THE 18th century philosopher David Hume is the latest figure to fall foul of our modern era’s predilection for censure and erasure of the problematic past (The problematic past being pretty much all of it).

Embarrassed about some of Hume’s views, Edinburgh University has distanced itself from its former student by renaming David Hume Tower, minus the pesky David Hume part.

No doubt the philosopher had his faults, though at heart he was a humble soul. Well, humblish.

Hume famously asked to be interned on his death in a “simple Roman tomb”.

Which is rather like Elton John describing his stage attire as: “That simple business suit I wear to work.”

Chocs away

WE hear that singer-songwriter Amy Macdonald turned up for an interview with radio host Cat Harvey bearing many glutinous gifts, including a box of donuts, Oreo cookies, orange chocolate buttons and those swanky Ferrero Rocher nibbles.

Amy’s new album is released on October 30. We predict a long queue of journalists eager to sit down with the star.

Some of them may even want to discuss her album.

Britannia unbound

THE UK Government wants to renege on parts of the Withdrawal Agreement with the European Union. An Ayrshire reader wonders if the lyrics of Rule Britannia, sung during Saturday’s Last Night Of The Proms, should be changed from Britannia rules the waves to Britannia waives the rules.

Dictionary corner

THE Diary has long been celebrated for the verbal dexterity of its readers. Not only do they have a fine command of English. They also manipulate the language as though it was plasticine, mauling and mashing it into playful new shapes.

Doug Maughan is one such linguist. He’s currently devising alternative meanings for common words, and suggests the following:

Flabbergasted, adj. Shocked by how much weight you’ve gained during lockdown.

Name game

WITH Scotland having launched its own contact tracing app, David Donaldson believes he has an appropriate name for it… Clype.

Animal magic

SIR David Attenborough is renowned for his wildlife documentaries. Although hesitant to be dismissive of his distinguished career, we feel honour bound to point out that our readers, who go mostly unheralded and unknighted, have an equally profound understanding of the animal kingdom.

For instance, Russell Smith, from Kilbirnie, spotted a cat with one eye coming towards him.

“Though it turned out it was walking backwards,” he adds in an Attenborough-like whisper.

Flat performance

THOUGHT for the day from reader Kevin Sweeney, who wonders: “Does Jeremy Irons ever have a little chuckle to himself while ironing?”