The latest Column 8 correspondence features anecdotes about mistaken names, the word 'euphuistic', and reflections on the two Alan Joneses in the news on Thursday alongside fond memories of David Jones department store.
Rob Baxter of Naremburn recalled that over his long association with Royal North Shore Hospital's Kolling Institute, he would receive mail addressed to the Colling, Lolling, Kooling and Killing Institute. 'I hastened to assure the last sender that our medical research actually saved lives,' he wrote.
Ann Babington of Thornton said she does not like Tim Tams and does not even like chocolate.
Elizabeth Savage of Hughes (ACT) thanked 'Granny' for introducing her to the word 'euphuistic', which she said her Macquarie Dictionary defined as 'an ornate style of writing, high-flown language', in imitation of 16th-century author John Lyly.
Ron Polgaze of Hazelbrook offered a mea culpa: 'My dear, old horse Meataxe would hang her head in shame that her pet jackeroo had become so pretentious.'
Bruce Moxon of Toongabbie wondered whether every newspaper editor in Australia (at least the metro dailies) was perturbed over confusing the two Alan Joneses in the news on Thursday, one in court and one deceased. 'Pity help any junior scribbler who mixed them up! Not to mention their distant cousin, David,' he wrote.
Trevor Wootten of Petersham expressed sadness about the demise of David Jones, recalling buying his first Stamina school suit in 1956, which included a free pigskin wallet. He said his younger mate purloined about two dozen wallets while he was being fitted.
Gail Grogan of Toongabbie recalled once receiving what she called the wrong paper from the delivery person and ringing to advise; even the recycling bin rejected it.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The column reflects public reaction to the coincidental prominence of two people named Alan Jones in the news.
- It also captures nostalgia for David Jones, a retail icon now in administration.
Background
Column 8 is a reader letters feature that has appeared in The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age for many years. This edition comments on a week in which two Alan Joneses were in the news and David Jones department store entered voluntary administration.
What to Watch
- The future of David Jones under administration.
- Potential for further media discussion about confusion over similar names in reporting.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedThe Column 8 correspondence includes anecdotes about mistaken names, the word “euphuistic” and the two Alan Joneses in the news on Thursday, alongside memories of David Jones department store.The Age - Latest News: “Wondering if every newspaper editor in Australia (at least the metro dailies) was perturbed, anxious, or any other description over confusing the two Alan Joneses in the news on Thursday”
- SupportedRob Baxter said mail to the Kolling Institute was addressed to the Colling, Lolling, Kooling and Killing Institute.The Age - Latest News: “I would get mail addressed to the Colling, Lolling, Kooling and Killing Institute”
- SupportedBaxter wrote that he assured the sender of “Killing Institute” mail that the medical research saved lives.The Age - Latest News: “I hastened to assure the last sender that our medical research actually saved lives.”
- SupportedAnn Babington said she does not like Tim Tams or chocolate.The Age - Latest News: “And I don’t even like chocolate. Not sure where that puts me.”
- SupportedElizabeth Savage thanked Granny for introducing her to “euphuistic” and said her Macquarie Dictionary defined it as “an ornate style of writing, high-flown language”.The Age - Latest News: “According to my Macquarie Dictionary it is defined as ‘an ornate style of writing, high-flown language’”
- SupportedSavage linked the style to 16th-century author John Lyly.The Age - Latest News: “all in imitation of a 16th-century English author called John Lyly.”
- SupportedRon Polgaze wrote, “My dear, old horse Meataxe would hang her head in shame that her pet jackeroo had become so pretentious.”The Age - Latest News: “My dear, old horse Meataxe would hang her head in shame that her pet jackeroo had become so pretentious.”
- SupportedBruce Moxon wondered whether newspaper editors in Australia, at least the metro dailies, were perturbed about confusing the two Alan Joneses in the news on Thursday.The Age - Latest News: “Wondering if every newspaper editor in Australia (at least the metro dailies) was perturbed, anxious, or any other description over confusing the two Alan Joneses in the news on Thursday”
- SupportedMoxon described one Alan Jones as being in court and the other as deceased.The Age - Latest News: “One in court, one deceased, both newsworthy.”
- SupportedMoxon wrote, “Pity help any junior scribbler who mixed them up! Not to mention their distant cousin, David.”The Age - Latest News: “Pity help any junior scribbler who mixed them up! Not to mention their distant cousin, David.”
- SupportedTrevor Wootten recalled buying his first Stamina school suit in 1956, with a free pigskin wallet.The Age - Latest News: “I well remember being taken by mum in 1956 to purchase my first suit”
- SupportedWootten said his younger mate purloined about two dozen wallets while he was being fitted for his suit.The Age - Latest News: “the mate produced about two dozen Stamina wallets purloined from breast pockets while I was being fitted for my suit”