) — demand the presence of” is a clearly different matter.
Mrs Ramsbottom was surely right to exclaim that “someone’s got to be summonsed” over the unfortunate loss of Albert.
E V Mellor, Marston
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