Sir, - On a recent visit to London, where also the authorities seem anxious to induce drivers to moderate the speed of their vehicles on certain roads, I noticed that the road signs giving notice of the presence of the decelerative structures bear the simple legend "humps". It struck me that we, who sometimes presume to teach the English their language, could learn from them in this instance. After all, "ramp" is only half the story; no sooner has one's vehicle ascended than it must abruptly descend. Indeed, this is what the front wheels are doing when those at the rear are ascending.
On second thoughts, let's leave well enough alone. The first language couldn't possibly survive "hUmpai". - Yours, etc.,
Frank Farrell, Lakelands Close, Stillorgan, Co Dublin.