Dr A.W. Noltes, Sutton: “Who are these rapists of our language? ‘Staycation’ — the latest abomination. Did it start with chocoholic and shopaholic?”

They are just doing what the hugely inventive English language invites — coining new words. English is more prolific than other languages because it is the mongrel tongue: a broth of Romance, Teutonic, Nordic and every other language under the sun and since Babel. Some of these new coinages are ugly or silly. In due course they will become laughing stocks and die of shame. PH

David Agress, Newport Beach, California: “It is important not to confuse contemporary vernacular, painful as it may be for you to read or hear it, with an assault on the English language. It just ain’t so.”

David Cordiner, Selly Oak: “It’s handy when people come out with expressions such as staycation. It helps you determine if they’re people you’re willing to be acquainted with.”

David Holah, Puddletown: “Stop testiculating. One only has to look at the language of Shakespeare to appreciate one of the greatest facets of our language is that it is alive.”

Readers are invited to send their responses to this week’s question by August 23. A selection will be printed in a fortnight.

I am to be best man at my friend’s wedding. Any advice on the speech?

Jamie Russell, Notingham