Was Cory Doctorow, who is alleged to have coined the word “enshittification” (‘You can’t make billions without hurting people’: Cory Doctorow on Elon Musk, the AI bubble and bosses’ cruel fantasies, 24 June), merely borrowing and translating the French word emmerdement? This has a long and colourful history extending at least to the novelist Gustave Flaubert, who is cited as an early user.
David Walker
Sheffield
• Jerry Emery complains about you using “made-up words” after “roflmao” appeared in your cryptic crossword (Letters, 21 June). I think he should remember that all words are made up by somebody. Having said that, I admit I hadn’t heard that one before, and was a bit put out when I had to reveal it in the crossword online.
Hilary Clarkson
Manfield, North Yorkshire
