ANENT the recent letters to The Herald bemoaning the demise of the humble “tumshie,” I fear it is on it is way to joining such other words as “bramble” and “hen.”

We even have Scottish-grown “blackberries” these days, and this very morning our local store had an elaborately-carved, pumpkin lantern burning. I have to admit it was a work of art.

Duncan Miller, 38 Middlemuir Road, Lenzie.

THE Americans elect “tumshies”

in the guise of elephants or donkeys. Let’s not begrudge them their hollow pumpkins. They need all the light they can get.

Incidentally, why does my spellcheck feel obliged to suggest “gumshoe” as an alternative to “tumshie”? Another unwanted Americanism?

Duncan Graham, 34 Randolph Road, Stirling.