Nuts and Bolts: pictures worth a thousand words.

No one can love words much more than I do, but there's no denying they can be a bit of a nuisance.

I mean, if a word's in a foreign language then most of the time there's no telling what on earth it means.

Söz, anyone?

As it happens, söz is the Kazakh word for, well, word: but the truth of the matter is that only a tiny proportion of the people of the world can understand it.

So, should we turn to another system? Of pictures, for instance?

Well, there is enough to think about there to write several dissertations, but for now I'll leave you with just one thought.

In some parts of the world, if you published a photo of a bare-chested man riding on horseback; or posing with a rifle; or perhaps engaging in some sort of wrestling; well, I understand that in those places that would make him appear extremely tough and formidable.

Which is rather odd, because around here it just makes him look very very gay.

Word To Use Today: Vladimir. This word is made up of the Slavic elements vladeti, rule, plus meru, famous - unless the meru bit is really miru, which means peace or world. The most famous Vladimir was a Ukrainian prince who did his best to make Russia Christian.