Leaving fashion aside, why do we have heels, even on so-called “flat” shoes? And when did shoes first get heels? Why do we have heels even on toddlers’ first shoes?

English “flat” shoes are a misnomer for slippers or sandals. We refer, of course, to the thick part of a sole of a boot or shoe which raises the heel.

In any event, avoid saying “to bless the world with one’s heels”, which, since the 16th century, means to be hanged!
Gerald Stonehill, Denham, Bucks

There is persuasive evidence to suggest that the heel on shoes developed concurrently with the stirrup, the heel providing a point of grip thus facilitating closer control of a horse, a vital advantage in cavalry based warfare.
Robert Randell, London SE26

Was it an accepted tradition in the Royal Navy that a captain should go down with his sinking ship? I have a step relation who did this when his ship, Electra, was sunk at the battle of the Java Sea in 1942. If this was an accepted tradition, when was it abandoned?

As a young soldier I was told that if I lost my rifle I would have to pay for it. I subsequently assumed that it was simply the expense that made a captain choose to “go down with his sinking ship”.
Robert Vincent, Hampshire

In 1960 handing in my army uniform following three years’ TA service, I discovered I had to pay for my lost gaiters. “And that, corporal,” observed my stores sergeant. “Is why a captain goes down with his ship.”
Bill Wintrip, Dorchester

What is the name for an inhabitant of Argentina? Sports commentators dither between calling players Argentines or Argentinians, eg, Andrés Romero is an Argentinian golfer, but David Nalbandian is an Argentine tennis player.

It is wrong to say the name Argentinian was, “a clumsy construction invented during the Falklands War”. Having searched old records of The Times the first use of the adjective “Argentinian”, to describe an inhabitant of Argentina, was actually as early as 1897.
Neil McCart, Cheltenham

In a Latin American context it is thought more polite to describe an inhabitant of Argentina as an Argentine. A well known finance house advertised its local credentials by referring to Argentinians — and corrected this once I had pointed out the solecism.
Dr Charles Goodson-Wickes, London

On the crown of the head, it seems more usual for the hair to grow in a clockwise direction. I only occasionally see it growing anti-clockwise. Why is this?

It must be another manifestation of the Coriolis effect. Perhaps the mothers of those with hair growing anti-clockwise were in the southern hemisphere during their pregnancy.
Tony Titchener, Seaford, Sussex

My hair is now white. Why not then my eyebrows which are still dark?
Robert Vincent, Hampshire

Have any creatures ever developed ear “lids” to keep out unwelcome sounds? It would be such a blessing.
Ellen Brown, Cumbria