When did ‘literally’ become, literally, the most annoying word in the English language? Fairly recently I would guess, because ‘like’ as in ‘I was like… seriously?’ or ‘that’s like, so unfair’ was easily winning the title for many years. ‘Like’ has become a filler, taking the place of um and er, and generally making the speaker sound a bit of a moron but literally (used to) have some authority, emphasising the slightly unexpected veracity of whatever. No longer. My summer hols have been spent involuntarily counting how many L words can be crammed into one sentence. The most was four. And while we’re at it, what’s ‘reaching out’ all about? Answers on a postcard please.
On my annual sabbatical from bridge I came across this hand, pictured above in a book on Declarer play.
West led his singleton heart and, as is so often the case, declarer had to do the right thing at trick one — what would you do?
Look what happens if he wins with the ♥K in hand.
Get Britain's best politics newsletters
Register to get The Spectator's insight and opinion straight to your inbox. You can then read two free articles each week.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Comments
Join the debate for just £1 a month
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for £3.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just £1 a monthAlready a subscriber? Log in