Sir – A hyperactive spell-checker seems to have had a hand in William Poole’s moderately funny rant against New College’s intrusive ‘Harry Potter’ tourists (I dislike tourists . . . November 22).
Confessing that he and his fellow dons are to blame for having taken money from the film company in the first place, he writes: ‘venial as we are’.
Well, according to the OED, that would make them ‘pardonable, excusable, not very wrong’ — pretty insignificant in fact.
I guess the word he had in mind was ‘venal’ — ready to sell anything or anyone and sacrifice one’s principles for cash. Just remind me: what subject does Dr Poole tutor?
Chris Sladen, Woodstock
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