Was Priti Patel wrong in her use of the word 'fulsome'?
In her resignation letter Priti Patel wrote: "I offer a fulsome apology to you and to the Government for what has happened", but was that the correct use of the word?
Stig Abell, editor of the Times Literary Supplement tweeted: "'Fulsome' means insincere. She meant to say 'full'".
Oliver Kamm, author of Accidence Will Happen: The Non-Pedantic Guide to English Usage, told the World at One "there is no central arbiter of what words mean" and "everyone understood" what Priti Patel meant.
He discussed the use of words with Stig Abell.
(Photo: A section of Priti Patel's resignation letter. Credit: PA)
Duration:
This clip is from
More clips from World at One
-
![]()
No ring, no bring: Is Taylor's wedding plus-one policy right?
Duration: 05:27
-
![]()
Why airlines have strict rules around packing power banks
Duration: 04:22
-
![]()
Court of Appeal to look at case of boys not jailed for rapes
Duration: 04:40
-
![]()
Evan and Sarah: Is the US being ripped off?
Duration: 10:36
