RADIO presenter John Humphreys is one of the finest journalists of his generation.

His Radio 4 Today programme reveals a man with a sharp, uncompromising mind when it comes to interviewing prevaricating politicians.

He is also – and this is not a criticism – a bit of a pedant when it comes to the English language, hating people who express themselves lazily.

His latest rant in Waitrose Weekend magazine roundly criticises the use of the word “so” at the start of sentences. He believes this is down to bumbling academics who use it “perhaps to buy a bit of time when they’re not quite sure how to answer the question.”

Actually, John, that particular word “crime” isn’t really all that bad. Perhaps it would be more valuable to aim your conversational cannon at other, worthier targets.

Do have a go at badly spelt and ungrammatical signs, like the “Less than 10 items” aisles in supermarkets that should be “Fewer than ….” and abysmal use of apostrophes.

So this could make a difference.