The ‘ums’ have it — thanks to a classics scholar

WHENEVER there is a referendum in the offing, commentators are presented with a dilemma as to how to refer to the plural of the word.

Those with a grounding in Latin tend to opt for ‘referenda’ , while those without (who would now appear to be in the majority) opt for ‘referendums’.

Ironically, the latter are correct , and I am reminded of the story told by Angela Rippon, former BBC newsreader, as to how she resolved the matter when Broadcasting House could not.